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Wood-Fired Pizzas And Puccia Bread Steal The Show At This Upscale Eatery

Step into Scottsdale Fashion Square and suddenly find yourself transported to the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, where coastal Italian cuisine meets desert sophistication in the most unexpected way.

Élephante Scottsdale represents the highly anticipated second location of Santa Monica’s beloved coastal Italian hotspot, brought to Arizona by the renowned Wish You Were Here Group.

Every single detail of this 12,000-square-foot space has been custom-designed to recreate the breezy, organic feel of Italy’s Pantelleria and Aeolian Islands – from the imported travertine tiles to the bespoke furniture and handpicked artwork.

The result feels like discovering a hidden Mediterranean oasis in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, where wood-fired pizzas and signature cocktails create an escape that’s both familiar and wonderfully surprising.

Signature Coastal Italian Cuisine

Whipped Eggplant & Puccia: The restaurant’s most famous dish combines their signature whipped eggplant (think elevated babaganoush) with oversized, cloud-like puccia bread from Italy’s Puglia region.

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Dripping in olive oil and lighter than air, this shareable starter has become legendary among diners and sets the tone for the entire experience.

Wood-Fired Pizzas: Made with long-fermented dough and a 30-year-old starter, these pizzas achieve the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication.

The margherita showcases classic perfection, while creative options like the pizza with hot honey add unexpected flavor dimensions that keep you coming back.

House-Made Pastas: Every strand is crafted in-house, from the richly decadent tagliatelle tartufo brimming with fresh truffle to the beloved vodka sauce canestri with hints of mascarpone.

The cacio e pepe delivers Roman comfort food perfection, while the ricotta cavatelli with pork fennel sausage ragù offers hearty satisfaction.

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Hamachi Carpaccio: This elegant starter showcases the restaurant’s commitment to high-quality, sustainably-sourced seafood. The delicate preparation and fresh flavors exemplify the coastal Italian approach to letting premium ingredients shine.

Grilled White Shrimp: Bathed in garlic-herb butter, these perfectly cooked shrimp capture the essence of Mediterranean coastal dining. The dish balances simplicity with sophisticated flavor development.

Elevated Cocktail Program

The Élephante: The namesake cocktail combines passion fruit, almond orgeat, and Calabrian chili for a complex drink that’s both familiar and adventurous. You can pair it with your choice of spirits, making each order a personalized experience.

Espresso Martinis: Multiple variations include lavender with vodka, cinnamon with reposado tequila, and mocha with mezcal. As a unique touch, you can add custom pictures printed in coffee ink right on top of your cocktail – Instagram gold that tastes as good as it looks.

Draft Cocktails: Made in-house using a centrifuge, the crystal-clear sparkling Paloma looks like sparkling water but delivers full cocktail complexity. This innovative approach creates visual intrigue while maintaining flavor integrity.

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Bird of a Feather: This sophisticated blend features gin, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot Rosolio, earl grey tea, and sparkling water. It perfectly captures the Mediterranean coastal vibe in liquid form.

Bar Bambino Secret Lounge

Hidden Cocktail Experience: Step through the curtain entryway to discover Scottsdale’s most exclusive cocktail lounge, featuring a sleek curved bronze-scallop bar beneath a central chandelier and retro mirrored ceiling.

This sophisticated space operates as a hidden gem within the already impressive restaurant.

Live DJ & Atmosphere: Every night brings live DJ sets that create an intimate party atmosphere without overwhelming conversation. The carefully curated playlist features deep house and contemporary beats that complement the sophisticated cocktail program.

Tableside Cocktail Cart Service: This elevated experience brings classic martini service directly to your table, complete with premium add-ons and theatrical presentation that transforms cocktail ordering into dinner entertainment.

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Exclusive Beverage Menu: Bar Bambino offers unique cocktails, elevated wines by the glass, and featured champagnes not available in the main dining room, creating an VIP experience for those in the know.

Design & Atmosphere

Mediterranean Desert Fusion: The space brilliantly combines imported travertine tiles, lush desert plants, and coastal Italian design elements. Large banquettes perfect for group dining create intimacy within the expansive 345-seat space, including 60 covered patio seats.

Indoor-Outdoor Flow: The patio seamlessly extends the Mediterranean experience outdoors, allowing diners to enjoy Scottsdale’s perfect weather while maintaining the coastal Italian ambiance through thoughtful design and desert-appropriate landscaping.

Other Considerations

Premium Pricing: Most small plates start around $16–$18, wood-fired pizzas range from $22–$28, house-made pastas cost $24–$32, and cocktails average $16–$22, reflecting the upscale ingredients and sophisticated Mediterranean experience.

Reservation Essential: This hotspot books up quickly, especially for weekend dinners and Bar Bambino access. OpenTable reservations are strongly recommended, though walk-ins might find bar seating during slower periods.

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Élephante Scottsdale
📍 7014 E Camelback Rd, Suite 601, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Writer: Julie Moretti
Click to read bio

Julie is a freelance writer who fell in love with Arizona’s desert beauty after moving to Phoenix for a marketing job over a decade ago. She now spends her weekends hiking in the mountains, exploring quirky roadside attractions, and tracking down the best Mexican food around Tucson.