Tempe's Mill Avenue, primarily known for its youthful vibe and college nightlife, is about to get a more mature infusion with the arrival of two new establishments. Pretty Decent Concepts, the culinary name behind several successful downtown Phoenix venues, plans to open a restaurant and an adjacent cocktail bar at the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and University Drive, where P.F. Chang's and Great Clips once stood. Teddy Myers, co-founder of Pretty Decent Concepts, is looking to cater to a crowd that's not quite the college bar type. He envisions a New American dining experience centered around the art of wood-fired cooking, a concept partially inspired by South American grilling techniques, but distinct in its spin. "Live-fire cooking is very typical in Argentinian-style cuisine, but the grills usually have the wheel that pulls them up and down, and we're not doing that," he explained in a statement obtained by Phoenix New Times. "We're building a live fire pit in the middle of the dining room."
The cocktail bar next door aims to decidedly shake up Tempe's current offerings with a "listening lounge-meets-high-energy cocktail lounge" adorned in a 1970s aesthetic. This new spot intends to not only serve meticulously crafted beverages but also to make a statement by featuring high-end equipment imported from a Norwegian design agency, known for their work with notable New York City establishments. Indeed, Myers is bringing a level of ambition and sophistication to the area, evidenced by the statement, "We’re bringing in quality equipment into a bar in Tempe to make a statement," which he told Phoenix New Times.
The decision to choose Tempe for their latest project was no small feat. After searching "everywhere," Myers and his team saw the value in a city that has been actively investing in an infrastructure designed to attract not just students, but young professionals and business travelers. Myers, an Arizona State University alum himself, is passionate about contributing to the city that has shaped much of his life. "My family's had season tickets to ASU football for over 60 years, and I really want to see and be part of Tempe thriving," he expressed to Phoenix New Times.
As part of their first venture outside downtown Phoenix, Pretty Decent Concepts acknowledges the move as an investment not just in a locale but in the very fabric of Mill Avenue's future. Myers underscored the group's ambition in a press release, stating, “We’re excited for the opportunity to embrace Tempe’s potential and to have a hand in sculpting its future, just as we did in helping shape Downtown Phoenix’s identity.” They aim to align this new entity with Pretty Decent Concepts’ legacy, which commands attention to detail and design, while still crafting a space that feels authentic to the energy of Mill Avenue. This vision was further reinforced by Wexford Developments' Sam Gordon, who highlighted the city's growth and the opportunities it affords for upscale concepts to enrich the community. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the Pretty Decent Concepts team and see this exciting project come to fruition,” Gordon said, as remarked in a press release covered by KTAR News. Slated to open in summer 2024, these ventures are just the beginning of more high-end changes expected for the property, with additional motifs still being conceived.
