Celebrating local food, drink, and community.

Falora’s Ari Shapiro Gets More ‘Eater’ Love

Falora’s Ari Shapiro Gets More ‘Eater’ Love

Erica Dombrowski

Mar 24, 20141 min read

The month of March means the one year anniversary of Falora Pizza, owned by local restaurateur, Ari Shapiro.

This Tucson entrepreneur also owns, Sidecar, Sparkroot Coffee Shop and several XOOM Juice bars continues to trail blaze Tucson’s quickly evolving food scene. Eater‘s special Pizza Week Edition caught up with Ari about the process he went through to get Falora up-and-running, how he chose the current space, the details of opening night, and more.

Click here to read the full article.

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Article written by:

Erica Dombrowski

More about Erica

Erica Dombrowski - Tucson Foodie's Spring 2014 Intern

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IT’S WEEK 11!

Steak & Carne Asada Week starts today and runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥

🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES:
•Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge
•(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards
•(2) $100 Visa gift cards
•$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe
•4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum
•(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen
•(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @ameliastucson, @pinnaclepeaktucson, @casadelrioaz, @elcorraltucson, @agavehousetucson, @calletepa, @asadataqueria, @cielostucson

Let’s support local ❤️

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz

IT’S WEEK 11! Steak & Carne Asada Week starts today and runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥 🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: •Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge •(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards •(2) $100 Visa gift cards •$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe •4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum •(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen •(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @ameliastucson, @pinnaclepeaktucson, @casadelrioaz, @elcorraltucson, @agavehousetucson, @calletepa, @asadataqueria, @cielostucson Let’s support local ❤️ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz

For nearly 20 years, Diana and Jun Arai have helped shape Tucson’s Japanese dining scene.

When @ginzatucson opened in 2008, it became the first restaurant in Tucson to feature an izakaya style menu, bringing Japan’s popular shareable dining experience to the city. Today, it’s still the only restaurant in town with a dedicated izakaya menu, along with one of Tucson’s largest curated selections of sake, Japanese beer, and shochu.

In 2018, the couple expanded again with @raijinramen, Tucson’s first restaurant dedicated entirely to ramen. Known for its rich tonkotsu broths and seasonal specialties, Raijin helped pave the way for the city’s growing ramen scene.

From fresh fish flown in daily from Japan and California to chef’s choice omakase experiences, Ginza continues to showcase authentic Japanese cuisine while Jun and Diana regularly travel to Japan to bring back the latest culinary trends.

📍 Ginza Sushi & Izakaya: 5425 N. Kolb Rd.
📍 Raijin Ramen: 2955 E. Speedway Blvd.

Read @ediebjarolim’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com.

Photos by @sea_lyon
#tucsonlocal #tucsonaz

For nearly 20 years, Diana and Jun Arai have helped shape Tucson’s Japanese dining scene. When @ginzatucson opened in 2008, it became the first restaurant in Tucson to feature an izakaya style menu, bringing Japan’s popular shareable dining experience to the city. Today, it’s still the only restaurant in town with a dedicated izakaya menu, along with one of Tucson’s largest curated selections of sake, Japanese beer, and shochu. In 2018, the couple expanded again with @raijinramen, Tucson’s first restaurant dedicated entirely to ramen. Known for its rich tonkotsu broths and seasonal specialties, Raijin helped pave the way for the city’s growing ramen scene. From fresh fish flown in daily from Japan and California to chef’s choice omakase experiences, Ginza continues to showcase authentic Japanese cuisine while Jun and Diana regularly travel to Japan to bring back the latest culinary trends. 📍 Ginza Sushi & Izakaya: 5425 N. Kolb Rd. 📍 Raijin Ramen: 2955 E. Speedway Blvd. Read @ediebjarolim’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com. Photos by @sea_lyon #tucsonlocal #tucsonaz

Breakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!

🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES:
• Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival
• (2) $100 Visa gift cards
• $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe
• 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum
• $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week:

@5pointstucson
@ajocafetucson
@bajacafetucson
@barista_del_barrio
@bluewillow.tucson
@bobos_az
@theofficialbreadandbutter
@buendia.breakfast.lunch
@cafealacarttucson
@cafepassetucson
@cappysbreakfastcafe
@hotelcongress
@delcielotamal
Frank’s Restaurant
@ghinisfrenchcaffe
@gourmetgirlsglutenfree
Gus Balon’s Restaurant
@knellersdelicatessen
@lachaiteria
@lebuzzcaffe
@lebuzzcaffeplaza
@localetucson
@lovinspoonfulstucson
@nookdowntown
@prepandpastry
@raptorcanyoncafe
@rencoffeehouse
@sunny_daze_cafe
@teaspoontucson
@coronetrestaurants
@thehungryfoxrestaurant
@themonicatucson
@tohonochulgardenbistro
@tumerico
@urbanfreshaz

