Some of Arizona's most talented artists don't use brushes or paint. Dishes are their canvases, and menus are their art. This month, we showcase the most spectacular, show--stopping culinary masterpieces from chefs in several categories.
Finesse: Ocean 44
The Mastro family—founders of the Mastro brand, as well as Dominick’s Steakhouse and Steak 44—has long been known as the maestros of high-end dining in the Valley. At Ocean 44, their newest venture in Scottsdale Fashion Square’s new luxury wing, the family swung for the fences and hit it out of the ballpark when it comes to a fine dining experience. But while many of their concepts were known first for premium steak offerings, at Ocean 44 seafood takes center stage. Upon walking in, you’ll gaze upon a raw bar with magnificent whole Maine lobsters and hundreds of oysters before passing the bar, which is more an art piece than basic cocktail area. Finally, when seated, expect both the truly unique—think salmon hash brown pizza and oysters au gratin—and the ultimate in seafood-focused fine dining. Ocean44.com
Pretty as a Picture: J&G Steakhouse
Arizona boasts some of the most stunningly beautiful sunsets in the world. At J&G Steakhouse, which is located at The Phoenician, you can enjoy one of the singular best views of Arizona’s sunsets, while being treated to a dining experience of equally epic proportions. Dining is available both on the expansive patio as well as indoors, and both offer the best seats in the house thanks to custom-designed, floor-to-ceiling glass windows throughout the restaurant. Once awed by the ambiance, prepare to be blown away by the Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, as well as the sumptuous menu of seasonal entrées, fine steaks, and exceptional shellfish. JGSteakhouse.com
Artistic and Authentic: Fat Ox
At Fat Ox, Executive Chef Rochelle Daniel delights in bringing diners contemporary fare with bold, rural Italian flavors. Her vision comes from operating partner and local culinary celebrity Matt Carter, who founded the concept in 2017. True to it, don’t expect traditional chicken parmesan or lasagna here. Instead, delight in course after course of delicately prepared dishes with simple ingredients such as mushrooms, olive oil, anchovies and capers, as well as freshly-made cheeses and house-prepared pastas small enough to still have room for more courses, or a few cocktails. As authentic behind the bar as in the kitchen, Fat Ox not only focuses on Italian aperitifs and digestifs, but expertly and precisely barrel ages some of its own spirits in the back. Ilovefatox.com
Ingenuity: Talavera
The Forbes Four-Star Award-winning Talavera is the jewel in the crown of the elegant Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort Troon North. This truly one-of-a-kind experience from the mind of James Beard-nominated Executive Chef and Chopped competitor Samantha Sanz brings contemporary Spanish flavors (not to be confused with Mexican) to the Valley from the second story of the resort, overlooking the entire city and mountain-lined sky from every seat in the house. Her menus, featuring paella, jamón ibérico, and a laundry list of globally-inspired tapas, are quickly becoming the stuff of legends. Within Talavera there is also a small cocktail bar called Gin Bar, as Spain is the number one consumer of gin per capita. Its focus is gin tonics, which are far more aromatic and botanically forward than traditional gin and tonics. TalaveraRestaurant.com
Virtuoso: Sara Garrant, Bourbon Steak
As skillful as Executive Chef Sara Garrant is with her dishes at Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak, you’d think she got her start in cooking at the highest of fine dining concepts in the world. But, her story is way better than that. Garrant grew up in a tiny fishing community in Alaska. She learned to cook as a small child by literally grabbing the day’s fresh catch from the pier and throwing it on a skillet, in the oven, or atop a grill. Clearly fearless from a young age, Garrant approaches her kitchen today with the same gusto, and it shows in her food. Rich and robust with beautiful attention to detail, Garrant pours her heart into every single plate she serves. Of particular note is her take on Japanese A5 ribeye, as well as her arctic char. Oh, and don’t miss the duck fat fries with dipping sauces, either! ScottsdalePrincess.com/dining/bourbon-steak/
Flair: Hula’s Modern Tiki
While Hula’s Modern Tiki in Scottsdale is technically in the desert, thanks to its mid-century modern décor meets swanky beach party vibe and classic tiki-inspired cocktails, it always feels like you’re on island time when inside. The expertly curated (and always awesomely garnished) cocktail menu both pays impressive homage to the more classic tropical cocktails, from the mai tai to the hurricane, while showcasing the talent of its mixology team with modern riffs and impressive updated options using fresh ingredients such as pomegranates, blood oranges, as well as top shelf spirits. HulasModernTiki.com
Mother of Invention: Chrysa Robertson, Rancho Pinot
For nearly 30 years, Executive Chef Chrysa Robertson has helmed Rancho Pinot, a seasonally-inspired restaurant in the heart of Scottsdale. She got her start working under Carol Steele, widely known as the godmother of the local culinary scene, and then under James Beard Award-winner Nancy Silverton, followed by fellow James Beard darling Hiro Sone. By 1993, she was ready to try her hand at her own concept, and chose Arizona for its home. Robertson describes her food as a melting pot of diverse flavors, much like Arizona itself. Her ingredients are meant to pay homage to the smells and tastes of everywhere from here in the Southwest and Mexico to the Mediterranean. Beyond leading the charge for hyper-local dishes in the Valley, in 1998 she started the Phoenix chapter of Slow Food, an organization dedicated to the pleasures of the table, and to the preservation and sustainability of regional culinary- and food-producing traditions. RanchoPinot.com
Setting the Mood: Marcellino Ristorante
Romance is always in the air at Marcellino, due in large part to the obvious true love of its owners, Marcellino and Sima Verzino. Most nights, you will find both at the restaurant—Marcellino in the kitchen and Sima tending to guests or sometimes even performing live music—stealing smiles at each other throughout the night. Building on this sweet chemistry is the dark and dreamy décor, with rich woods and dim lighting inside (including a bar space Marcellino himself designed with intimacy in mind), as well seating on the two small, cozy patios outside. And then, of course, there is the food. Chef Marcellino was born on his family's farm in Italy, and was raised in the “farm-to-table” life before it even had the name, he often says. He has stayed true to what he learned on that farm all those years ago every day since in the kitchen, and the resulting menu makes all guests not only feel welcome, but extremely special, and in the mood for nothing but love. MarcellinoRistorante.com
Overall Artistic Excellence: The Americano
Earlier this year, Pomo Restaurant Group—known for Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana and Mora Italian— collaborated with Creation Hospitality to launch The Americano. The 7,000-square-foot true Italian steakhouse—in the vein of the iconic Palm Restaurant—has an open kitchen with a wood-fired grill, dark booths, and a color palette of dark grays and light greens with giant art pieces throughout. The menu is equal parts love letter to hand-made pasta, rich sauces (hello, truffles!), butter-drenched steaks, and out-of-this-world cocktails that literally smoke, sizzle, and shimmer as they are delivered tableside thanks to an inventive, MacGyver-like mixology team. TheAmericanoRestaurant.com