Arizona Restaurants Vying for First Michelin Stars

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.

I’m writing this from Park City, Utah this week. Took a little work retreat and got out of the heat for a few days!

Let’s get into it.

For the first time in culinary history AZ restaurants have a shot at securing one of the industry's most prestigious honors. The Michelin Guide is hosting its first-ever Southwest ceremony today (Wednesday, August 26) at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas after inspectors spent the last several months quietly judging establishments across the Grand Canyon State.

Alex Stratta who serves as the executive chef at Belmont Kitchen and Cocktail in Scottsdale knows the feeling well since he previously earned two Michelin stars at his former Las Vegas restaurant Alex. Stratta notes that the guide brings vital global exposure to regional food scenes and now recognizes diverse culinary concepts beyond traditional European fine dining.

The Secret Society of Scottsdale is an outdoor self-guided detective game on North Marshall Way that blends scavenger hunts and escape rooms. Across 12 chapters, participants use the Questo app to solve puzzles past local landmarks like the Civic Center Mall and Art One. Figure I'd share if you want to try something different. Seems like it would be fun!

Night Trip Festival takes over the North Hall at Westworl this Saturday, August 29th, from 6pm to 2am. The 18+ house and techno lineup is stacked, headlined by Cloonee, Chris Lorenzo, and SIDEPIECE, with support from Loco Dice and a dozen more acts. For music lovers this should be a good one.

When you're looking for painters who actually treat your home right, ACP Painting has become my go-to recommendation. The company was started back in 2005 by brothers and U.S. Army veterans Rob and Russ Byers. They built the business around three core values: Accountability, Communication and Purpose.

Twenty years and over 9,000 completed projects later, it's still a family owned operation that takes pride in their work.

I love that they focus on trust before transactions, which shows in their over 600 Google reviews and 4.9 star rating along with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

If you've got an interior or exterior project coming up you'll want them on your radar.

Reach out to schedule your estimate today.

Want to get your business in front of 15k+ locals? Click the button below and let’s talk!

I just found Arizona Cowboy College and thought it was so cool! I never knew we had something like this here. Located at 30208 N. 152nd Street, it's a real working cattle ranch where city slickers hoping to escape their corporate cubicles and experienced equestrians alike can learn real skills.

Head instructor Rocco Wachman has been doing this for 20 years, while ranch manager Elaine Pawlowski oversees the 10 acre property and its animals. Students can choose from equestrian class offerings like arena work, trail rides and cart driving. It's a unique experience right in our backyard if you're looking to try something totally different. I’m definitely going lol.

I stopped in recently and found Marino's Italian Kitchen & Bar in Desert Ridge Marketplace and had a great time. It's small but charming and it leans into a more relaxed date vibe which I really like. The scratch kitchen utilizes locally sourced fresh produce and authentic imported ingredients which I love.

The food is top tier. The focaccia bread was insanely good and the meatballs and Chicken Piccata were so good. You can also order craft cocktails like Negronis or Strawberry Fields to sip while you explore the menu.

If the weather is nice you can head out to their dog friendly outdoor patio featuring cushioned banquettes and an outdoor bar. It makes for an easygoing evening where you aren't forced into a stuffy atmosphere. They take reservations online through OpenTable if you want to lock in a table ahead of time!

Thursday, August 27

🎬 Sunset Swim-In Cinemas | Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

📍 Rethinking Rural and Tribal Healthcare Partnerships in Arizona | River People Health Center | 5:00 PM

Friday, August 28

🎭 Naanstop Comedy | Bombay House (Scottsdale) | 7:30 PM

🎸 Imagine Benatar - Tribute to Pat Benatar | The Showroom | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

Saturday, August 29

🎸 Night Trip Festival Arizona | WestWorld of Scottsdale | 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM

🧘 Puppy Pilates Benefitting Pound PuppyZ | POWER+FLOW | 12:00 PM

🐾 Shih Tzu Playdate! | Wiggle Zone Doggy Daycare | 1:00 PM

Sunday, August 30

🎬 1980s: Still in the Saddle Film Series | Western Spirit Museum | 2:00 PM

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

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $8M! A beautiful custom home by Patterson Homes with architecture by Falling Water Architecture and interiors by CAM Design Group.

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