Kai is one of only 20 five-star restaurants in Mobil’s 2009 North America guide, which covers the United States and Canada, and the only one in Arizona. Kai received AAA’s highest rating, five diamonds, last October.

According to Mobil, the five-star achievement requires a “flawless dining experience, consistently providing exceptional food, superlative service, elegant décor and exquisite presentations.”

The guide recognizes 159 four-star restaurants, two in Arizona: Talavera, at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, and the Ventana Room in Tucson.

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Lots to do this fall in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is ready to wine and dine visitors preparing to make the trek to the Southwest this fall with these upcoming culinary events.

Kicking off the festivities is Arizona Restaurant Week, debuting Sept. 20-26. The event gives patrons the chance to experience Arizona’s finest fare at a variety of quality restaurants for a special rate. Nearly 100 restaurants, including some of Scottsdale’s best such as Digestif, Sol y Sombra, Roka Akor, Olive & Ivy, and Taggia, will offer a three-course menu for $29 per person or $58 per couple, excluding drinks, tax and tip. .

On Oct. 7 and 8, travelers can savor fresh, straight-from-the-farm food at the latest installment of Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar’s dinner series, Locavore 4: Cultivation. Locavore is a term used to describe a person who only eats locally produced food, and every bite and sip of Tapino’s five-course dinner will come from an Arizona farmer, food producer, rancher or wine maker. For $65 a person, diners experience Chef James Porter’s globally-inspired creations while supporting local businesses. Locavore 5: The Hearth, will take place Dec. 1 and 2.

Savor Scottsdale, a group dedicated to increasing local pride and national recognition for the city’s culinary scene, is adding to the fall festivities with EATS³ Oct. 23-25. The event focuses on the three S’s – sizzle, sip and swizzle – and will showcase Scottsdale’s finest with a cocktail-infused ArtWalk, exclusive in-gallery dinners by famed Scottsdale chefs, a national Iron Bartender competition, a Grand Tasting featuring the finest chefs and wine makers, and the signature BBQ & Bubbles Finale. Among the event’s slated 40 chefs and special guests are Emmy award-winning Chef Ming Tsai and winner of Bravo’s Top Chef, Stephanie Izard. Arizona chefs will include James Beard award winners Nobuo Fukuda, Chris Bianco and Robert McGrath, and Iron Chef winning chefs Beau MacMillan and Mark Tarbell. Patrons may purchase tickets to individual events or buy the $500 Ultimate Savor Scottsdale Pass.

VISITORS EXPLORE THEIR ARTISTIC SIDE WITH NEW PUBLIC EXHIBITS
Since its inception in 1985, the Scottsdale Public Art Program has worked to bring new and creative artwork to the streets. The downtown area will soon be home to three new interactive exhibits that will allow visitors to take part in Scottsdale’s unique arts community.

Art lovers can enjoy beautiful fall evenings by taking a stroll downtown and experiencing a stunning light show at the Scottsdale Waterfront. Beginning in October, the collection’s new Night Lights exhibit, a premier music and interactive, light-based art installation, will be on display. Launching the attraction will be Tucson artist Mary Lucking whose light installation will grace the Waterfront every third Thursday from October through December, using the water of the nearby Arizona Canal as a canvas. Visitors can give the light show their own artistic touch by speaking into a microphone set up at the exhibit, which then triggers and changes the patterns projected onto the water.

A second all-new piece, Bell’e Art, will transform the bell tower adjacent to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts into an outdoor gallery. The first exhibition, on view Sept. 8 through Dec. 3, will feature New York-based artist Béatrice Coron’s series of papercuts inspired by Scottsdale landmarks, lifestyle, history and more. Coron’s piece will feature 24 iconic Scottsdale scenes hand cut on black and white Tyvek, a lightweight waterproof paper, suspended from the top of the tower. Each cutout image will serve as a window that invites passersby to peek through, invoking memories and dreams of Scottsdale and the Southwest. Visitors inspired by Coron’s piece will have the chance to create their own works of art when she hosts a workshop, Sharp Arts: The International Papercutting Scene, at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library on Nov. 1.

Crocheters get out your hooks and take part in Scottsdale Public Art’s crocheted exhibit at the Civic Center Library. In April 2009, the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project, a globally touring exhibit of a crocheted coral reef ecosystem, will be on display at the library before heading to its next stop at the Smithsonian. The 2,000-square-foot reef has already made its rounds from London to Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. Visitors eager to learn the art of crocheting can take part in organized workshops.

GOLF INITIATIVES PRESERVE NATURAL SONORAN DESERT SURROUNDINGS
Golf operators in Scottsdale are making strides to preserve the city’s Sonoran Desert surroundings through modern technology, innovative practices and a commitment to environmental stewardship. The golf industry’s efforts not only ensure a protected environment for generations of future visitors, but also help put Scottsdale on the forefront of eco-friendly golf destinations.

Water Use – Because Scottsdale is in a desert environment, conservation and efficient use of water is always top-of-mind for the city’s golf industry. Nearly 75 percent of Scottsdale’s golf courses use sophisticated computerized irrigation systems and weather monitoring stations to maximize the efficiency of their water use. These systems apply the minimum amount of water required to maintain the health of individual plants in addition to minimizing evaporation and maximizing transpiration.
Maintenance – Scottsdale golf courses also have modified their regular maintenance practices to increase the sustainability of their properties. Efforts include using organic fertilizer rather than petroleum-based fertilizer, switching gas-powered equipment from two-stroke engines to four-stroke in order to reduce emissions, and frequent testing of soil conditions to ensure proper application using the minimum amount of product to ensure the plants’ health.
Environmental Stewards – Scottsdale golf properties like Sanctuary Golf Course at West World, TPC

Scottsdale and Camelback Golf Club continue to look for new eco-friendly opportunities to ensure that golf maintains its overall positive impact on the city and state. The courses have all achieved, or are achieving, certification in the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Program, a program that requires golf facilities to protect the Earth by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats. In addition, Scottsdale-based Troon Golf Management has made the commitment to have its entire portfolio of 190 golf properties worldwide certified through the Audubon initiative.

