A monthly tourism news update from the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
Scotsdale, USA – LARGEST MALL IN SOUTHWEST OPENING FIVE NEW STORES
Still hot off the opening of Barneys New York and 18 additional stores and restaurants such as Michael Stars, Forever 21, True Religion and the country’s first Microsoft store, Scottsdale Fashion Square is raising the shopping bar with five new retailers making their Arizona debut. In April 2010, Tory Burch opened in the Neiman Marcus wing with a collection of sophisticated clothing and accessories with an eclectic feel that is both distinctive and accessibly priced. In July, Ted Baker London sets up shop in the new Barneys‘ wing offering classic European men’s and women’s clothing with contemporary touches. Free People, which was started by a Pennsylvania couple in the 1970s and evolved into Urban Outfitters (one is located across the street at Scottsdale Waterfront), will be opening in the Nordstrom wing. Soon, female shoppers can find bohemian-chic clothing and accessories that are feminine, flirty and fun. Jewelry lovers know David Yurman and his signature rope-like designs, which shoppers have been able to buy at Scottsdale stores for years, but David Yurman will soon be opening a store all his own in the Neiman Marcus wing. And the most anticipated of them all, H&M will open its flagship location this year. The Swedish retailer is known worldwide for its trendy clothing and accessories for men, women, teens and children. For media information, contact Kate Birchler at kate.birchler@westcor.com or 480-945-5495.
THE PHOENICIAN SERVES UP SIZZLING SUMMER CULINARY OFFERINGS
Things are heating up in the kitchen at The Phoenician this summer. On May 1, 2010, Relish Burger Bistro was the newest burger joint to grace Scottsdale’s dining scene. Located at the resort’s golf clubhouse, the restaurant features all-American favorites including 12 signature burgers like the Western Cowboy Burger with grilled Kobe beef, fried onion rings, bacon rashers, jalapeños, sharp cheddar cheese and house-made steak sauce. Then there’s the classic You-Build-It Kobe Burger, with a choice of two toppings, ranging from brie to chili. And the Five Diamond special is made with grilled Kobe beef, sautéed crab meat, fried egg and Bérnaise sauce. But Relish Burger Bistro isn’t just about burgers – other items include salads, barbeque chicken nachos, fried pickles and signature crab cake sliders along with make-it-yourself tableside s’mores, draft root beer, milkshakes, floats and house-made sodas. For media information, contact Denise Seomin at denise.seomin@luxurycollection.com or 480-423-2657.
J&G Steakhouse is offering a rotating three-course Neighborhood Menu for resort guests and locals to enjoy for only $35. Available everyday from 5 to 7 p.m. through Aug. 31, diners have a choice of three items for each of the three courses, and new items are rotated in every week or two to keep the menu fresh. Begin the meal with dishes like warm summer beets and fresh goat cheese, field mache and lemon oil, or steamed shrimp salad with avocado, mushroom and champagne vinaigrette. Follow up with satisfying entrees like grilled Black Angus Sirloin and steak frites or slowly cooked salmon with julienne vegetables and basil vinaigrette. End on a sweet note with warm chocolate cake or a selection of sorbet. For media information, contact Margo Kesler at margo@margomedia.com or 602-264-2655.
SUMMER CULINARY WORKSHOPS OFFER A TASTE OF THE DESERT
Take home more than just a tan this summer at the Desert Botanical Garden’s summer culinary workshops. Discover how to incorporate Southwestern herbs and spices into a one-dish salad at the Garden’s Marvelous Main Course Salads seminar. On July 19, Chef Rachel Albert-Matesz, author of „The Garden of Eating,“ will offer students three different recipes as well as ideas for accompaniments and dessert. Or, try your hand at something new at the Jellies: Beyond Berries workshop. A twist from the traditional fruit jellies, this class provides new ideas and recipes to expand your perceptions of the familiar spread. Held July 13, create new glazes such as tomato or spicy pepper, perfect for those summertime cookouts. And if your palette leans more toward the sweet than the savory, cool off with an icy treat at the Dazzling Frozen Desserts workshop. Learn how to use the season’s bounty of fruit, local honey and garden-grown vegetables to make a variety of frozen desserts. The class will be held June 17 and feature dairy-free as well as soy-free desserts. All classes cost $48 per person. For media information, contact John Sallot at jsallot@dbg.org or 480-481-8101.
A TOAST TO SUMMER WITH SPECIAL DRINK, DINING DEALS
As if there weren’t enough reasons to already indulge in Mexican food, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is giving you one more – Fiesta Fridays. Stop by the resort’s recently reopened restaurant, La Hacienda , every Friday this summer through Sept. 6 to take part in a suckling pig roast, meet the tortilla-maker, enjoy some mariachi tunes and sample tequila with the restaurant’s Goddess of Tequila. The cost is $29 for adults and $13 for children. For media information, contact Valerie Lee at valerie.lee@fairmont.com or 480-585-2706.
Head over to Hotel Valley Ho to experience happy hour, retro style at Trader Vic’s and Café ZuZu . As homage to the hotel’s 1950’s roots, pay the prices of the era with appetizers such as hummus and Chinese pork sliders priced from $1 to $3 at the Polynesian-inspired Trader Vic’s, where happy hour specials are available daily from 4 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. For heartier American fare, stroll over to Café ZuZu for the upscale diner’s Cool Redux happy hour. Weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m., dine on appetizers such as the prime rib dip and grilled cheese for only $3 as well as beer, wine and specialty cocktails. For media information, contact Kristin Heggli at kheggli@hotelvalleyho.com or 480-421-7734.
Unwind with a cool drink and panoramic view of the city at jade bar & edge at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. Overlooking Camelback Mountain and the resort’s sleek infinity-edge pool, jade bar provides the perfect setting for a sunset cocktail. The hotel’s new happy hour experience, The Pour , offers a premium, upscale cocktail hour with spirits, cocktails and small plates for only $6. The special menu is available seven days a week from 4 to 6 p.m. with a „reverse happy hour“ available from 10 p.m. to midnight on the same days. For media information, contact Kathleen Cullinane at kcullinane@mg-pr.com or 212-980-9194.
PLAN A PICTURE-PERFECT DESERT WEDDING AT THE BOULDERS RESORT
Start your marriage off with a rock solid foundation by planning your dream wedding at The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa. The property’s newly discovered Promise Rock wedding site is composed of the 12-milion-year-old boulders lining the resort and the perfect spot for a fairytale wedding in the desert. Rich in history, an ancient fertility alter used by the ancient Yavapai people was found at the site as well as markings used for ceremonial purposes. The site is in the process of being added to the Heard Museum and Arizona Archaeology Society ’s historical register. Promise Rock also is adorned with a waterfall and rock art reminiscent of ancient petroglyphs made to depict the sacredness of marriage throughout civilization. For media information, contact Debi Bridges at db@bridgesmediagroup.com or 602-466-2128.
