By Molly Cerreta Smith

I’ve been eating and writing my way through the valley as a profession for more than 20 years. And one of my very first foodie assignments when I was fresh out of college was to interview Tomaso Maggiore. I arrived at Tomaso’s at lunchtime as scheduled and I was led to a large table of probably 15 people, Tomaso among them, already dining and drinking, laughing and talking — almost entirely in Italian. Tomaso pulled a chair out for me right next to him and made me feel as comfortable as a newbie writer could in a situation like that. The lunch went on for hours; the memory remains. So when I learned about Tomaso’s newest concept in my neck of the woods, I was delighted. Now a little history about this local culinary legend…

A true Sicilian at heart, Tomaso Maggiore discovered his love for food during his upbringing in Italy. He developed his first concept, Tomaso’s, in 1977 and has successfully managed and cultivated restaurant concepts for four decades while consistently creating new ways to expand the Italian-inspired culinary empire through his passion and craft for cooking. He joined forces with his son, Joey Maggiore, to launch The Maggiore Group, which also operates Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher and The Sicilian Baker. In 2019, he opened Tomaso’s Italian Kitchen for a modern-casual experience with everyday Italian food, fresh pasta made daily, shareable boards, and entrees that are made here that taste like they were made in Italy.

Tomaso’s Italian Kitchen is a “come as you are,” approachable and family-friendly restaurant with a bright Dolce & Gabbana and Versace-esque design to complement its from-scratch menu. The menu offers simple, casual dishes inspired by the way Tomaso eats every day at home for happy hour and dinner.

Tomaso’s Italian Kitchen offers approachable regional Italian cuisine incorporating the best of Tomaso’s dishes over the last 42 years. Influenced by Tomaso’s favorite Italian dishes from throughout his home country of Italy, the modern Italian restaurant features a menu full of fresh flavors and ingredients with a large focus on hand-cut and handmade stuffed pasta made daily including the restaurant’s new signature pasta boards which are perfect for family-style dining. The made-from-scratch pasta is complemented by fresh seafood and Tomaso’s essential Italian dishes such as cioppino and veal loin medallions. Tomaso’s Italian Kitchen’s wine program has over 60 wine varieties including wine imported from the Maggiore’s family vineyard in Sicily.

Tomaso’s Italian Kitchen offers happy hour all day, every day at the bar with special pricing on a variety of small plates, $6 wines, $5 beers and $7 bottled craft cocktails as well as a “board and bottle” deal for just $19. For ‘Wine Down Wednesdays,’ diners can enjoy hand-selected wines with a specialty paired menu with live music on the patio for just $25. For more, visit www.tomasositaliankitchen.com.

Tomaso’s Italian Kitchen
23655 N. Scottsdale Rd. #120
www.tomasositaliankitchen.com