TURNDOWN IS AN EXPERIENCE WITH SCOTTSDALE’S UNIQUE AMENITIES
Scottsdale’s resorts are committed to providing a luxurious, unforgettable experience for their guests. Beginning at the moment of check-in, guests are welcomed by hospitable service and world-class amenities that extend to the tiniest of details. Even Scottsdale’s turndown programs go above and beyond, greeting guests with more than just folded over sheets and pillow mints. The following is just a sampling of Scottsdale’s unique turndown amenities.

The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North looks to the stars for its turndown amenity that includes a constellation chart calibrated to the Arizona night sky. Every Friday evening, the property plays host to astronomer Richard Allen who leads stargazing sessions using state-of-the-art telescopes and charts. Guests can bring their constellation chart to the free session and navigate the nighttime sky alongside Allen, discovering different celestial bodies like Jupiter, Saturn and Mars depending on the time of year. 

Turndown service at FireSky Resort & Spa relays the property’s theme of earth, air, fire and water to guests with each day of the week corresponding to a particular element. The program is filled with unique turndown items such as Fire Balls candy, organic sweet chocolate, and bottles of bubbles. Each amenity is accompanied by a turndown card tailored to the specific theme. 

Guests at The Boulders Resort can enjoy a mini Golden Door Spa experience at turndown with the resort’s complimentary skin care amenities. Each new day brings a different sample like the Botanical Body Oil, which is a potent remedy for dry, sun-damaged skin, or the lavender cream that promotes the grown of new skin cells and whose scent can be helpful with headaches and nervous tension.

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Old West meets new urban chic

Scottsdale tourists once delighted in the rubber-tomahawk culture that prevailed in “the West’s Most Western Town.” These days, visitors are as likely to spring for a turquoise-clay wrap at one of the many spas in this oasis of Southwest sophistication.

Downtown, once epitomized by the hitching post, has forsaken kitsch for chic.

Buildings soar to the relatively skyscraping heights of 13 stories, with exclusive nightclubs, restaurants, and boutique hotels such as the W.

Young, hip tourists seem to like it, but how do the city’s voters feel about it?

Civic leaders – always conscious of their brand – like to describe Scottsdale as the place where “the Old West Meets the New West.” But this convenient marriage is far from harmonious.

Scottsdale’s downtown revitalization has given a great boost to the tourism industry but has left some residents heartbroken at the fast-paced urbanization. A vocal group hopes to halt the transformation with a slate of candidates running in the city’s election on Tuesday.

“This election is hugely important,” said City Councilman Bob Littlefield, who usually ends up on the minority end of controversial development votes. “This election will determine what Scottsdale will look like over the next five to 10 years.”

At the top of the low-growth ticket is activist Tom Giller, who has vowed to oppose nearly any new project that rises above 42 feet – about three stories in height. Close behind is Nan Nesvig. Although less virulent about height limits, Nesvig promises to “listen to residents,” many of whom resent losing their views of Camelback Mountain while fighting late-day traffic jams.

If Giller and Nesvig are elected, they would form a reliable council majority with Littlefield and Councilman Tony Nelssen, the mule-riding, cowboy-hat-wearing enforcer of Scottsdale’s Old West. He protested last year, for example, when city officials quietly removed the “West’s Most Western Town” motto from Scottsdale’s Web site.

The four could become a permanent pain to Mayor Mary Manross, who is expected to prevail over opponent Jim Lane, a city councilman giving up his seat to run against her. Further progress on the city’s glitzy downtown – which the New York Times recently described as “a desert version of Miami’s South Beach” – could be at risk.

“I think it would not bode well for our future if we had a majority of the council feeling that all change and all growth is bad,” Manross said. “What we need is a balance with the old and the new. There’s room in our city for both. People come here from all over the world for a lot of different things.”

Not everyone is thrilled with the “24/7, live-work” downtown that Manross and her council majority have promoted for half a decade.

At election forums, Lane has hammered Manross over the city’s $120 million investment in the high-tech joint venture with Arizona State University called SkySong. The mayor points to her legacy project as a long-term investment in stable, high-paying jobs, but south Scottsdale activists say that a hockey arena or retail stores at the old Los Arcos Mall site would have offered more to residents.

Nelssen said that some longtime tourists and residents find the nightclub scene intimidating.

“A couple (tourists) said they didn’t feel safe on the streets,” he said. “The city has lost its family atmosphere.”

Others say that is nonsense. Manross points to falling crime rates. Tourism leaders are pitching the city to a high-end market less interested in Western knockoffs than spectacular resorts and exotic cocktails.

“I think to some degree this is an election that deals with whether Scottsdale is going to be a progressive community going forward or whether we fall into the trap of nostalgia,” said Rick Kidder, president of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber’s political-action committee has endorsed Manross and incumbents Betty Drake and Ron McCullagh. The group likes businesswoman Suzanne Klapp for the third council seat, while others have supported attorney Lisa Borowsky. Joel BramOweth and Oren Davis round out the candidate list for the three council seats.

