Economy not stopping more restaurants from opening in Valley

Despite economic uncertainty, there are still plenty of people pouring plenty of money into the Valley restaurant scene.

Here are 10 of the more interesting places to look forward to for the rest of 2008.

Noca - Look for fresh, premium ingredients and quality cooking from chef Chris Curtiss (Circa 1900) at the former Eleve storefront on Camelback Road and 32nd Street. Opening: this month.

Mexican Standoff - Mexican/Latin American fare with a refined twist from restaurateur Peter Kasperski (Cowboy Ciao, Sea Saw, Digestif) and chef Bernie Kantak at SouthBridge in downtown Scottsdale. Opening: summer.

Sea Saw/Shell Shock - James Beard Award winner Nobuo Fukuda is moving across the street to fancier SouthBridge digs to showcase his modern Japanese fare. He's also adding a more casual, less-pricey sibling. Opening: summer.

Sushi Roku - Are you one of the beautiful people? They'll be gathering at the hip W hotel in downtown Scottsdale when it unveils this trendy Hollywood import. Opening: summer.

InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa - The restaurant at this opulent new Paradise Valley resort doesn't have a name yet. But count on chef Claudio Urciuoli (Taggia) to feature his exceptional slow-food Mediterranean fare. Opening: summer/fall.

REM - James Beard Award winner Robert McGrath (Roaring Fork) is coming back to Scottsdale with a menu that pays homage to old-school continental dining. Opening: summer/fall.

BLT Steak - Marriott's Camelback Inn has ditched the long-running Chaparral Room, targeting a younger crowd with a branch of Laurent Tourondel's lively New York steak house. Opening: September.

True Food - Restaurant impresario Sam Fox (Greene House, North, Sauce) is teaming with physician/author Andrew Weil in a Biltmore Fashion Park venture that promises good-for-you, good-tasting fare. Opening: September/October.

J&G Steakhouse - Internationally acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has a mighty big space to fill at the Phoenician, where his steak house is replacing legendary Mary Elaine's. Opening: October.

Samurai Cowboy - Greg Donnally (Stingray, Geisha A Go Go) has yet another Japanese restaurant in his Old Town Scottsdale arsenal. This one will focus on grilled meats called robatayaki. Opening: December.

Chef Nobuo Fukuda, owner of Sea Saw restaurant in Scottsdale.