Trattoria closes, Phillip's to open
Sad news for fans of the 2 1/2-year-old Trattoria Della Famiglia at 6060 N. Oracle Road: The restaurant closed last month.
Good news for fans of Italian food: Phillip Hesslau is opening Phillip's Italian and American Cuisine to take its place.
Another piece of good news: Hesslau's kitchen will be helmed by executive chef Michael Veres, who recently sold his Oro Valley restaurant Cibaria Cucina Italiana. Veres has a long history with Tucson and Italian food, including a celebrated run in the acclaimed upscale Italian restaurant Daniels.
Chicago native Hesslau, who is one of the owners of The Loop (formerly Uno Chicago Grill), said the restaurant will focus on modest Italian fare. Lunches will be $7.95, and dinners will range from $11 to $18. The most expensive bottle of wine will be $30.
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"It's always been high end, and I'm bringing it down a couple notches," Hesslau said of the two Italian restaurants that preceded him in the intimate Oracle Road space. "It will have tablecloths but it will be casual."
Hesslau plans to open the restaurant May 11. Details: 548-1549. No more shredded tofu sandwiches
My Dinh will close her Asian Sandwich Deli on April 30.
Citing the poor economy, Dinh says that she'll continue to cater events and that people can contact her via her Web site, www.asiansandwich deli.com.
Dinh opened the deli in 2005.
Coley Ward Open House at Maynards
Maynards, at 400 N. Toole Ave. in the Historic Train depot, is holding an open House from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
It's a chance to meet many of the local vendors whose products are sold in the market and to sample items ranging from tamales to Arizona wines. There will also be live music on the patio.
If all goes well, look for Maynards to hold similar events quarterly, or maybe even monthly.
Maynards already spotlights a different vendor each Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The next one, however, is Friday.
You can R.S.V.P. for the open house until noon Tuesday at maynardsmarket tucson.com, click on Events.
Representatives from Slow Food Tucson and Local First Arizona will also participate.
Inger Sandal
