A Four Seasons Chef’s Guide to Scottsdale, AZ
Samantha Sanz is chef of Talavera at the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North. She shares her favorite restaurants and more in town
Courtesy of Virtù
Raised in the humble kitchen of her grandmother’s restaurant in Nogales, Mexico, Sanz was inspired to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale. A rising star, her Latino-influenced cooking has brought her national recognition.
Eat
https://www.instagram.com/p/BESL8hRJlqf/“I love FnB for its vegetables,” says Sanz. “They’re always changing for seasonality, but my recent favorite was radishes with date butter.” At her former spot, Virtù, guests can expect a constantly changing and delicious Mediterranean-inspired menu. “The chef always has a different paté, and they are all so good.” For house-made pasta, she goes to Fat Ox.
See
“My boyfriend and I love to go to the Scottsdale galleries,” says Sanz. Thursday nights they stay open late for Scottsdale ArtWalk, a 40-year tradition where member galleries open their doors to the public to display some of the Southwest’s most celebrated artists.
Drink
Sanz likes Pattie’s in Old Town Scottsdale, or the city’s oldest tavern, Coach House, for a dive-bar feel. “They’re the kind of places you go for a cold beer and a fun environment,” she says. If you’re looking to dine and drink, an extension of FnB’s restaurant, FnBar offers a rotation of Arizona wines plus ciders from around the world.
Do
When Sanz isn’t firing up the kitchen, she likes to spend time outdoors, specifically with her Boston terrier pup, Massimo. “When we’re not walking near our home, we love to go to Chaparral Dog Park,” she says. For hiking, she recommends the scenic Pinnacle Peak route and for a run, the Scottsdale Greenbelt. “It’s perfect for a run, walk, or bike ride because the paths are wide and it’s nice when you want to see green grass rather than desert.”
