Tucson brunch restaurant Teaspoon opened its second location at 5605 E. River Rd., Suite 121, inside the River Center plaza. The space previously house Caffe Torino in the Foothills. Now in a soft opening phase since Aug. 8, the Foothills-area eatery is preparing for its official grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 16.
Co-owners Teresa Cheung-Valencia and Mary Grzegorski opened the first Teaspoon in 2017. The original restaurant at 7053 N. Oracle Rd. in Casas Adobes earned a loyal following for its globally-inspired brunch menu available seven days a week.
Inside, the new River Road location goes for more of a Parisian vibe with soft, neutral tones and warm lighting. Wicker pendant fixtures hang over tables and booths, creating an airy, modern feel. Outside, guests can enjoy a shaded patio with café tables and umbrellas. The patio faces a landscaped courtyard with boulders and greenery.
Globally-Inspired, Scratch-Made Menu
Diners can find staples like omelets and eggs Benedict alongside unique options such as breakfast pizza and Dutch baby pancakes. The Hong Kong Bubble Waffles and spicy Chilaquiles con Pollo have become customer favorite, Cheung-Valencia said.
At the soft opening event on Saturday, the restaurant dedicated a couple of tables to feature a variety of dishes from their menu for media to capture:
While the restaurant is known for brunch, Cheung-Valencia noted that they also cater with dinner options as well.
East-Side Expansion and Opening Festivities
To mark the opening, Teaspoon is hosting a week of special events and promotions. Through August 15, guests get a $20 bonus card with every $100 gift card purchase at the new location.
For now, Teaspoon encourages guests to call ahead because the restaurant is operating with limited seating during the training period. Regular operating hours will mirror the original location’s morning and afternoon schedule once the grand opening is complete.
Teaspoon is located at 5605 E. River Rd., Suite 121. For more information, visit teaspoontucson.com.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
