via Yelp

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with El Santo Cantina + Patio Bar + Restaurant, which will open Friday, May 4 and 11 a.m. next to the Scottsdale Quarter. A fiery combination of cantina, patio bar and restaurant (obviously), El Santo is built around a Mexican resort style pool and is the hottest new concept by the Old Town Group that brought us Stingray Sushi, Jimmy Woo’s, Geisha A Go Go and Spanish Fly.

“We thought it was time to introduce a concept like this to the North Scottsdale area,” said Greg Donnally, owner of El Santo Cantina. “Fun music, food and drinks with a cantina vibe are exactly what the area needs. At El Santo it is Cinco de Mayo 365 days a year!”

El Santo Cantina features a Baja style menu prepared by Executive Chef Tim Fields, formerly of Chelsea’s Kitchen, and combines spicy Mexican flavors in both cuisine and cocktails. Outside, patrons can enjoy the resort style pool and patio with private villas, VIP casitas, Palapa Grande Bar, beautiful flowing waterfall and much more.

As a special treat just before the grand opening, El Santo Cantina + Patio Bar + Restaurant will host VIP parties May 2nd and 3rd to preview the venue and raise money for various Valley charities.

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories of ALL TIME aka last week, just in case you missed them.

March is here and that means it’s time to gear up for another awesome St. Paddy’s Day. Thankfully, the Valley is home to many Irish bars and restaurants, making easy to be near o’ green beer. We’ve ganged up on where to go green and embrace your inner Irish this March 17th. Chug down this year’s St. Paddy’s Day “to go” list below: »READ MORE

March is here and that means it’s time to gear up for another awesome St. Paddy’s Day. Thankfully, the Valley is home to many Irish bars and restaurants, making easy to be near o’ green beer. We’ve ganged up on where to go green and embrace your inner Irish this March 17th. Chug down this year’s St. Paddy’s Day “to go” list below:

Rula Bula – 401 S. Mill Avenue – Free – St. Practice Day is Friday, March 9 with Guiness pint specials beginning at 10:00 pm.

D’Arcy McGee’s – 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway - Free – Located in Tempe Marketplace, D’Arcy’s will be open from bars 6:00 am – 2:00 am. They will have bagpipers, live music, Irish car bomb drink specials for $4.99, Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey specials, and feature Bud Light Green on draft. The party will also be extended to outside in the parking lot and will include giveaways and specials all day long.

Irish Republic Pub – 58 S. San Marcos Place - Cover charge – This popular Chandler pub will be hosting an all day St. Patty’s festival. Taking the party to the streets, Irish Republic will block off an entire street in downtown Chandler. The festival will multiple beer and drink trucks, a full buffet, and popular vendors. For information on tickets, click here. »READ MORE

You would think co-owning multiple premium restaurants (Stingray, Geisha A Go-Go, Jimmy Woo’s and Spanish Fly), dodging controversy with the “Suzi Stingray” ad campaign while being an executive chef would be too much for one person. But some how Chef Andrew Nam manages to do it all and do it well. It’s been almost exactly a year since we’ve checked in with Chef Nam so time to check back in and check out the new ad campaign that’s got the City of Phoenix in a huff. Again.

Managing four restaurants, he’s a busy guy, so let’s do this…

DLT: Where do you find the most inspiration for your cooking? 
Chef Andrew Nam: I love to try traditional ethnic food across all cultures. I find that by tasting the extremes of cultural cooking you can take lighter elements that translate well to the American pallet.

What is your favorite thing about cooking?
Watching someone enjoy one of my creations for the first time. No question.

What’s your favorite meal or snack after a long night of cooking for others?
Sugar, specifically Toffee from Goody Two’s.

How did you get into the culinary arts?
Honestly… I needed a job! »READ MORE

A hungry little North Scottsdale birdie telling us that the Old Town Group, the creators of Scottsdale favorites including Stingray Sushi, Geish-a-Go-Go, Jimmy Woo’s, Spanish Fly and more has a new concept coming to North Scottsdale in the Spring. Not sure what the concept is just yet, but wondering what you would like to see. Give our poll a go-go for what you think is missing in North Scottsdale. Or comment with your insider details on the new project.

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The night before Thanksgiving is usually one of the best nights of the year to hit the town. Everyone is off work the next day, friends and family are in town (or you’re on vacation out of town), bars are open late, and no one wants to sit around the house watching the turkey thaw out.

Here’s a roundup of some spots around the Valley getting your Turkey Day festivities off to an early start:

‘Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving Celebration at Montelucia 
Both hotel guests and locals are invited to the celebration in the courtyard featuring music by Elvis Before Noon from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. The event is from 5 p.m. to midnight and the entry fee is $5 per person with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the 100 Club of Arizona, supporting families of fallen law enforcement and public safety officers.

You can also skip over to the Montelucia’s MBar for drink specials from 4 to 8 p.m.
»READ MORE

Sushi, Scottsdale and Sumo have become unanimous with the opening of Stingray Sushi’s newest location on South Street at Scottsdale Quarter. Yes, you read that right, sumo wrestlers and sushi. What else would you expect from the Japanese pop-culture loving Stingray?

Considering this is the first sushi restaurant to open in the area in over 10 years, it is fitting that they do something BIG. Over 1,000 pounds of big to be exact, as three World Champion Sumo Wrestlers gave a demonstration Sunday and Monday to stunned shoppers. This was the kick-off of five VIP events in two days to celebrate the new location, and along with multiple job fairs for their various concepts (Stingray Sushi, Spanish Fly, Jimmy Woo’s and Geisha A Go Go), the Old Town Group continues to expand. This time it’s in North Scottsdale’s quickly growing hot spot.

