Pasco Kitchen and Lounge
Chef Ramiro Scavo—the former executive chef for the group that runs Harvest Restaurant, the Grill at Hacienda del Sol and both Zona 78 locations—is opening a restaurant by the UA that will specialize in "urban farm food." Pasco Kitchen and Lounge will serve "traditional comfort food and drinks, approached with modern techniques and with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients" when it opens next month, according to a press release. The restaurant is going in the old Café Paraiso location at 820 E. University Blvd.
Allegro: Il Gelato Naturale
Ivan Lucchina came here all the way from Italy to make sorbet and gelato for you. He has two degrees from Carpigiani Gelato University and is putting that education to use at Allegro: Il Gelato Naturale, at 446 N. Campbell Ave. Lucchina uses natural ingredients to create all sorts of traditional flavors, such as chocolate and mint, and not-so-traditional flavors, like carrot and fennel. The fruit flavors taste exactly like the fruit from which they were made, and the tiramisu stuff is some of the best we've ever tasted. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; and 10:30 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday; 207-1991.
Sushi Cortaro
The new Sushi Cortaro is open at 8225 N. Courtney Page Way, in Marana. It's in the same weird strip mall that houses the sole Tucson-area location of the national chain eatery Native New Yorker. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and noon to 9:30 p.m., Sunday; 572-8668.
Acacia on the Move; Sur Real Closes
Chef Albert Hall is moving Acacia at St. Philip's from St. Philip's Plaza at 4340 N. Campbell Ave. to the former Sur Real spot in Gallery Row at 3001 E. Skyline Drive. Hall is renaming the restaurant Acacia Real Food and Cocktails, and he's overhauling the menu. The new restaurant will feature an exhibition kitchen and closed-circuit television that will allow diners to watch the cooks work. Expect fresh pastas, small plates served tapas-style, and loads of natural and organic choices. There's also word that Hall may start holding Saturday-morning cooking classes. The new Acacia is expected to open in mid-January.
The Marketplace at Acacia, also located at St. Philip's Plaza, will be closing.
