{"id":140941,"date":"2019-01-06T13:33:05","date_gmt":"2019-01-06T18:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/?p=140941"},"modified":"2019-06-21T15:48:01","modified_gmt":"2019-06-21T19:48:01","slug":"weekend-in-scottsdale-and-phoenix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/discover\/weekend-in-scottsdale-and-phoenix\/","title":{"rendered":"My Perfect Weekend: Chef Samantha Sanz’s Ultimate Scottsdale Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Samantha Sanz \u2013 a James Beard Award nominee and the top toque at Talavera at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale \u2013 takes you on a three-day tour of the Arizona thrills she can’t get enough of.<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Chef Samantha Sanz studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale and honed her palate in Paris.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Four Seasons<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Recently nominated for a James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year Award, Samantha Sanz \u2013 chef at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon Nort<\/a>h<\/a> \u2013 is something of a wunderkind. When she took the helm of the Resort\u2019s Talavera<\/a> restaurant at 28, she was among the youngest chefs ever to oversee a Four Seasons restaurant kitchen. Sanz, however, has been steeped in the food scene from birth \u2013 her family has owned a restaurant for more than 60 years in her home town of Nogales, Mexico. Her experience shows in the worldly inventiveness she imparts to Talavera\u2019s boundary-pushing menus, which meld Mediterranean and Latin flavours in dishes such as grilled Galician octopus and Picon tapas.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m constantly playing around,\u201d says Sanz of her menus, and that spirit of joyful discovery informs her weekend hit list for Scottsdale and Phoenix. Here are her tips for what to do, where to eat and the place to find the best prickly-pear fros\u00e9.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Four Seasons Residence Club Scottsdale at Troon North<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n Check Rates & Availability <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \tSee all you can experience at Four Seasons Residence Club Scottsdale at Troon North<\/nobr><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Friday Evening: A Garden-Fresh Dinner<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Ramon Navarro bowl<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Pa’la<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cPa\u2019la<\/a> used to be an old house, and now it\u2019s a little restaurant with a wood-fired oven,\u201d Sanz says of the bo\u00eete in midtown Phoenix. The restaurant combines Mediterranean and South American fare in its menu, which changes daily based on what\u2019s freshest. \u201cOrder the Ramon Navarro bowl \u2013 it has all these wholesome grains cooked to al dente perfection, seasoned with high quality vinegar,\u201d Sanz says. \u201cChef Claudio always keeps it fresh with all the local produce, and quite honestly it\u2019s the best meal after a hike.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The wood-fired grill and Bavette steak with mushrooms and tomatoes at Pa’la<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Pa’la<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Friday Night: Best of Brews<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Big Spill Pils with Nelson hops<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Wren House Brewing Company<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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A couple of doors away in a 1920s bungalow, Wren House Brewing Company<\/a> is one of Sanz\u2019s go-to spots for a tipple. \u201cI love beer,\u201d she says. \u201cMy favourite beer of all time from them has to be the Berries and Cream, which is a sour India pale ale that has raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. It\u2019s brewed with some milk sugar and malt, which gives it a nice mouthfeel and is very refreshing for the spring here in Arizona.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The taproom and a glass of Kingsnake imperial stout at Wren House Brewing Company<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Wren House Brewing Company<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Saturday Morning: Local Caffeine<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Courtesy of Press Coffee Roasters<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cWe serve Press Coffee Roasters<\/a> at the Hotel \u2013\u00a0it\u2019s locally owned by a husband and wife, and they\u2019re so sweet,\u201d Sanz says. \u201cThey do all their own roasting, and do an amazing job.\u201d The coffee shop, with locations in the Scottsdale Quarter mall, Tempe, Phoenix and beyond, sources beans directly from farmers in Ethiopia, Guatemala and Costa Rica. Devotees will appreciate the regular hour-long Coffee 101 Tasting classes, which take you from seed to cup as you sip.