Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » Katarina Kovacevic

Feel the Love in Scottsdale this Valentine’s Day

Katarina Kovacevic — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:14:17 +0000

Muddle it up with loved ones this Valentine’s Day at deseo at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Join master mixologist Gerardo Mendoza on Feb. 10 for a special Muddle Drink Making session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. You’ll leave with a recipe and new skills to impress! Or, give your body and soul a little TLC with Agave Spa’s Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes therapy. During the entire month of February, pay $169 and choose any three of the following 25-minute treatments: Feel the Love rose facial treatment; Neck, Back and Shoulders massage; Chocolate Foot Therapy; and Scalp Therapy.

Sweet Basil Gourmetware & Cooking School is hosting two themed cooking classes in February. The first, Valentine Tea, is scheduled for Feb. 6 and on the menu are dill cream puffs stuffed with lemon shrimp salad, turkey and cranberry chutney tea sandwiches, blueberry scones with lemon curd and more. Dinner and Romance on Feb. 11 teaches you how to prepare a lovely dinner for two featuring garlic mustard-grilled beef tenderloin as the main dish. Classes are $50 per person.

Downtown Scottsdale eatery Estate House invites you to savor the decadence of the romantic holiday on Feb. 14 with its All Chocolate amuse bouche and three-course, pre fixe menu. The special is $75 per person and features toasted coriander seared Ahi tuna with milk chocolate chipotle glaze, black cherry smoked duck breast in a dark chocolate demi and peanut white chocolate bark for dessert.

Celebrating the summer solstice in Scottsdale

Katarina Kovacevic — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:48:46 +0000

The astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the June solstice and, depending on the year, the start of summer lands on either June 20 or 21. This year, June 21 marks the official date of the changing season, but Scottsdale – and other cities who call the Mountain and Pacific time zones home – are kicking off the lazy days of summer a day earlier. States along the Western coast greet the season a day before the rest of the country because of their position on the earth – the same will ring true again in 2013.

So why not commemorate the start of summer in Scottsdale and gloat to your friends about enjoying the BBQ’s, extended daylight hours, and laidback afternoons by the pool a whole day longer than they will?

Turrell Skyspace Sunrise Viewing
Experience a rare sunrise viewing inside the awareness-enhancing experiential skyspace (titled Knight Rise) at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Created by internationally acclaimed artist James Turrell, the work engenders an amazing sense of zen-like quietude and focus and is especially meant to be seen during the sky’s moments of dramatic flux, at sunrise and sunset. Doors open at 4:45 a.m. and sunrise is at 5:19 a.m.

Paolo Soleri’s 90th Birthday
Scottsdale Public Art is hosting a special celebration on the Marshall Way Bridge in downtown Scottsdale for renowned architect, artist and cultural icon Paolo Soleri. The event, which will celebrate Soleri’s 90th birthday, also will be a chance for the public to view renderings of the future Soleri Bridge and Plaza, the world’s first bridge designed and constructed by Soleri. The bridge and plaza will be a signature cultural destination for Scottsdale and one of the most important works ever created by Soleri. Final construction plans for the project will be complete this fall.

A Breath of Fresh Air for Your Skin at the W Scottsdale’s Bliss Spa

Katarina Kovacevic — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:03:03 +0000

The Triple Oxygen Facial at the W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences‘ Bliss Spa is one of the spa’s most famous – and red carpet-revered – facials with celebrities like Molly Sims singing its praises. The all-around complexion reviver starts with an intensive cleansing before exfoliating dull skin with a fruit acid wash. Next comes the pre-extraction oxygen wrap that will leave your skin tingling before the calming milk mask relaxes pores. Topping off the treatment is the hydrating enzyme pack followed by a “vitaminized” oxygen spray. It’s a breath of fresh air for your skin! Voted “Best Spa Treatment” by London’s Sunday Times Stylefor two years running, the Triple Oxygen Facial is perfect for pre- or post-party and spells salvation for sapped, stressed, or seriously traveled skin.

