SCOTTSDALE CULINARY NEWS

TALKING STICK RESORT OFFERS TASTES FOR EVERY CULINARY PALETTE

Talking Stick Resort, located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, made its official debut in July 2010. Foodies will have some hard decisions to make, as the hotel boasts six dining options including the culinary jewel, Orange Sky Restaurant. Located on the 15th floor of the Resort, sip on regional and reserve wines at Orange Sky, while enjoying panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains and the Restaurant’s aged beef and fresh seafood. Or, tantalize your palette at Ocean Trail, which serves traditional Creole cuisine, such as steamers, raw oysters, and spicy gumbo. For a more casual bite, head over to the Blue Coyote Café, dishing out American cuisine such as sandwiches and salads, The Coffee Garden or  Black Fig Bistro. And for those who just can’t get enough, the Wandering Horse Buffet is sure to satisfy. Featuring Italian, Asian, Mexican, Mediterranean and American cuisine, the buffet boasts live cooking stations, as well as salad bar, carving stations and dessert. For media information, contact Shanna Wolfe at swolfe@riester.com or 602-462-2278.

SCOTTSDALE CHEFS COOK UP DELECTABLE CULINARY HAPPENINGS THIS FALL

With more than 600 restaurants in Scottsdale alone, dining choices are endless and selecting where to eat may be the hardest decision during your vacation. Arizona Restaurant Week makes it easy with over 100 of the state’s best restaurants offering three-course meals by some of the top chefs at discounted prices Sept. 18-26. New this year, choose from menus with two different price points – $29 or $39 per person – along with gluten free options from restaurants such as Bloom, deseo at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Fogo de Chao Churrascaria, Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn, Metro Brasserie, Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort, Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar and more. For media information, contact Katarina Kovacevic at Katarina@Olsoncomm.com or 480-368-7999.

Dine Out with the Chefs: A Celebration of the Culinary Arts melds food and art Oct. 3 at the newly renovated Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. This culinary extravaganza celebrates five years with a new roster of chefs, live entertainment and other culinary delights. Mix and mingle with 20 of the area’s top chefs while sampling their culinary creations, from delicious soups, salads and appetizers to some of their signature dishes and most decadent desserts. Also on the menu is a book signing with Pamela Swartz, author of “Dine Out Phoenix: Where to Eat from Chic to Unique.” Cost is $55 per person for advance tickets and $65 at the door. For media information, contact Bill Thompson at billt@sccarts.org or 480-874-4626.

The 3^rd annual Crave AZ invites foodies to embark on an epicurean adventure Oct. 22-24 in downtown Scottsdale. Immerse your taste buds in mind-blowing flavors, drink in the majestic desert backdrop and relish Savor Scottsdale’s culinary celebration along the Arizona Canal. This year’s event features something for every type of palate, from the decadent Grand Tasting and chic Elixirs at the Loft to the sommelier-led Battle of the Grapes and the new lavish Chefs in the Round, an inimitable dining experience under the stars with celebrity chefs hosting a four-course meal. For media information, contact Angie Miller at angie@kwprgroup.com or 480-363-6915.

ARIZONA WINE TAKES ON THE WORLD

Arizona made its grand debut in the wine world at FnB Restaurant June 2010. The downtown restaurant, which features an Arizona wine list, assembled a team of respected chefs and wine pros to taste and rate 10 Arizona wines against 10 well-known wines from established regions around the globe. Panelists sipped and scored a total of 20 wines that were undisclosed and unlabeled. The results from the 2010 Judgment of Arizona Wine blind tasting proved that the Grand Canyon State can squeeze some serious grapes, scoring higher, in many instances, than popular and revered wines from Italy, California, France, Spain and Australia. Arizona took first place in both red and white categories, and claimed three of the top five highest scores, beating contenders such as Chateau Lynch Bages. Arizona wines featured include Callaghan 2008 Lisa’s and Caduceus 2008 Nagual del Judith. For media information, contact Ty Largo at ty@ralmedia.com or 480-275-8888.

