Lauren Topor

Phoenix

Writer and Photographer at Freelance

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Articles

Espiritu Cocktails & Comida

Mar 4, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

RESERVE A TABLEThis tiny downtown Mesa Mexican bar-restaurant has strong drinks, spicy food, and a vibe that dares you to cancel your next plans for another margarita and a bowl of aguachile verde before the kitchen closes. The crowd is a mix of date-night couples sharing pretty cocktails and East Valley lifers who have been coming to this Main Street spot since opening day in 2022.
Santo Arcadia - Review - Arcadia - Phoenix - The Infatuation

Feb 28, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

RESERVE A TABLEWhen you’re charged with setting up a meal with your snowbird in-laws, Santo is the best move. It’s cozy like a living room and the rotating Sononran-inspired menu (go for the lamb shank spiked with chili glaze) is bound to win over skeptical out-of-towners. Cocktails like the Anticuado with Mexican whiskey make conversation flow easy.
Green Chile Love rolls into permanent spot in Ahwatukee. Here’s what to expect

Feb 25, 2025 | phoenixnewtimes.com | Lauren Topor

Today, Castaneda is the owner and chef behind Green Chile Love, a food truck business he launched in 2018. “My plan with the food truck was to get it out there, get the food out, get people to love it, get them to see it and then, eventually, if things lined up, get a brick-and-mortar,” Castaneda says. In February 2024, Castaneda was making moves to secure a more permanent home for his green chile concept in Chandler. He was outbid on a space at Kyrene and Ray roads, so the search continued.
Élephante Scottsdale

Feb 22, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

photo credit: Élephante ScottsdaleRESERVE A TABLEThis trendy Mediterranean restaurant strikes the perfect balance between a lively party vibe and a spot where you can actually have a conversation. Even if your Old Town bottle service days are behind you, you’ll likely appreciate the espresso martinis or the deep house playlist that might keep you bouncing in your bar seat.
Maple & Ash Scottsdale

Feb 21, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

Maple & Ash feels like the dinner spot Roman Roy might pick to impress a new client—it’s unapologetically hedonistic with the perfect amount of excess. The vibe is fun and flashy with Scottsdale socialites clinking Dom Pérignon and bachelorette parties popping caviar bumps.
Ocean 44 - Review - Fashion Square - Scottsdale - The Infatuation

Feb 21, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

Ocean 44 is the final boss of dining out in Scottsdale: white tablecloths, expertly seared steaks, and bourbon that’ll make your wallet sweat. This seafood and steakhouse is where you should celebrate landing a big deal or to impress someone who knows their way around a wine list—consider it the War and Peace of fine vino. Ocean 44 doesn’t do small.
Fat Ox - Review - Central Scottsdale - Scottsdale - The Infatuation

Feb 21, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

RESERVE A TABLEFat Ox is a chic Italian restaurant where you’ll come for the excellent Happy Hour—which has the essence of an invitation-only club—and stay well past dinner. The Negronis and Amalfi Spritzes are the kind of drinks that make you feel like you’re at an exclusive Sicilian resort à la The White Lotus. Order them with the veal meatballs and Castelvetrano olives—it’s the closest you’ll get to aperitivo in Scottsdale.
Uchi Scottsdale - Review - Historic Old Town - Scottsdale - The Infatuation

Feb 21, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

Walking into this upscale sushi spot, with locations in some of the most coveted zip codes around the country, feels like stepping into the home of someone who’s built a personality around Japandi—the only thing missing is your host handing you some slippers. While the back patio is a solid choice when Scottsdale’s weather is doing its usual perfect thing, the sushi bar is where to be. It’ll have you planning your next reservation before you finish your sake cocktail.
Andreoli Italian Grocer

Feb 21, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Lauren Topor

Somewhere between the first bite of focaccia pizza and the last sip of Peroni, you’ll realize that Andreoli isn’t just good, it’s Devin Booker-level good. This Italian restaurant and market is a little chaotic and exactly where you want to be for casual lunches or dinners. People generally come and wait in line for the pasta specials and sandwiches, like the Cafone, stuffed with precise layers of imported parma cotto ham, provoleta cheese, and baby artichokes.
Satellite Coffee Bar opens inside Neighbor furniture store in Phoenix

Dec 4, 2024 | phoenixnewtimes.com | Lauren Topor

A new coffee bar has entered Uptown Phoenix’s orbit. Ollie Vaughn’s owner, Lindsey Magee, opened Satellite Coffee Bar this week. Magee’s latest concept is located inside Neighbor, a modern design-driven outdoor furniture store co-founded by Chris Lee, Nick Arambula and Mike Fretto. Neighbor and Satellite Coffee Bar replace two previous concepts that called the space home.