The much-awaited Mediterranean dining destination, Élephante, is making its Arizona debut on December 4th within an exquisitely designed 12,000-square-foot space at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The restaurant opens in the space previously occupied by Crate & Barrel, marking the first expansion outside of Los Angeles for the acclaimed Wish You Were Here Group concept.
Reservations are currently being accepted for the grand opening, with initial service hours running from 4pm to 11pm exclusively for dinner. Lunch service and weekend brunch will roll out in subsequent weeks as the restaurant establishes its operations.
A Mediterranean Escape in the Desert
The concept comes from the Wish You Were Here restaurant group, which has hip eateries in Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas including the original Élephante in Santa Monica, California. The Scottsdale location represents a natural evolution for the brand, bringing coastal Italian sophistication to Arizona’s thriving culinary landscape.
The restaurant’s seasonal, vibrant menus offer guests an authentic Mediterranean experience, featuring signature wood-fired pizzas such as the Burrata and Soppressata varieties. Fresh pasta selections include newly introduced Tortellini Pomodoro alongside the timeless Cacio e Pepe. Sustainably-sourced seafood offerings feature Grilled Octopus and Diver Scallops, while premium meat selections include a 10oz Prime Skirt Steak.
Complementing the culinary offerings is Élephante’s celebrated beverage program, showcasing handcrafted cocktails across multiple formats—shaken, stirred, draft, and frozen variations. The thoughtfully curated wine collection includes four proprietary private-label selections, with a dedicated sommelier providing tableside expertise throughout the evening.
Introducing Bar Bambino: Scottsdale’s Exclusive Addition
Élephante features modern, airy design and Mediterranean cuisine, including plenty of seafood. The cocktail list includes an espresso martini flight, mezcal drinks and fun twists on the classics. Unique to the Arizona location, Élephante will unveil Bar Bambino—an intimate, sophisticated cocktail lounge concealed within the main restaurant space, perfect for late-night libations and small plates.
Opening Saturday, December 7th, Bar Bambino offers a distinct experience from the main dining room. Guests pass through a dramatic curtain entrance to discover an upscale bar environment featuring nightly live DJ performances. The centerpiece is a sleek, curved bronze-scallop bar situated beneath a statement chandelier and retro mirrored ceiling, creating an atmosphere of refined glamour.
Bar Bambino’s beverage menu showcases unique cocktail creations, espresso martini selections, premium wines by the glass, and featured champagnes. An elevated Cocktail Cart Service provides tableside preparation, including classic martinis with optional caviar pairings and freshly shaken cocktails prepared directly at your table.
Signature cocktail offerings include La Bambina, featuring vodka, della sirene rosso, lemon, pear, ginger, blue spirulina, and sparkling water; a Maple Wood Smoked Old Fashioned prepared with Élephante’s private select barrel bourbon, apricot, demerara, angostura, and citrus oils; plus the inventive Deconstructed Bellini. The food menu provides elevated late-night options including Lobster Rolls, Tuna Tartare, Arancini, Caviar Toast, and additional selections.
Design That Transports
Drawing inspiration from its new surroundings, the space will emanate the ambience of a jungle oasis, characterized by towering cacti, lush florals, natural travertine floors and custom-designed furniture throughout. Each Élephante location features bespoke furniture and artisanal details paying homage to its host city.
Restaurateur and Wish You Were Here Group founder Nick Mathers personally designed the Scottsdale space to transport guests to Pantelleria and the Aeolian islands off Sicily’s coast—right in Scottsdale’s heart. “We always aim to make guests feel like they have escaped to somewhere else for a moment,” Mathers explains. “To accomplish this, the space needs to feel authentic. We custom designed every aspect of the space and each piece of furniture in-house. We imported the carrera tile from Italy, and flew in artists from around the world to make the artwork, macramé and tapestries on-site.”
Guests enter through a dramatic archway into a space adorned with hemp artwork suspended from hand-plastered walls and a curated collection of handmade baskets. Set upon marble flooring, the open-air dining area features custom silk tapestries, wall ceramics, and raw cotton artwork. Green marble-topped tables contrast beautifully with wooden furnishings and striking rattan dividers imported from Indonesia. The massive white oak and teak wood bar serves as the room’s focal point, while fold-away glass walls open onto a spacious, plant-filled outdoor dining patio—creating seamless indoor-outdoor flow perfect for Arizona’s climate.
