After 15 months of wrangling with contractors and getting city permits, the partners behind UniConcepts will finally open their third restaurant in the University of Arizona's bustling Main Gate Square on Wednesday, June 28.
This is the third restaurant for UniConcepts, formed by Fifer and his partners in 2022 after they acquired Bacio Italiano at 943 E. University and the lease for Agave House. The group, which owns Gentle Ben's Brewing at 865 E. University, plans to open a fourth concept in the space that was home to Grand Central Clothing at 922 E. University. Fifer said that concept is in the discussion phase as they explore ideas that would complement their existing restaurants.
"I think it is going to be a great addition because it is a sit-down Mexican restaurant and they are doing a modern flair," said Jane McCollum, general manager of the Marshall Foundation that owns the building and most of the property along East University Boulevard."We wanted that. We have 400 hotel rooms and the first place people want to go is a Mexican restaurant."
So-called"small bites" include grilled nopales queso flameado, seasonal oysters, charred brussels sprouts and hearts of palm ceviche dressed in a lemongrass vinaigrette. Tacos come seven ways including carne asada, salmon, sweet potato and Yucatán-style barbecue pork . Entrees include a chimichurri ribeye, salmon dressed in an agave-chipotle glaze and a pork chop brined in agave before it's grilled and served with a chile agave oil.