Pinyon Coastal Mediterranean offers its guests an expansive view of the tree-studded grassy park within a circle of business and municipal buildings — the somewhat hidden gem of Scottsdale Civic Center mall. This relaxing setting was secured after a very deliberate search by Hi Noon Hospitality founding partner Adam Strecker to meet his desire to recreate the expansive experience he’d enjoyed on his Mediterranean travels. To make the most of this prized vantage point, the restaurant is designed with an indoor-outdoor aesthetic on both the ground and second floors.
The menu celebrates “Mediterranean” and its bounty, and plays with the myriad flavors of the more than 20 countries along the shores of that sea. (The wine selection is correspondingly diverse, with, for instance, French, Italian, Spanish … and Croation.) That the selection tends heavily toward seafood owes also to the expertise behind Hi Noon’s acclaimed Buck & Rider. Smoked Salmon Carpaccio is a shareable appetizer — thin slices of smoked salmon topped with caperberries, rounds of Persian cucumber and spices that add an unexpected burst of flavor. The Greek Ceviche blends white fish, feta cheese, olives, pine nuts and tomato in a lemon vinaigrette. And Pinyon’s “Board” is posted with a changing selection of traditional and exotic hummus served with fresh-baked pita. Among these is the Pistachio Labneh, smooth with a bold, satisfying flavor.
“Land fare” offerings span Iberico Jamón, the elite Cinco Jotas ham from the famous acorn-fed pigs of Spain; filet mignon skewers; and pan-roasted chicken with a Moroccan marinade that has a little bit of sweetness punched up with a lot of heat thanks to the Aleppo peppers.
Providing interest as well as a décor touch, bins of spices are on full display on the back wall of the open kitchen. Other décor touches are in the details, such as custom bar fixtures with the restaurant’s signature logo and (dare we say it?) tongue-in-cheek “Victorian”-design wallpaper in certain spaces that warrants a closer look. “Dueling” stairs on the north and south walls (one outdoor, one indoor) connect the two view floors. And a third floor is the cellar, offering private dining to 18–20 people around a marble table in a rock-walled room.
7363 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale
(480) 863-8990
Loup de Mer Charcoal-grilled on the Josper charcoal oven, served with heirloom tomatoes and salsa verde $54 |
Greek Salad Tomato, feta cheese, cucumber and artichoke, with vinaigrette dressing $21 |
Lobster Salad Lobster with avocado and radicchio, served with oregano vinaigret $34 |
Photos courtesy of Hi Noon Hospitality; restaurant photos by Stephanie Tassone