The restaurant’s interior design captures desert elegance while maintaining the organic, relaxed ambiance that defined the original Santa Monica location. Large banquettes accommodate group dining, while the desert-inspired botanical elements—including towering cacti and abundant greenery—create an oasis atmosphere within the urban shopping center setting.
Culinary Excellence Led by Chef Thomas Lim
Chef Thomas Lim will lead the kitchen at Élephante’s Arizona location. A decade ago, Lim made the Zagat “30 Under 30” list, a collection of up-and-coming culinary professionals. As Wish You Were Here Group Chef Partner, Lim brings his produce-driven culinary philosophy to every menu creation.
The menu showcases items like Diver Scallops prepared with citrus butter, caviar, and chives, alongside Whole Lobster Piccata featuring caper brown butter, shallot, garlic, and lemon. “We also expanded the selection of large plates adding dishes like a 20oz Dry-aged Bone-in ribeye,” notes the culinary team.
Exclusive to the Scottsdale location is an expanded dip selection accompanying Élephante’s signature wood-fired puccia—a puffed, soft bread originating from Italy’s Puglia region. Dip varieties include the Santa Monica-famed Whipped Eggplant, Whipped Stracchino, and Burrata with Caviar, providing guests with multiple ways to begin their Mediterranean journey.
An Extensive Beverage Program
The restaurant’s comprehensive beverage program features new creations, signature cocktails, and classic preparations, plus rotating frozen cocktails, communal punch bowls, and thoughtfully crafted mocktails for non-alcoholic preferences.
Menu highlights include The Élephante—the restaurant’s namesake cocktail combining passion fruit, lemon, almond orgeat, Montenegro, and Calabrian chili with the guest’s spirit selection. The Cactus Water blends vodka, lime, watermelon, lavender, and Aperitivo Select, while the White Elephant features reposado tequila, lime, almond orgeat, and spiced pear.
In-house draft cocktails provide crystal-clear, sparkling variations including a Paloma, alongside Espresso Martinis available in multiple formats: lavender with vodka, cinnamon with reposado tequila, or mocha with mezcal. Guests can even personalize their espresso martinis with custom images printed in coffee ink directly atop their cocktail—a unique, Instagram-worthy touch.
The wine program spans every Italian region, featuring four proprietary private-label selections: a Sicilian Pinot Grigio, a California Prosecco-style sparkling wine, a Super Tuscan from Tuscany, and a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir—the latter exclusive to Arizona.
Joining Scottsdale’s Luxury Dining Scen
The eatery joins the likes of Nobu, Toca Madera, Francine and Ocean 44, a growing list of upscale dining offerings at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The restaurant represents part of Macerich’s ongoing luxury redevelopment project for the mall’s south wing, creating a high-end dining destination within the retail environment.
“We are thrilled to bring Élephante to Scottsdale, a city that boasts a stunning landscape and a thriving culinary scene. With its vibrant community that appreciates elevated dining experiences, it’s a favorable market for restaurants, especially in Scottsdale Fashion Square,” said Nick Mathers. “This year, we’re celebrating five years since Élephante opened its doors in Santa Monica, so we feel this is the perfect evolution of our brand.”
The December 4th opening marks a significant milestone for both the Wish You Were Here Group and Scottsdale’s evolving culinary landscape. With its combination of stunning design, exceptional cuisine, comprehensive beverage program, and the exclusive Bar Bambino lounge, Élephante promises to become a cornerstone of luxury dining in the Valley.
Plan Your Visit
Location: Scottsdale Fashion Square, Lower Level South Wing near Nordstrom
Opening Date: December 4, 2024 (Dinner Service)
Bar Bambino Opens: December 7, 2024
Initial Hours: 4pm-11pm (Lunch and brunch service coming soon)
Reservations: Now available
For reservations and additional information, visit the Élephante website or contact the restaurant directly. Group dining and private event inquiries can be directed to the events team.
Whether you’re seeking an intimate dinner for two, a celebration with friends, or late-night cocktails at Bar Bambino, Élephante Scottsdale offers an authentic Mediterranean escape without leaving the desert.