Italian restaurant, bakery & wine shop “Locale” to open in former Old Pueblo Grille

Contigo Latin Kitchen partners Deborah Tenino and Nicholas Kreutz announced plans to open Locale at 60 N. Alvernon Way. Tenino and Kreutz hope to open the restaurant in Spring 2020.

The 8,000-square-foot space previously housed Abuela’s Cocina Mexicana, which opened early 2018 and closed approximately 10 weeks after opening. Before that, the space housed Bob McMahon restaurant Old Pueblo Grille, which closed in 2015. Prior to Old Pueblo Grille, the space has housed numerous restaurants spanning decades.

While the two previous restaurants served Mexican cuisine, Locale will focus on Italian.

“I like the idea of Italian food in that space,” Tenino said. “I like the idea of dining al fresco and that patio is so good for that.”

The concept will be divided into a few different spaces: a  restaurant, patio, bakery, and wine shop.

Seating will vary for each area; the bakery will seat around 35, two private dining rooms will seat around 50, the main dining room will seat around 80, and the patio will seat around 50.

Locale has been working with various families that have lived in the house in the past in order to restore certain aspects, Tenino said. They will also “green up the patio” and add bocce courts.

The restaurant has also been working with Don Guerra of Barrio Bread, using his flours to develop pastries, pastas, and focaccia. They will also utilize other local ingredients for the menu.

Further more, Locale will offer pizza al taglio, a rectangular pizza style invented in Rome. Customers will be able to order by the slice with different toppings available.

“I think it’s exciting for the neighborhood,” Tenino said. “We’re excited about it.”

Stay tuned for additional information.

For more information, visit localetucson.com.