Craig DeMarco, Owner |
When little things meet big ideas, a wonderful thing results. That's the spirit at the famed La Grande Orange corner at 40th St. & Campbell in Arcadia, where Craig and Kris DeMarco have made quite a stir in the Valley. A favorite local hangout, people come from far and wide to sample the fare at Postino Winecafe, La Grande Orange Grocery & Pizzeria and the neighborhood's newest offering - Chelsea's Kitchen. From sophisticated yet comfortable decor to innovative food and drink, the DeMarcos seem to have thought of everything - right down to the tiniest detail!
Chelsea's Kitchen
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It begins with fine ingredients. Quality is key at all of the establishments, which blend upscale tastes with down-to-earth selections, all crafted together with simplicity in mind in what Craig calls "common food done uncommonly well". Fresh-baked breads from certified master baker MJ Coe come together with salads and pizza that are nothing short of dynamite, and the wine selection at Postino is second to none when paired with the service knowledge of the staff.
Postino Wine Cafe |
Chelsea's Kitchen offers such favorites as Tenderloin Tacos served with house-made corn tortillas and the chef's favorite Short Rib Hash.
The burgers and chicken are absolutely delicious, and La Grande Orange's desserts are over the top, including custom cakes and pastries from the corner's own local Tammi Coe Bakery. Put a fruit stand featuring local growers' finest in the middle and add a Java stand outside and you've got a serious recipe for success.
As if the quality alone wouldn't do the trick, the hand-picked staff is there to make your visit everything it should be. The DeMarcos take their service seriously, where attitude is everything, and the crew at La Grande Orange and company have come to be widely regarded as some of the Valley's finest. World-class professionalism is an automatic given, and the intensive, multistage interviewing process insures that Craig's elite are every bit "friendly as they are efficient".
Postino Wine Cafe |
All in all, it is probably the atmosphere that seals the deal here in the middle of what used to be an Arcadia orange grove. Upbeat but relaxed music conceals some of the background noise generated by the hoards of regular customers, and there's a cool air about the whole place that makes it hard not to relax. It just feels good, from every angle, which is not surprising coming from an owner who grew up riding skateboard ramps in the neighborhood. Whatever it is, it's just right - that truly local, urban-sophisticated feel that's more common in coastal regions has been long overdue here in Phoenix and, if we're lucky, will only multiply in the years to come.
La Grande Orange Grocery |
American Valet applauds the efforts of the DeMarcos and their staff and would like to take the opportunity to show our thanks for allowing us to be a part of such an amazing phenomenon so close to home. It is a privilege to offer our professional parking services to the patrons of these wonderfully unique establishments!
Click on the following links to learn more
about these fine establishments:
www.postinowinecafe.com
www.chelseaskitchenaz.com
www.lagrandeorangegrocery.com
www.lagrandeorangepizzeria.com
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Congratulations to Ty Clark, one of our employees at American Valet. He was the closest to correctly answering all three questions in our newsletter last month about the All-Star game. Ty won two tickets to the Diamondbacks game on Wednesday August 24th agains the NY Mets.