Candidates not aligned with Giller and Nesvig are less concerned with fighting the new urbanization than making sure it functions efficiently.

Drake wants a “pedestrian-oriented” downtown where visitors and residents can comfortably walk from one neighborhood to another. Candidates on this ticket want to pull ad-hoc projects, such as the Scottsdale Waterfront and Optima Camelview condominiums, into a coherent whole.

Nobody is willing to give way on the city’s Old Town and Fifth Avenue shopping districts, which they say should remain sacrosanct. But jobs are a high priority, as is the tourism that has kept Scottsdale coffers full while neighboring cities are slashing budgets.

According to Kidder, the tourist today is much more discerning.

“The demographics have changed,” he said. “They’re coming for the nightlife and the resorts. They’re also coming for the Sonoran Desert. There may have been a time when the vast majority of visitors were coming for the ‘West’s Most Western Town’ feel, but I think they are coming for vastly different reasons today. They are a different generation.”

Low-growth advocates have argued that the height and density are disturbing in part because of the “mediocre” quality of design and construction.

Nesvig criticizes the “cart before the horse mentality” that has thrown up buildings before streets, sewers and the city’s infrastructure are ready to handle them.

Nelssen wants “site-specific, climate-sensitive” design that could survive a broken air-conditioning system.

“It would drive a style of true desert architecture,” he said. “That was what brought us all here. It was the quality of life. It was charm. It was character.”

Scottsdale is becoming too much like Tempe, the low-growth ticket complains, and is losing its distinct edge.

“People come from an urban environment to visit a resort that’s unique and Western,” Giller said. “Once you’re in a bar you can be in a bar in Tempe or South Beach or anyplace. . . . We get a lot of people down here but is this really how you want to build your brand?”

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W Hotel raises wow factor in Scottsdale

When the W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences opens today, it will bring to Old Town three upscale bars, the Los Angeles-based, style-conscious restaurant Sushi Roku and 224 rooms with buzz-worthy design. But it also will usher in an era of $26 overnight valet parking and $559-a-night hotel rooms.

The swanky international chain is credited with developing the boutique-hotel market, emphasizing a hip, edgy vibe through innovative decor and splashy bars and restaurants. W Hotels are known to elevate the quality of nightlife where they open, and bar and hotel managers throughout Scottsdale have been preparing since Triyar Hospitality LLC broke ground for the W in 2005.

Neighboring Axis/Radius nightclub spent $1.5 million on a remodel in 2006 with the Starwood Hotels & Resorts-run property in mind.

The nearby Mondrian Scottsdale hotel revamped its pool, turning it into a Skybar similar to the one at its sister Los Angeles property, and upgraded Asia de Cuba’s patio to increase the restaurant’s capacity and year-round usage. Randy Smith, who owns the nearby, elegant SIX Lounge, has been working with promoters to elevate SIX’s image and keep the right kind of well-dressed, free-spending clients in his club so it feels right for W guests.

But all this comes at a price. Just as its status elevates the cachet of adjacent clubs and hotels, the W’s high rates are expected to lift prices for other Valley boutique hotels. Resorts have long been charging $500 to $600 a night for non-suites, but they also offer 27-hole golf courses, spas, fitness centers, tennis courts, restaurants, water parks and sprawling, manicured grounds. The W will offer just three bars, a restaurant, pool, fitness center and spa.

Laura McMurchie, vice president of communications at the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the new hotel – with its sand-surrounded second-floor pool, its celebrity-favorite Bliss Spa and its proximity to nightclubs – is well-suited to Scottsdale’s developing image as a hip vacation destination for the image-conscious Generation X traveler. And the W owners believe the market can support Los Angeles-level prices.

“They offer more of that urban, city-center style of property. You know you’re going to have a built-in scene, a built-in nightlife,” she said. “But you’re also going to have . . . all the things you expect from a great hotel. Those prices are something new for this market, but the W has the brand power to command it.”

The seven-story hotel cost more than $100 million to build, and owners pushed back the opening date several times because of delays caused by a lack of construction manpower and a jump in prices of raw materials, according to General Manager Leon Young. But the delays didn’t dampen buzz. More than 6,000 people applied for 300 jobs. Sushi Roku is half-booked for opening night, with large groups and celebrity parties.

“Scottsdale is not only up and coming, it’s also redefining itself,” Young said. “It’s taking more of a sophisticated turn, not being considered a retirement community but a very vibrant city with a lot of culture and art, and the W likes to be on the forefront of that cusp.”

Although many Valley hotels are continuing summer discounts into fall to entice tourists, Young said he’s not worried that the slower economy will hurt his hotel. He’s confident the brand’s cachet and the W’s connections and programs such as the Whatever/Whenever service will be enough to keep the beds and bars full. For example, he says, if a guest is going to a concert, the staff will try to arrange for a backstage pass, an autograph session or other upgrade.

“That’s not something we charge for,” Young said. “It’s about leveraging whatever partnerships we have.”

David Morgan, general manager of the Mondrian Scottsdale, said the new hotel will be good for Valley tourism because guests will expect more with higher rates, pressuring nearby properties to elevate their level of customer service and improve their facilities.

“Scottsdale needed to move in a new direction with rates, and they’re going to help us get to that,” he said.

Morgan said his hotel plans to build a bridge over the pool in advance of its reincarnation as a nightclub. The Mondrian also is upgrading the hotel’s event spaces, all to stay competitive in a market that now has two boldface boutique hotels within walking distance of each other.