Known for their out-of-the-box sushi combinations and killer happy hour, (seriously if you haven’t been, it’s awesome) the contemporary, high energy Japanese restaurant will open it’s third location to the public today. With signature dishes such as Chilean Sea Bass and specialty rolls, including the Lollipop Roll (Stingray’s chef Andrew Nam is credited with it’s invention) and Godzilla Roll, along with a complete list of sakes and cocktails, you’d be crazy to not stop in.

So raise your chopsticks at the newest location of Stingray Sushi. As they say, ‘It’s the Way of the Ray.’

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

There is no need to venture far if your trying to relax, resort style. We all know Scottsdale is the ultimate party scene whether your looking for a night-life destination or a raging day-time pool party. We’ve got a list of this season’s hot spots that are sure to attract the most chiseled socialites out there and get this summer into full-swing. Find out where after the jump! »READ MORE

There is no need to venture far if your trying to relax, resort style. We all know Scottsdale is the ultimate party scene whether your looking for a night-life destination or a raging day-time pool party. We’ve got a list of this season’s hot spots that are sure to attract the most chiseled socialites out there and get this summer into full-swing. Find out where after the jump! »READ MORE

Dispute Over Lease Led Barrio Cantina to Shutter in Northeast Phoenix [AZ Central]

Weekend Party Pics: Spanish Fly, Mabel’s On Main, First Friday & More [Phx New Times]

Hillary Clinton Edited Out of Iconic Photo [Yahoo]

After virtually (get it?) depriving you of food last week, this week’s Chow Down run-down is looking to ease you back into the wonderful world of food porn by going veggie. Well, that is if you discount the mass of meatheads that are oiling up to venture down to The Old Town Group’s job fair happening right now, but we digress. Get your fibrous fill of delicious meatless eats after the jump.  »READ MORE

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

While we we’re sad to see the Tiki-tastic Drift Lounge close in Scottsdale, we have to admit this new party pool looks pretty cool. Check out this new pic from Spanish Fly, the new Mexican Beach Resort coming to Old Town (only without the whole resort part).

Click here to learn more, and until then, keep your shirt on.

(Check out a pic of the completed pool after the jump.)

Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention? I’ve just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. And I need all of you to stop what you’re doing and listen … Cannonball!

What we think Mr. Burgundy was trying to say is, day drinking in Downtown Scottsdale is about to get got a lot cooler (pool-er?) with the opening of Spanish Fly. Carved out of the old Drift Polynesian Lounge, the owners recently wrapped up a multi-million dollar renovation that transformed this former tiki bar into a sleek, sexy slice of Baja beach resort, including a shimmering swimming pool. That said, the only rooms here are poolside cabanas filled with daybeds, and the only body of water will be the hardbodies in the water. Hey-o!

»READ MORE

While we were sad to see the Tiki-tastic Drift Lounge close in Scottsdale, we have to admit this new party pool looks pretty cool. Check out this new pic from Spanish Fly, the new Mexican Beach Resort coming to Old Town (only without the whole resort part).

Click here to learn more, and until then, keep your shirt on.

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME  (aka last week)… just in case you missed it.

Do you feel uncomfortable in clothes? Do you feel the need to constantly walk around with your shirt off? Sounds like you’ll be right at home at the new Spanish Fly in Scottsdale. Described as a posh Mexican beach resort (without the resort, but including an expansive pool deck), starting tomorrow the soon-to-open Fly will be holding a “bathing suit optional” audition for bartenders, cocktail waitresses and, wait for it, lifeguards. Click here for all the information, but most important – show up between 11 am – 7 pm, & look hot. Yeah, that’s pretty much it. For inspiration, see the above photo or just watch a Girls Gone Wild vid. Also, our phone calls regarding Sheriff Joe’s pending audition have remained unreturned.

Do you feel uncomfortable in clothes? Do you feel the need to constantly walk around with your shirt off? Sounds like you’ll be right at home at the new Spanish Fly in Scottsdale. Described as a posh Mexican beach resort (without the resort, but including an expansive pool deck), starting tomorrow the soon-to-open Fly will be holding a “bathing suit optional” audition for bartenders, cocktail waitresses and, wait for it, lifeguards. Click here for all the information, but most important – show up between 11 am – 7 pm, & look hot. Yeah, that’s pretty much it. For inspiration, see the above photo or just watch a Girls Gone Wild vid. Also, our phone calls regarding Sheriff Joe’s pending audition have remained unreturned.

As the executive chef/co-owner of some of the Valley’s most stylish restaurants (Stingray, Geisha A Go-Go, Jimmy Woo’s and the all-new Spanish Fly) Andrew Nam obviously knows how to please the see-and-be-seen crowd. However, this Chicago transplant is more than just a master of pretty presentations. One of the first chefs to combine classic Japanese ingredients and techniques with bold Latin flavors, Nam also created the now ubiquitous lollipop roll (a seaweed- and rice-free roll where the fish and other ingredients are wrapped in sliced cucumber and then skewered on a wooden stick). Read more after the jump.

»READ MORE

Spanish Fly Lounge Taking over Drift Site in Scottsdale [AZ Central]

AZ Named One of the Nation’s Eight Worst Real Estate Markets [Yahoo]

Gabrielle Giffords Is Playing With an iPad [Gawker]

Through this Saturday, drop by Iruña in Downtown Scottsdale as a collection of award-winning chefs honor Spain’s famed Tomatina Festival