Donna Vallone, an Arizona native and ASU alumnus, says she wanted to get escape her hometown when she was younger, but now can't imagine herself leaving.
She's been in the design industry for more than 30 years; her residential and commercial projects are sprinkled throughout the Valley. Last year, Vallone was approached by her friend Jacquie Dorrance, new owner of El Chorro Lodge, to redesign the Arizona landmark.
Vallone says it was a no-brainer. "It was going to be the first free-standing restaurant in our portfolio ... We were so excited; Jacquie is a great client and a person with great taste."
Anyone who's been in Arizona for a year (or 60 years) knows of El
Chorro's longstanding history in its neighborhood. This was one of
Vallone's biggest challenges. "Everyone that you talk to has so many
memories here -- from 80th birthdays to 8th grade graduations ... I
think everyone who has came back since we reopened has been pleasantly
surprised with the changes."
Vallone and her design team kept the floor plan of the original
schoolhouse-turned-bar (including the green flooring); They even kept
the boot lamp and old indoor bar. But Dorrance and Vallone decided it
was time for a little nip-tuck.
Renovations include a massive indoor/outdoor bar area, additional
dining areas in the front and back rooms, a remodeled event and wedding
reception area, an herb garden, a bocce ball court, a cigar pit ...
Fear not, the sticky buns are still baking in the kitchen.
