Upward Projects, the Valley-based hospitality company known for cult-fav neighborhood restaurants like Joyride Taco House, Federal Pizza, Windsor & Churn, announced that Postino WineCafé is expanding to Scottsdale, with new locations coming to both downtown and north Scottsdale. Scheduled to open in October, Postino Highland (4821 N. Scottsdale Rd.) will be carved into the former 60’s-era Valley National Bank on the northeast corner of Scottsdale Rd. & Highland Ave., just east of Scottsdale Fashion Square. Tucked behind a towering wall of cast concrete fins, Postino Highland’s future home was co-designed by renowned local architect, Frank Henry of Weaver & Drover, best known for his landmark “Mushroom Bank” at the corner of 44th St. & Camelback Rd. in Phoenix, making this sleek 1960s space the perfect fit for Postino, says co-owners, Craig DeMarco & Lauren Bailey.
“From our first Postino inside the former Arcadia Post Office, Upward Projects is dedicated to finding, restoring and reusing historically relevant buildings in great local neighborhoods,” DeMarco says. “It’s somewhat spiritual for us that on Postino’s 15th anniversary, we’re able to find a proper home for our first Scottsdale location, and we couldn’t have done it without our partners Bill Levine and Andrew Cohn who helped bring this project to fruition.” The 5,900-sq.-ft. Postino Highland will boast both front and back patios set amidst the verdant, grass-lined grounds, surrounded by original water fountains and mature ficus trees that provide a respite from bustling Scottsdale Rd. – all accessed via Postino’s signature yellow rollaway garage doors that blur the lines between indoors and out.
Tentatively scheduled to open in November, Postino Kierland is the second location arriving in 2015 and will come to life within the award-winning, pedestrian-friendly Kierland Commons’. Drawn to the location because of its visionary mix of walkability and live/work/play sensibilities, Bailey says, “we love the north Scottsdale neighborhood, and Kierland offers the urban sense of community that we’re always looking for in a dynamic, mature neighborhood.” As with Postino Highland, final details of Postino Kierland are still being determined, however, expect a stylish indoor-outdoor layout, including rollaway garage doors, expansive patios, and the crave-worthy Postino menu packed full of bruschetta, big healthy salads, paninis and an award-winning wine and beer program.
“Postino WineCafé will be great a addition to Scottsdale, and we’re excited to have not one but two new locations coming in 2015. Postino has figured out that perfect mix of elevated hospitality and sense of place for those in the community, and by restoring a 60-year old building, are perpetuating our history into the future,” says Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane.
Open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Postino Highland and Postino Kierland will also offer signature specials such as $5 Before 5pm, offered everyday on all wines by the glass and draft beer pitchers, and $20 Bottle & Board on Monday & Tuesday evenings.
