More Restaurants for Riverside

Two new restaurants are being planned for downtown Riverside.

Chow Alley@Courthouse Piazza and Mess Hall on Market are expected to break ground sometime next year, although opening dates have not been determined, said Emilio Ramirez, Riverside’s deputy director of community and economic development.

The city council on Tuesday approved an agreement with Arteco Partners in Pomona that gives that company exclusive right to develop the 14,000-square-foot Mess Hall on Market, which will be built 3605 Market Street.

Arteco, which developed the Claremont Packing House in Claremont Village, has one year to work out a lease agreement with the city.

Mess Hall on Market will be part of the renovated Fox Performing Arts Center property. It will feature 14 high-end foot outlets and a common dining area, according to a city statement.

Chow Alley@Courthouse Piazza will be located between Main and Market street in front of the historic Riverside County Courthouse, on a site that is now two parking lots.

Main Street will be closed between 10th and 11th streets in order to extend the Main Street pedestrian mall and create more foot traffic for the restaurant, said Phil Pitchford, city spokesman.

Chow Alley@Courthouse Piazza will feature a common outdoor dining area and one dozen food outlets that will operate out of modern cargo containers. It will fill outdoor space between Market Street and the courthouse.

“We’re trying to respond to a community need,” Pitchford said. “Whenever we do surveys people always tell us they want more interesting dining options. That’s what these restaurants are going to be.”