he folks behind Stoudemire's have opened two places next door on Second Street, on the lower level of the Collier Center, between Washington and Jefferson. Carmine's Little Italy offers pizzas (slice, $1.99; small, $6.95; medium, $9.95; large, $11.95) and salads (small, $4.95; large, $6.95).Maria's Mexican Grill does tacos ($2), burritos ($4.95-$6.95), quesadillas ($5.50-$6.95) rice bowls ($5.50-$7) and salads ($6.25-$9.50). Both places are open on game nights; otherwise they call it a day at 3 p.m.
Thai Elephant, meanwhile, is bringing some welcome ethnic diversity to the neighborhood. Owned by the same family behind Thai Basil in Tempe and Ahwatukee, it has an extensive menu of soups, salads, curries, noodles and stir-fries. It's open until 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday, so it's a pre-downtown event dinner option.
Finally, it appears that seven isn't a charm for Nick Ligidakis. That's how many restaurants he has gone through in the past 25 years or so. He has sold his latest, Nick's 101 Bistro, to the folks who run Pita Jungle. The menu is now billed as "healthy Mediterranean" - sharwarmas, wraps, pizzas, salads, sandwiches. It's open until 8:30 Monday through Saturday.
Carmine's Little Italy, 3 S. Second St., Phoenix, 602-258-0707
Maria's Mexican Grill, 3 S. Second St., Phoenix, 602-258-5462.
Thai Elephant, 20 W. Adams St., Phoenix, 602-252-3873.
101 Bistro, 101 N. First Ave. (at Adams), Phoenix, 602-261-7777
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