The new W hotel features 18 condos and 224 rooms named on a scale from Wonderful to Fabulous. Jeff Low-designed suites are expected to open in October, ranging from Studio to Extreme Wow, the largest coming in at 1,540 square feet.

The design is conspicuously flashy. The porte-cochere is built under the pool, with four round ceiling windows offering a glimpse of swimmers above. Once inside, guests can grab a Blueberry Acai Martini in the Living Room lobby bar, lounging on lavender, faux-reptile skin seating. Or they can get dinner at Sushi Roku, which boasts teak ceilings and floors and a leather-tiled bar anchored by a massive $22,000 chunk of burled wood from Cambodia.

Bar general manager Dominic Scoles said the hotel’s destination bar, Shade, and its pool bar, Sunset Beach, will target a customer attracted to Scottsdale for nightlife fun.

“We’re looking to bring some quality new stuff to downtown Scottsdale and go after that upper-echelon client,” he said. To do that, Scoles will serve Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and Dom Pérignon champagnes by the glass and fresh-fruit mojitos muddled tableside.

“This is going to change the entire dynamic of Old Town,” said Les Corieri of Evening Entertainment Group, which runs Axis/Radius and two adjacent nightspots.

“The amount of people they’re bringing to that area is going to be over the top. . . . I can’t wait.”

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Traveling In Our Fabulous World – Plenty of Bright Spots in Phoenix

After leaving West Hollywood, a place we told you about in two recent columns, we drove to Phoenix, where the weather was HOT. In the daytime it was 115, but at night it cooled down — to around 110!

We checked into the Arizona Sunburst Inn, 6245 N. 12th Place (800-974-1474, www.azsunburst.com), which is convenient to all of the major gay bars and businesses. The inn was sold about a year and a half ago, and Tim and James have remodeled and really changed the decor and ambiance. They have done a wonderful job, and they are great hosts, making you feel like you belong.

The room furniture is very masculine. All rooms face the swimming pool, and they also have a Jacuzzi. Breakfast is ready in the morning whenever you want it. The inn has Wi-Fi for guests and a public computer for those who did not bring a laptop with them. They offer clothing-optional sunbathing and spa. This is the only place to stay when visiting Phoenix!

There are dozens and dozens of restaurants in Phoenix, but one of our favorites is Marcellino Ristorante, 1301 E. Northern Ave. (602-216-0004, www.marcellinoristorante.com), which has to be one of the finest Italian restaurants we have had the pleasure of dining in. If you want true Italian cooking in an exciting atmosphere with servers who are the best, then dine there. The owners, Sima and Marcellino Verzino, are as good as they get. Marcellino is the chef, and his beyond-fabulous wife, Sima, is the hostess who really is the mostest! Call for reservations.

You can’t dine at the same restaurant every day, so try Ticoz at 5114 N. Seventh St. (602-200-0160, www.ticozofarizona.com,).To say that it is wonderful is an understatement. Chef Holly creates the finest entrees and desserts. Ticoz has a great ambiance, wonderful service and the food presentation is as good as it gets. It has a great Saturday and Sunday brunch special, and the restaurant is always packed. They make some of the finest drinks in the city. Be SURE to save room for dessert. Trust us on this one.

The owners also have another restaurant not too far away — Switch, 2603 N. Central Ave. (www.switchofarizona.com). They serve wonderful food there as well. It has a completely different look about it, which is good. Way too many restaurants all look alike.

There are a lot of gay bars in Phoenix for whatever you are into. Favorite bars include Charlie’s (the cowboy bar), Amsterdam (downtown), Oz, Wild Card, and we particularly enjoyed the Kobalt at Park Central, which has a piano bar sometimes.

Besides the large bars, Phoenix also has a lot of neighborhood bars. It also has a couple of bath houses, the Flex and the Chute.

The best place to find any bar or business in Phoenix is in the Arizona Pride Guide (www.arizonaprideguide.com). This informative guide is free and covers the entire state. Go to the Web site to order one.

There are a lot of wonderful museums, galleries and shopping in the Phoenix area. The Antique Marketplace, 4025 N. 16th St., sells a wide range of antiques. Next door is the Root Seller Gallery & Apothecary, which sells a large variety of artwork, books, cards, herbs, music and more.

There are literally hundreds of arts and cultural destinations throughout greater Phoenix. The Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, (www.phxart.org) has an outstanding collection of more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. Its popular exhibitions feature artists such as Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, Annie Leibovitz and Monet. The internationally acclaimed Heard Museum downtown ( 2301 N. Central Ave., www.heard.org) is one of the best places to experience the myriad cultures and art of Native Americans of the Southwest.

Phoenix is surrounded by many suburb cities, and our favorite is Tempe. It is the home of Arizona State University and is one of the most progressive cities in the nation. Check out its Web site at vibranttempe.com and click on “LGBT in Tempe.” The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has its international headquarters at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, and tours are conducted daily. The foundation was established in 1940 as the repository of the life work of Wright.

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So much high-end restaurant food, for so little money . . .

That seems to be the happy, resounding theme these next two months, thanks to a cornucopia of culinary events featuring the Valley’s top chefs.

Adding to the bargain that is Phoenix Cooks, chef Andrea Volpi of Taggia tells me he’s just taken a booth and will be serving a mini panino of slow braised Niman Ranch pork with gorgonzola and cherry mostarda di cremona (a sweet-sour fruit mustard/chutney).

Different Pointe of View is another late entry to the lineup, while Skye chef Scott Tompkins has announced he’s carting his portable kitchen from Peoria to teach a class on healthy pork dishes. This sounds like a valuable education – somehow his “healthy” translates to indulgent tastes like roasted loin with Jack Daniels apple cream.

