Tucson native chef Michael Benjamin Powell is partnering with the Arizona Theatre Company to officially open Simplicit Restaurant mid-January 2017 in the Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott Ave.
Diners looking for a sneak peek of Simplicit can visit for dinner Wednesday through Sunday during the run of ATC’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. Food trucks will also be available during matinee performances of Fiddler on the Roof.
“Michael has brought his deep love for cooking back to Tucson after building his reputation and earning the highest local and national accolades in restaurants from his hometown to San Francisco and Napa to Newport Beach and New York City.” said Herb Stratford, Arizona Theatre Company Associate Managing Director. “We’re thrilled to have him as a partner. His passion for food and his ability to make people happy doing what he loves is evident.”
Powell was chef of Tucson’s Soleil Restaurant and other restaurants across the country, including Tarla Mediterranean Grill in Napa.
For more information, visit arizonatheatre.org.
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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.















