Vandalism was the apparent motive behind a pipe bomb that exploded in a north Scottsdale restaurant late Monday or early Tuesday, authorities said.

July 7, 2004

Chompie’s (1160 E. University Drive, Tempe [480] 557-0700). Founded in 1979 by the Borenstein family, originally from Queens, N.Y., Chompie’s serves up a huge menu of “breakfast all day,” N.Y.-style pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and baked-from-scratch breads, cakes and pastries. Don’t miss the boiled-then-baked bagels in 35 varieties and the sliders, featured on an episode of “Man vs. Food.” Additional location in Chandler (3481 W. Frye Road [480] 398-3008). $$

ADDRESS: 7582 W. Cactus Road, Suite B1, Peoria, on the northwest corner of 75th Avenue.

PHONE NUMBER: 623-486-6857 or 623-486-6858.

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Mark Lobdell worked for years in the automotive industry, but he had a dream of owning an Italian deli. Last week, his dream became a reality when he and his wife, Jenifer, opened Cucina di Vita in downtown Mesa.

A local eatery will get a little airtime on national TV Wednesday, and to celebrate it’s giving customers a break on pricing.

If you’re of the opinion there are no good restaurants in Queen Creek — certainly none to justify a journey to the far southeast edges of the Valley — The Deli just may change your mind. The four-month-old restaurant is a Slow Food lover’s paradise, showcasing locally produced ingredients in an array of delicious sandwiches, pizzas and dinner entrees.

There are places in town where Italian sub sandwiches do not include bologna.

On the heels of the recent announcement of the second phase of restaurants soon to be brought to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the first phase is underway with a host of establishments already open.

If you need yet another reason to go to The Deli — other than owners Blake and Nicole Mastyck’s wonderful food, that is — this may be it: The Queen Creek restaurant’s Thursday farmers market has started up again.

Since two New Yorkers opened the first Deli Zone in Boulder, Colo., in 1995, it has grown into an 11-restaurant chain in the Rocky Mountain state. Deli Zone recently opened its first Arizona location on the southeast corner of Baseline and Cooper roads in Gilbert.

Devlin’s Market Place, a gourmet wine and cheese deli and downtown Chandler’s main anchor tenant, is changing its name to T’z Market Place.

With the weather getting warmer — hopefully — check out Gilbert’s Jamaica Ice, a newly opened deli that offers tropical drinks made with ice cream, juice and frozen fruit.