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Press Coffee Roasters<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Saturday Afternoon: Hiking and Shopping Trips<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Pinnacle Peak<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sanz likes to get her endorphins pumping by hiking the 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometre) round-trip trail at Pinnacle Peak Park, in the backyard of Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale. \u201cThe earlier you can hike Pinnacle Peak, the better \u2013 it gets hot over here,\u201d says Sanz, who urges guests to bring plenty of water. \u201cYou\u2019ll see birds \u2013 cardinals, quail \u2013 and iguanas. It\u2019s out-of-this-world scenic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her next stop? Phoenix General<\/a>, in an area brimming with cocktail bars, lifestyle shops and buzzing gastropubs. \u201cIt\u2019s a small boutique with some really unique finds,\u201d Sanz says of the airy storefront, which sells everything from juniper incense to decorative powder-coated iron horseshoes in rainbow hues. Clothes, too: \u201cI\u2019m obsessed with the clothing lines they have collaborated on with local artists, such as the Fortoul Brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Phoenix General; courtesy of Fortoul Brothers<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Saturday Night: Supper in Style<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Courtesy of Jia Yue<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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As dusk falls over the landscape, Sanz beelines to Tratto<\/a> \u2013 helmed by James Beard Award\u2013winning chef Chris Bianco \u2013 for dinner. \u201cMy biggest love there is the chicken livers on toast,\u201d Sanz says. \u201cChef Cassie does an outstanding job and serves them with the seasonal jam she makes. I crave this constantly.\u201d And you really must order a cocktail, Sanz says: \u201cThe cocktail program there is outstanding, thanks to Blaise Faber \u2013 he makes his own house-made vermouth \u2013 but I do enjoy my glass of Sorelle Bronca Prosecco.\u201d Finally, \u201cEnd the meal with some rich dark chocolate and one of the many amaros they have on the list.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Beets with ricotta and homemade pasta at Tratto<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of @michelevenlee; Jia Yue<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sunday Morning: Mexican-Style Brunch<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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The dining room at Ghost Ranch<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Shelby Moore<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sanz starts her day with a brunch at Ghost Ranch<\/a> in nearby Tempe, run by Mexican cousins Chef Rene Andrade and Chef Roberto Centeno. \u201cThey have chilaquiles,\u201d Sanz reports with pleasure \u2013 the Mexican comfort food dish that slathers fried corn tortillas with salsa and cheese. \u201cThe best thing is that the eggs they use are from local farmer Two Wash Ranch. And if you are indecisive like me about red chile<\/em> or green, you could ask for both.\u201d Yet another of her favourite orders is the prickly pear fros\u00e9. \u201cIt\u2019s a combination of a margarita and ros\u00e9,\u201d she says \u2013 \u201cso delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Chicken chilaquiles and prickly pear fros\u00e9 at Ghost Ranch<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Shelby Moore<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sunday Afternoon: Art Hours<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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For an afternoon well spent, Sanz heads to the sleek Phoenix Art Museum<\/a>, where more than 19,000 works of art are housed in a building originally designed by Alden B. Dow, a prot\u00e9g\u00e9e of Frank Lloyd Wright. \u201cThere is always an amazing exposition to catch there, and it\u2019s never super crowded,\u201d she says. \u201cThey had an exhibit by Mexican artist Carlos Amorales where an entire wall was mounted with 25,000 black paper moths and butterflies \u2013 awesome.\u201d On exhibition through February 9, 2020: \u201cAmerican Scenes\/Americas Seen,\u201d with work from the 1930s and \u201940s by artists such as Diego Rivera and Alice Trumbull Mason.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sunday Night: Twilight in the Desert<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cWe have the best sunsets, especially at the Desert Botanical Garden<\/a>,\u201d Sanz says of the 140-acre (57-hectare) grounds, where visitors can glimpse thousands of species, including organ pipe cactus, teddy bear cholla and 186 types of agave. Walk around and relax, Sanz says. It\u2019s a peaceful way to round out your weekend.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Your Journey Begins Here<\/h2>\n

Plan your insider’s trip to Scottsdale<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\"\" <\/picture>\n

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