Two VIP Phoenix Dining Experiences Put You in the Kitchen With Chef Scott Conant

Chef Scott Conant is celebrating his newly released cookbook, Peace, Love, & Pasta, with a few special events at his two Valley restaurants, Mora Italian on North Seventh Street and the Americano Restaurant in Scottsdale. Later this month, he’s offering a VIP dining experience at both restaurants, and he’s revitalized the happy hour menu at both places based on the book and his recent travels.

Conant is hosting his first VIP event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19, at the Americano Restaurant at 17797 North Scottsdale Road. A ticket includes aperitivo and canapés to start the festivities, followed by a four-course dinner with choice wines. The family-style menu will include favorites from Conant’s book, which are the very same dishes he cooks for his own family.

Each guest will receive an autographed copy of Peace, Love, and Pasta cookbook, plus the chance to take photos with the chef.

Reservations are required for the event. Tickets are $175 per person (inclusive of tax & gratuity) and $75 for children 12 years and under. Reservations are required.

On October 27, Conant is offering a similar VIP experience at his Mora Italian restaurant at 5651 North Seventh Street. There will be aperitivo and canapés to start, with a four-course dinner of favorites from the book, and select wines, to follow. Tickets are $155 per person and $75 for children under age 12. Guests will receive an autographed copy of the cookbook and a photo op with Conant.

In addition to his VIP events, Conant is debuting the first-ever happy hour at Mora Italian, along with an expanded happy hour menu inspired by his travels at the Americano Restaurant. Happy hour is available at Mora Italian and the Americano Restaurant from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays.

The Giro d'Mora (or "Tour of Mora") is a five-course meal with an ever-changing lineup of crowd favorites at the modern osteria, like seared octopus, house-made pasta and dessert for the whole table. At $68 per person, the friends-style menu is the perfect way to reconnect with friends and family over a tasteful communal dining experience, Conant says.

For its happy hour launch, Mora Italian is featuring Roman-Style Pan Pizza for $3 a slice; Olives Ascolane with fennel sausage stuffed and fried Castelvetrano olives for $6; Zucchini Fritti with Calabrian chili, mint and pickled pepper aiolifor $6; and Calabrian Chili Wings with grilled and glazed bone-in wings, chives and lime for $5.

Happy hour beverages at Mora Italian include the Drunken Wifey made with Milagro tequila, house-made limoncello, elderflower, mesquite honey, lemon and thyme for $12; Blood Orange Spritz with select apertivo, frico frizante, blood orange, lime and mesquite honey for $10.

The Americano Restaurant, Conant’s Italian-inspired steakhouse that’s a happy hour go-to, now has a refreshed menu with a brand-new raw bar inspired by his travels to Tokyo. Not the typical happy hour lineup, the sophisticated menu items include Kumai Oysters with stone fruit mignonette for $2 apiece; Alaskan Snow Crab with mustard, lemon and caviar for $12; Salmon Belly Tartare with cured Meyer lemon and crispy shallots for $9; and Scallop Crudo with Calabrian chili and lime for $12.

Also new to the Americano Restaurant roster is the woodfired spiedini (skewers) program that features Charred Octopus with pickled asparagus salsa for $15; Beef Tenderloin with chimichurri and crispy onion for $16; Crispy Pork Belly with orange mostarda for $15; and Guanciale Wrapped Shrimp with aioli for $16.