An Exciting New Restaurant is Coming Soon!

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh, and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems that make our city great.

Big restaurant news for McCormick Ranch. Vecina is officially expanding from Arcadia and taking over the former Z’Tejas space at 8300 N. Hayden Road.

The original location was a hit so this is great news! Chef James Fox opened Vecina in 2019 and it quickly became a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2020. The new Scottsdale location will be nearly two and a half times larger, with multiple private dining rooms, a mezzanine, and a lakeside patio that feels very McCormick Ranch.

Fox says the kitchen alone will be three to four times the size of the original, which means room to play. Expect some Arcadia favorites to migrate over, plus new tacos, crudos, and possibly oysters. He’s aiming for an August 2026 opening, hoping it stays to plan.

McCormick Ranch has been craving a spot like this. I’ll keep an eye out when they release an opening date.

If you’ve strolled through Old Town lately and felt like it was a little quieter, you’re not imagining things.

According to ABC15, the city plans to spend $2.5 million over the next year to boost foot traffic and support local businesses. The new strategy brings marketing efforts in-house and includes matching funds to help shops and restaurants advertise.

City leaders want visitors who already choose Scottsdale as their destination to actually make their way into Old Town once they’re here.

As someone who loves popping into local boutiques and grabbing a spontaneous patio drink, I’m all for anything that brings more energy back to our downtown core.

One of the most common messages I get is, “Where can I see everything going on this weekend?”

So I built it over the last few weekends.

The Scottsdale Scoop Event Calendar is officially live. It’s a clean, easy-to-use calendar packed with local events so you can plan your week without scrolling five different sites.

Concerts. Comedy shows. Markets. Fitness pop-ups. Family stuff. Date night ideas.

We built this to make finding events easier for you, and we’ll keep it updated constantly so it becomes your go-to bookmark. If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a look and see what’s happening around town.

PS - this is a work in progress so if there’s anything else I should add/adjust to this please let me know!

What if your next aircraft detail wasn't just another appointment?

LuxAir Detail operates out of Sedona Airport, one of the most scenic airports in America. Drop off your plane, grab lunch at Mesa Grill overlooking the runway, play a round at Sedona Golf Resort, or explore the red rocks while they handle the work.

They're ADA Certified and offer everything from premium detailing to full ceramic coatings, all with hangar and ramp access through Red Rock Aviation. Instead of sitting around waiting, you turn the whole thing into a mini trip.

Scottsdale Scoop readers get $250 off their Sedona aviation experience. If you've been putting off that annual detail, this is a great excuse to finally book it.

Schedule your detail here.

If you're a new mom in Scottsdale (or know one who could use some support), Modern Milk is the kind of place that makes the whole journey feel less overwhelming and way more fun.

They've created this amazing community hub where moms and babies can connect through everything from prenatal classes and breastfeeding support to mommy-and-me yoga. Their 8-week Happy Mom School program pairs education with real friendships that last well beyond those newborn days.

What I love most is how they've thought of everything. Lactation consultants, fitness classes designed for pre and postnatal bodies, pump rentals, even fun events like photo mini sessions. The reviews speak for themselves, with moms calling it "heaven" and crediting the studio with helping them build their village during one of life's biggest transitions.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just local businesses I wanted to highlight. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

If you're looking to impress on date night, Fat Ox is a great little spot. Chef Matt Carter's modern take on regional Italian cuisine hits different when you're trying to create a memorable evening.

The menu changes regularly but always features handmade pasta and specialty meats cooked over local pecan wood. Everything from the imported Italian products to the fresh pasta they sheet and extrude in-house shows the care that goes into each dish.

Pro tip: Fat Ox is part of the Chase Sapphire Reserve exclusive tables program. If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can get a $150 statement credit which is huge for a special night out. Shout out to my buddy Will for filling me in on this last time I went.

The cocktails lean Italian and they've got a solid craft beer selection. Pro tip again: hit up their daily Aperitivo Hour from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM in the bar and lounge if you want to sample the vibe before committing to a full dinner.

Wednesday, July 8
Dining Under the Stars | Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kierland After Dark | The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | Evening
Limited-Time Behind-the-Scenes Tour at OdySea Aquarium | OdySea Aquarium | Times vary

Trivia Night at Brat Haus | Brat Haus | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Summer Learning Series: Pasta Making Class | Sanctuary Camelback Mountain | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Thursday, July 9

Music Bingo | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 6:30 PM
Beat the Heat This July: Christmas After Dark | Puzzle Rides Scottsdale | 8:00 PM

Friday, July 10
Live Music at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort | Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Beneath the Painted Sky | The Marshall Gallery | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, July 11
WET Deck Pool Party | W Scottsdale Hotel | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Music + Specials at OH Pool | Hotel Valley Ho | 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Summer Dive-In Movies | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | 8:00 PM
Fireworks at the Grand | Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort | 9:00 PM
Fireworks at the Princess | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | 9:00 PM

Sunday, July 12
Bottomless Brunch at Toro | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Liquid Sunshine Pool Party | Hotel Adeline | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Squidsoup Infinite | Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art | Free

For a full list of events check out our Scottsdale Event Calendar here.

If you're a cash real estate investor in Arizona (or thinking about becoming one), I want to put something on your radar that's been a game changer for other investors.

AZ Deal Map was built by a good friend of mine who I've actually partnered with on a few properties. It's an operator tool designed specifically for buying off-market deals in Arizona, and the Deal Map feature is where it really shines.

Here's why I'm excited about it: the map surfaces fixer uppers and cash deals that aren't necessarily on the MLS. We're talking properties being circulated by wholesalers, with data on how many people are already blasting the deal, the lowest ask on record, and buyer activity in that ZIP code. It's the kind of intel that helps you move faster and smarter in a market where good deals disappear overnight.

If you've been thinking about building equity through a fixer upper or snagging a rental property in today's high-priced market, AZ Deal Map should be part of your research stack alongside whatever else you're using.

Use promo code ScottsdaleScoop for a 7-day trial and see what's happening in your target neighborhoods.

Check it out here.

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $7.1M! Technically, this home isn't completed yet, but it looks like it has amazing views of the golf course and Continental Mountains.

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.