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diggThoughts on Cinco foods - A neighborhood lounge, with Latino class
Teddy has opened his Santos Lounge directly behind Frank & Lupe's.
Visitors to Frank and Lupe Bernal's Old Scottsdale restaurant have enjoyed a quaint neighborhood ambiance and great New Mexican-style food for many years.
Now son Teddy has opened his Santos Lounge directly behind Frank & Lupe's. The atmospher is still neighborly, as the structure Scottsdale's oldest residential spaces. Bernal, who also oversees Frank & Lupe's, has kept the home's dark wood floors that are reminiscent of an old tequila hacienda. Don't be surprised not to hear mariachi music as Bernal has opted for a mix of Euro-Latino music for a more "lounge-y" feel.
The drinking menu, however, is sophisticated, as boutique tequilas and Latin wines will be served. Among house specialties are handmade sangria and mojitos, plus the lounge's signature Santa Rosa shot: rose petal juice and platinum tequila.
Sounds like a great place to mark the end of a workday, and apparently loads of patrons have been doing just that, making it tough for Bernal to find the time to completely launch his concept.
Bernal says business is so good that there'll be a delay introducing his original Santos Lounge menu. A graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, he designed a menu that will feature a selection of Mexican cheeses, Latin salsas and traditional meat dishes. Right now, Santos guests order off the Frank & Lupe's New Mexican menu.
"We haven't been able yet to separate it," Bernal says. "My target is in the fall or late summer."
In the meantime, he'll offer summer Latin salads made with nopales, corn and traditional chile dishes for hungry guests to kick back and enjoy.
Santos Lounge $-$$
4121 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale 85251
(480) 425-8000
