Casa Marita Restaurante Argentino
• What: Argentine-style barbecue restaurant with live entertainment and a full bar.
• Who: Vicente Sanchez and Marita Gomez, who own Spanish restaurant Casa Vicente at 375 S. Stone Ave. Gomez was born in Argentina.
• When: Early 2011.
• Where: In the Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento.
Pasco Kitchen & Lounge
• What: Look for an innovative menu that showcases locally grown produce and meats - call it "urban farm fare." Right next to the University of Arizona in Main Gate Square, Pasco will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night. Pasco, by the way, is derived from the Latin word for pasture.
• Who: Ramiro Scavo left his job as top chef of the Market Restaurant Group (Harvest, Zona 78 and The Grill at Hacienda del Sol) to start this restaurant. The 30-year-old has spent half his life in kitchens. He helped open six restaurants with Fox Restaurant Concepts, including Montana Avenue, which brought him to Tucson.
• When: Late January.
• Where: 820 E. University Blvd., in Main Gate Square.
Noble Hops Gastropub
• What: Tucson's first gastropub will feature innovative comfort food - small plates showcasing artisan meats, for example, in addition to the more traditional sounding shepherd's pie and fish and chips. To wash it down - a total of 75 beers (including 28 on tap), wine kegs, and 30 boutique wines by the bottle.
• Who: Josh and Aric Mussman, the brothers who founded and co-own the two Vero Amore pizza restaurants, where they bake their Neapolitan pizzas in an 800-degree wood-fire oven following the exacting standards of the Verace Pizza Napoletana academy.
• When: February.
• Where: The Shops at Oro Vista, on the southeast corner of North La Cañada Drive and West Lambert Lane in Oro Valley.
Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery
• What: HUB aims to add a classic and affordable American menu to downtown's increasingly interesting dining scene. A menu of salads, all-natural meats, sandwiches and entrees will range from $6 to $12.
• Who: Kade Mislinski has been in the restaurant business since he was 13, including top spots at Time Market and Fox Restaurant Concepts for the past 10 years. His partner, Jenny Rice, has been in the restaurant business for a dozen years.
• When: On Jan. 31, just in time for the gem show.
• Where: 266 E. Congress St.
Sparkroot
• What: An ambitious twist on the classic coffee shop. Don't expect the traditional pastries made from flour, butter or eggs. Do expect a healthy, tasty menu along with a mezzanine offering some of the best views for people-watching downtown. Beer and wine will be served at night.
• Who: Ari Shapiro created and owns Xoom Juice, the smoothie company with three Tucson locations and one licensed in New York City.
• When: Late spring.
• Where: In the One North Fifth building, on the northwest corner of Congress Street and Fifth Avenue.
