Scottsdale’s new establishment The Saguaro Hotel may be Arizona’s freshest and most vibrant place for a weekend respite. More destination than staycation, the hotel, which was designed by New York-based architectures Stamberg Aferiat, is a vivid tribute to the colorful sights and animated settings of the Southwest, with a color palette of tangerine, buttery yellow, magenta and bright, rich green. If the atmosphere and welcoming spa isn’t enough to bring you out, however, perhaps the restaurants will – most notably, modern Mexican eatery Distrito, the sibling of Iron Chef’s Jose Garces’ celebrated Philadelphia dig of the same name.
Stemming from the hotel’s southwestern shades, the delicious interior design of Distrito is energetic and contemporary, based upon the brilliant, spirited hues of Mexican culture. Designer Jun Aizaki, who hailed from Brooklyn, New York’s Crème Design Collective, was inspired by the landscapes of the region and created the restaurant’s interior to feel both traditional and fresh. A colorful skull feature by the lobby entrance, for example, is celebratory of Mexico’s Day of the Dead; a backlit resin bar counter with butterfly embeds, a mosaic felt ball feature wall resembling bright gumballs and a woven flat elastic screen wall at the banquettes are novel, modern and invigorating. Clothespin chandeliers and table tops sprinkled with pink and gold glitter add a further funky edge to the restaurant’s style. Guests can order Hamachi tacos fresh off the skillet, a variety of Barbacoa, margaritas from over 100 varieties of tequila at the margarita bar and the tortilla and guacamole station, where tortillas are made-to-order on a quilted stainless steel food-vendor-style post, are authentically delicious by chef’s design.
Distrito at The Saguaro | 4000 Drinkwater Boulevard | Scottsdale, AZ | 480-970-4444
Wake up and smell the salsa! At least, you’ll be able to on today, January 27, when 
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