TasteMaker
 Oscar De las salas 

What Would Oscar Do
Oscar's To-Dos 
Phoenix - Scottsdale

For Phoenix Neophytes, the first stop would be Downtown Phoenix - the local art scene mixes small retail spaces and little eateries of all flavours, with gallery spaces, performance rooms, patios and open-air restaurants which have created an exciting walk-around experience full of watching and enjoying painted murals. Local artists' work from the past decades are now part of a residential area that vibrates and pulsates within the several blocks which comprise the bustling Roosevelt Row where the First Friday's cultural experience started 30 plus year ago. The best way to start is by visiting Monorchid, a co-working space in an adaptive reuse building that is now also an event space that has shopping, a small restaurant and café and hosts artist shows, special events, community gatherings. Monorchid started as a photo studio and hosts large art installations. Grab a cup of macchiato to-go at Khavi Coffee & Cafe and check out the latest curated fashion at the Phoenix General boutique space. Walk a few steps west to Central Avenue on Roosevelt Street and stop to shop design goodies at Dialog and curated local fashion at Bunky Boutique, and take the elevator down to the basement to check-out the fabulous speakeasy/restaurant Rough Rider. Then head south towards the Phoenix Warehouse District where there are a series of unique spaces and a district life of its own awaits for you.  As you pass the Civic Space Park, you can enjoy the monumental sculpture by Janet Echelman, “Her Secret is Patience” (a great photo-op). Stop at the Phoenix Symphony Hall and walk through the halls of the Phoenix Convention Center to get face-to-face with the very tall magnifying glass public art piece by Louise Bourgeois, “Art is a Guarantee of Sanity”. If the café is open, inside the lobby -they have great smoothies.  Check out the Arizona Science Center to the east across Children's Museum of Phoenix and for what is up & coming for theater, plays and musicals up the street at the Herberger Theatre Center. Take a photo-op at the Rosson House Museum and for sure, stop at Hanny’s for a good cocktail in the former local men's clothing store turned hot-spot and do not miss taking the curve staircase to the basement to visit the vintage dolls installation, and make sure to toss a coin! A little further north is the Burton Bar Library which has views of North and South Phoenix like no other building in town. For authentic Italian food, Gio and his sister and brother will welcome you with a hug at Forno 301, which has the best calzone in town located just across from the Phoenix Art Museum, which also serves as home to the Phoenix Theatre. Be sure to visit the Ellman Fashion Art Gallery's latest exhibit and two blocks north take-a-peek from the outside of one of the best Mid-Century Modern condominiums building, the all-pink Phoenix Towers. Next to these midcentury beauties the Heard Museum will appear with a vast front courtyard, where year after year the city celebrates the annual Guild Indian Fair & Market. Venture out of downtown and find a favourite spot for coffee and patisserie done with much perfection at The Henry, across The Village gym - a cafe and restaurant on the first floor of an office building that hosts Sam Fox Hospitality studio - Fox Restaurant Concepts (that have given birth to so many local culinary experiences that you should try all of them!). The Henry has small side and front patios with a fabulous menu along with cocktails, If you eat something, have "The Harvest" bowl with ancient grains, grilled portobello mushroom, caramelized cauliflower, snap pea, grilled artichoke & asparagus, avocado, Marcona almond pesto and cashew harissa - "Yup! You will thank me", says Oscar. 

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