Élephante, acclaimed coastal Italian concept coming to Scottsdale

Upscale restaurant hospitality group Wish You Were Here and Macerich, owner of Scottsdale Fashion Square announced that Élephante will be part of the south wing expansion of the mall’s luxury wing. Once opened the 12,000 square foot restaurant highly visible near Nordstroms and will be the first location outside of Los Angeles. Wish You Were Here has multiple concepts of upscale bars and restaurants in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York City. Their unforgettable dining experiences are inspired traveling the globe.

“We are thrilled to bring Élephante to Scottsdale, a city that boasts a stunning landscape and a thriving culinary scene,” said Nick Mathers, Founder of Wish You Were Here Group. “With its vibrant community that appreciates elevated dining experiences, it’s a favorable market for restaurants, especially in Scottsdale Fashion Square”

What to expect at Élephante

Guests will experience an indoor-outdoor restaurant offering a multidimensional experience with a sophisticated cocktail lounge within the restaurant, something unique to Arizona. Inspired by the desert surroundings the restaurant will have a jungle vibe full of lush floral decor and towering cacti.

The menu will include wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas and their well-known Whipped Eggplant Dip. A new grill section of the menu will include premium meats, consciously selected seafood and larger family-style dishes. The beverage program will include over 1,200 wine labels and expertly crafted cocktails.

“This year, we’re celebrating five years since Élephante opened its doors in Santa Monica, so we feel this is the perfect evolution of our brand. We have created an atmosphere that captures the essence of sophistication while preserving the organic, laid-back feel that defines our first location. With this unique blend, we invite guests to embark on a memorable journey that resonates with Scottsdale’s captivating charm.” says Mathers.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment

Prix Fixe Weekend Brunch menu now at Francine Restaurant

Chef Owner Laurent Halasz and Executive Chef Connor Harmon have designed a new Prix Fixe Weekend Brunch menu at their Scottsdale Fashion Square restaurant. The upscale bistro serving French cuisine with a Mediterranean twist opens every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. with the new menu offered at $46 per person. The regular brunch and lunch menus are also available during the weekend.

Halasz and Harmon designed the menu to emphasize the flavors of the Spring and Summer season like one would find dining in the south of France. The Prix Fixe Brunch menu includes bottomless coffee, tea or 1 Bloody Mary, mimosa or glass of sparkling wine. The two course menu offers over 10 dishes to choose from. Start with flat bread, Pea Soup en Croute or Hummus before your entree. Entrees include Omelet Francine, Quiche Lorraine, Croque Madam & Moulon Frites. The Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich is an additional $5 and the Faroe Island Salmon and Copper State Reserve Prime Steak Frites is an additional $10.

Reservations are not required but encouraged for the Prix Fixe Brunch and can be made by calling 480-690-6180 or by visiting their website.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

 

Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Wildflower adds new hearty menu items for winter

The locally owned specialty bakery known for its handcrafted artisan breads and more has added 8 new items to its menu. The festive foods include breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, pastas and toasts. There are 16 locations throughout Phoenix and Arizona.

Friendsgiving at Pedal Haus Brewery

Thanksgiving Eve friends and family can gather on the patio for a socially distanced celebration during happy hour. From 3:30 til closing on Wednesday November 25th enjoy happy hour specials, the new Peppermint Porter and live music. The celebration at the Chandler location goes until 10 p.m.

Aridus Wine Company ends its 8th harvest

The award-winning winery ends the 2020 grape growing season with almost 86 tons of grapes. This was their 4th harvest picking grapes from the estate’s 40 acres of vineyards in southern Arizona that started on August 22nd. 72% of the grapes picked will be for red wines, 26% for white wines and 2% for rose.

FRANCINE Restaurant opens patio for dining

You can now enjoy lunch, dinner or brunch at the French Mediterranean restaurant outside on the new patio. Located at the luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square seats 28 people in the relaxing and beautiful setting. Seating is by request with reservations recommended.

Serrano’s closes Tempe location until early 2021

The 6440 S. Mill Ave. location has closed for dine-in and take-out to undergo a major renovation. A major renovation needs to completed and the 4 other locations are open for dine-in, take-out and curbside delivery.

Laurent Halasz hires Brian Archibald as executive chef at FRANCINE

Things are moving right along at the new Scottsdale restaurant from Laurent Halasz, FRANCINE. The restaurant has named local Brian Archibald as executive chef and is holding a job fair July 7th & 8th. At first the restaurant will open for dinner on August 14th at Scottsdale Fashion Square’s new luxury wing then will open for lunch & brunch in September. The restaurant planned to open in April but delays were caused by the coronavirus shutdown. Laurent Halasz owns other restaurants in L.A. and other locations.

Archibald will work alongside Halasz at the new fine dining Mediterranean restaurant inspired by the south of France. Archibald has almost 30 years of cookimg experience at The Phoenician, Boulders Resort and JW Marriott at Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. He’s also worked at several top resorts around the world.