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz

Breakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer! 🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: • Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival • (2) $100 Visa gift cards • $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe • 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum • $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @5pointstucson @ajocafetucson @bajacafetucson @barista_del_barrio @bluewillow.tucson @bobos_az @theofficialbreadandbutter @buendia.breakfast.lunch @cafealacarttucson @cafepassetucson @cappysbreakfastcafe @hotelcongress @delcielotamal Frank’s Restaurant @ghinisfrenchcaffe @gourmetgirlsglutenfree Gus Balon’s Restaurant @knellersdelicatessen @lachaiteria @lebuzzcaffe @lebuzzcaffeplaza @localetucson @lovinspoonfulstucson @nookdowntown @prepandpastry @raptorcanyoncafe @rencoffeehouse @sunny_daze_cafe @teaspoontucson @coronetrestaurants @thehungryfoxrestaurant @themonicatucson @tohonochulgardenbistro @tumerico @urbanfreshaz #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz

Massaman tofu curry at Char’s Thai. Stop by and show them some love.❤️

5039 East 5th Street, Tucson, AZ

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz #localtucson

Massaman tofu curry at Char’s Thai. Stop by and show them some love.❤️ 5039 East 5th Street, Tucson, AZ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz #localtucson

A sunset gathering featuring chef-made plates, plant medicine experiences, live music, and a deep connection to the Sonoran Desert.🌵✨

Join us Saturday, August 29 after sundown at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a celebration of the Sonoran Desert’s edible and medicinal plants through food, herbalism, music, and story.

Stroll through the gardens while enjoying chef-prepared plates inspired by native desert ingredients, a botanical welcome cocktail, and hands-on experiences like sound healing, acupuncture, massage therapy, tarot, astrology, cacao ceremony, herbal workshops, and more.

Chef lineup + dishes will be announced shortly.

Your $75 ticket includes all food, workshops, experiences, and a welcome cocktail. Space is limited, and we expect to sell out in advance.

❤️Tucson Foodie members get 50% off
🎟️ Ticket link in bio

Photos by @jackie_tran_
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews

A sunset gathering featuring chef-made plates, plant medicine experiences, live music, and a deep connection to the Sonoran Desert.🌵✨ Join us Saturday, August 29 after sundown at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a celebration of the Sonoran Desert’s edible and medicinal plants through food, herbalism, music, and story. Stroll through the gardens while enjoying chef-prepared plates inspired by native desert ingredients, a botanical welcome cocktail, and hands-on experiences like sound healing, acupuncture, massage therapy, tarot, astrology, cacao ceremony, herbal workshops, and more. Chef lineup + dishes will be announced shortly. Your $75 ticket includes all food, workshops, experiences, and a welcome cocktail. Space is limited, and we expect to sell out in advance. ❤️Tucson Foodie members get 50% off 🎟️ Ticket link in bio Photos by @jackie_tran_ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews

Breakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!

🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES:
• Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival
• (2) $100 Visa gift cards
• $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe
• 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum
• $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week:

@5pointstucson
@ajocafetucson
@bajacafetucson
@barista_del_barrio
@bluewillow.tucson
@bobos_az
@theofficialbreadandbutter
@buendia.breakfast.lunch
@cafealacarttucson
@cafepassetucson
@cappysbreakfastcafe
@hotelcongress
@delcielotamal
Frank’s Restaurant
@ghinisfrenchcaffe
@gourmetgirlsglutenfree
Gus Balon’s Restaurant
@knellersdelicatessen
@lachaiteria
@lebuzzcaffe
@lebuzzcaffeplaza
@localetucson
@lovinspoonfulstucson
@nookdowntown
@prepandpastry
@raptorcanyoncafe
@rencoffeehouse
@sunny_daze_cafe
@teaspoontucson
@coronetrestaurants
@thehungryfoxrestaurant
@themonicatucson
@tohonochulgardenbistro
@tumerico
@urbanfreshaz

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz

Breakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer! 🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: • Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival • (2) $100 Visa gift cards • $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe • 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum • $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @5pointstucson @ajocafetucson @bajacafetucson @barista_del_barrio @bluewillow.tucson @bobos_az @theofficialbreadandbutter @buendia.breakfast.lunch @cafealacarttucson @cafepassetucson @cappysbreakfastcafe @hotelcongress @delcielotamal Frank’s Restaurant @ghinisfrenchcaffe @gourmetgirlsglutenfree Gus Balon’s Restaurant @knellersdelicatessen @lachaiteria @lebuzzcaffe @lebuzzcaffeplaza @localetucson @lovinspoonfulstucson @nookdowntown @prepandpastry @raptorcanyoncafe @rencoffeehouse @sunny_daze_cafe @teaspoontucson @coronetrestaurants @thehungryfoxrestaurant @themonicatucson @tohonochulgardenbistro @tumerico @urbanfreshaz #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!