Stempkowski's New Place(s): The Details

A couple of weeks ago, I got to break the news that Robert Stempkowski, chef at Urban Campfire in Tempe, was going to get his own digs going once more. He's done with logistical details, and now I can tell you just where he's going to be this summer. Like a great number of chefs these days, he's doing pop-up dining!

The first venue is going to be the Days Inn on Camelback and 5th Avenue, doing barbecue poolside on Saturday, May 21 from 11 AM to 7 PM. I have yet to check out the venue myself, but Stempkowski describes it as "retro-chic", with the current restaurant proprietors, Italian restaurant Raimondo's, "dripping with disco-era vibe". Sounds like fun!

After the day at Days Inn, the calendar at Welcome Diner fills in a little more with Stempkowski taking over the tiny kitchen (and setting up his smoker out back) on Fridays and Saturdays all summer, starting in June and going through August. He'll be doing long days there with lunch and dinner, 11 AM until 9 PM. From what I can tell, Payton Curry will still be at Welcome Diner Sunday through Tuesday at least through June.

Now to wait ten more days until the Days Inn gig...