Reserve an entire week of dining

Now’s a great time, too, to start planning for Arizona Restaurant Week, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 26. The inaugural event gives diners the opportunity to eat at the Valley’s best restaurants for a price of just $29 per person or $58 for two. And not just a small prix-fixe nibble; it garners an entire three-course meal (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity).

No tickets are required; however, it is highly recommended that you make reservations soon as seats will fill up quickly.

The goal of Restaurant Week is to position metro-Phoenix as one of the top culinary destinations in the nation by increasing awareness of our many dining opportunities, and to stimulate business for participating restaurants. The events are successful in New York and San Francisco, among other places.

It’s a good thing for everyone. The idea is that people who might perhaps be intimidated by higher-end restaurants will venture out for the specials, love the experience, and then become regular customers. A few participating hot spots include the pricey Bourbon Steak, Estate House, Deseo at The Westin Kierland, Lon’s at The Hermosa, Talavera at the Four Seasons, Roka Akor, The Grill at The Fairmont Scottsdale, and Wright’s at the Biltmore.

Other diners, who might have been curious but timid about our more creative, independently owned restaurants may venture out, too, testing eclectic spots like Sol y Sombra, Cowboy Ciao, Geisha A Go Go, Stingray Sushi, and Cholla Prime Steakhouse (bacon-wrapped elk in chocolate-cognac sauce, served inside a casino, anyone?)

The restaurants maintain control in that they can limit the bargains to fixed menus, but a visit to the event’s Web site – arizonarestaurantweek.com – shows that most eateries are pulling out the stops. One of my favorites spots, Alto ristorante e bar at the Hyatt Gainey, for example, is offering three choices within each of its three courses, including its signature veal saltimbocca entrée.

Plan to eat out every night – almost 100 restaurants are participating, including Fleming’s, Ruth’s Chris, Trader Vic’s, Olive & Ivy, Digestif, Humble Pie, Meritage Steakhouse, Taggia and Tarbell’s.

Details, list of participating restaurants, menus and reservations: arizonarestaurantweek.com.

Savor Scottsdale with Eats3

Save the date for Oct. 23 for Savor Scottsdale’s first-ever event, Eats3, held at SouthBridge. Designed as a “uniquely Arizona epicurean experience,” the “3″ stands for food, wine and spirits, or the party’s theme of “Sizzle, Sip, & Swizzle.”

That’s not to be confused, I suppose, with Taste3, the relatively new and entirely remarkable event put on by Robert Mondavi and Copia in Napa these past three years, where the “3″ stands for food, wine and arts.

While details are still being nailed down (I’ve heard a lot about a not-to-be-missed barbecue and jaw-dropping beverages so far), highlights include a cocktail-infused art walk through Old Town Scottsdale, in-gallery dinners hosted by Scottsdale chefs, an Iron Bartender competition, and a Grand Tasting featuring more than 40 master chefs and 100 winemakers.

Some special guest stars are flying in for the fest, too, such as Jacques Pépin, Ming Tsai, and Bravo Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard.

This event also seems geared to a younger, more casual crowd, as evidenced by its kickoff party Thursday night, Oct. 23. From 9 p.m. to midnight, SouthBridge will morph into a hip, open-air lounge featuring specialty cocktails, vintage wine and music by a national DJ. Admission is just $10.

The cha-ching kicks up Friday and Saturday, however, with a series of library wine tastings for $200 each, and the $200-per-ticket Barbecue and Bubbles finale party.

Details: eats3.com.

Ciao down

While there still may be no opening date yet for Peter Kasperski’s Mexican Standoff (some clever types are calling it Mexican Standstill), chef Bernie Kantak and pastry chef Tracy Dempsey are focusing their efforts on the team’s flagship eatery, Cowboy Ciao, just across Stetson Avenue.

They’ve introduced a new menu, chock full of creative plates like chicken & waffles, ‘Duck of the Sea’ (kind of a tuna salad cooked in duck fat and topped with an egg fried in duck fat), and for dessert, Elvis at the Diner (banana cake with peanut butter and chocolate mousse, malted ice cream in chocolate soda, and potato chips).

On a more straightforward side, there’s also pan-seared branzino with sweet corn polenta, roast capon breast with smoked chorizo and fennel jus, and crème fraiche panna cotta with melon soup and cucumber sorbet.

Details: Cowboy Ciao, 7133 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale. 480-946-3111 

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Restaurants key to ‘rebirth’ at DC Ranch

Two restaurants will open this year on DC Ranch’s Market Street, ushering in a new era of handpicked businesses at the north Scottsdale shopping district.

Valley restaurateur and chef Aaron May said his two culinary ventures, Autostrada and Ice House, will offer unique fare and reasonable prices at the center southeast of Pima Road and Thompson Peak Parkway.
May’s restaurants are part of a larger “rebirth” of Market Street that development officials said will lead to the ideal mix of tenants.

DC Ranch developer DMB Associates Inc. is searching for “unique, entrepreneurial locally owned businesses,” said Robert Mayhew, vice president of DMB Commercial.
May’s new “Autostrada Osteria e Enoteca” will open in October on Pima Road, dishing out authentic Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Market Street Ice House, May’s toast to modern barbecue, will replace the former San Felipe’s Cantina this winter. The feisty tequila-inspired cantina is moving to Phoenix’s Desert Ridge Marketplace this fall.

Likewise, the popular Blue Wasabi Sushi & Martini Bar also folded this year. Its location near McDonald Drive and Scottsdale roads in Scottsdale and a new Gilbert location remain open.

