5 minute read
Seafood in the Desert
SEAFOOD
in the DESERT
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The closest ocean is 223 miles from Scottsdale, but that hasn’t stopped our local chefs and restaurateurs from cultivating a truly inspiring seafood haven in Arizona. From daily trips to the California coast and shipments of fresh fish flown in each day from all around the world to executive chefs taking overnight trips to Alaska to bring back the daily catch, seafood in the desert is no longer a rarity.
To get you started on your culinary explorations, we’ve reeled in a handful of our favorite restaurants to share. And for those of you who are more turf than surf, don’t worry – there are plenty of options on the menu for you as well!
CHULA SEAFOOD
OCEAN 44
The most recent endeavor from the founders of the Valley’s Steak 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse, Ocean 44 is seafood reinvented. This vibrant, upscale restaurant offers an extensive raw bar and decadent dishes made with the highest-quality sustainable fresh seafood from around the world. Order the Dungeness Crab Cocktail, served with a trio of sauces including the Atomic Horseradish (house-make cocktail sauce and creamy mustard), followed by the Chilean Sea Bass. For landlubbers, choose the cooked-to-order Domestic Wagyu Filet or the tender Tomahawk Berkshire Pork Chops served bone-in.
CHULA SEAFOOD
Chula Seafood Market is a family-owned fishmonger with a simple promise: They sell the freshest seafood because they catch it themselves. It all starts off the coast of San Diego, where the Heflin family operates their own custom-built commercial fishing boat, specializing in harpoon-caught swordfish and other fruits of the California Pacific. After selling to restaurants for years, the family decided to get back to its Arizona roots by opening a small storefront in South Scottsdale. Swing by and savor made-to-order dishes such as Hawaiian-style poke, seafood salads and tuna sandwiches.
SHINBAY OMAKASE ROOM
Shinbay is Arizona’s first and only Omakase restaurant led by visionary Chef Shinji Kurita. Omakase is a Japanese phrase which translates to “I’ll leave it up to you.” Guests entrust themselves to the chef, placing the choice of ingredients and presentation in his capable hands. The experience is approximately two hours, during which you are presented with six to seven courses, or around 15 plates total. Complementing the delicious cuisine is Shinbay itself, an intimate space that lends itself to a fully immersive culinary journey and fosters personal connection between guests and the chef.
SUSHI ROKU
At this sleek restaurant tucked away inside the W Scottsdale Hotel, you’ll find an extensive selection of classic and innovative Asian, Latin American and European ingredients that are expertly crafted into edible works of art. The menu is organized into categories – garden, sea and farm – ensuring this unique culinary experience can be enjoyed by all. Seafood lovers will want to start with the Octopus Crudo (infused with yuzu, lemon and sea salt) followed by the Grilled Salmon with wasabi yuzu crème fraiche, blood orange and fennel. For the farm focused, check out the Beef Ribeye Wrapped Asparagus and Ji-Dori Free Range Chicken, which is cooked over Japanese Bincho charcoal and adorned with a teriyaki glaze.
TORO LATIN RESTAURANT & RUM BAR
Leaning into the Latin American tradition of treating food as an event rather than just a meal, Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar will take you on a Pan-Latin culinary adventure with a side of tiki cocktails. Combining South American and Chinese-Peruvian flavor profiles, the menu is built for sharing and mirrors the restaurant’s upbeat energy. Start with the signature “suviche” bar, inspired by a blend of Asian sushi and Latin ceviche, where each dish is brimming with the freshest seafood and veggies swimming in an aji amarillo citrus broth. For your entrée, share the Scallop & Pork Belly, Brazilian Picanha Steak or Mexican Campfire Style Salmon.
OCEAN TRAIL AT TALKING STICK RESORT
Turn up the heat at Ocean Trail with a taste of New Orleans-style dining. Located just off the casino floor at Talking Stick Resort, this sleek, 19-seat seafood bar offers an alluring mix of classic creole offerings. Designate your spiciness level from one to 10, then watch as the chefs prepare your meal right before your eyes at the open cooking station. Take your taste buds on a ride with the Seafood Creole, an impressive combination of shrimp, clams, scallops and crab in an aromatic red sauce. If you want to skip the seafood, an order of Louisiana Gumbo with chicken, andouille sausage and okra will fill you right up.
SURF & TURF
Whether you’re partial to surf or turf (or enjoy a little of both), Scottsdale’s chefs are cooking up award-winning entrées accompanied by the freshest farm-to-table fare.
BOURBON STEAK
Award-winning Chef Michael Mina and Executive Chef Sara Garrant present an upscale, contemporary American steakhouse. Indulge in our new decadent tableside experiences.
LA HACIENDA
Voted Arizona’s top Mexican restaurant for more than 30 years, Richard Sandoval’s La Hacienda brings the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional upscale Mexican kitchen to your table.
OLD TOWN TORTILLA FACTORY
Come enjoy Old Town Tortilla Factory, where we offer the best of the Southwest on our spacious firewater patio or unique 1930s adobe interior. Our establishment can accommodate any size group of up to 350. Favorite menu items include the mahi mahi tacos, pork chop and our famous specialty margaritas.
ORANGE SKY
Enjoy ethereal 360-degree views of the Valley paired with an intimate fine-dining experience at Talking Stick Resort’s signature restaurant, Orange Sky. This modern steakhouse features curated cocktails, an award-winning wine list and stunning 15th-floor views. Its menu will take you on a culinary journey through inspired dishes built on the principle of food sovereignty.
480-850-8606 talkingstickresort.com/dining/ orange-sky @talkingstickresort @talkingstickresort