THREE NEW RESTAURANTS JOIN SCOTTSDALE’S CULINARY COLLECTION

The Phoenician expanded its culinary offerings with the opening of Relish Burger Bistro in May 2010.The restaurant features all-American favorites including 12 signature burgers like the Western Cowboy Burger with grilled Kobe beef, fried onion rings, bacon rashers, jalapeños, sharp cheddar cheese and house-made steak sauce. But Relish Burger Bistro isn’t just about burgers – other items include salads, barbeque chicken nachos, signature crab cake sliders along with make-it-yourself tableside s’mores, draft root beer, spiked shakes and cocktail selections from Arizona’s largest tequila collection. For media information, contact Denise Seomin at denise.seomin@luxurycollection.com or 480-423-2657.

Iruña is the latest culinary creation to hit downtown Scottsdale. Headed by local favorite Chef Aaron May, this eatery and lounge opened its doors in May 2010 featuring tapas-style grub imported daily from the Basque region of northern Spain. Basque food is known for combining traditional cuisines of Spain and France into its own distinctly bold, flavorful and cheese-loving fare. Look for Iberian-influenced cold classics such as gazpacho and pulpo a la Gallega, as well as hot entrees like Spanish chorizo in a blanket. Wash it all down with a calimocho, a Basque specialty combining red wine and cola. For media information, contact Tatum Luoma at tluoma@scottsdalecvb.com or 480-899-2719.

The stylish and sophisticated Primebar is the newest addition to the Scottsdale Quarter. Offering hearty American cuisine, Primebar features a full stage for live bands, three unique bars and a regionally focused menu. The restaurant showcases a wide selection of dishes including fresh salads, sandwiches and sizzling entrees. Signature dishes include the Primebar chipotle burger and the seared tuna brioche with wasabi-yuzu aioli. The restaurant also features an extensive list of local and regional microbrews from local standouts like Four Peaks, Oak Creek and Prescott Breweries. This 250-seat restaurant offers views of the bustling North Scottsdale entertainment district, while remaining a cozy atmosphere with wood adorned walls and oversized leather booths. For media information, contact Grant Crone at grant@mmprmarketing.com or 602-264-2655.

SCOTTSDALE MENUS FLOURISH WITH ORGANIC, GARDEN-TO-THE-TABLE OFFERINGS

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa’s legendary restaurant, The Latilla, is now offering a new five-course menu to celebrate the autumn splendor of the Southwest. The menu features harvest dishes like porcini dusted venison loin and sweet potato spatzel, cranberry port wine, and celery root sorbet. The autumn inspired meals are freshly grown and picked from the resort’s 6,000-square-foot organic garden then cooked to natural perfection. For media information, contact Debi Bridges at db@bridgesmediagroup.com or 480-306-4242.

Estate House now sources fresh, organic ingredients right in their own backyard, adding an herb garden for multiple menu selections. Throughout the year, the garden will grow a variety of ingredients including chilies, basil, dill, chives, tomatoes, mint, rosemary and oregano. The new garden has allowed Executive Chef Gio Osso’s culinary staff to offer additional menu items fresh from the garden. All of the organically grown ingredients are used for dinner, lounge menu and dessert selections. For media information, contact Lindsey Bridges at lindsey@bridgesmediagroup.com or 480-306-4242.

Lon’s, the culinary centerpiece of The Hermosa Inn, a boutique hideaway focuses on regional produce and herbs harvested from the hotel’s organic garden for its seasonal menus. Combined with other locally grown produce, Lon’s garden ingredients are incorporated into signature dishes such as the crab-stuffed squash blossom with yellow tomato gazpacho and garden tomato. Throughout the year, Executive Chef Jeremy Pacheco actively seeks out ingredients that are humanely raised and from ecologically sound sources. For media information, contact Jennifer Whittle at jwhittle@mullenpr.com or 602-222-4343.

SUMMER HEATS UP AT FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE’S FIESTA FRIDAYS

As if there weren’t enough reasons to already indulge in Mexican food, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is giving you one more – Fiesta Fridays. Stop by the resort’s recently reopened restaurant, La Hacienda, every Friday through Sept. 6 to take part in a suckling pig roast, meet the tortilla-maker, enjoy some mariachi tunes and sample tequila with the restaurant’s Goddess of Tequila. The cost is $29 for adults and $13 for children. For media information, contact Valerie Lee at valerie.lee@fairmont.com or 480-585-2706.

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