21 Sept 4th-Sept 10th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Campus Eats Where to eat at Novus Place in Tempe. BY GEORGANN YARA N ovus Place, the much-antici- pated dining and entertain- ment hub at the heart of Arizona State University’s mixed-use Novus Innovation Corridor, features several food and beverage venues ranging from casual to-go spots to sleek sit-down establishments. Located on the northwest corner of University Drive and Rural Road, Novus Place serves as a central gathering place for visitors to stroll along shaded walkways and people-watch with a bevy of restau- rants within a few steps of each other. And with the new school year underway, it’s bound to be a hot spot for hungry students, faculty, visiting family members and year- round residents alike. Filling the development is ongoing, but there are currently 10 eating and drinking spots to satiate just about every craving. Here’s a guide to where to eat and drink at Novus Place. The Melt Fast-casual eatery The Melt is a great option for a quick bite during the week or a late-night snack on the weekends. Find classic comfort fare with contemporary flair. Burgers and grilled sandwiches ooze with gooey melty cheese and are adorned with embellishments like jalapenos, bacon or crispy onions. Crispy chicken sand- wiches and three kinds of macaroni and cheese vie for attention. Wash it all down with a fountain soda, lemonade or La Croix, as there’s no booze here. Make sure to save room for one of the five hand-spun shakes. The snickerdoodle gets our vote. Flower Child Flower Child, a fast-casual spot that’s ideal for a quick bite, takeout or casual dining, will satisfy with fresh, healthy meals ready in a near-flash. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten- free, paleo, keto and omnivore dietary needs can be met with a cornucopia of customizable bowls, salads, wraps and build-your-own-plate options. Beer, seasonal sangria and wine accompany fountain drinks on the beverage menu. The build-your-own family meals let you call the shots with about two dozen choices spanning salads, proteins, sides and desserts. It’s perfect for hosting the parents at home, house parties or late-night cramming sessions. Blanco Cocina + Cantina Head to Blanco Cocina + Cantina for a sit-down meal with friends, relaxed sipping and noshing or date night. All the tried and true Mexican favorites are gathered onto one menu. Street style tacos stuffed with mahi mahi, ground beef or grilled avocado — check. Cheese crisps pumped up with machaca or roasted poblano pepper — check. Fajitas, burritos and enchiladas — check. Agua frescas, beer, wine and margaritas are plentiful. There’s an extensive tequila and mezcal selection plus flights featuring both. Up your Taco Tuesday plans with all-day happy hour pricing on guacamole, nachos, tacos and the green chile smash burger with poblano, queso blanco and caramelized onion, accompanied by fries. Deals on cocktails, wine and cervezas can be enjoyed for those 21 and older. North Italia Whether you seek al fresco dining, a date night spot or dinner with the parents, North Italia’s sit-down dining spaces will accommodate you with Italian comfort cuisine. Fresh pastas are made from scratch. Handmade pizzas and fun starters such as crispy eggplant parmesan, cacio e pepe arancini and the signature fried zucca chips with pesto aioli make this place a crowd pleaser. An impressive wine list offers bubbles, rose, white and red selec- tions available by the glass, carafe or bottle. There are also cocktails, local beer and zero-proof options. Brunch is served until 4 p.m. on the weekends, so there’s lots of time to sleep in and still scarf down suste- nance to soak up the previous night’s indulgences. Refuel with hearty plates like poached eggs and polenta, a shareable banana coffee cake and breakfast carbonara pasta with poached egg, pancetta, pecorino and herb breadcrumb topping. Blue Sushi Sake Grill Red lantern clouds are suspended from the ceiling. Hand-finished tables inspired by Tokyo fish market carts are painted with Kanji characters. The low-lit Blue Sushi Sake Grill is ideal for a romantic dinner or a fun, classy weekend night with pals. The menu is served late and flaunts creative sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri, plus gluten-free and vegan options. The happy hour menu is extensive and available all day on Sunday. Score deals on a number of items, including truffle salmon and tempura tofu pockets stuffed with spicy crab mix, and shared plates of mango crab rangoon and crunchy calamari. Wine, beer and a fun cocktail list with a few spirit-free options round out the menu, but the substantial sake collection with cold and warm offerings is the star attraction. Order a flight, glass, carafe or bottle. FYI: This national chain is the largest sushi group running a sustainably sourced seafood program, so you can feel good about what you’re eating. Eureka! Known for its American classics with a modern twist, Eureka! is perfect for al fresco dining, date night, dinner with the parents or late-night eats. The menu does not lack sophistication or creativity. Truffle cheese fries, mac and cheese balls with beer cheese sauce and crispy Brussels sprouts with orange chile glaze grace the starters lineup. Find burgers adorned with fig marmalade, bacon and goat cheese, or 28-day aged bone marrow, shiitake butter and grilled onion. Entrees include steak frites and fish and chips. A luscious bourbon barrel cake with candied pecans, bourbon caramel and vanilla bean ice cream is the highlight of the dessert menu. Local breweries have a presence among the 20 craft beers on tap. There’s wine and a fun signature cocktail list, but the whiskey selection deserves attention. Enthusiasts will discover more than 40 small-batch whiskeys and special off-menu offerings. Need a weeknight break? Reverse “hoppy hour” features deals on food and drinks from 9 p.m. to close Monday to Friday. Over Easy Hall-of-fame-worthy hearty plates have been the calling card of popular eatery Over Easy for years. Grab a table inside or on the dog-friendly patio to enjoy breakfast and brunch dishes spanning three-egg omelets, benedicts, pancakes, Find burgers and grilled sandwiches oozing with gooey melty cheese and a variety of accoutrements at The Melt. (Novus Place) American classics with a modern twist, signature cocktails and an extensive whiskey lineup are what diners will find at Eureka! (Novus Place) Blue Sushi Sake Grill menu is comprised of sustainably sourced seafood. (Novus Place) >> p 22 ▼ Food & Drink
