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Jess Harter on Dining ~

Archive for the 'Paradise Valley' Category

Soon-to-open Montelucia resort reveals restaurant name

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 by Jess Harter

Claudio UrciuoliThe soon-to-open InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa has announced a few details about its restaurants. The main eatery will be called Prado and feature “wood-fired grilling with a Spanish accent.” Chef Claudio Urciuoli (left), formerly of Taggia, will focus on traditional Andalusian cuisine. Look for an opening in November.

Located at the front entrance to Prado will be M Bar, a Moroccan-inspired tequila and tapas bar. Other dining at the Paradise Valley resort: Crave Cafe, a cafe and gourmet market; Kasbah, a casual restaurant and bar serving the pool; and Joya Spa Terrace & Juice Bar.

Info: (480) 627-3200 or montelucia.com.

Lon’s dinner to honor ‘Late Night Catechism’s’ Sister

Friday, August 15th, 2008 by Jess Harter

Patti HannonPatti Hannon, the actress who stars in the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts long-running improvisational comedy “Late Night Catechism,” will be the featured guest for an artist-in-residence dinner Sept. 19 at Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley.

Hannon, who portrays a strict nun simply known as “Sister,” will mingle with guests at a wine reception, followed by a four-course dinner.

Executive chef Michael Rusconi’s menu will consist of an amuse bouche, seared sea scallops with wild boar bacon, grilled beef tenderloin with Queen Creek olive gratin and lemon génoise. Wines will be selected by sommelier Robert Ofstedahl.

After dinner, Hannon will discuss her life and career, and treat guests to an interactive comedy performance.

Cost is $125 per person, which includes food, wine, tax and gratuity. Reservations: (602) 955-7878. Info: lons.com.

Ex-Taggia chef to head soon-to-open P.V. resort restaurant

Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 by Jess Harter

The InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley isn’t scheduled to open until August, but it’s hired a chef to head its yet-to-be-named signature restaurant. Their choice is Claudio Urciuoli, who spent less than a year heading Taggia at Scottsdale’s FireSky Resort & Spa, then spent an ill-fated two months at Different Pointe of View at the Pointe at Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix.

Press releases: World of Beers, Taste 2008, Agave on the Rocks

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 by Jess Harter

Clearing out recent press releases from my e-mail in-box (viewable as PDFs):

• More than 50 beers will be on tap at the World of Beers Friday and Saturday at Phoenix’s Margaret T. Hance Park.

• The popular annual Taste 2008 will take place April 6 at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale.

Ristorante Tuscany, the fancy restaurant at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, is now offering wine tastings and private dining rooms. It’s also released its Easter brunch menu.

• The Desert Botanical Garden’s annual Agave on the Rocks, which includes tequila, food and Latin music, will be March 28.

• Scottsdale-based El Paso Grill & Bar-B-Que, which has nine restaurants in Arizona, has started a reverse happy hour with special $4 appetizers.

Morton’s The Steakhouse is offering some limited-time deals to highlight their seafood offering.

• Chef/owner Bryan Elliott has taken over sole ownership of The Painted Horse in Scottsdale and named Todd Pearson as the new executive chef.

Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley has been named best Southwest/eclectic in Arizona for the third year in a row by “Ranking Arizona: The Best in Arizona Business.”

Diane Ladd to be featured guest at Lon’s at the Hermosa dinner

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 by Jess Harter

Actress Diane Ladd — who will premiere her new film, Jake’s Corner, at the Sedona Film Festival — will be the featured guest at a March 2 artist-in-residence dinner at Lon’s at The Hermosa in Paradise Valley.

dianeladdThe evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. wine reception where Ladd will mingle with guests, followed by a four-course dinner by chef Michael Rusconi.

The menu will include foraged mushroom bisque with white truffle crema, fresh shrimp with baby field greens citrus fruits and elderberry vinaigrette, Maine lobster and grilled beef tenderloin with cilantro espuma and triple chocolate napoleon with raspberry and lemon compote.

Wines will be personally selected for the event by sommelier Robert Ofstedahl.

After dinner, Ladd will do a question-and-answer session and sign her book, “Spiraling Through the School of Life.”

Cost is $125 per person, including tax and gratuity. Reservations: (602) 955-7878.

Lon’s at The Hermosa is located at 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley.

Camelback Inn’s Sprouts introduces new menu

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 by Jess Harter

Sprouts, the spa restaurant at the Marriott Camelback Inn in Paradise Valley, has introduced a new lunch and dinner menu and expanded its hours.

sproutsThe focus is still on organic, natural fare. Appetizers include chilled heirloom gazpacho with dungeness crab ($7), butternut squash chowder ($6), ahi tuna tartare ($10) and five kinds of bruschetta.

Sandwiches include a BLT panini ($12) with trout, smoked bacon, baby romaine, roma tomatoes, mango aioli and kalamata olive loaf and Black Angus sliders ($12) on potato buns with cheddar and Might Moe relish spread.

A rosemary chicken breast ($9), Black Angus filet skewer ($14) and jumbo Mexican shrimp ($12) are among the entrees.

Sprouts is offering $3 off wine by the glass from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

>> Sprouts, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. (480) 596-7000.

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