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GOURMETscene LUNCHTIME AT habitat habitat PHOENIX’S NEW LISA G fitness fitness scene
BY JOEL LYONS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY PAUL
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street You may have heard Lisa Giungo’s name before. She’s been actively involved in the success of eateries such as Arcadia Farms and My Florist Café for years. The latest news, however, imagePastry Chef Ashly Young, forimage has her directly in the spotlight: She has joined forces with mégafónnik merly of The Counter in Kierland Commons, to open a new Central Phoenix lunch spot that drink&dine drink&dine specializes in salads and sandwiches, called Lisa G.
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The collaboration between Giungo and Young began in August of lastnightsites year. eatery sits, says she fell in love with the structure immediately. nightsites Giungo worked with Young’s sister-in-law at City Bakery at Bentley Proj-
Character is definitely in ample supply in this tiny spot. Lisa G cur-
essential elements
essential elements
motion.homeand & living.sight & sound. motion.home living.sight sound. between two and four people. The ects when she was introduced to Young. The pair instantly connected rently has eight tables&that can& seat
scene soon began talking about teaming up to start the restaurant that Giungo
counter also has five additional seats for those who may be dining alone
affectionately refers to as her baby.
or want something more casual.
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944 picks of Phoenix has been quite receptive to “We were trying to figure out what to call it,” Young says when 944 tryingpicks The Coronado Neighborhood
gayborhood
to describe the meals that borrow from French, Mediterranean, Italian
this new dining hotspot. Giungo says that business increases every day.
and American influences. “We came up with contemporary urban cuisine,”
“We have a lot of great, supportive people,” she says of the clientele.
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calendar
she says, because of the restaurant’s downtown location and the imagiand Young] have a following from our previous locadryheat “Since we [Giungo dryheat native meals they have created. tions, we’ve been able to start the buzz by word of mouth.”
game
mégafónnik mégafónnik Young also says that 95 percent of the dishes in the restaurant are Speaking of a buzz, Giungo just obtained a liquor license for Lisa G and made from scratch. Maybe that’s why foodies have fallen in love with the
will start serving alcohol in June. After that happens, Giungo has big plans
Minis: tiny sandwiches similar in size to a slider, but unlike a slider, these
for the future of the restaurant. “We’ll be opening at night,” she says,
street
street
sandwiches won’t contain a hamburger patty. Instead, choose from gayborhood selecmeaning that Lisa Ggayborhood will be open longer during the day for more patrontions such as Ahi encrusted with sesame seeds topped with ginger cab-
age and more menu items. “The Minis and some of the salads will carry
bage slaw and wasabi mayonnaise. The Shaved Tenderloin Mini is served
over to dinner,” Young explains, but notes that there will be several new
with a delicious roasted red pepper and artichoke relish.
creations that will contribute to the dinnertime list of goodies.
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148
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One thing that differentiates Lisa G from other eateries is the building
Nighttime offerings are step one in the growth of Lisa G. Once the
that houses the restaurant. The sturdy, red-brick restaurant was once the
summer has passed, Giungo plans to expand seating space to the outside
home of Ye Olde Sandwich Shoppe. “I wanted something with character,
patio on the north side of the building. By that time, lines are sure to be
not something that would be in a strip mall,” Giungo exclaims. The Phila-
forming as this restaurant begins its evolution.
delphia native, who used to pass by the spot where this Central Phoenix
2337 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix 602.253.9201
944™ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 5.5 / MAY 06