Looking for a good tenant mix

Declining to offer names, Mayhew said DMB is handpicking tenants who “we think will understand Market Street.”
“The last thing we want is a tenant that is not compatible or won’t be successful,” he said.

San Felipe’s, which served coastal Mexican food in a fun atmosphere, was popular with the younger crowd, who flocked by the dozens on weekends to drink and literally dance on top of the bars.

Despite the rowdy crowd, May said San Felipe’s was not “out of sync” with Market Street.

“As the community around Market Street matures, develops and and defines itself, the tenant mix just changes,” he said.

Fran Enzone, who handles marketing for San Felipe’s, said the cantina chose to relocate after Desert Ridge developer Vestar Development Co. came forward with a space opportunity.
Vestar and San Felipe’s hit it off last year when the cantina opened a location in Vestar’s Tempe Marketplace, Enzone said.

“We thought (Desert Ridge) was the perfect solution,” Enzone said. “We couldn’t say more about Vestar.”
Former Market Street merchant Letitia Frye said she believes the absence of San Felipe’s will fetch a more mature atmosphere that is “less spring break.”

Frye closed her shop, Little Angels Boutique, two years ago as a result of financial troubles. She now works part time at Té Boutique on Market Street and has witnessed the ebb and flow of businesses. The boutique features clothing, linens, handbags and home accessories.

“The demographic here is changing,” Frye said. “I think Market Street is still searching for its identity.”
How to thrive on Market Street
The merchants who thrive on Market Street have two things in common: good food and zealous owners, Mayhew said.

The Herb Box has become a Market Street sensation since opening April 1.
Owners Susan Wilcox and Chef Becky J. Windels said their secret to success is “innovative world creations.” The food is described as “healthy and delicious” with a creative flair.

For breakfast, there are cinnamon buckwheat pancakes with dried blueberries. Dinner ranges from wild-caught salmon cakes to grilled tenderloin with an arugula-gorgonzola sauce.

“Once people put our food in their mouths, it’s over,” Wilcox said. “No matter how cute the place is, if the food isn’t good, people won’t come back.”
Market Street’s Patsy Grimaldi’s Pizzeria recently expanded its outdoor patio to accommodate more patrons.

Tucked away in the district’s edge, the pizzeria has been a hit despite the failings of its neighbor the Tavern. Formerly the Star Spangled Tavern, the all-American restaurant folded last summer.
Grimaldi’s president, Joseph Ciolli, said clientele has skyrocketed by up to 20 percent a month.

“Business is going phenomenal,” Ciolli said.

The pizzeria plans to open another location at CityNorth. The expanse of restaurants and retail will debut in November at 56th Street and Deer Valley Drive in north Phoenix.

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Bravo! Bistro

4327 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3329

Phone: 480-481-7614

Fax: 480-946-8205

A unique style of Italian and Mediterranean dining in an intimate setting. Fresh fish flown in daily, prime meats, locally grown organic produce. Homemade pasta and dessert. Full bar and incredible wine selection. Partners Tony Hamati and Steve Marks have brought a culinary revival to downtown Scottsdale. Hamati was trained at the Sorbonne in Paris and cooked for King Hussein in the Royal Palace of Jordan. Upstairs lounge with Camelback Mountain view. Late night private parties. Catering and private dining are available.

http://www.bravobistro.com/

The British Open Pub & Grill

1334 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Phone: 480-941-4915

A “Cheers” like atmosphere serving traditional British fare along with all your American favorites. Our pride and joy is our Specials Board where we experiment with cuisines from around the world along with those tried and true home cooked favorites. A full service bar, serving liquor and a selection of over 50 beers. We pride ourselves in the quality of our food and our service. We strive to be that neighborhood pub of days gone by. Once you’ve tried us, you will come back. Check out Scottsdale’s best kept secret! Cheers!

http://www.thebritishopenpub.com/

Brittlebush Bar & Grill

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

6902 E. Greenway Parkway

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Phone: 480-624-1030

Fax: 480-624-1001

Named after a Sonoran desert plant that explodes with brilliant yellow blooms in the spring, featuring innovative, contemporary cuisine. The perfect spot for a casual lunch or early dinner, with a diverse menu that ranges from light appetizers and salads to more substantial fare. A full bar offers a wide selection of libations. Get comfortable at the stone and metal bar complete with oak bar stools. This lodge-like enclave’s copper and wood-beamed accents and expansive rock fireplace surround you. Offering patio seating with sweeping mountain and golf views, as well as a private dining room for meetings and special occasions.

http://www.kierlandresort.com/golf_spa/brittlebrush_main/index.html

Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor at The Phoenician

6000 E. Camelback Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Toll-Free: 800-888-8234

Phone: 480-423-2530

Freshly baked pastries, specialty coffee, The Phoenician’s homemade ice cream, specialty salads and sandwiches are available in a traditional cafe setting. Breakfast, lunch and any-time-of-the-day snacks are available for take-out or dining indoors or out.

http://thephoenician.com/pages/102/index.html

Cafe Carumba

Mark Voss, Managing Partner

7303 E. Indian School Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phone: 480-947-8777

Fax: 480-947-2795

Café Carumba, in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, offers spirited Southwest dining and some of the best margaritas around. Flavorful American and Latin inspired dishes are served all day in a casual, colorful setting, including 2 large patios. Named by Phoenix Magazine as one of the Valley’s Best New Restaurants, Café Carumba hops day and night.

