'Chopped' Finalist is Opening a New Restaurant

Good morning, Scottsdale. I’m on my way back home from a fun little trip to Dubai and Portugal. As much as I love traveling there’s nothing like coming back to your own bed!

Follow our IG page here if you’re up for it.

In today’s Scottsdale Scoop:

• ‘Chopped’ finalist opening new restaurant

• A new section in the newsletter - ‘Date Spot of the Week’

• A local charity that deserves some spotlight

Let’s get to it.

— John Apolinar

SCOTTSDALE SNAPSHOT

New Restaurant Alert

Chef Christopher Brugman, a former “Chopped” finalist, is set to open Heritage Kitchen + Cocktails this summer in North Scottsdale. Chopped is one of my favorite shows to watch so I’m excited for this one.

Located near Bell Road and Thompson Peak Parkway, this new restaurant aims to bring more dining options to an area that’s been craving them.

Brugman, known for his roles at Mountain Shadows and Castle Hot Springs resorts, is teaming up with seasoned restaurateur Eric Greenwald and local investor Mark Goldberg. The 3,000-square-foot space will offer a welcoming atmosphere for the community to enjoy. 

There’s no set open date yet but I’ll keep my eyes peeled!

Free Petting Zoo This Weekend

If you’re looking for a family-friendly event that caters to children with sensory sensitivities, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 26. Bierman Autism Centers in Scottsdale is hosting a free sensory-friendly petting zoo from 10 a.m. to noon at their location on 8444 North 90th Street, Suite 130. This outdoor event is designed for children with autism, ages 2-9, but all are welcome to join the fun. 

Kids can look forward to gentle animal encounters with goats, bunnies, and sheep, along with farm-themed crafts and tasty treat stations. The environment is set up to be calm and engaging, allowing children to explore at their own pace. 

Spots are limited, so it’s a good idea to RSVP in advance. You can register for free tickets on Eventbrite here.

Children’s Book Written by Scottsdale Resident

I found this on Reddit and it was too good not to share! If you’re looking for a fun and educational read for your kids, check out the Winston the Traveling Dog series by local author Cynthia Anne. These books follow Winston—a curious, pun-loving pup—as he explores different countries, making each adventure a chance to learn about new cultures and values.

Each story is packed with real travel photos, clever dog puns, and sweet life lessons about kindness, curiosity, and being open to new experiences. It’s the perfect mix of playful and meaningful—and a great way to spark your kid’s love for travel and learning.

Plus 10% of sales are donated to Cuddly, an organization devoted to saving animals.

SPONSORED BY DISCOUNT TIRE

In Scottsdale, we like things running smooth—our commutes, our coffee orders, our tires.

But when was the last time you actually checked yours? Discount Tire makes it ridiculously easy.

Free air checks. Fast service. Friendly people who won’t upsell you into oblivion. Plus, I love that they’re a local business.

I recently had a nail in my tire and they made the process so smooth and effortless for me to get it taken care of.

Plus they’re running a special for Arizona! If you’re looking for new tires or just want to get yours looked at they’ll make sure you’re taken care of.

BUSINESS BUZZ

A Local Charity That Does Great Work

I usually use this spot for food/entertainment but wanted to mix it up a bit this week and highlight a local charity!

The Saguaros are a group of 50 young professionals in Scottsdale dedicated to supporting Arizona’s children in need. For over 35 years, they’ve been organizing large-scale fundraising events that combine top-tier service with a fun atmosphere, all to raise funds for local children’s charities. 

Their signature events include the NiteFlite Golf Tournament and Gala, as well as The Olympiad, a spring fundraising competition that brings together the real estate community. Through these events, they aim to raise awareness and funds for the financial, medical, and emotional needs of Arizona’s children. 

In 2023 alone, The Saguaros donated over $1.6 million to local children’s charities - HUGE!!

I had a chance to go to their Suitcase Party this year and it was such a fun and unique event.

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.

DATE SPOT OF THE WEEK

Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen

I had the chance to come here with a group of friends and couldn’t help but notice how good of a date spot it would be! If you’re looking for a spot that combines artful dining with a relaxed vibe, Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at the Andaz Scottsdale might be just the place. Set against the backdrop of Camelback Mountain, this restaurant offers a modern Mediterranean menu with Italian influences, crafted by Chef Sammy DeMarco. We’re talking handmade pastas, curry’s, scallops, and Lebanese dishes.

The ambiance is also amazing, with options to dine indoors or on the patio, enjoying a nice AZ sunset. They also host themed nights like “Pasta & Vino” on Sundays and “Two-Digit Date Night” on Mondays, adding a touch of fun to your dining experience

PS - this is a brand new section of the newsletter. Feel free to hit reply and let me know your thoughts!

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.

WEEKEND LINEUP

EVENT OF THE WEEK

Thursday, April 24

🍕 Pizza-Making Class | Classic Cooking Academy | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

🌴 Arizona Tiki Oasis | Hotel Valley Ho | 9AM (multiple days)

Friday, April 25

🎬 Taliesin West Film Series: Funny Face (1957) | Taliesin West | 7:00 PM

🎸 4NR – Tribute to Foreigner | Casino Arizona | 7:30 PM

🎤 Jeff Dye | Desert Ridge Improv | 7:00 PM (multiple days)

🎡 Scottsdale Fair & Festival | WestWorld of Scottsdale | 4PM (multiple days)

Saturday, April 26

🌍 Earth Day | Phoenix Zoo | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🍷 Five Course Wine Dinner | Classic Cooking Academy | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

🎶 The Wailers | Talking Stick Resort | 8:00 PM

🍷 Mother’s Day Wine Package | Medieval Times | 7 PM (multiple days)

Sunday, April 27

🎉 Día del Niño | Phoenix Zoo | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🍝 Handmade Pasta Class | Classic Cooking Academy | 4PM

THE GOOD LIFE

Featuring last weeks most expensive home sold at $2.3M. Looks like it was purchased in 2021 for $810K and they did a ton of work to it.

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

GET INVOLVED

If you feel like supporting Scottsdale Scoop here’s a section with helpful links and feedback polls!

Want your business’s event or promotion read by 4,000+ Scottsdale residents? Shoot me an email at [email protected]