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Another distinguishing element of
Trattoria M is the “Chef’s
Table,” a concept Chef Michael
pioneered in
Phoenix that
is a truly fun dining experience in a
private room encased in glass. One wall of
this private room provides a glimpse into
the kitchen where culinarians will be hard
at work. The Chef’s Table is Chef Michael
DeMaria’s signature dining room in which he
plans
personally to create exquisite
individualized
four-course menus for each night.
The lounge
bar, at the restaurant’s entrance, will
feature a more casual dining experience.
Set against an aged brick wall, the bar is
conveniently located next to an antipasto
bar. Restaurant patrons can easily meander
to the antipasto bar and place orders as
they watch an experienced chef making fare
that will feature
freshly made cuisine from grilled
shrimp and white bean salad to pesto
crostinis and mozzarella.
Next door,
Chef Michael and his team are also
partnering with Avenue Communities to open a
15,500 square-foot
outdoor seating market-café to complement
Trattoria M, called Centro*.
Named as being the
“epicenter,” Centro will
provide epicurean quality and convenience in
its deli that will have fresh organic meats
and salads whenever possible, an “old-world
market-style” bakery with rustic breads, a
coffee barista who will fill Centro
with the aromas of fresh roasting coffee
daily, everyday food staples, and a
florist shop stocked daily with fresh
bouquets of roses and other colorful
arrangements. During Arizona’s hot summer
days, patrons can enjoy housemade gelato
that will be served through the Gelateria
walk-up window next to the plaza patio.
Centro will also have a pasta expedition
kitchen, crostini wine bar and a retail
component that will sell items such as wine
decanters and crystal wine glasses to
complement the Napa Valley winery next door,
PūrVine.
One of the
most unique services of Centro will
be the “recipe concierge” that will feature
daily recipe cards that include a shopping
list of items found in the market to create,
for example, olive roasted sea bass with
thyme and garlic on tabouli salad. An
alternative to cooking for residents is
Centro’s “Home
Delivery,” a residence delivery
service similar to room service you find at
fine hotels.
“The
eclectic, hip and inviting restaurant and
market concepts will no doubt flourish in
the Mill District,” says Brandon Maxwell,
Co-Owner, Trattoria M and Centro.
“Chef Michael and I specifically chose the
Mill District as the destination for our
business venture because it is hardwired to
become one of the most distinctive urban
environments in North America.”
Chef Michael
and his core business team decided to join
forces with Avenue Communities in a rare
developer-chef partnership because of Avenue
Communities’ recognition for amenity-rich
community focus, as evident in their unique
real.life.style®
program, which is
a ground-breaking lifestyle service tailored
to establish an authentic sense of
community.
Tempe
Councilmember Onnie Shekerjian remarks, “The
future of the Mill District is going to be
very dynamic with wonderful opportunities
for our entire community. The public plaza
at Centerpoint Condominiums is a shining
example of the types of projects we are
looking for that welcome the community and
bring them together through good food,
entertainment and experiences.”
Chef Michael
and his well-established catering company,
Michael’s Catering,
continue to operate out of their
36,000 square-foot commissary kitchen in
Phoenix. Chef Michael’s staff at
Michael’s at the Citadel has been
offered positions within Michael’s catering
company, as well as the opportunity to join
the Trattoria M and Centro
staff when the restaurant and market-café
open in the Spring of 2008. For more
information visit Chef Michael’s Web site at
www.michaelsrestaurant.com, and the
Centerpoint Condominiums Web site at
www.centerpointaz.com.
* Centro was
recently renamed
aroma
kitchen.market.caffe
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