This is part two of our interview with Joey Maggiore of Cuttlefish in Scottsdale. The seafood restaurant opened late last year and features an oyster bar (complete with Vespa seating) and a menu of coastal Italian cuisine. Today, we're talking about the two new restaurants Maggiore plans to open around Scottsdale this year. Be sure to go back and read part one of the interview, in which Maggiore tells us about how he keeps his family recipes for marinara (which they use at Cuttlefish) a secret.
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Recipes aren't the only things the Maggiores keep in the family. Joey and his sister Melissa took on reality television together, too. In 2010, the siblings starred in a six-episode miniseries that followed the opening of Tommy V's in Carlsbad, California. Food Network billed the show as a sort of friendly sibling rivalry between Joey's flashy style and his sister's more serious nature. And though some of that might ring true, Maggiore acknowledges that reality television isn't completely authentic.
"They try to keep it fly-on-the-wall, but it's not," Maggiore says.
That's not keeping him away, though. He also says he's got a new show in the works -- though he couldn't (or wouldn't) give details.
Don't be fooled. Maggiore didn't let the TV gig distract from his true passion: restaurants. He's nearly ready to open his second Valley restaurant in the new few months. Called Notorious Burgers, the new spot will be located next door to Cuttlefish in the Shops at Gainey Village. The Prohibition-themed burger joint will join a slew of new eateries that opened in the center, including the relocated Pomo Pizzeria and Naya, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant.
Though there's been some question as to whether the shopping center -- where dining options included Paradise Bakery and Pei Wei prior to the recent boom -- can sustain the new growth, Maggiore says he isn't worried.
"That's the only reason I came in," he says.
Maggiore also will open Vevo at Scottsdale Marketplace, on the northwestern corner of Lincoln Drive and Scottsdale Road. Sumo Maya, the highly anticipated Mexican-Asian kitchen from Valley restaurateur and Top Chef Master contestant German Osio, will anchor the soon-to-be-completed mixed-use development. Maggiore says Italian food lovers can look forward to what will be an Italian market, complete with a dry salami room.
Your current obsession and why: Foie gras -- does it need explanation!?
Your culinary guilty pleasure: Fresh-made pasta -- gets me every time.
Something never found in your kitchen: Bad food.
One restaurant everyone should go to in San Diego: We love Cucina Urbana in Del Mar. That place is amazing.
One thing you want people to know about Cuttlefish: We take our fish-buying seriously. A lot of time goes into securing the best of the best.
The secret to being a successful restaurant owner: You gotta have passion. You must love food. Oh, and never think you're the best -- just try your best to be.
One international or national restaurant that you've been impressed with in the last year: We love SD26 in Manhattan. It's a phenomenal restaurant with great food and owners. Can't wait to go back.
If you could dine with any five people, who would they be and where would you eat?: Vince Vaughn, Bradley Cooper, Anthony Bourdain, my wife, Christina, and my pops. We'd all eat at Tomaso's on 32nd and Camelback, of course.
Your best story from your experience so far with reality TV: My best experience was when I did a photo shoot where they made me get undressed and smash food all over my body! When we look at those pictures today, we still laugh out loud.
Describe the most memorable meal you've ever had: The best meal I ever ate was in Sicily, at our family home. We bought fresh sardines and made pasta con sardi along with enough other plates to feed an army. The company, location, and food were priceless.
Check out our past Chef and Tell interviews with: James Porter - Super Chunk Sweets and TreatsJames Porter - Petite Maison Cullen Campbell - Crudo Mel Mecinas - Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North Meagan Micozzi - Scarletta Bakes Tyson Holzheimer and Joe Strelnik - Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Paul McCabe - T. Cook's at the Royal Palms Eugenia Theodosopoulos - Essence Bakery Cafe Eddie Hantas - Hummus Xpress Jay Bogsinke - St. Francis Dustin Christofolo - Quiessence Blaise and DJ Aki - The Sushi Room Sacha Levine - Rancho Pinot and FnB Andrew Nienke - Cafe Monarch Kevin Lentz - French Grocery Aurore de Beauduy - Vogue Bistro Justin Olsen - Bink's Midtown Marco, Jinette, and Edmundo Meraz - Republica Empanada Brian Peterson - Cork Brian Webb - Hey Joe! Filipino Street Food Lester Gonzalez - Cowboy Ciao Renetto-Mario Etsitty - Tertio German Sega - Roka Akor Marco Bianco - Pizzeria Bianco Brad and Kat Moore - Short Leash Hot Dogs and Sit...Stay