http://www.cafecarumba.com/site/

Café Forté Bistro & Wine Bar

7032 E. Main Street

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phone: 480-994-1331

Fax: 480-994-4153

Welcome to Café Forté Bistro & Wine Bar. A charming art district eatery located in the heart of the gallery district of downtown Scottsdale & the Thursday evening Art Walk. The concept of Café Forté is a casual neighborhood bistro offering fresh and delicious food and welcoming service at affordable prices. This comforting little bistro is big on atmosphere & has been winning the hearts of locals and tourists since 1996. A menu of New American cuisine inspired by Italian influences offers an impressive selection of creative entrees. Reservations welcomed.

http://www.cafeforte.com/

CANAL

7114 E. Stetson Drive

Suite 250

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phone: 480-949-9000

CANAL is a food and fashion fusion restaurant with celebrity-friendly vibe featuring fresh global cuisine, an edgy design, and serpentine fashion runway flanked by projection screens broadcasting the latest Milan couture shows. Executive Chef Justin Beckett offers an exciting and ever-changing menu of “globally-inspired fresh cuisine.” Chef Beckett’s dramatic vertical food flights allow the adventurous to sample multiple flavors from the menu including Ahi-Three Ways, Confit Duck Tacos and “The $30 Sandwich”–a fantasy of lobster tail, Boursin cheese and Chantrelle mushrooms. A master mixologist prepares signature cocktails and martinis tableside. Open 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. for dinner, remaining open until midnight daily, and until 2:00 a.m. Thu, Fri, Sat. Beginning October 28, lunch will be served 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., with a limited menu 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

http://www.canalaz.com/

Cantina Laredo

7361 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Phone: 480-951-3807

Fax: 480-951-3809

Cantina Laredo serves gourmet Mexican food in a sophisticated, vibrant atmosphere. The Mexico City style menu includes grilled fish, chicken and steaks complimented by signature sauces such as chipotle-wine with portobello mushrooms or sauteéd artichoke hearts and roasted red bell peppers. Enjoy the signature margarita, the Casa Rita, made from fresh lime juice and the finest tequila. In addition to serving lunch, dinner, drinks, and Sunday brunch, Cantina Laredo also offers full service catering and has a private dining room. Located in the Promenade Shopping Center, Frank Lloyd Wright at Scottsdale Road.

http://www.cantinalaredo.com/

Capital Grille

16489 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Phone: 480-348-1700

Fax: 480-348-1701

We cordially invite you to join us at The Capital Grille. Whether you’re celebrating a special anniversary or just stopping by on any old Wednesday, expect to be wined and dined. Our dry-aged steaks have earned high praise from the nation’s toughest food critics. Our chops are divine, and our fresh seafood is flown in daily. Our award-winning 4,000-bottle wine list is an experience in itself. You will also enjoy mouthwatering appetizers, sinful desserts and impeccable service that is both attentive and discreet. We hope you will join us to dine on classically prepared fare in an atmosphere that is luxurious and relaxed. It would be our pleasure.

http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/splash.asp

Carlsbad Tavern & Restaurant

3313 N. Hayden Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85251-6626

Phone: 480-970-8164

Fax: 480-970-8129

Established in 1995, Carlsbad has maintained its high quality preparation of fresh New Mexican grub, friendly service and an atmosphere keeping its fans coming back for more. Offering fresh green chile, pecan wood grilled fish, filet mignon and burgers along with Artesia chicken, Taos pork tenderloin and a children’s menu to please the whole family. A cave-like atmosphere inside, and a large patio and deck with Camelback Mountain views. Open Mon – Sat 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Happy Hour 3 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

http://www.carlsbadtavern.com/

Chances Are!

7570 E. 6th Avenue

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phone: 480-994-4338

Fax: 480-994-4585

Great food, exciting entertainment and dancing nightly. If you’re a “Baby Boomer,” you’ll love Chances Are!, a Scottsdale favorite since 1992. The menu features steaks, seafood, pasta, chops, and ribs. Daily specials. Discounted Happy Hour appetizers and “reverse” Happy Hour nightly. Two dance floors. Best Karaoke in town Sunday – Tuesday. Dinner Entrees $10.50 – $18.95 (one exception). Great ambience!

Chart House

7255 McCormick Parkway

Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Phone: 480-951-2550

Fax: 480-951-1733

Nestled on Camelback Lake, Chart House offers spectacular views of Camelback Mountain, world class dining and impeccable service. Enjoy our recent million dollar renovation and relax in an atmosphere of comfortable elegance. Chart House offers top-of-the-catch seafood, succulent steaks and decadent desserts. Choose from our famous entrées such as Snapper Hemingway and slow roasted Prime Rib, our daily selection of fresh fish, and our famous Hot Chocolate Lava Cake dessert. Experience the breathtaking views and unparalleled cuisine that make Chart House legendary. Dining hours: Monday through Thursday, 5-9:30pm; Friday and Saturday, 5-10pm; Sunday 4:30-9pm.

http://www.chart-house.com/

Chloe’s Corner

Kierland Commons

15215 N. Kierland Boulevard, #190

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Phone: 480-998-0202

Fax: 480-998-0403

Chloe’s Corner is both an updated retro eatery and an upscale neighborhood convenience store offering a unique fusion of food, shopping and fun. The menu features a selection of reinvented American classics…Hot Grilled Sandwiches like American Grilled Cheese with White American, Cheddar, baby Swiss Cheese, bacon, tomato & white bread….Gourmet Salads like Chef Salad with Turkey, ham, bacon, Cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, egg, tomato, ranch dressing…and hand-dipped, thick and creamy milk shakes in Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry. With its bright white interior, butcher block counter top, hardwood floors, panoramic wall mural and shimmering mosaic wall Chloe’s Corner is the ideal place to meet friends, neighbors and family for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner or after work glass of beer or wine.

