Arizona Foothills Magazine

The venue is the brainchild of high-power-trial-lawyer-turned-self-improvement-guru Austin Vickers (creator, owner and managing director of the center) and co-creator and operations director Robert Black, of FORD/Robert Black modeling agency fame. So it’s appropriate that inside, you’ll find a health fanatic’s heaven complete with yoga studios; personal trainers; workshops, seminars and leadership training; spa and massage providers; a shop stocked with personal growth gifts and books; and other such delights, the most exciting of which to this foodie is The Center Bistro.

In keeping with the trendy hub’s throughline of whole-body (and mind and soul) holistic-health nurturing, it’s no surprise the restaurant has been themed “celebrating organic.” Sure, it seems like every establishment is celebrating organic nowadays; but this organic fare is truly distinctive from much of that being touted elsewhere in town.

Here, you’ll find none of the overly filling, supposedly healthy dishes that try to compensate for their lack of meat with overpowering salt, starchy sauces and heaping mounds of cheese, beans, noodles and such that sometimes leave vegetarian restaurant fare greasy. While you’re sure to exit this establishment satisfied, the dishes are remarkably light on the palate—as light and airy as the bistro’s

well-windowed surroundings that look out on Tempe’s downtown. And each has enough flavor and character to please even anti-health-food types. Do you tofu? Whether the answer is “yea” or “nay,” you’ll find plenty to worship at this corner bistro.

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