In restaurant news this week look for dramatic second acts, seafood boils, and Oktoberfest making this Phoenix week special. The weather even seems to have gotten the autumn memo, with cooler temperatures and moody, rainy days. It’s the ideal time to pull out that lightweight pretend sweater and hit a local restaurant for pumpkin, apple, and all things spiced. 

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The 411

Seafood Boils Setting Anchor in North Mesa

Ahoy, maties! We have news of Angry Crab Shack is opening a new location at Gilbert and McKellips, marking this homegrown chain’s 19th Valley location. Known for its messy seafood boils and Asian-Cajun flavors, the new location will serve classics like shrimp, crab, lobster, and crawfish by the pound. 

Thai Me About It 

We believe no city can have too much Thai food. In North Scottsdale, the new Baan Thai is living up to that belief, serving up the standards: curries, drunken noodles, pad see ew, and intriguing dishes such as Crispy Pork Shoulder with smoky jaew dipping sauce and Nam Tok Ribeye salad with toasted rice powder. 

Goodbye Starbucks X 3

Starbucks announced in the news that it is closing hundreds of underperforming stores across the U.S. and Canada. Among the cuts are three East Valley locations: 54th Street south of Ray Road in Chandler, Val Vista Drive and Southern Avenue in Mesa, and Ellsworth and Main Street in Mesa. We’re sorry to see them go, especially for the employees out of work, but on the brighter side, hopefully this means more local concepts have room to thrive. 

12 West Takes the Stage

Downtown Mesa’s former 12 West Brewing on Main is getting a rather dramatic second act, and this is news this enraptured audience craves. Stage 12 West officially opens October 2 as a live entertainment and dining venue, offering live entertainment, high-fidelity sound, laser displays, and a full food menu. Expect grilled salmon, barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, and vegetarian options like pasta primavera. If that’s not exciting enough, Jolie’s Secret, its downstairs speakeasy, will debut October 9. 

Happenings

October 2: Rock out at Rocktoberfest

SanTan Brewing and Distilling is bringing Rocktoberfest to SanTan Gardens October 2 through 4, with three days of craft beer, cocktails, live music, and some good Oktoberfest fun. Along with tribute bands, expect wiener dog races, a brat-eating contest, and partner weiner toss. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 beginning on Friday.  

October 6: National Taco Day

Another national food holiday that deserves our absolute reverence, especially in a city where tacos reign. Need ideas of where to celebrate? We rounded up 15 of the best taco shops. And since National Taco Day purposefully falls on a Tuesday, you’re likely to score a few deals. Though, admittedly, when we called around with the news, most taco shops had no idea what we were talking about. Apparently they aren’t as “up” on national food days as we are.

But never fear, we still found you a few deals: The Hot Chick serves $2 ground beef and chicken tacos every Tuesday (with $2 Coronas and Pacificos, because why not?), while the more sophisticated Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails gets fancy with rotating Taco Tuesday creations featuring everything from Wagyu and slow-braised meats to fresh seafood. 

Ongoing: Craft Beer, Charcuterie, and Crafts 

We like our crafts better with craft beer, wine, and charcuterie. Cactus Flower Florists in Scottsdale has a full lineup of fall and holiday design classes, each paired with light bites and tastings of wine and seasonal craft beer.

Classes range from floral arrangements to holiday wreaths. We have our eye on the Succulent Pumpkin Design Experience on November 6 and hope that sipping on hops will make us better amateur florists. Classes are $85 per person and run through December 19. 

On the Menu 

Everything’s Better with Butter

Mastro’s Restaurants is giving its butter cake a fall makeover beginning October 1. The new Cinnamon and Pecan Butter Cake features a cinnamon swirl, brown sugar, and toasted pecans, served warm with crème anglaise, vanilla bean ice cream, and sea salt toffee caramel sauce. 

Fall For The Montauk

This Old Town Scottsdale restaurant is bringing us autumn in a cup. Head to Montauk for seasonal cocktails and coffee offerings include banana bread, apple pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and s’mores flavors. Try the Apple Pie Espresso Martini with vanilla vodka, apple pie-infused Irish cream, Borghetti, and cold brew, or the Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte with pumpkin cheese cold foam and streusel. You had us at cold foam. 

A Little More Love for Weft and Warp

Admittedly, we’ve been featuring Weft and Warp a lot these past few weeks, but the restaurant is on fire with its seasonal offerings. We were just informed that its fall menu is out now. With new dishes like the Acorn Squash Agnolotti with goat cheese, quince, and walnut, the Beef Cheek with chive pasta and petite vegetables, and an orange phyllo cake with mascarpone gelato, we’re going to book reservations pronto. 

 Don’t Miss This Week

Need some dining out recommendations? 

Friday: We’re headed to Green Corner Restaurant for Levantine cooking, influenced by Lebanon, Jordan, and the chef-owner’s native Syria. The kebabos, gyros, and chicken shawarma are calling our names, but so are the kibbeh, a crisp bulgur-and-beef croquette, and the knafeh, a syrup-soaked cheese pastry. 

Saturday: In the mood for fresh, made-to-order mini donuts and handcrafted coffee? Us too, which is why we’re moseying over to Pearl’s Mini Donuts in Mesa this weekend. We’re ordering a cupful of the matcha sugar donuts and the signature pink ones too, then washing it all down with a Caramel Macchiato.

Sunday: Practice makes perfect, and we think practicing for National Taco Day is a must. To do so, Taco Boy’s is getting a visit from us. We love the open-fire grill concept using mesquite charcoal, and plan to load up on carne asada, barbacoa, and al pastor tacos before diving into next week’s news.