Highlights
- The Michelin Guide holds its first-ever Southwest ceremony in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Fontainebleau.
- Arizona restaurants were inspected over the past several months and could receive the state's first-ever Michelin stars.
- Alex Stratta, a two-time Michelin-starred chef now serving as executive chef at Belmont Kitchen and Cocktail in North Scottsdale, is among the Valley veterans watching the ceremony closely.
- Scottsdale candidates noted by hospitality observers include Café Monarch at 6939 E 1st Ave and Sel at 7044 E Main St.
Arizona restaurants stand to receive the state's first-ever Michelin stars Wednesday when the Michelin Guide stages its inaugural Southwest ceremony at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. The Aug. 26 event follows months of unannounced inspections across the Grand Canyon State, confirmed by multiple outlets including the Michelin Guide's own media office.
For Scottsdale's fine-dining operators, the ceremony is the culmination of a years-long push for national recognition. Belmont Kitchen and Cocktail, at 8876 E Pinnacle Peak Rd in North Scottsdale, is led by executive chef Alex Stratta, who earned two Michelin stars at his eponymous restaurant Alex at Wynn Las Vegas. Stratta's kitchen also holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, according to the venue's listing with Experience Scottsdale.
Stratta told AZFamily that the guide's arrival validates a maturing regional food culture. "The fact that Michelin is finally creating a moment in Arizona is a substantial chapter in Arizona's food scene,
Where to find them
- Belmont Kitchen · belmontkitchenandcocktails.com · Instagram · Facebook · TikTok
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 23/08/2026 17:09
- michelinmedia.com retrieved 23/08/2026 17:09
- experiencescottsdale.com retrieved 23/08/2026 17:09
- Belmont Kitchen (official site) retrieved 23/08/2026 17:09
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 23/08/2026 17:09. Every claim traces to a source.
