Restaurant group 151 Hospitality, co-founded and led by seasoned Phoenix restaurateurs Peter Hearn and Rick Phillips, will launch three dining concepts at The Esplanade (2425 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix), slated to open in early 2025.
“We are excited to work together again and continue to be part of the legacy of the Biltmore and even more excited to be part of the new and improved developments at The Esplanade, ensuring the next 30 years of place-making and creating community,” Phillips and Hearn said.
As part of The Esplanade’s $50 million renovation investment, the soon-to-open dining establishments will be transformed into culinary, cocktail, and entertainment venues. ALINE Architecture is the firm on the project.
Camello will be a luxurious and high-energy chef-driven Mexican restaurant named after its panoramic views of Camelback Mountain. Spanning 6,000 square feet and accommodating 150 guests, this concept will feature a main dining room with live music, a dance floor, a show-stopping bar and cocktail lounge, and two intimate private dining rooms that can be joined into one large space.
Camello will boast an al fresco dining experience, including a patio adorned with lush tropical greenery, a wrap-around indoor-outdoor bar, fire pits, and more. The curated menu will offer inventive shared plates and large-format entrees and a formidable tequila and cocktail program.
The MercBar will be re-concepted into 151 Tavern, an upscale New York tavern. The “fancy comfort food” menu will blend American cuisine with sophistication, with dishes like a signature dry-aged burger, house-made pasta, sandwiches, prime rib, a sushi and raw seafood bar, and rotating specials.
The cocktail program draws from classic influences, from Manhattans to Martinis, paying homage to the golden era of fine spirits and cocktails. 151 Tavern will also feature a wine program, access to a private speakeasy bar and space for cozy private events and dinners for up to 14 guests.
The final concept will revive the beloved The Little Pickle Jewish Deli, which recently secured a permanent brick-and-mortar home following its successful six-month pop-up last year. The Little Pickle will reintroduce its breakfast fan favorites and its number one top seller: the pastrami sandwich. Also returning will be iconic New York-style bagels, house-smoked salmon, and the classic breakfast egg and cheese sandwich served on a Challah roll. The eatery will also offer catering.
Owners and Founders Peter Hearn and Rick Phillips lead the powerhouse hospitality team at 151 Hospitality. Hearn has over forty years of experience managing and operating multiple renowned restaurant and bar concepts in New York and Arizona, including his tenure at Fox Restaurant Concepts. He also crossed paths with Phillips while at the original MercBar in New York City.
Phillips, a former publisher, festival producer (Arizona Barbecue Festival and Arizona Taco Festival) and restaurateur has left a permanent mark on Phoenix with his top-tier media outlets such as Desert Living and ITEM Magazines, EaterAZ, and The Little Pickle, and Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse, featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Executive Chef Fidencio Alatriste, renowned for his culinary expertise and artistry at The Mission, The Mexicano, and Toro Latin Restaurant at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, heads the culinary direction. He will oversee the culinary programs across all 151 Hospitality concepts. The interiors will be designed by Volenec Studio, a New York-based firm with projects in Singapore, Dubai, and more, known for its award-winning hospitality work for Butterfly and Thief in New York and Stokehouse in London.
151 Hospitality is hiring all front-of-house and back-of-house positions, including line cooks, bartenders, hosts, and servers. To learn more, visit 151hospitality.com.
