From Michelin-starred chefs to craft cocktails and bites, these new eateries are merry and bright.
Old Town Scottsdale’s newest hotel, Canopy by Hilton, opened two new dining experiences this October. Under the direction of chef Patrick Gaudet, Cobre Kitchen + Cocktails is a Southwest-inspired American brasserie that offers small and shareable plates featuring locally sourced ingredients, plus craft cocktails. Don’t miss the chef’s go-to ancho barbecue chicken entree. “It has a hint of the Southwest flavors that I have come to love over the last 20 years,” he says. Also serving dishes and cocktails from Cobre is Outrider Rooftop Lounge. With 180-degree panoramic views of the arts district and Camelback Mountain, Outrider offers a stunning yet laid-back environment. Cozy up by a fire pit, relax in a private cabana by the pool or take a seat at the bar. 7142 E. First St., 480.590.3864, hilton.com
Inspired by the co-owner’s grandfather, a craftsman himself, The Craftsman Cocktails + Kitchen serves tasty American bites and creative cocktails mixed with liquors made at its on-site distillery. Chef Christopher Nicosia, the former executive chef at Sassi, utilizes locally sourced ingredients to create fare like lamb belly sausage flatbread, wood-oven roasted branzino and beet caprese salad with farro. “Our menu is unlike anything even seasoned foodies have seen before,” he says. A few dishes, including the Craftsman fritters, are infused with a distilled spirit like housemade hot butter rum sauce. Nicosia enjoys incorporating their housemade spirits, specifically in his favorite drink, the Rebirth cocktail made with Craftsman vodka and amaro. “Consumers can expect every sip to be a pleasant, bittersweet surprise thanks to the lemon juice and blackberry basil simple syrup combination,” says the chef. The Craftsman opened in October and is offering in-person dining and to-go orders. 20469 N. Hayden Road, 480.401.1102, thecraftsmanaz.com
In August, Michelin-starred chef Alex Stratta opened this new restaurant in North Scottsdale. Serving modern Mediterranean cuisine highlighted by favorites like caviar and wagyu, Stratta Kitchen is now offering a private Michelin Chef Experience, where guests can indulge in a customizable multicourse meal at the restaurant or at their own home. The green chile pork with forbidden rice is a personal favorite of the James Beard Award-winning chef. “Although it’s not at all ‘Mediterranean,’ it applies the same principles of vegetable-based, full-flavored, and the usage of spices and traditional roots. Also, it’s always exciting to cook foods I crave,” says Stratta. The restaurant serves seasonal plates daily, plus takeout and delivery. 8260 N. Hayden Road, Ste. A102, 480.597.9195, strattakitchen.com
Photography by: Photos: by Studio Alcott; courtesy of The Craftsman
