Famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten recently rolled through Scottsdale to take part in the James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour. Beforehand, we sat down with this French-born culinary superstar inside his J&G Steakhouse atop The Phoenician resort to talk about James Beard, his favorite foods and the restaurant with the finest Valley views. (Hint: It has Jean-Georges initials in it.)

Aside from the James Beard event, what brings you to Scottsdale?

To check in [at J&G Steakhouse], make sure everything is up to par, as well as make a few changes to the menu. Now that we have been open for a year, it’s a good time to evaluate the menu. Everyone has their favorite items at certain restaurants; they will go to this restaurant for this and that restaurant for that, we all do it. So you have to be very careful about taking someone’s favorite off the menu.

So what’s your favorite menu item?

Personally, I really enjoy the tuna tartare. And of course the meats are all top quality. But I think it’s the condiments and sides that set us apart. We put a lot of thought into them.

How long have you been involved with the James Beard Foundation?

For a long time now. I was first invited to cook at the James Beard House in 1986 or 87. That was before I had opened my own restaurant, and was still cooking at the (now defunct) Lafayette Restaurant at the Hotel Drake.

What was that first experience like? I hear the James Beard House kitchen is very small.

Well, it’s a brownstone in the middle of Manhattan, and it hasn’t changed much at all since James Beard lived there. It’s like cooking in a museum and yes there’s not a lot of room, so it can be very challenging. But it’s a fantastic way to get your name out there, especially for chefs from outside of New York.

Growing up in western France, when did you become aware of James Beard and his influence on American cuisine?

I first learned about James Beard in Boston, which was my first stop in the U.S. But it wasn’t until I moved to New York that I really learned about his influence here. Today, the Foundation has really become a big deal in the food industry. The awards are like the Oscars for us.

So what’s next your next project?

As part of my relationship with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, I will be opening Kauai Grill at a new resort in Hawaii. We’ll serve lots of local fish and vegetables. We call it vacation food. And then I’ll open a second J&G, called J&G Grill, inside a new ski resort in Deer Valley.

Speaking of J&G, what inspired you to take over the former Mary Elaine’s space at The Phoenician?

It’s really a beautiful space. Mary Elaine’s was great for its time, but it was time for a change. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out. But it’s really about the view. It’s the best view in town, no?

Related posts:

1. Scottsdale Culinary News – Spring 2009
2. The Phoenician Tees up Great Value for Resort Guests and Local Residents With Summer Golf Package
3. Spotlight on a Local Golf Pro: a Look at Michael Lamanna of the Phoenician

The Big Pour, Nov. 12-14, will offer a Saturday “Fan” ticket @ $50 specifically for Norm fans that includes:

• Meet & greet with George
• Signed Copy of his book “Drinking With George”
• 15 Pours from a selection of hundreds of craft beers
• Everclear Concert

In true spirit of the occasion, George said: “Hope they have a warm barstool for me…plenty of copies my new book and I’m ready to throw some down with Big Pour fans in Scottsdale.”

Wendt, who graces DRAFT Magazine’s November/December cover, will enjoy The Big Pour with other patrons, experiencing a beer lover’s adventure with hundreds of craft beers from breweries across the globe, never before in Arizona.

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Activities at the 2009 Crave Arizona event include the “Taste of Art” ArtWalk (a special version of the normal Thursday evening Scottsdale ArtWalk), “Taste of Art” Gallery Dinners, National Bartender Competition & Crave Arizona Kick-Off Party, Library Wine Tasting Series, BBQs & Bubbles and the The Arizona Grand Tasting . The days are filled with food and wine tastings, seminars, discussions, appearances by famous chefs and more.  Click here for a full event schedule.

Join us for the 2nd Annual Crave Arizona Food & Wine Festival held on the Bridge at the Scottsdale Waterfront and throughout downtown Scottsdale.   Visit www.CraveArizona.com for more information and to purchase tickets to this exciting culinary event!

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Tickets must be purchased before 12am Arizona time zone, 8/13/2009.

Crave Arizona highlights local chefs, artisans, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences found only in Arizona.

The schedule includes exquisite dinners, cooking demonstrations, competitions,

educational seminars,
epicurean adventures and celebrity chef sightings!

More information online at www.CraveArizona.com or call 888-946-3277.

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Chef Gio Osso of the Estate House Restaurant prepares pan-roasted Irsh organic salmon and potatoes. The Estate House welcomes you home with new American cuisine and classic comforts to refresh the spirit. One of downtown Scottsdale’s favorite restaurants, Estate House invites you to an unforgettable dining experience complete with LIVE entertainment in the Upstairs lounge. Estate House Restaurant and Lounge is located in downtown Scottsdale in the greater Phoenix area, Arizona.

More about Estate House.

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These hand selected wines from South Africa and Napa Valley come highly rated from Robert Parker and Wine Spectator. Swirl, Sip, Savor as many as you’d like!

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We are giving away two sets of two tickets to the Phoenix Cooks event on September 05, 2009. The event is held at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. Entering our giveaway is quick and easy. Here are the two methods:

Facebook
Visit our facebook fan page and become a fan. Then visit this discussion topic and tell us your favorite place to dine in Scottsdale and why. The winner will be randomly chosen from all posts on August 26th and tickets will be mailed out on the 27th.

Twitter
Retweet the following message and be entered into a giveaway for the second set of tickets. A winner will be randomly chosen from the first 100 retweets or by August 26th – which ever comes first:

RT @scottsdaleaz I want to win 2 tix to the Phoenix Cooks event. Go to Facebook Fan Page for details here: http://bit.ly/rthq3

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When I arrived to the property I was greeted by the friendly folks at the front desk. The lobby has a nice southwest feeling with warm colors. It has a small business center and lounge area, a quick grab ‘n go shop, and even a golf concierge for all your golfing needs.  What’s great about Xona Resort Suites is that you can select how many rooms you need, whether it’s one-, two-, three-, or even four-bedrooms. The majority of the suites have a kitchen is included as well as a living and dining area. Most rooms also include a washer/dryer, which is great for long-term guests. Xona also provides standard rooms too if you choose not to go the suite route (no pun intended). And with four pools to choose from, the property makes it easy to take a nice, cool dip.

I arrived during the lunch hour to try out the Asada Desert Grille, which serves Southwestern-inspired food. For an appetizer, the Pollo Asada Pizza came highly recommended to me, so of course I had to give that a try. It came with marinated grilled chicken mixed with roasted pablano chili, white cheddar and cojito Cheese topped with pico de gallo and homemade guacamole. All of these tasty ingredients were spread over a two-layered flour tortilla. The pizza also came with a sauce (I forgot the name of it) to pour on top or to be used as a dip (is your mouth watering yet?). For my entrée I chose the Smoked Pork Poor Boy. Poor boy aren’t common in Scottsdale but the tender smoked pork seasoned with the restaurant’s own house rub on a bolillo roll topped with jicama slaw sounded too good to pass up. The poor boy was definitely as good as it sounded. The pork was very tender and the jicama slaw made the sandwich very tasty, light, and refreshing.

Overall I had a very pleasant experience at Xona Resort Suites. You too can also experience a wonderful time at Xona. From now until September 7, 2009 Xona is offering an exclusive special through the Experience Scottsdale blog with $59 per bedroom for one, two, three or four bedroom suites.

Other details:
Prepayment not required (which typically is)
$15 daily Resort fee waived.
Subject to applicable taxes

If you’re a local looking for a staycation or even a visitor looking for a great deal, call Xona and book a reservations at 800-989-0147.

Go to www.xonaresort.com for more information on the property.

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