Exploring memorable restaurants and food spots in the Phoenix area can be a feast for the eyes – from both an epicurean and design aspect. Here are five of our favorites.
Cala Scottsdale
Located in The Senna House hotel in Scottsdale’s Old Town Entertainment district, Cala is a Mediterranean restaurant named after a tiny beach cove street in Mallorca, Spain, that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Its chic, modern look, aesthetically designed by House of Form, reflects the merger of two worlds: the sanded, textured desert and the fresh and airy coast. Inside, light wood tones, neutral textures and materials are contrasted by lush greenery attributed to the coastal environment, while limewashed walls give the space a subtle depth. Handcrafted terracotta pots, native to Arizona, are displayed repetitively along the entrance’s arches, as if you are stepping from a Southwestern desert onto a European beach.
7501 E Camelback Road, Scottsdale / www.calascottsdale.com
Platform 18
In Phoenix’s Century Grand building, cocktail connoisseurs can have a unique bar experience in a Pullman train replica at Platform 18. Barter & Shake created the concept and worked with architect and general contractor Wes James to design it with authenticity in mind.
“There is a Pullman train you can tour at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale,” says Rich Furnari, VP of creative for Platform 18 and partner and co-founder of Barter & Shake Cocktail Entertainment. “We toured it a dozen times, taking note of measurements and features. The exterior of the train was built by a local man named Dan Dewey. He has been building replica and RC airplanes that have been sold around the world for the past 25 years.”
The platform where the train sits is number 18, a reference to the 18th Amendment which prohibited alcohol in the U.S. in 1919. “We opened in 2019, approximately 100 years to date of the Roaring Twenties, opulence and prohibition,” Furnari adds.
3626 E Indian School Road, Phoenix / www.centurygrandphx.com
Joe’s Farm Grill
In Gilbert, diners can have quite a treat at Joe’s Farm Grill, a modern, mid-century “burger stand.” Formerly a ranch-style, slump block family residence built in 1966, the restaurant’s dining room sits where the former family room once was, while the kitchen replaces the bedrooms. For an indoor/outdoor feel, the home’s kitchen and dining room are now an atrium for outdoor dining.
As part of the Agritopia development, the restaurant is surrounded by 12 acres dedicated to permanent urban organic farming in tribute to the land where farming began in 1927.
3000 E Ray Road, Gilbert / www. joesfarmgrill.com
Air Guitar
This sleek corner store, also in Gilbert, sells a unique combination of juices, produce, pizza, ice cream, craft beers, grab-and-go dishes, fresh flowers and premium coffee drinks. It has a contemporary design known as “essentialism” – a language of architecture that is rooted in the disciplined pursuit of less – with the elimination of all non-essentials, according to owners Craig and Kris DeMarco and Eric and Elissa Seitz.
They worked closely with debartolo architects on the building’s interior and exterior. “The design of the building is a response to protecting the inhabitants from the harsh sunlight and creating a unique opportunity to efficiently and graciously purchase essential goods in a fresh environment,” says Jack DeBartolo.
A large roof structure of perforated metal extends far beyond the conditioned space of the interior to take advantage of the shade. Full floor-to-ceiling glass walls face north and south, welcoming visitors into the interior of polished concrete, raw steel and solid surfacing. Simple uses of light-colored plywood bring warmth to the space, and white solid surfaces allow the interior to remain clean and new. On the exterior, charcoal and pewter metal accent the walls, while a subtle guitar-inspired seam pattern brings a pedestrian scale to the facade when viewed from a distance.
1566 S Higley Road, Gilbert / www.airguitar4life.com
Eden Rooftop Bar
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix’s new rooftop lounge, envisioned by California-based Wilson Ishihara Design, is a 5,000-square-foot outdoor spot with décor that embodies the desert landscape.
Grounding neutrals, pinks and teals add color to the space that is centered around a pool. The terrazzo concrete bar and tabletops decorated with triangular Italian tiles are complemented by specially crafted built-in sofa banquettes, booths and communal accent tables designed by local custom furniture company Sólido. Native plants, such as yucca, and a woven light fixture from Spain add texture to the space.
2 E Jefferson Street, Phoenix / www.edenbarphoenix.com
This story appeared in the AZ Foothills Home & Design, Best Places to Live issue. Read the full issue here.
