Inside Scottsdale Fashion Square's Elegant New Eatery, Élephante
By Erin KainBy Erin Kain|February 3, 2025|Food & Drink, Feature,
Scottsdale Fashion Square’s newest eatery, Élephante, is a delicious love letter to Italy’s southern coast.
Élephante debuted to thorough fanfare in Scottsdale Fashion Square’s luxury wing.
From Nick Mathers’ iconic Wish You Were Here Group, L.A.-based restaurant Élephante (elephanterestaurants.com) opened a second location to thorough fanfare in Scottsdale Fashion Square’s buzzy luxury wing last December. Mediterranean influences abound as vibrant pops of reds and blues, lush greenery, imported travertine tile and bespoke furnishings transport diners to Pantelleria and the Aeolian Islands. The 12,000-square-foot space comfortably (and frequently) seats 345, including 60 on the weather-proof outdoor patio.
Culinary director Thomas Lin oversees the bustling kitchen, serving inspired, seasonal fare from crispy, wood-fired pizzas (the soppressata with cured pork, honey and chili oil is our favorite) to seared diver scallops and veal Milanese. While the menu includes beloved staples from the resto’s original location—think whipped eggplant dip and vodka sauce canestri—over a third of the dishes will be unique to Scottsdale.
Wood-fired pizzas, various pastas and expertly crafted cocktails dot the Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Diners can start with small plates called snacks, from golden osetra caviar toast to mascarpone and Prosecco arancini, while larger appetizers feature grilled and fried octopus, meatballs, hamachi carpaccio and grilled white shrimp. Craving some carbs? The wide pasta selection has something for everyone, from fusilli with pesto and pistachio to cacio e pepe and a ragu bianco with cavatelli, Italian sausage and broccolini. Decadent mains, from a branzino with salsa verde butter and sea beans to a 10-oz. porcini-rubbed skirt steak, are crafted to transport guests back to the old country, and they definitely deliver.
Be sure to end the evening with dessert—the pavlova with white chocolate mousse, passion fruit and tres leches ice cream is a tantalizing bite we’ll definitely be coming back for.