After the revitalizing treatment, guests can take advantage of the spa’s amenities like the grass-tiled steam showers, saunas, sink-side soap sampling or, my personal favorite, the spa snacks that are stacked with treats like olives, cheese, fruit and Bliss Spa’s legendary brownie buffet. You’ll also want to check out the spa’s retail selection where relaxation-lovers will find everything they’ll need to pamper themselves at home.

Festival ArtWalk is “A Glass Act”

Katarina Kovacevic — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:02:01 +0000

Scottsdale is throwing a joint celebration for two of its longest-running arts events – the Scottsdale ArtWalk and the 39th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival. Together, the events are presenting the Glass Act Festival ArtWalk on Thursday, March 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Scottsdale. The Arts Festival kicks off the following day and runs through March 22 on the nearby grounds of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

A Glass Act will feature more than a dozen top glass artists from the Scottsdale Arts District galleries and this year’s Arts Festival. Those featured include Lisa Chernoff at Occasions! by Design, Kathleen Doherty in the Textures Gallery at artspace, Carole Perry at Duley Jones Gallery, Tsunami glasswork at LeKae gallery and more. In addition to the special ArtWalk event, the Desert Botanical Garden will partner with Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours to offer guests a half-day glass art tour for $65 which includes a behind-the-scenes look into the stunning Chihuly: The Nature of Glass exhibit in the Garden followed by exclusive receptions with glass artists at three of downtown Scottsdale’s prominent galleries. The tour will take place on March 19 from 1 to 7 p.m. and include transportation.

A Glass Act Festival ArtWalk also will boast a diverse musical lineup including the eclectic Watershade, folk-rocker Jeordie, jazz by Actual Proof Trio, original classical pianist Elijah Bossenbroek and the Soliloquies singer-songwriter area with some of ArtWalk’s favorite street performers. Guests also can sample great tastes from culinary sponsors like Café Carumba, Icelandic Glacial Waters, Malee’s Thai on Main and more.

International Taste Comes to Scottsdale With Three New Dining Hotspots

Katarina Kovacevic — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:50:59 +0000

Flavors from across the globe have set their sights on Scottsdale, bringing two new restaurants to the city and one more on the horizon.

Modern Mexican fare mixes with a casual-chic setting at Blanco Tacos + Tequila where the house specialty beef enchiladas will have you scraping your plate. Other updated classics like tacos and queso crisps are reinterpreted with fresh and flavorful ingredients, and the bar offers selections of wine, beer and nearly 30 premium tequilas. For more information, visit www.foxrc.net.

Moving a bit further south on the world dining map, Fogo de Chão brings a taste of southern Brazil to Scottsdale – steakhouse style. The traditional churrascaria features authentic gaucho chefs who roast seasoned meats over an open flame in addition to a gourmet salad bar boasting more than 30 cheeses and vegetables. It’s also home to an award-winning wine list and authentic Brazilian drinks.

Samurai Cowboy will mix the bustling cosmopolitan lifestyle of Tokyo with the conventional cooking of rural Japan – all in downtown Scottsdale! Following Japanese tradition, the restaurant will include a robata grill for cooking seafood and meat in addition to a custom sushi bar where guests can watch chefs create the meals. The restaurant is scheduled to open in mid 2009.

Las Noches de las Luminarias

Katarina Kovacevic — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:00:30 +0000

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new fan of Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden, make sure you get over there this holiday season. For more than 30 years, the event has been a must-see Scottsdale tradition but its combination with the whimsical Chihuly: The Nature of Glass exhibit has elevated the renowned event to a whole new level.

The Garden is brought to new life with the juxtaposition of natural Sonoran Desert tones and vibrant hues of the glass pieces. Picture-perfect contrasts make the Garden a photographers dream and in addition to the standard exhibits, the event boasts a wide variety of entertainment at various stops in the trail. From harp players to fiddlers, the Garden is energized with melodic holiday sounds and sights. Guests can nosh on treats provided by Fabulous Food Catering, sample wines, or delight in a warm cup of cocoa or apple cider. It’s a great place to pick up some last-minute holiday gifts, too!