There have been a lot of changes in the Fairhope food scene lately with openings, closings and relocations. When Ox Kitchen Fairhope teased a big announcement on Facebook April 8, the speculation quickly began in the comments.

There's no need to worry because the news is good. Ox Kitchen Fairhope is expanding to open a second location at The Garden Pensacola.

Eurasian Bistro is preparing to open a new second location at The Garden in downtown Pensacola.

Eurasian Bistro owner Paul Nguyen is planning to bring all the elements that have made Eurasian Bistro so popular to the downtown Pensacola dining scene, only in a more compact form to fit in the smaller space. Here’s what you can expect:

Around the corner is The Garden at Palafox + Main, a covered outdoor food hall outfitted with airstream trailers, a daiquiri-slinging bar, and all manner of comfort foods. Vendors include BOCA Latin Kitchen, MELT Gourmet Sandwiches and Mac N’ Cheese, and Calavera Tacos, as well as Pearl & Horn—a fast-casual surf & turf concept from the acclaimed local chef behind upscale George Bistro + Bar. Here they sling broiled oysters, lobster rolls, smash burgers, meaty grouper fish & chips, and BBQ shrimp that could hold its own among New Orleans’ finest. After you’ve polished off your oysters, head back into the Garden for a rum-splashed nightcap at the highly Instagrammable Perennial Patio Bar.

Throwing shade isn’t always a bad thing, and that’s what the owners of The Garden have done with their newly renovated space at the southwest corner of Palafox and Main. The food truck pavilion, featuring new vendor kiosks, offers outdoor dining choices for every taste and every level of appetite. But what patrons are likely to notice first is the new roof and fans to make the experience much more comfortable during the summer or in foul weather.

While several restaurants in Pensacola are closing temporarily amid this pandemic, one local business owner is reopening his venue under a new name.

The Garden stands at the site of the old Al Fresco, but back now with several new concepts.

Downtown Pensacola's former Al Fresco food court has been renamed, redesigned and re-imagined, and now it's just about ready to reopen.

The first phase of The Garden will be unveiled to the public Monday when all four of its airstream food trailers open up for business. The food court at 501 S. Palafox St. is now equipped with a partial roof to block out the sun and harsh weather elements.