This self-dubbed “mindful kitchen” concept in Scottsdale features vegetarian-friendly fare from the Osio Culinary Group (Local Bistro, Central Bistro and SumoMaya).

Website: kaleandclover.com
Number of seats: 100
Average per-person check: $20
Popular dishes: Super Food Salad: Kale, romaine, red quinoa, beets, avocado, almonds, apricots and lemon dressing; chicken & hummus with lentils, red quinoa, tomato, avocado, arugula and charred lemon; black bean & quinoa tacos with romaine, tomato, chipotle salsa, spiced crema, avocado, cilantro and lime
What people come for: Cold-pressed juices, smoothies
Address: 20511 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale
Phone number: 480-568-8707

A Kale & Clover salad

A view of the interior

Innovative Mexican food (and spirits too) comes in for special focus at the latest offering by chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, who took a more casual direction for this offshoot of the beloved Barrio Café.

Website: barriourbanophx.com
Number of seats: 55
Average per-person check: $30
Popular dishes: Huevos divorciados: Two fried eggs with salsa de chile de arbol, salsa verde, cotija cheese and bolillo toast; torta de cochinita pibil: Mayan-style achiote and sour orange pork with pickled onions, Yucatan-style pico de gallo and avocado slices on a bolillo roll; Ensalada Maya: Grilled chicken breast in sour orange and achiote marinade with baby spinach, pickled red onion, diced avocado, cucumber, radish, pico de gallo and pumpkin seeds spiced with chiltepin chiles and lime, with citrus-honey dressing.
What people come for: Hand-crafted tequila cocktails, breakfast all day, special events such as “Taco Tuesday” (more than 21 tacos for $2.50 each) and “20 Buck Wednesdays” (build-your-own drinks-and-appetizer menu)
Address: 5632 N. 7th St., Phoenix
Phone number: 602-287-9000

Diners enjoy meals at Barrio Urbano

This offshoot of the beloved Noble Bread bakery offers up lunchtime fare with special attention to sandwiches on bread more special than most.

Website: nobleeatery.com
Number of seats: 24, plus four outside
Average per-person check: $15
Popular dishes: Sandwich on wood-fired house-baked pita with Fra’ Mani salame rose, cabbage, mozzarella and goat horn chile; tuna smorgas open face sandwich on country bread with Pacific Sun extra virgin olive oil, garbanzo beans, farro, potatoes; grain bowl with farro, einkorn, kamut, sesame, pepitas, sunflower, flax, black turtle beans, yams and soy
What people come for: Fresh-baked Noble Bread, which takes 36 hours per loaf to prepare
Address: 2201 East McDowell Road, Phoenix
Phone number: 602-688-2424

Noble Eatery sandwiches

A Noble Eatery salad

Fruits from the sea proliferate at this breezy, casual restaurant with an atmosphere and theme borrowed from a storied old beach town on New York's Long Island.

Website: themontaukaz.com
Number of seats: 240
Average per-person check: $25
Popular dishes: Warm lobster roll with born butter aïoli, parsley, celery, romaine lettuce and chive potato chip dust; fish tacos with crispy cod, guacamole, pickled onion, chipotle aïoli and house slaw; kale salad with almonds, currants, bacon, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and lemon vinaigrette
What people come for: Handcrafted cocktails, party brunch on weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: 4360 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Phone number: 480-994-1888

Lobster roll

A view of the patio