Acclaimed chef Alex Stratta has joined the restaurant as its new executive chef, bringing decades of fine dining experience and impressive accolades.
Stratta has worked in restaurants across the country and the world, including in Arizona, Las Vegas, New York City and Monaco. His namesake restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas earned two Michelin stars and he won a James Beard Award while at the iconic Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician resort.
Phillip Lewkowicz, the co-founder of Rosewood Concepts and part of the family that owns the Scottsdale fine-dining staple Cafe Monarch, is thrilled to have Stratta join the team.
"Alex is a wealth of knowledge and at the point in his career where he wants to mentor others. I can already feel the enthusiasm in the kitchen,” Lewkowicz says. And Stratta echoed the sentiment.
“I’m excited to be part of something that’s growing, evolving and built around passion,” Stratta said in a news release. “This isn’t just about cooking — it’s about mentoring, collaborating and delivering a dining experience that feels personal.”
Since starting at Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails, Stratta has been creating specials and his dishes will be phased into the restaurant’s menu over the next few weeks. These dishes include a crispy porcini mushroom cigar with black truffle pecorino and white truffle chive aioli, lobster ravioli with black truffles and tomato confit and his signature red wine-braised short rib with potato gnocchi.
Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails’ menu offers items like filet empanadas, artichoke flowers, seafood, caviar and signature cuts of meat.
“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from guests about the food, so we’re not going to completely redo the menu, but we will elevate several of our dishes with Alex’s touch,” Lewkowicz says. “We’re working closely together and I’ve been blown away by his flavors.”
In addition to an award-winning executive chef, Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails, which recently launched social hour and wine dinners, has an experienced team, including sommelier Daniel Reza and Richard Allison managing the bar program.
“Our cocktails aren’t just drinks, they are a show with unique glassware, cool garnishes and elegant presentation,” Lewkowicz says. “They are made with premium spirits and housemade syrups. Richard is an artist and a trendsetter, and is always looking to elevate our cocktails.”
Unique presentations and garnishes are part of the cocktail experiece at Belmont.
Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails
The look and mood of the restaurant complements the upscale food and thoughtful libations with natural woods, pops of black, green and gold and an expansive bar. The lighting is designed to create a sultry and sexy ambiance.
With a new chef at the helm, Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails continues to grow. Lewkowicz says it's just the beginning.
“Since opening, we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests and we want to continue enhancing the menu and the experience,” Lewkowicz says. “A lot of guests have become regulars, and we’re looking forward to bringing more concepts to the area.”
