Three new dining concepts are set to open in the Biltmore neighborhood in the new year, helmed by 151 Hospitality, a restaurant group co-founded by veteran Phoenix restaurateurs Peter Hearn and Rick Phillips. These new ventures include Camello, 151 Tavern, and The Little Pickle.
Part of the ongoing $50-million renovation of The Esplanade at in Phoenix, 151 Hospitality is launching three new dining concepts in early 2025. These new restaurants were created to help revitalize the neighborhood into a modern culinary and entertainment destination. Peter Hearn and Rick Phillips, the driving forces behind 151 Hospitality, are thrilled to once again contribute to the Biltmore legacy.
“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,” says Phillips and Hearn, founders of 151 Hospitality, in a press release.
Leading the trio of concepts is Camello, an opulent and high-energy Mexican restaurant that will offer panoramic views of its namesake, Camelback Mountain. This chef-driven, 6,000-sq.-ft. venue will accommodate 150 guests and feature a main dining room with live music, a dance floor, a striking bar and cocktail lounge, and two private dining rooms that can be combined for larger events. The al fresco dining experience will be just as captivating, with a lushly landscaped patio, fire pits, and a wrap-around indoor-outdoor bar. The menu will showcase inventive, colorful shared plates and large-format entrees paired with an impressive selection of tequilas and cocktails.
Next on the list is 151 Tavern, a reimagined version of the beloved MercBar. This upscale New York-style tavern will offer a sophisticated take on American comfort food, with dishes like a signature dry-aged burger, house-made pasta, prime rib, and a sushi and raw seafood bar. The cocktail program will be a nod to the golden era of spirits, featuring expertly crafted Manhattans, martinis, and more.
Rounding out the lineup is the revival of The Little Pickle, a Jewish deli that captured the city’s attention during a successful six-month pop-up. Now, with a permanent home at The Esplanade, The Little Pickle will bring back fan favorites like its signature pastrami sandwich, New York-style bagels, house-smoked salmon, and classic breakfast egg-and-cheese sandwiches on Challah rolls.
The culinary direction for all three concepts will be led by Executive Chef Fidencio Alatriste, known for his exceptional work at The Mission, The Mexicano, and Toro Latin Restaurant at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Meanwhile, the interior design will be handled by Volenec Studio, a New York-based firm celebrated for its award-winning work on international projects in places like Singapore and Dubai, as well as notable hospitality spots like Butterfly and Thief in New York and Stokehouse in London.
For more information, visit www.151hospitality.com.