RUBEE TUESDAY: VAI Resort, Kembara, Global Ambassador, La Hacienda, Rosticceria, Arizona Biltmore, Bar Cena, Campo Italian
I publish these round-ups every Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
Le Âme at The Global Ambassador
Thursday, November 30: VAI Resort (Glendale). In 2022 when construction began, I was invited to take a hard-hat tour of VAI resort, a 60-acre project that will become Arizona's largest daylife, nightlife, and entertainment destination (click the photo below for more details).
A rendering of VAI Resort, including Konos Island, and VAI Amphitheater.
On Thursday, I was invited to see the latest progress on VAI Amphitheater, a $40 million world-class venue offering the ultimate concert experience - you’ll actually be able to watch the show from special tables at its signature restaurant, your room balcony, and VIP skyboxes. I’ll be posting any news I receive here on the website, so be sure to check back for updates!
That night, we attended the Grand Opening Media Event for Kembara at at JW Marriott Desert Ridge resort, Chef Angelo Sosa’s highly-anticipated Asian restaurant. This is Sosa’s second Arizona restauant, with his first being Southwestern-inspired Tia Carmen (you can read my SOMM Journal feature here).
Executive chef and restaurateur Angelo Sosa of Kembara and Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Kembara is an ode to Chef Sosa’s love of Asian cuisine and extensive time spent in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Get all the details at THIS LINK (and check back for more when I return next week for dinner!).
Friday, December 1: The Global Ambassador Hotel (Phoenix). It was big news in 2021 when it was announced that renowned restaurateur Sam Fox was entering the luxury hotelier arena, and, to no one’s surprise, the property is stunning. We were invited to experience Le Âme, the hotel’s sophisticated Parisian steakhouse, and after-dinner drinks in the beautiful lobby bar - click the photo below to see a video reel of our first visit.
Writer Christina Barrueta and Dushyant Singh, Director of Food & Beverage at The Global Ambassador Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona
Friday, December 8: La Hacienda (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort). We try to get together with Meridith May and her husband Bill Brandel, owners of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, at least once a month, and this time our destination was La Hacienda at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Thank you to the team for making their first visit so special!
Afterwards, we stopped in at the VIP Preview Party for La Rosticceria, which was opening the following week. Read all about Joey Maggiore’s newest restaurant concept here, and click the photo below for my video reel of the night’s festivities.
Monday, December 11: Arizona Biltmore resort (Phoenix). I fell in love with this gorgeous property and its historic legacy on my first visit, and it still remains one of my favorite resorts.
The Champagne and Caviar Lounge at the Arizona Biltmore
Helmed by executive chef Daniel Weber, their culinary program is also noteworthy (see my recent DAOU wine dinner experience here), and I LOVE the Champagne and Caviar “pop-up” lounge they’ve created for the holidays. Through January 2, guests can enjoy Petrossian caviar and their favorite champagne (or vodka) every day from 11:30 am to 9 pm (10 pm on weekends), with a lunch menu available 11:30 to 2 pm. Click the photo above for a video reel of our wonderful afternoon.
Wednesday, December 13: Bar Cena (Scottsdale). We were invited to attend a media dinner to explore chef-owner Dom Ruggiero’s menu and I couldn’t have been more excited as I’m a big fan of both Hush, his inaugural restaurant, and Dom's talents (you can find two of his recipes in my Phoenix Cooks cookbook). To watch my Instagram Reel, click the photo below.
Muffuletta croquettes with finocchiona and provolone and steak tartare with beef fat aioli and bottarga at Bar Cena in Scottsdale
Bar Cena is now on my list of “Best Restaurants I Visited in 2023” (a work in progress!), and these are some of my must-orders: Popovers with cacio pepe butter, muffuletta croquettes, steak tartare, cucumber salad with whipped tofu and chili crunch, frisée salad, crispy potato pave with rouille, pate en croute, wild mushroom Bolognese, scallops with bacon and creamed corn, and veal osso buco. And bonus - excellent craft cocktails too.
Afterwards, I stopped by Campo Italian to snap some photos for an Experience Scottsdale assignment, like this margarita with Chelly, a locally-made lemon liqueur, and semolina-dusted crispy WorldClass Argentine calamari.
Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Sel, Etta, Kembara, Morning Would, Krazy Cajun, and Marcellino’s Ristorante.
Last week’s Rubee Tuesday featured Andaz Scottsdale, CRUjiente Tacos, Grey Hen at Century Grand, Sunny’s Lounge/Say Less, and Turquoise Wine Bar.