http://www.foxrestaurantconcepts.com/chloes_corner.html

Cocomo Joe’s

28244 N. Tatum Boulevard

Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Phone: 480-538-8008

Fax: 480-538-8013

Imagine sand in your toes and a cool drink in your hand, at Cocomo Joe’s it’s always a vacation. For lunch, dinner, or drinks enjoy in classic American cuisine and tropical drinks. Indulge in Dancing Garlic Shrimp, Joe’s Famous Wings, or create a Feeding Frenzy, with “a la carte” items ideal to share with family & friends like a family style picnic at the beach. It’s a weekend state of mind with pool tables and interactive videogames, come for the food stay for the fun.

Cocomo Joe’s is open daily for lunch, dinner, and drinks from 11:00am-1:00am. Semi-private areas are available for special occasions or corporate events.

http://www.cocomojoes.com/

Courtyard Tapas

Renaissance Scottsdale Resort

6160 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85253

Toll-Free: 800-309-8138

Phone: 480-991-1414

Fax: 480-951-3350

The Courtyard Tapas is located at the Renaissance Scottsdale Resort, 6160 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, adjacent to The Borgota of Scottsdale. Set in a charming outdoor patio setting, The Courtyard Tapas offers patrons a wide selection of Spanish style tapas paired with California and Spanish wines in a casual seasonal setting. Enjoy Spanish style architecture, fountains and a show kitchen including a lava rock char broiler, barbeque smoker and bar. Prices begin at $8 for two tapas or $14 with two 2 oz glasses of wine. Flights of wine start at $6 for two 2 oz pours.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/phxsr-renaissance-scottsdale-resort/

Cowboy Ciao

Marianne Markogianis, Buzz & Schmooze

7133 E. Stetson Drive

Suite 1

Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3229

Phone: 480-WINE-111

Fax: 480-WINE-515

Ask a local where to find unique food & wines in a fun, unpretentious setting and there’s a good chance Cowboy Ciao will be near the top of the list. The decor is whimsical and service is friendly and personalized. A Valley favorite since 1997, this Modern American eatery has also spun off two siblings on the same corner — Sea Saw (‘Tapanese’) and Kazimierz World Wine Bar (Global grazing menu, live jazz). Try the legendary Stetson Chopped Salad, Ciao-girl Martini, or Exotic Mushroom Pan Fry. Lunch & dinner every day

http://www.cowboyciao.com/

Crescent Moon at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale

10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive

Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Toll-Free: 888-207-9696

Phone: 480-515-5700

Fax: 480-515-5599

Crescent Moon is an American “Sonoran” kitchen designed to create a lively, fun-filled experience. Taking center stage at the restaurant is a wood-burning kiva oven within an open kitchen, providing a view of the chefs at work. Crescent Moon features traditional American foods influenced by the flavors of the Sonoran Desert. Enjoy dining outside on the terrace cooled by misters or warmed by the fire pit, while enjoying spectacular views of the Valley and Pinnacle Peak.

http://www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale/dining.html

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Fun, food, music take SanTan Village beyond shopping

Nick and Rhonda Fuduloff brought their dogs and lawn chairs to SanTan Village last weekend for the final performance of the center’s spring concert series.

The couple’s Saturday night plans usually include a concert at the Gilbert shopping center. The mall is close to home and pets, Brutus and Booboo, can come along.

Rock and Roll cover band, The Chadwicks, played to a crowd of about 300 people.
The concert series is one way the outdoor mall that opened in October has become a gathering place for the community, said Jennifer Munn, senior marketing manager.

Across the street from the concert, kids packed the mall’s play area.

The playground boasts a splash pad where the water was turned off because of unseasonably cool temperatures that evening.

Munn said the mall’s about 100 retailers and restaurants have seen business increase with the events. “We don’t want people to get their stuff and go,” Munn said. “We are trying to become the town center for the community.”

Concerts will begin again in the fall, and another community event SanTan Village planners hope will draw people to the center will be the Taste of SanTan Village in October. The mall also hosts a Kids Club that meets twice a month.

“With the concert series, it took us a while to build it,” Munn said, “but each week it has been growing.”

For the Fuduloffs, the concerts are a way to get to know their neighbors.

“We’ve met a lot of people,” Rhonda Fuduloff said, “and look forward to seeing them and their dogs.”

The couple said they wouldn’t come to the mall on Saturdays if it wasn’t for the concerts.

“And when we come, we shop,” Nick Fuduloff said, “even if we’re not planning on it.”

The mall’s attractions give mother Sara Windes of Gilbert time to shop without distractions. She drops her kids and husband off at the play area and heads to Gymboree and the Children’s Place, which are located in the same corridor as the playground.

“Almost all of us (moms) do that,” Windes said. “Then we can shop. They don’t have to go with us, and the kids can have fun.”

Windes said she loves that all the children’s stores are clustered near the playground.

“We come here almost every weekend and get the kids tired out,” she said.

Parents and kids use the play area as early as 8 a.m., Munn said. Moms even come with beach towels so they can and watch their children play.

“Morning, noon and night that play area is packed,” Munn said.

The mall has other amenities, such as Wi-Fi in the food court, to keep people there, she added.

“We want people to have a sense of place when they come here,” Munn said. “Families come out and have a place where they can play. We do want people to sit and gather and for the mall to be more of a destination.”

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