Cala Scottsdale
Mediterranean restaurant · Scottsdale ·
Mediterranean eats, pizza, seafood, and a patio for dining
Mediterranean eats, pizza, seafood, and a patio for dining
"Located at the bottom of the Senna House hotel, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, Cala comes from chef Beau MacMillan and executive chef Clinton Lomayma. The modern vibe — plants dripping from the ceiling and soft macrame pieces on the walls — pairs well with the food, a take on coastal cuisines found around the Mediterranean. The wide-ranging menu caters well to groups sharing dishes and sipping drinks before heading out to cruise neighboring Old Town Scottsdale. Think charcuterie boards, whipped ricotta, and a sausage-and-peppers pizza with vodka sauce. But look beyond the basics to find a Peruvian scallop crudo with banana-mango aguachile and smoky chopped peanut sauce, harissa-glazed salmon, and tamarind braised lamb shank. The upbeat music and boisterous crowds on a Saturday evening are ideal to get things going." - Asonta Benetti
"That friend who always knows the trendiest spots will find any excuse to celebrate something—anything—at Cala. There’s a party brunch atmosphere with matcha sours and flaming saganaki that will torch any eyebrows that get too close. But it’s also one of the best things on the menu, so it’s worth the fire hazard. Waiters deliver sparkler-topped drinks like rush hour traffic while DJ sets thump in the background on the open-air misted patio. After enjoying the Mediterranean mezze platter and a couple of cucumber vodka cocktails, you’ll have the courage to play tipsy Marco Polo at the Senna House rooftop pool." - lauren topor
"That friend who always knows the trendiest spots will find any excuse to celebrate something—anything—at Cala. There’s a party brunch atmosphere with matcha sours and flaming saganaki that will torch any eyebrows that get too close. But it’s also one of the best things on the menu, so it’s worth the fire hazard. Waiters deliver sparkler-topped drinks like rush hour traffic while DJ sets thump in the background on the open-air misted patio. After enjoying the Mediterranean mezze platter and a couple of cucumber vodka cocktails, you’ll have the courage to play tipsy Marco Polo at the Senna House rooftop pool." - Lauren Topor
"Located in the area known as Forum, near the Parque de Las Ciencias, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit, as it is quite intimate (four tables) and offers a contemporary interior. Its cuisine, typical of an updated traditional culinary style that always celebrates local seasonal products, pays homage to both French (the chef, Samuel Hernández, is of French origin), Portuguese (because of his mother) and Spanish (because of his father) recipes. The menu, which is reinvented once a year, is supported by a tasting menu. Interesting facts: They only offer two dessert options, so you have to choose between the Assortment of French cheeses or the Chocolate and citrus, their particular tribute to the prestigious chef Michel Bras." - Michelin Inspector
"Cala might look like just another trendy hot spot, but in reality, it’s much more than that with a simple-yet-delicious menu imagined by Arizona culinary icon Beau Macmillan. Sip the aptly named Mez-Cala made with mezcal, green chili vodka, lime juice, prickly pear, and ginger topped with aquafaba (chickpea liquid foam), while snacking on a pizza for the ultimate casual dinner or light lunch. Plus, its aesthetic dining room and patio make it the perfect backdrop for photos." - Jamie Phillis