This award-winning chef is opening 5 restaurants at 'a premier destination' in Phoenix

Celebrity chef Alex Stratta is a James Beard award winner, recipient of two Michelin stars and an Iron Chef competitor. So the Valley was abuzz when he partnered with Genuine Concepts to open Campo Italian Restaurant and Bar in Scottsdale in January 2022.

Now, less than a year after opening the concept, he's taking on an even bigger project. Stratta is overseeing the creation of the dining program at the luxurious Fairmont Phoenix, which is slated to open in 2025, as chief culinary director .

Stratta’s experience in Phoenix ranges from opening the casual Stratta’s Kitchen to working at some of the Valley’s top resorts, such as The Phoenician, Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia and the Arizona Biltmore. But this position poses a unique challenge in that he is creating a restaurant before it's even built.

For him, that's also the most exciting part.

"You get to develop a menu from the ground up and make sure you have the exact kitchen you need for it," he said.

"I believe that Phoenix Downtown has made so much progress. By the time 2025 comes around, it will be a thriving environment and we’ll be the premier location downtown."

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What will the Fairmont restaurant and bar concepts be?

The hotel will have five restaurants.

The signature restaurant will be an elegant, yet approachable Italian coastal steakhouse with multi-course dinner service and a premium beverage and wine list.

The cantina will offer poolside lunch, cocktails, dinner and a late-night club environment. Its menu will focus on Mexican food with a wide selection of seafood plates, house made tortillas and an extensive cocktail menu along with a wide selection of beers, mezcals, tequilas and Mexican wines.

The lobby and pool bars will offer breakfast and lunch menus with a focus on Italian classics plus sandwiches, burgers and salads.

For an even more intimate experience, an exclusive speakeasy-style bar will offer a curated beverage menu and cold items like caviar.

'I want us to be a premier destination within a destination'

Sommelier Erik Segelbaum has partnered with Stratta to develop the beverage program.

"I like to imagine that Alex is the movie producer and I am creating the musical score," said Segelbaum in a news release. "The beverage program will be the perfectly mastered soundtrack to harmonize with the overall culinary experience. For me, luxury is all about having options, so there will be thoughtful and sensible variety that encourages guests’ sense of discovery."

"We want to be part of the community and establish Phoenix Downtown as a destination, not only for nightclubs, but dining," Stratta said. "And I want us to be the premier destination within that destination."

Details: fairmontresidencesphoenix.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Downtown Phoenix will welcome 5 new concepts from chef Alex Stratta