Restaurant opening: Condesa

San Diego-based Legal Restaurants will debut its first Arizona concept, Condesa, a neighborhood restaurant, café and craft cocktail bar in downtown Phoenix’s Renaissance Square on Monday, December 2.

Named after a stylish neighborhood in Mexico City, Condesa was once home to the artistic upper class and now is a mecca for the city’s best food, drink, arts, architecture and parks.

The sit-down dining experience will draw influence from Mexico City’s influx of immigrants in the 1940s and 1950s which brought Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Spanish influences to the traditional flavors of the nation’s capital. With a focal point on Mediterranean modern, Israeli-inspired staples and new American cuisine, Condesa will serve breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and Sunday brunch with a seated dining program as well as a Condesa Takeaway Café at the center of the restaurant with a coffee counter serving San Francisco’s Sightglass Coffee as well as fast-casual sandwiches, salads and wraps under $10.

The menu featuring a range of price points includes edgy yet clean, honest cuisine with a focus on shareable plates to share, vegetables and high-quality proteins such as Wagyu beef sourced directly from their ranch in Montana. With globally-influenced dishes such as tableside hummus made with hand mashed chickpeas and “masa” ball soup, the concept will tell the story of the town of Condesa, bringing a symphony of flavors together in unexpected dishes.

Condesa will boast a top of the line cocktail and spirit program focused on mezcals and tequilas created by spirit director, Jason O’Bryan, and an extensive wine program curated by advanced sommelier Victoria O’Bryan.

To bring the top quality food and beverage offerings to life, Legal Restaurants has put together an award-winning and high caliber hospitality team including World Food Championship alumni Executive Chef Ricardo Heredia who gained acclaim at The Cosmopolitan’s China Poblano in Las Vegas and recently headed Legal Restaurants’ first venue, The Florence in San Diego. In addition, Ryan Panganiban will be joining the team as General Manager after relocating from Las Vegas where he oversaw restaurant and nightlife venues with the Light Group and most recently, oversaw food and beverage operations for Wolfgang Puck at Cucina and CUT.

The restaurant’s design is spearheaded by in-house hospitality designer Keoni Barcarse and draws inspiration from the namesake neighborhood in Mexico City, which served as a safe haven for groups escaping persecution, then home to a wealthy class and now a bohemian oasis for creative types: novelists, filmmakers, musicians and artists. Guests will be greeted by an industrial design featuring black iron elements and concrete countertops juxtaposed with art deco decor, saturated colors, opulent chandeliers and one-of-a-kind murals by renowned artist Mata Ruda.

To further cultivate the restaurant’s sense of community within tight-knit downtown Phoenix and the business hub within Renaissance Square, Condesa will offer communal tables for fast seating and social experiences.

The restaurant offers 12,000 square feet with a 350-person capacity, five private event spaces accommodating catering and various group sizes from 15 to 200 guests, and a merchant area featuring local artisans and vendors.

Located on the street level at 2 N. Central Ave. in downtown Phoenix’s Renaissance Square, the restaurant will be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Saturday hours are from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. for dinner and Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch. For more information about Condesa, visit condesaphx.com.

For regular updates on Condesa, visit:

Website: www.condesaphx.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/condesaphx

Instagram: www.instagram.com/condesaphx

Twitter: www.twitter.com/condesaphx