Latest news with #BestChefSouthwest
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
An upscale switcheroo: Mesa Provisions to fill space left by departing Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro
Apr. 21—After more than two decades of service in Nob Hill, a fine dining staple is passing the torch, and its location on Central, to another local restaurant on the rise. Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro opened in 2003, serving fine cuisine items such as seared ahi tuna, crispy duck confit eggrolls and mussels at 3009 Central NE. The owners took to social media on Wednesday to announce the eatery would be closing in May. "We have truly loved every second of being a part of the Nob Hill community. We've poured our hearts into creating this space and serving you, and we are incredibly grateful," the owners wrote. The restaurant's final day will be May 17. The 7,000-square-foot space, comprised of a 120-seat dining room and an 85-seat cellar bar, will welcome Mesa Provisions, an upscale New American restaurant currently at 3120 Central SE, said Zinc co-owner Keith Roessler. Roessler reached out to Mesa Provisions' owner and chef, Steve Riley, in January after some reconfigurations in ownership called for a change. Zinc's original team of owners included Roessler and his wife, Lynn Roessler, twin brother Kevin Roessler and his wife, Catharina Roessler, and chef Chris Pope. Pope informed the Roesslers last year of his intention to retire, prompting them to search for a new chef and partner. After one option fell through, the team, which grew to include Adam Ybarra and Bailie Schmidt roughly two years ago, originally reached out to Riley with the desire to partner up. Conversations between the two revealed that Riley already had an established team he didn't want to depart from. However, Mesa Provisions had outgrown its current 1,900-square-foot space and was in a position to move into a bigger space. "We had a lot of success for 22 years, and here comes somebody who's got a great young team," Roessler said, adding he sees a lot of himself and his team in Riley and his crew. "He's got a long reservation list and a buzz going about him, and he's super creative and energetic and passionate. It just worked out." Roessler said this isn't "a bankruptcy closing," noting the bistro is debt-free and profitable with low overhead costs. In 2002, the Zinc team put more than $1 million into renovating the space, which Roessler said is "turnkey" today. "We could probably put it on the market publicly and make a lot of money potentially, but it just seemed like this was a great fit," Roessler said, adding it made sense to lease the space to an accomplished individual looking to expand. Riley, a 2024 finalist for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Southwest, started Mesa Provisions in 2021. The move to the Zinc space will allow Mesa Provisions to expand its liquor offerings from just beer and wine to cocktails and a full bar experience; offer both reservations and walk-ins; and do more private events, Riley said. Mesa Provisions' team of 19 employees will also grow to between 30 and 35 employees, possibly more, Riley said. Some of Zinc's roughly 25 employees will interview with Riley, while the rest will move on to different ventures or go to Keith Roessler's other restaurants, including Albuquerque's Seasons Rotisserie & Grill and Savoy Bar & Grill, as well as Taos' The Gorge Bar & Grill and Parcht. Roessler said he and his family will continue tending to their other restaurants, while also "saying yes to a few more things, like fly fishing." He hopes the new space will help Riley expand Mesa Provisions' reach. "We're very excited to be able to do a lot of things that previously were just out of our ability to be able to do," Riley said. "My biggest excitement is really being able to have a little more freedom to kind of do whatever we want." Mesa Provisions will begin moving into the Zinc space in May and will complete some minor renovations with the aim of opening in August.
Axios
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
2 Arizona chefs named 2025 James Beard Award finalists
And then there were two: Lom Wong chef Yotaka "Sunny" Martin and Valentine pastry chef Crystal Kass are the sole Arizonans to make it to the finalist round of the 2025 James Beard Awards. Why it matters: The Beards are among the highest honors in culinary arts and winning can catapult a chef's career or restaurant's reputation to new heights. The latest: The James Beard Foundation announced the finalists on Wednesday. Martin is competing in the Best Chef Southwest category and Kass is among the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker finalists. Flashback: Kass was a finalist last year and Martin was a semifinalist in 2023. Zoom in: Lom Wong opened in Roosevelt Row in 2022 and touts dishes from northern Thailand (inspired by Martin's mother and grandmother), central Thailand and the Moklen tribe, a fishing community in the southern part of the country, according to Esquire.
