Remember when a business lunch was something to be savored — a chance to impress a client or celebrate a big win in sumptuous style? Now open at the stylish W Scottsdale hotel in the heart of Old Town, Sexy Roman is a splashy new hotspot that pairs drop-dead-gorgeous décor with serious culinary chops from James Beard-nominated chef Jason Franey. What many don’t realize is that Sexy Roman also serves an irresistible lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., delivering the same spectacular flavors, tailored specifically for daytime dining.
So how can intention and connection be brought back to lunchtime in an era of cell phones and constant connectivity? At Sexy Roman, it starts with the experience — an authentic menu of classic Italian dishes, with not a pizza in sight. “Our goal is to give guests a unique and unforgettable experience,” says Travis Strickland, COO of Alliance Hospitality Group. “When we set out to design our menus, we wanted to focus on elevated yet timeless dishes that truly represent the best of Italian fare, from house-made pastas to premium seafood and even our version of the classic Italian sub, The Godfather.”
Sometimes, though, it’s the simplest dishes that make the biggest impression. Take Sexy Roman’s fresh-shucked oysters, served with a trio of sauces highlighted by a signature house-fermented hot sauce presented in a glass bottle with a dropper. Or the classic cacio e pepe — pasta tossed in creamy, decadent cheese-and-pepper sauce — made indulgent with house-made bucatini, a thicker, more toothsome substitute for traditional spaghetti. Another must-try: Sexy Roman’s Chicken Parmesan, butterflied and lightly breaded with a four-cheese blend, served atop a piquant marinara and topped with flash-fried basil leaves.
Of course, no daytime escape is complete without a spectacular setting. Lunch offers the perfect opportunity to soak in Sexy Roman’s grandeur, from hand-troweled plaster walls and custom artwork to brass lighting crowned with Champagne glass shades that evoke an Italian villa. Overhead, a custom ceiling features concealed lighting that shifts from golden warmth to sultry red, a nod to the romance of luxury train cabins.
For a true European-style lunch, Sexy Roman also boasts an extensive wine and cocktail program. With a 760-bottle wine collection showcased in a glowing, bronze-encased wine room framed in olive wood, enthusiasts will find cult-level Italian wines alongside guidance from an in-house sommelier. Cocktail lovers can indulge in creations such as an espresso martini dusted with golden espresso beans or a refreshing limoncello spritz.
At Sexy Roman, lunch isn’t just another item on your to-do list — it’s an experience. Every detail has been crafted for indulgence, from olive wood booths with integrated ice buckets to Calcutta Viola and Port Laurent stone tabletops with brass inlay, and a lounge anchored by a green velvet sofa and walnut console. The result is an elevated space designed for pure enjoyment — tailored, timeless and unapologetically extravagant.
Sexy Roman
W Scottsdale
7277 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale
(602) 609-7002
Chicken Parmesan Made with four cheeses and marinara $38 |
Bucatini Cacio e pepe $29 |
Half Dozen Oysters With fermented hot sauce $26 |
Photos courtesy of Alliance Hospitality Group
