Check out Pomo owner's swanky new downtown Phoenix Italian restaurant

Rosso Italian has taken over the 5,000-square-foot space previously occupied by The Strand Urban Italian. It's connected to a dog-friendly patio.

• The menu features creative cocktails, including a tomato and thyme martini, and upscale entrees, including pork chop Milanese, house-made gnocchi burrata, and yellowtail crudo.

Bonus: Diners can get two hours of parking validation in CityScape garages, a huge plus in the increasingly busy downtown.

What's next: The Pomo Restaurant Group sees Rosso Italian's launch as its first step to expand nationally, per a press release.