“When you walk into the dining room we want our guests to feel like they’ve been transported to the French Rivera. We have created a relaxing and warm coastal feel with casual elegance and similar to the atmosphere, FRANCINE’s cuisine will feature all the seasonal flavors one would find in the Mediterranean prepared in a very soulful way,” said Archibald.

FRANCINE is hiring 60 employees and the job fair will be from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Those interested can email resumes to jobs@francinerestaurant.com or find more information at https://francinerestaurant.com/ FRANCINE is at 4712 N. Goldwater Blvd. Scottsdale 85251.

Fashion A’ Fare celebrate’s food, fashion and floral creativity

Scottsdale Fashion Square will be showing off all things edible, fashionable and floral over their 4-day Fashion A’ Fare weekend. Thursday March 5 – Sunday the 8th will see events throughout the mall with several in the new luxury wing. Foodies will want to attend on Saturday and Sunday for chef demos, a cooking competition, Sunday brunch and a farmer’s market.

On Saturday, well renowned chefs from the mall’s new restaurants Toco Madera, Nobu, Ocean 44 and others will demonstrate edible art in the new luxury wing. Guests can watch students from the Arizona Culinary Institute compete in a Food Network styled cooking competition and awards ceremony.

Sunday brings a pop-up farmer’s market to the new Grand North Entrance. Whether you’re looking for a yoga demonstration, to shop or Sunday brunch this will be the place to be. Brunch will feature dishes with de-constructed produce along with prie-fixe brunch and lunch menus at the new restaurants. Champagne bars, DJ spin- art and flower crown making are put of the celebration.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is at 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. The luxury wing is on the north side off Goldwater Blvd. For more information and to stay up to date about Fashion A’ Fare head to their website.

 

FRANCINE from restaurateur Laurent Halasz to open in April

Every few weeks it seems another restaurant is opening at the new luxury wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Come late April we’ll have a new restaurant from Fig & Olive and Farmhouse owner Laurent Halasz. FRANCINE will join Nobu, Toca Madera and other restaurants that have opened in recent months. This will be Halasz’s most passionate project serving cuisine from the south of France where he grew up. Halasz also owns several locations of FIG & Olive and L.A.’s Farmhouse.Francine

“Everything on my mother’s table was fresh, seasonal, and full of flavor, and that is exactly what FRANCINE will offer our guests,” says Halasz. “We are so excited to bring our new take on classic French Mediterranean and open FRANCINE this April in Scottsdale.”

The fine dining restaurant will serve lunch and dinner with guests gathering in the plant filled restaurant of 5,000 square feet. In his youth Halasz’s mother would host meals around beautiful foods and draws inspiration and pays homage to those days with friends and family.Francine

Signature dishes to be on the menu include Zucchini Terrine, Grilled Octopus, Salmon Carpaccio and Seared Duck a la Provencal. A less formal lunch will serve a selection of pizza, salads and shareable dishes.

Check back for updates about the opening or head to their website.

Nobu Scottsdale opens Monday and is taking reservations

The new luxury wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square is buzzing with excitement as world renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa opens Nobu Scottsdale on Monday January 27, 2020. The sushi and Japanese cuisine restaurant has begun taking reservations for this highly anticipated opening. His first restaurant opened in New York City in 1994 with partners Robert DeNiro and Meir Teper, the trio now have restaurants on 6 continents.

“Scottsdale is a very special city, and a location we have been looking forward to opening for a very long time,” said Chef Matsuhisa. “Scottsdale is a truly unique destination for a special kind of luxury and Fashion Square is at the center of it all,” he said.

Chef Nobu made a name for himself in the 1990’s when he put his take on classic Japanese cuisine and sushi using new flavors and cooking techniques. He’s built a loyal following at over 40 restaurants and hotels around the world.

Nobu Scottsdale will have classic dishes such as Yellow Tail Sashimi and Black Cod with miso along with dishes only found in Scottsdale. Local ingredients will play a big role on the menu and cocktail program. The cocktail program continues to evolve as mixoligists from around the world continue to curate it.

“Each location has a unique menu that is influenced by global trends as well as the local scene,” says Nobu. “We look forward to bringing guests the signature dishes they have come to love, along with new dishes exclusive to Nobu Scottsdale.”

Nobu Scottsdale is taking reservations for dinner and can be made by calling 480-581-0055 or by visiting their website.

 

Upscale Mexican restaurant Toca Madera has opened.

A year and a half after I posted about it, the upscale Mexican restaurant Toca Madera has opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The Madera Group from West Hollywood is behind Toca Madera and its sister restaurants, the quick casual Tocaya Organica. Tocaya has two locations in the Phoenix area at Kierland Commons and next door to Toca.

