Giada De Laurentiis Is Opening A New Restaurant In Scottsdale. Here's What You Can Expect - Exclusive
Though you may not know it unless you've experienced the Las Vegas culinary scene, Giada De Laurentiis is just as much of a force in the restaurant world as she is in the world of food television. She knows how to make viral-worthy dishes (if you've had her lemon spaghetti, then you get it), and she knows how to leverage mass appeal to a wide audience. Her eponymous restaurant and popular Sin City hot spot is approaching its 10-year anniversary on the Las Vegas strip, and now, De Laurentiis is set to open a second full-service eatery in another heavy tourist destination: Scottsdale, Arizona.
Luna, projected to open in early 2024, will look and feel much like Giada at The Cromwell in Las Vegas, but with its own nuanced flair. While there aren't many details yet, the design and menu are well in the works, and anyone who is a fan of Giada in Vegas — or of the chef herself — should add this destination to their bucket list.
Ahead of the opening, Tasting Table got some inside details. In an exclusive interview, De Laurentiis shared her vision for her upcoming restaurant, including some of the menu ideas in the works that are sure to entertain you as well as please your palate.
Coastal Italy meets West Coast vibes
Scottsdale, Arizona, is home to nearly 250,000 residents and right next door to 1.6 million Phoenix residents. But more importantly, the city sees more than 11 million tourists every year who come to shop, enjoy the sunshine, and eat and drink. Essentially, it's the perfect location for Giada De Laurentiis to expand her restaurant brand, and the chef is excited to bring her signature culinary style to the cosmopolitan hub. "I am very excited about Luna. It will be more coastal Italian than Giada at The Cromwell, but you will still be able to find some of our signature items there," she told us. (Here's hoping that means the lemon spaghetti.)
De Laurentiis described Luna as an "indoor-outdoor California-inspired Italian concept" to AZ Central — think lots of fresh ingredients, shareable plates, pasta, and a great wine selection. The dining room will reportedly feature large glass windows and sweeping views of the surrounding desert, including Camelback Mountain. Visitors may also expect artwork and other elements, as De Laurentiis suggested to Tasting Table that "our goal is to activate the dining room and bring it to life through creative service." What is certain to be present is an enticing, carefully crafted presentation on every plate.
The chef also said that she wants the dining experience to be exactly that for guests: an experience. "We are also putting a heavy focus on tableside presentations," said De Laurentiis. That means diners will be able to feast their eyes before actually feasting on offerings like "tableside mozzarella and tableside cacio e pepe." At the end of the day, Luna intends to be a perfect representation of De Laurentiis herself — a laid-back Italian-meets-California atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy yourself while indulging in great food and wine.
See the latest from Giada De Laurentiis by following her on Instagram.