Phoenix

• Hop to it. Christopher and Paola Gross have taken over the former Hops! restaurant at Biltmore Fashion Park and turned it into Fermier Brasserie. Beer is still brewed on the premises, and most of the cooking is done in a wood-burning oven.

• Alessandro Stratta, James Beard/American Express Best Chef: Southwest 1998, has resigned as executive chef at Mary Elaine's at The Phoenician to create his own restaurant Stratta at the Mirage in Las Vegas.

• Tarbell's owner Mark Tarbell is opening a second location across the street in the new office building at 32nd Street and Camelback. Patrons are eagerly awaiting the late December opening, especially since the new restaurant will offer both lunch and dinner. The original Tarbell's serves dinner only. .