It’s no secret that PhoenixBites has a bit of an obsession with Chef Peter DeRuvo (as witnessed here, here, here, here, here, here and here). We follow him, happily, wherever he goes (except for that one time when he went to Chicago, we’re not stalkers!) So as soon as we learned of Citrine opening up in Tempe, we were on pins and needles waiting for the opening. The official grand opening took place on Thursday, September 24th and even though my date cancelled on me, I knew that whatever Chef Peter had in store would be worth braving the night on my own.
I arrived to a bounty of yellow balloons and a very festive dining room. The partygoers were ready for a fun night filled with delicious bites and I am sure no one left disappointed. There is a very hip/downtown feel to the location as well as the aesthetic. It’s definitely a much different space than Chef Peter has previously inhabited, but it works perfectly in the young, urban area.
There are some familiar dishes on the menu (of course Chef’s famous crazy good focaccia flatbread creation is on the menu) and some new items that fully take advantage of the wood-fired oven. Among the menu are a bevy of pizzas, and while Citrine is located within walking distance for most ASU students, this is not your delivered in less than 30 minutes kind of pizza. This is the kind of pizza that just after that first bite hits your mouth you’ll likely hear a choir of angels and then you’ll wonder why you didn’t listen to us forever ago when we told you that you should love Chef Peter.
At just the base of A Mountain, Citrine will surely offer up their own brand of education to the college set, offering up daily lessons in flavor. This spot will be popular for quick lunches on the patio, lingering date nights and the perfect spot for a happy hour with friends at the 30 seat bar. The patio will certainly provide hours of people watching fodder as it faces bustling 5th street. You can settle in in any of the high or low top tables, or get really comfy in the banquette that faces the street.
We can’t wait to visit often and watch the evolution of this most recent Chef Peter endeavor.
*This meal was provided to us complimentary as a part of a media invitation. However, this has no effect on our opinions and comments regarding our experience. View our Disclosure Policy for further explanation.