The setting of this open aired restaurant surrounded by the tropical oasis of FireSky Resort & Spa, honestly makes guests feel as if they really are dining at a small restaurant along the Italian coastline of the Ligurian Sea.
Walking into Taggia Restaurant, named after a town in Italy, one hears the sound of water falling as they see a simple décor of stone, wood and a even fire in a fireplace.
Guests may choose classic dining in their dining room, inside or on the patio. Or, enjoy eating the same menu items like wood oven pizza and small tastes in the livelier Taggia Bar and patio area. The miniature meatballs with a superb, and not to heavy, marinara sauce while drinking the FireSky Collins (Tanqueray 10, Chambord, Muddled Rasberries, Rock Candy Syrup) is the best. Secluded areas throughout FireSky Resort may even be reserved for special meal occasions.
The combination of the carefully prepared food and environment simply makes Taggia Restaurant one of the best Scottsdale culinary choices.
Taggia Restaurant Menu Items
A large bowl of Chef de Cuisine James Siao's signature dish, homemade gnocchi (pronounced "noki") with braised veal and wild mushrooms is a rare delight. This dish definitely demonstrates how Chef Siao takes a very classic Italian dish and adds his own blend of local organic ingredients to complete tantalizing sensations. Chef Siao’s Risotto and Pizza Margherita is also rated highly by guests.
Definitely select a variety of dishes to taste or ask for Chef Siao’s four course tasting menu, as recommended by Melissa at Arizona Foothills, in the March 20, 2009 article, “Tasting Menu at Taggia.” Chef Siao provides an impromptu array of his best items, with the price of $45 per person, (an addition $20 to $30 for wine pairing).
Favorite menu items to choose:
- Pan seared sea scallops – capers, grapefruit, brown butter
- Fresh Mozzarella cheese - with Caponata, braised eggplant, tomato, onions, pine nuts, raisins (very delicious!)
- Grilled Caledonian shrimp – lemon, parsley, extra virgin olive oil
- Calamari - charred lemons, spicy crushed tomato sauce, roasted garlic thyme aioli
- Burrata - caponata grilled bread
- Salumi Plate - Anti Pasti Plate with special meats, cheese, marcona almonds (yummy!)
Don’t forget Taggia Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch. An Eggs Benedict has its own touch with poached eggs, prosciutto, English muffin, and a very light hollandaise sauce. Frittatas are very simple and light with an assortment of meats and without cheese. Of course, the French toast and waffles are not ordinary. Oh, and top this experience off with roasting marshmellows over the fire.
Chef James Siao, Taggia Restaurant
The mastermind behind this culinary dining experience is Chef de Cuisine James Siao. Having worked his way through the ranks, Chef Siao officially took over this top spot at Taggia Restaurant in January 2009. His bio on their website says, Chef Siao’s “passion and desire is to please each guest.” There is no wonder why he found a home as part of the team of FireSky Resort & Spa with this same goal.
Chef Siao has always had his hand in creating culinary delights. Siao is originally from Ohio where he worked in his family’s restaurant. After graduating from the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts, he worked in various positions before coming to Taggia Restaurant:
- Intern at the lauded Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
- Sous Chef at the Renaissance Scottsdale Resort
Chef Siao uses local southwestern organic ingredients from farmers, and even grows herbs in Taggia’s patio herb garden to use. He participates in the “Slow Food Movement,” a non profit which promotes local food traditions of the how and why people should use these foods instead of eating common fast food.
Siao also uses the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch standards, and is current with eco friendly practices like recycling, use of recycling products, organic and biodynamic wine list and food selections, and even efficiency lighting.
Taggia Restaurant (480) 424-6095, is definitely one of the hottest, new culinary restaurants trends in upscale Scottsdale, Arizona for visitors and locals which is found inside the FireSky Resort & Spa oasis.
Donna West - Donna West is a Writer with an uncanny ability and passion of finding unusual ideas, off the beaten path, even in everyday occurrences.
Join the Conversation