SouthBridge Shakeup

From closings to openings, festivals to fêtes, the Valley's culinary carousel keeps on spinning

As first reported by our office-mates at Desert Living Today, there’s been a large shakeup on the local foodie front. Yes, the curtain will be dropping on the Estate House (pictured) in Downtown Scottsdale a week from today. Sad news, but not completely unexpected as there’s been a ton of turnover at this high-profile project located just across the Arizona Canal from Scottsdale Fashion Square and the Scottsdale Waterfront. However, since we’re all about the positive here at Scoop Factory, we also wanted to bring you some exciting restaurant news, including a review of the AZ Taco Fest and some exciting updates on a couple of superstar chefs with SouthBridge ties.

First things first, the Arizona Taco Festival was awesome. The organizers definitely read the reviews of their AZ BBQ Fest this past April and added more shade, carpeting and seating areas, as well as a sprinkling of family-friendly amenities. Meanwhile, the Mexican Wrestlers added a nice surreal touch, especially after a trip or two through the Tequila tasting village. However, as usual, the food was the star of the show, with our unofficial winners as San Felipe Cantina for best fish tacos, Los Sombreros for best guacamole (get the recipe here) and The Mission for best everything else. Hasta next year, Taco Fest.

Meanwhile, just across the canal at SouthBridge, there’s already been an update on the Estate House closing. Although we’re still waiting for direct confirmation, the Phoenix New Times‘ Michele Lauding is reporting that the Estate House will be replaced by, wait for it, a second location of North Scottsdale’s The Herb Box. Not exactly Earth-shattering, but at least it’s good fresh eats and locally owned.

More exciting, we just heard that the upscale Italian gem, Marcellino Ristorante is now offering lunch seven days a week. Located inside SouthBridge after famed chef and Italian native, Marcellino Verzino, relocated from North-Central Phoenix earlier this year, the lunch menu is highlighted by crisp and bubbly pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven. Plus, this October 20, join chef Marci and wife/co-owner, Sima, as they celebrate seven years here in the Valley with a food- and music-filled fête. It all kicks off with a cocktail reception offering “Bubbly and Italian nibbles for all,” followed by a $49 three-course dinner (including wine pairings), all served with a side of live Bossa Nova music.

Finally, the sign is up at Beckett’s Table, the newest eatery from former Canal at SouthBridge chef, Justin Beckett. Although the owners were originally shooting for a September opening, it’s looking like we’ll have to wait until Halloween or later to experience this this casual-yet-food-forward eatery. For more about Beckett’s Table, including why chef Beckett almost threw a frying pan through our office window, read DLT’s coverage here and here.