Shortly after closing The Vanilla Gorilla, chef Dom Ruggiero’s hospitality group Cast Iron Concepts announced plans to open a new cocktail and dining lounge next to Hush Public House in Scottsdale. Ruggiero also owns and operates Fire at Will.
The new concept is called Bar Cena. The word Cena, which means dinner or supper in Italian and Spanish, is a nod to the influences seen in the chef-driven, seasonal food and cocktail menus.
“We’re looking forward to expanding our reach and presenting yet another opportunity for guests to experience elevated drinking and dining in a casual and welcoming atmosphere with a neighborhood feel,” Ruggiero said in a news release.
What’s on the menu at Bar Cena?
Hush executive chef Alex Harrison and general manager Regina Di Salvo are involved in Bar Cena’s development, while chef de cuisine Zack Myers is creating the food menu, featuring 10 seasonally rotating dishes like pâté en croute, crispy potato pave with duck fat and rouille, mussels escabeche and muffuletta croquettes with cured olives and fennel.
Mitch Lyons and Libby Lingua of Two Hands Consulting, LLC, who also created the bar programs at Hush and Fire at Will, will develop Bar Cena’s cocktail menu to include seven specialty cocktails. The bar will also offer cocktail experiences like tableside absinthe service and espresso martinis on draft.
“We are proud to have some of our existing staff taking the lead on this project and have complete confidence that their talents will shine at Bar Cena,” Ruggiero said.
When will Bar Cena open?
Bar Cena is slated to open fall 2023.
Details: 14202 N. Scottsdale Road, No. 165, Scottsdale. castironconcepts.com.
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Read More: Fire at Will chef and owner to open Bar Cena in Scottsdale
