Local Restaurant Wins "Best Italian Restaurant"

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.

It's Derby weekend, so I did my best to round up the funnest looking events focused on the Kentucky Derby that I could find.

I also share a few cool community-focused initiatives that are worth highlighting.

Let’s get it!

Mark your calendars for May 2nd because U.S. Egg North Scottsdale is hosting a dog adoption brunch that sounds like the perfect Saturday morning. They're partnering with Heart of Infinity Rescue Foundation for a live adoption event right on their dog-friendly patio at Shea and Scottsdale Rd.

Here's the cool part: every dollar you donate gets you a U.S. Egg gift card for the same amount. Donate $50, get a $50 gift card. Your generosity goes straight to the dogs and your next brunch is covered.

The event runs 8am to 2pm with adoptable dogs on-site, free Pupachinos for your four-legged friends, and the full U.S. Egg brunch menu for you. Heart of Infinity pulls dogs directly from Maricopa County's euthanasia list and places them in foster homes until they find their forever families. Even if you're not ready to adopt, showing up supports the cause and gets these pups in front of potential families.

Big news for Scottsdale foodies! The Italian Daughter just got crowned Arizona's best Italian restaurant by The Takeout in their nationwide roundup of the top Italian spot in every state.

Located at 23655 N Scottsdale Rd, this North Scottsdale gem was created as a tribute to a beloved father and his culinary legacy. The vibe here is like being invited into someone's home for dinner, which honestly is exactly what great Italian food should feel like. Their Papa's Cioppino comes highly recommended, along with all the classic Italian hits done right.

Old Town just got a new boutique hotel! Hotel Solaya recently opened its doors and it's another great addition to the neighborhood. They have a restaurant inside the hotel that looks great in pics. I've also seen them start to promote pool parties and social events.

I'll share more details once I get a chance to check it out, but figured you'd want to know it's officially open for business.

I'm teaming up with Scottsdale Sales Club for a networking dinner at Fogo de Chão on Thursday, May 14th from 6-9pm.

If you're a founder, sales leader, investor, or just someone who's actively building something, this is the room you want to be in.

It's curated networking with intentional introductions, premium food, vendor activations and a great community. Plus, Fogo de Chao is a great setting!

Grab a spot here.

PS - we're actively sourcing vendors. If you want to be a vendor at the event, feel free to reply to this email and shoot me a note!

If floating over the Sonoran Desert at sunrise sounds like your kind of morning, Hot Air Expeditions has been making that happen for locals and visitors since 1991. That's over three decades of safe flights and stunning views right here in our backyard.

What sets them apart is their commitment to keeping things local and personal. They're a family-owned operation based right here in Arizona, which means you're not dealing with some massive corporate outfit. Their pilots aren't just certified, they actually know the desert terrain inside and out.

The experience goes beyond just the balloon ride too. They include a post-flight champagne brunch catered by a local chef, turning the whole morning into an event rather than just an activity. Plus their smaller group sizes mean you're not crammed into a basket with twenty strangers.

I love unique local businesses like this. If you come across any, please send them my way.

Looking for a date spot with a view? Outrider Rooftop Lounge sits on the seventh floor of the Canopy Scottsdale in Old Town, and the Camelback Mountain views are hard to beat at sunset.

The vibe is pretty relaxed but still feels like an occasion. You've got fire pits, comfortable seating, and desert-inspired murals that make for solid photo ops if that's your thing. Their cocktail menu leans into local flavors and they carry Arizona craft brews, so you're supporting local even while you sip.

What I like about this spot is that it works for pretty much any date stage. Early relationship and want to impress? The views do the heavy lifting. Been together forever and just need a change of scenery? It's casual enough that you won't feel overdressed. They also have poolside cabanas if you want to make a whole afternoon of it.

A fun little date night could be having a few cocktails at Outrider and then heading down and doing the ArtWalk on a Thursday night since you’re right there.

Reservations book up on a rolling 30-day window for 2-hour seatings, so plan ahead if you're eyeing a weekend sunset slot.

Wednesday, April 29

🍣 Omakasito Dinner | TORO at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | 5:30 PM

🍹 Rum Society: Mount Gay Rum | The Canal Club at The Scott Resort & Spa | 6:00 PM

Thursday, April 30

🧘 Fireside Flow | Sanctuary Camelback Mountain | 6:30 PM

⛳ Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic | TPC Scottsdale | All Day (multiple days)

Friday, May 1

🍷 Michael Mina x Raj Parr Wine Dinner | Bourbon Steak Scottsdale | 6:00 PM

🌮 Gourmet Class: Cinco de Mayo | Classic Cooking Academy | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, May 2 (Derby Day)

🏇 Kentucky Derby Lawn Party | Bourbon Steak at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

🌹 Derby Day Porch Party | Mowry & Cotton at The Phoenician | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

🐴 Derby Day Celebration| Turf Paradise | 1 PM - 5:00 PM

🎸 The Wood Brothers | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 PM

🎸 Eric Johnson | Talking Stick Resort | 8:00 PM

🎨 Carmen Lomas Garza: Exhibition Opening Celebration | ASU Art Museum | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🐶 Pupcakes & Puppuccinos | U.S. Egg North Scottsdale | 8 AM - 2 PM

Sunday, May 3

🐕 Dog Days at the Garden | Desert Botanical Garden | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

I've been waiting to share this one! Balance Studio is opening right next to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, and they're doing something pretty cool for their launch.

Their soft opening runs May 9-15 with all classes at just $10. Grand Opening weekend also has $10 classes! That's yoga, strength, mobility, whatever sounds good to you. It's the perfect chance to check out the space before the crowds hit.

Then comes the grand opening weekend on May 16-17 with an open house, studio tours, giveaways, and yes, sips and bites. Stop by Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM to meet the team and see what they're building.

Every class is held at 75°F. No hot yoga torture. Just mindful movement in a comfortable space where you can actually focus on your body instead of surviving the heat.

They also have a new student special running. $69 gets you 30 days of unlimited classes if you want to really test it out. Founding memberships are available at discounted pricing too!

Book a $10 soft opening class here.

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $12.1M! it's been a while since we've had a home crack the $10M mark. I'm loving all the European inspiration in this one

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

Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John

We just dropped hats! Snag one here.