Sashimi Mexicano

Co-founders Tosh Berman and Amrou Manaseer spared no expense at the 8,000 square foot Toca Madera. A lush courtyard with a retractable roof for patio dining leads to the dining room with the exhibition kitchen. Natural light from skylight breathes life onto the Ficus trees in the restaurants. A lounge with full bar is located off the courtyard serving signature margaritas and cocktails.

“At our Scottsdale location, we want guests to feel as though they’re stepping into another reality,” CEO Berman said. “From the sophisticated design to the theatrical spirit through which we serve food and beverage, every element has been precisely chosen to provide an unparalleled dining experience. The community has been incredibly supportive since opening Tocaya next door so we’re excited to introduce another one of our concepts to the area.”

Baja Rosa

Executive Chef Joseph Castillo comes to Toca Madera from the nearby Sushi Roku at the W Hotel. Castillo, a native of southern California goes from upscale sushi and Japanese food to an upscale Mexican cuisine. His culinary team creates signature dishes such as Enchiladas de Mole, Tiger Shrimp Tacos and Pescado de Dia (seafood of the day).

Dinner starts at 5 p.m., the lounge opens at 4 for happy hour and weekend brunch begins on November 9th. To view the menu and for more information check out https://www.tocamadera.com/

 

National Cheeseburger Day is Wednesday September 18th

Although National Cheeseburger Day is this Wednesday, where I live it can be everyday as I love a good cheeseburger.

A few restaurants around the valley are offering deals on the American favorite comfort food.

Twin Peaks is celebrating with a $6 cheeseburger and fries with the purchase of a beverage. Visit them at 2135 E Camelback Rd. in Phoenix, 8787 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. in Scottsdale, and 6922 N. 95th Ave. in Glendale.

National Cheeseburger Day
Broadway burger at Miracle Mile Deli. Photo credit Joanie Simon

Miracle Mile Deli isn’t waiting til Wednesday as today thru the 22nd they are offering their Broadway Burger for $10. This burger is topped with aged Cheddar, crispy bacon, Green leaf lettuce, tomato, red onion and Miracle Mile dressing. Miracle Mile is at 4433 N. 16th St. Phoenix 85016.

Dorian offers 2 sliders and a beer for $10. Get 3 three sliders and without the beer for $13. Dorian is located at 7419 E. Indian Plaza Drive, Scottsdale 85251.

Arcadia Tavern saves you a few dollars on their Tavern Burger for $10, normally $13.99. The tavern is located on the corner of 48th and Indian School in Phoenix.

Luci’s at the Orchard and Pomelo at the Orchard is giving you 10% off any burger On National Cheeseburger Day. Stop by 7100 N. 12th in Phoenix for your cheeseburger.

Luci’s at the Grove is also giving you 10% off all day on any burger at McCormick Parkway and Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale.

National Cheeseburger Day
Twin Peaks

Luci’s Healthy Marketplace at Bethany Home Rd and 16th St. is saving you 10% on all burgers all day long.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill’s 3 valley locations is serving up the Gastropub Burger. Filled with Gorgonzola infused burger with grilled sweet onion, maple pepper bacon, white cheddar, arugula and horseradish cream. Here are three Valley locations: 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 1041  in Tempe, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 1423  in Scottsdale and 2212 E. Williams Field Road  in Gilbert.

Desert Ridge Marketplace to get Arizona’s 4th Thirsty Lion Gastropub

UPDATE: Good news last minute shoppers, Thirsty Lion opens today (12/23). They will be closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, the re-open Thursday 12/26.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub announced that it has chosen Desert Ridge Marketplace for it’s fourth Phoenix area location. The 6,500 square foot restaurant will open in the fall of 2019 on the southwest side of The District. This will be the tenth restaurant to occupy Desert Ridge Marketplace since it’s $22 million upgrade in 2017.

“Desert Ridge Marketplace continues to establish itself as the place to be in the North Valley, evidence of how we chose where to open the fourth Arizona location,” said John Plew, Owner of Thirsty Lion. “We know our bold flavors and creative cocktail program will resonate with the Desert Ridge community, and we look forward to showing them what Thirsty Lion offers.”

The restaurant will have a larger dining room and outdoor bar with a fire pit. The restaurant has locations at Scottsdale Fashion Square, Tempe Marketplace and Gilbert’s SanTan Village.

Once opened the restaurant will serve eclectic gastropub cuisine with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Meats, seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables are all part of the restaurants core menu. Craft beers are served on tap along with uniquely created cocktails and over 20 wines by the glass.

Phoenix based Vestar owns and manages the shopping and entertainment complex. “Thirsty Lion will create an energetic and elevated dining experience at Desert Ridge Marketplace,” said Jenny Cushing, vice president of leasing at Vestar. “With extensive culinary and beverage options, we know Thirsty Lion will truly provide something for everyone in the North Valley.”

The shopping center is on Tatum Blvd. just north of the Loop 101.