William Teauge
Google
As someone who plans entire trips around food — the kind of person who’ll drive hours for the right loaf of bread — I don’t say this lightly: Source completely blew me away.
The moment I walked in, I was greeted by the bright scent of fresh citrus and warm, just-baked bread. Behind the counter stood Chef Jonathan, juicing beautiful organic lemons with the calm precision of a craftsman. He looked up, flashed a smile, and in his easy Southern drawl made me feel instantly welcome.
From that first moment, Jonathan’s hospitality rivaled that of Michelin-star restaurants. He didn’t just take an order — he guided me through the menu like someone who truly lives and breathes food. His descriptions were rich with detail: where the ingredients came from, how they were prepared, and how to find the perfect dish for my mood.
When I asked about his background, I understood why he spoke with such authority. Jonathan isn’t just a manager — he’s a seasoned chef and operator, with a career that reads like a culinary roadmap. He spent years running kitchens and restaurants for RA Sushi and Kona Grill, and served as Chef Tournant at Uchi Scottsdale, sister to Tyson Cole’s James Beard Award-winning Uchi Austin. That kind of pedigree doesn’t just show up in technique — it shows in every ounce of passion, precision, and pride he brings to the guest experience.
When my food arrived, I was floored. The quality and flavor were exquisite — the kind of balance, purity, and depth you expect from fine dining, but without the formality or the price tag. The Mary’s Farm chicken was meltingly tender, perfectly seasoned, and absolutely beautiful on the plate. The wild-caught shrimp from the Sea of Cortez tasted of the ocean — sweet, briny, and bright. Every bite spoke of care and respect for the ingredients.
When I asked Jonathan about the inspiration behind Source, he smiled and said, “That’s all Chef Claudio,” before pointing toward the back, where Chef Claudio Urciuoli was tending the ovens.
Chef Claudio Urciuoli, born and trained in Italy, is the visionary behind Source. He previously owned the acclaimed Pa’La, one of Arizona’s most respected restaurants, known for its wood-fired Mediterranean cooking and uncompromising approach to quality. Claudio’s career includes helping build La Brea Bakery alongside Nancy Silverton (yes — the Mozza and James Beard Award legend) and earning his own James Beard nomination. His dedication to simplicity, seasonality, and authentic craftsmanship is the heartbeat of Source.
Thanks to Claudio’s lifelong relationships with Italian producers and local artisans, Source features ingredients that would feel right at home in a three-star Michelin kitchen — Italian flours milled to order, single-estate olive oils, and produce sourced from Arizona’s top farms. Jonathan explained that many of these products simply aren’t available anywhere else in the U.S., which makes the experience here almost surreal — world-class ingredients, served humbly and accessibly.
And that’s the true magic of Source: fine dining quality at neighborhood prices. Every plate reflects the rigor of chefs who could easily be working in elite tasting rooms, but who’ve chosen instead to bring that level of excellence to a local counter.
As I finished my meal, Jonathan stopped by once more — not just to check in, but to genuinely connect. His warmth, humility, and clear love of service tied everything together.
Source is what happens when culinary mastery meets true hospitality. It’s run by people who love what they do, and who make every guest feel like part of something special.
To Chef Claudio Urciuoli, the Italian-born visionary — bravo for bringing this level of quality to the community.
And to Chef Jonathan, whose skill as both chef and operator makes the whole place hum — thank you for one of the best meals (and experiences) I’ve had in years.
In short: Source delivers Michelin-level cooking, heartfelt service, and the best value you’ll find anywhere. Go now — before the secret gets out.