Get a First Taste of The Saguaro's Flagship Restaurant and Meet Its Chef de Cuisine at the Arizona Taco Festival This Saturday

The Saguaro hotel in Scottsdale (formerly Hotel Theodore and Mondrian) won't be open until November, but for foodies looking for a sneak preview of tastes from its flagship restaurant of modern Mexican cuisine, Distrito, along with its new chef de cuisine, both can be found at the Arizona Taco Festival...

By Laura Hahnefeld

October 13, 2011

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The Saguaro hotel in Scottsdale (formerly Hotel Theodore and Mondrian) won't be open until November, but for foodies looking for a sneak preview of tastes from its flagship restaurant of modern Mexican cuisine, Distrito, along with its new chef de cuisine, both can be found at the Arizona Taco Festival happening this Saturday.

Recently chosen by The Saguaro's executive chef Jose Garces to be the chef de cusine for not only Distrito (opening in December) but for The Saguaro's other two dining outlets: the upscale cocktail and American eats parlor Village Whiskey and the bakery Garces Trading Company (both opening in November) Dave Conn, a "kitchen-taught chef" and his team will be doing their first cook in Arizona during this Saturday's event.

"Even before we open," says Garces, who is one of Food Network's seven Iron Chefs, "chef Conn and our team will be gearing up to compete in the Arizona Taco Festival, serving our stand-out tacos: mahi mahi, carnitas, and chicken ropa vieja."

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