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There's been a good amount of food news this spring — a market opened in the historic Sam Hughes neighborhood, there's a new place inside the lush ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Botanical Gardens, and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ welcomed the revitalization of a decades-old bar on the east side.

Plus four ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ favorites — , , , and Guadalajara Grill — announced that they're opening new locations and Barrio Brewing opened at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport.

Oh, and 's well-loved food writer Ìý😢😭

But enough sadness. Here are 7 new spots open and ready to enjoy:

Chicago Bar

,Ìý748-8169

Chicago Bar has been a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ favorite since the 1970s so you can only imagine ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans' sadness when the bar announced it would be following its initial closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But in March, new owner Yongsoo Seo — who also owns  — purchased the bar and reopened the spot known for its blues concerts and fans. 

The revitalized Chicago Bar won't have a restaurant, but Seo plans to book food trucks to go alongside the live music. Read more.

Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, noon to 2 a.m. Thursday- Saturday

Edna's Eatery

,Ìý326-9686 ext. 37

Tucked inside the is a partnership with the °ù±ð²õ´Ç°ù³ÙÌý— , which is named after gardener and housekeeper Edna Johnson, who watched over the gardens until she died in 1973.

The menu at Edna's Eatery features breakfast and lunch, including light fare from turkey paninis and chicken tostadas to heirloom tomato pizza and salads, plus fizzy teas. 

Hours: Breakfast is 8:30 to 11 a.m., lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Admission to the gardens is required

El Mezquite Grill and Taqueria

,Ìý372-7100

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s well-known chef Virginia "Ginny" Wooters, who most recently headed the kitchen at Hilton ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ East's has now taken over downtown's newest restaurant El Mezquite Grill and Taqueria at the new by the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Convention Center.

The menu includes gourmet Mexican favorites, in addition to continental Spanish and French dishes. When Andi visited, she said she liked the Sonoran toritos, which is typically a yellow caribe chile wrapped in bacon and stuffed with pieces of shrimp and cheese. At El Mezquite, it includes herbed goat cheese and crab. .

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Flora's Market Run

2513 E. Sixth St.,Ìý771-9141

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took over the space once occupied by the historic Rincon Market, which closed permanently last year. Flora's Market Run, run by the folks who own the popular breakfast spot , is currently home to a market but will eventually also house a restaurant. 

The market carries its own housemade charcuterie, tuna poke and fresh pasta. .

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Santorini Greek Cafe

, 307-4443

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s newest Greek restaurant, , opened up along Speedway — in a spot that was once home to a variety of casual eateries known for their fish and chips.

But instead of fish and chips, this Greek cafe serves up traditional Greek dishes  in addition to skewers and gyros with marinated pork (which Andi said was her favorite thing at the restaurant).

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Salted Pig American Barbecue

,Ìý467-2227

opened in Oro Valley in February with barbecue influenced by Texas and the Carolinas, including its Texas brisket and East Carolina-style pulled pork.

The restaurant was originally supposed to be a full-service spot, but when the pandemic hit, owners got creative and turned it into a fast-casual eatery instead. Read more.

Hours: 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 to 3 p.m. Sunday

Snakes & Lattes

,Ìý382-5855

With locations in Toronto, Chicago and Tempe, has finally made its way down to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.

In addition to its food, which includes plates like huarache, short ribs, burgers and pozole, Snakes & Lattes is known for its extensive selection of board games (over 400!) to play while you dine. There's also a full menu of drinks.

Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday

On the horizon

• The brothers behind the popular restaurants are launching a Detroit-Style pizza spot called Transplant, which will sit next to their taproom . They hope to open in July.
• Mat Cable of , and Devon Sanner, who has spent more than a decade working with chef Janos Wilder, are planning to open an east-side restaurant called Zio Peppe. They hope to add "quintessentially ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥" takes on Italian fare. 
• The owners behind are planning to open a new restaurant this summer in the spot that formerly housed Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails. The Delta will serve up food from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Texas and Louisiana. 

With reporting by Cathalena E. Burch, Gabriela Rico and Andi Berlin