The Phoenix Traveler

You don’t name your restaurant 3 Tomatoes & a Mozarella by accident. That is, unless you’re dining with friends at a restaurant in Rhode Island called The Three Bears, and your friends think a name with three-something-or-other sounds good. It might sound good, but it could cost you more for the sign. At least, that’s the story being told by an East Coast couple, Jeff and Nancy Roskin.

They moved from Connecticut to Scottsdale 10 years ago, as most people do, for the warm weather. But when they couldn’t find the kind of pizza here that they enjoyed back home, they wound up opening a restaurant–their first–that would. As previously mentioned, friends helped them name it, and now 3 Tomatoes is one of the more popular stops at The Shops at Pinnacle Peak (7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd.). With a second location set to open this August in Peoria and a franchise operation in Las Vegas, they’re now celebrating.

The neighborhood bistro, with its Tucscan-style charm (complete with columns, grapevine-wrapped trellises, and mustard yellow with egglplant-colored paint), serves not only custom-order, gourmet pizzas but also salads, panini sandwiches and pasta–with sauces made on the premises. The new chef de cuisine in the house, Leonard Jay, arrived from Colorado, where he worked as a chef for a private jet company. He cooked for sports celebrities and others. He’ll have a hand in helping create new specialities at the restaurant in Peoria (Thunderbird/83rd Avenue) which will have a larger patio and full bar service.

Some of the more popular dishes: Quattro Formaggi and Fig & Proscuitto pizza pies–both made with a master bread baker’s dough. For dessert, try the refreshing gelato or sorbet.

I’ve been eating at the restaurant for several years now and have never been disappointed. I especially like the way the owners greet you at the door and invite you to linger.

For the budget-conscious, the anniversary Wine Dinner special ($40/couple) offers a satisfying meal; it’s available now through September:

~A choice of two individual salads (double field greens or the signature Ceasar with just the right amount of dressing).

~A choice of two individual plates of pasta  or a 16″ Neapolitan or Margarita pizza.

~A bottle of Sangiovese (red) or Trebiano (white) wine.

You can also order take-out.

Summer hours: Tues. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun., 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Mon., closed.

If you go, or if you’ve been, be sure to post your comments here.

Salud!

(Photos used with permission by the restaurant and Crosby | Wright Advertising and Public Relations.)

7 Comments