The highly-anticipated coastal Italian hotspot, Élephante, is set to debut December 4th inside a stunning, custom-designed space at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Now accepting reservations, Élephante will be open for dinner only beginning on December 4th (4pm-11pm), with lunch and weekend brunch service to soon follow. Élephante’s vibrant, seasonal menus transport guests to the Mediterranean; think wood-fired pizzas like the Burrata pizza and Soppressata pizza, fresh pastas such as the new Tortellini Pomodoro and classic Cacio e Pepe, alongside sustainably-sourced seafoods like the Grilled Octopus and Diver Scallops, and meats such as the 10oz Prime Skirt Steak. All paired with Élephante’s renowned beverage program featuring craft cocktails (shaken, stirred, draft and even frozen), and a thoughtfully curated wine program, including proprietary private-label wines and a full-time sommelier roaming the floor. Plus, exclusive to the Scottsdale location, Élephante will debut Bar Bambino, an intimate cocktail lounge tucked away inside the space for late night drinks and bites.
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Home to an indoor-outdoor space filled with desert plants and cacti, along with large banquettes perfect for group dining, Élephante Scottsdale is the newest location for the Los Angeles-based Wish You Were Here Group. Each Élephante location is crafted with custom furniture and artisanal details that pay homage to the city where it resides. Designed by restaurateur and founder of Wish You Were Here Group, Nick Mathers, Élephante aims to transport guests to Pantelleria and the Aeolian islands off the Sicilian coast, right in the heart of Scottsdale. “We always aim to make guests feel like they have escaped to somewhere else for a moment. To accomplish this, the space needs to feel authentic. We custom designed every aspect of the space and each piece of furniture in-house. We imported the carrera tile from Italy, and flew in artists from around the world to make the artwork, macramé and tapestries on-site.”
Entering via a dramatic archway, Élephante welcomes guests with hemp artwork hung from the hand-plastered walls and a collection of handmade baskets. Set atop marble floors, the open-air dining room is adorned with custom silk tapestries, wall ceramics and raw cotton artwork, while the dining spaces feature green marble-topped tables offset with wooden furnishings and striking rattan dividers sourced from Indonesia. Centered around a massive white oak and teak wood bar, Élephante also has a fold-away glass wall leading to a spacious, plant-filled outdoor dining patio.
Led by Wish You Were Here Group Chef Partner, Thomas Lim, Élephante’s produce-driven menus feature items like Diver Scallops with citrus butter, Caviar and chives, and a Whole Lobster Piccata with caper brown butter, shallot, garlic and lemon. “We also expanded the selection of large plates adding dishes like a 20oz Dry-aged Bone-in ribeye.” Plus, exclusive to Scottsdale is an expanded selection of dips for Élephante’s signature wood-fired puccia, a puffed, soft bread from Italy’s Puglia region. Dips include the Santa Monica-famed Whipped Eggplant, along with Whipped Stracchino, and Burrata and Caviar.
Élephante’s extensive beverage program features both new, signature and classic cocktails, plus a rotating selection of frozen cocktails, punch bowls and even elevated mocktails. Highlights include the namesake cocktail, The Élephante, with passion fruit, lemon, almond orgeat, Montenegro, and Calabrian chili, paired with the guest’s choice of spirits; Cactus Water with vodka, lime, watermelon, lavender, Aperitivo Select; and the White Elephant with reposado tequila, lime, almond orgeat, and spiced pear. Plus, in-house draft cocktails, such as a crystal-clear, sparkling Paloma, and Espresso Martinis, including lavender with vodka, cinnamon with reposado tequila or mocha with mezcal. You can even add a custom picture of your choice printed in coffee ink right atop your cocktail. Élephante’s wine program includes bottles from every region of Italy, and also features four proprietary private-label wines: a Pinot Grigio from Sicily, a Prosecco-style sparkling wine from California, a Super Tuscan from Tuscany, and a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, the last of which will be exclusive to Arizona.
Unique to the Scottsdale location is Bar Bambino, an exclusive tucked-away cocktail lounge for elevated late night drinks and bites, which will open on Saturday, December 7th. Housed inside Élephante, step through the curtain entryway to discover a sophisticated bar with a live DJ nightly and a sleek curved bronze-scallop bar beneath a central chandelier and retro mirrored ceiling. Beverage offerings include unique cocktails, espresso martinis, wines by the glass, and featured champagnes. As an added feature, Bar Bambino will offer tableside Cocktail Cart Service to elevate the traditional bottle experience, including classic martini service prepared with add ons such as a caviar pairing, or shaken cocktails. Signature cocktails include La Bambina with vodka, della sirene rosso, lemon, pear, ginger, blue spirulina, and sparkling water; a Maple Wood Smoked Old Fashioned featuring Élephante private select barrel bourbon, apricot, demerara, angostura, lemon and orange oils; and the Deconstructed Bellini. The food menu includes items such as Lobster Rolls, Tuna Tartare, Arancini, Caviar Toast and more.
Élephante Scottsdale is located at 7014 E Camelback Road at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, on the corner of Camelback Road and Marshall Way. Open daily, book your reservation at www.elephanterestaurants.com.
