By Alyssa DeMember
BEST BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH SPOT: PREP & PASTRY
Tucsonans flock to Prep & Pastry for weekend brunch (or any day for that matter). A Contemporary American eatery with timeless European décor, hardy wooden tables and community benches complemented by deep blues, Prep & Pastry is known for its ambience, exceptional eats and warm hospitality. The restaurant features seasonal menu items and cocktails and comfy outdoor patio seating year round. Choose from a variety of different mimosas, inspired by classic cocktails, or build your own. prepandpastry.com.
BEST SHOPPING CENTER: La Encantada
The lovely outdoor shopping center, La Encantada, located in the Catalina Foothills, is home to dozens of high-end establishments including Kate Spade, Tiffany’s, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton and Lululemon Athletica. The dining options certainly aren’t lacking either; settle down for the evening at Blanco Tacos + Tequila, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill or Humble Pie. laencantadashoppingcenter.com.
BEST HOTEL OR RESORT: The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Adventure opportunities are limitless at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, located just outside of Tucson in Marana, with more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, tennis, golf, a 235-ft. waterslide and a guided tour of Indian petroglyphs. Heal your body at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dove Mountain through ancient holistic remedies and dig into everything from Sonoran-inspired fare to sushi at the resort’s on- site dining destinations. ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain.
BEST GOLF COURSE: Sewailo
With 18 holes and 7,282 yards of pure golfers’ paradise, Sewailo Golf Course at Casino del Sol is expansively designed with creeks, ponds, lakes, waterfalls and 30,000 native flowers, making it one of the most breathtaking courses in Arizona (and the whole Southwest, for that matter). The course also boasts a 2,300-sq.-ft. clubhouse with a fully stocked golf shop, patio dining and a fire pit lounge. It’s no wonder golfers want to nest here. casinodelsol.com/sewailogolfclub.
MOST INFLUENTIAL TUCSON MAN: Jose Felipe Garcia
Current executive vice president of Visit Tucson, an organization that seeks to connect visitors with meaningful experiences in Tucson, Jose Felipe Garcia has worked tirelessly developing programs to improve relations between Arizona and Mexico. Believing Arizona has the potential to become a key player in international markets, Garcia also serves on a number of influential boards including the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Arizona District Export Council.
BEST LUNCH SPOT: Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink
A modern spin on the traditional pizzeria, Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink offers artisan-style pizzas hand- crafted with quality ingredients. The interior design of the establishment blends historic and contemporary elements, creating an upscale, trendy environment that’s open seven days a week. Tip: check out The Beer Garden, which offers 40 beers on draft, eight keg wines and a small food menu. On top of that, the cocktail bar downstairs, The Tough Luck Club, opens in the evening and features a rotating list of cocktails. reillypizza.com.
BEST BOUTIQUE (TIE): ZOË Boutique and Avenue Boutique
For locally made, hand-crafted accessories, soaps, lotions and candles as well as on-trend, must-have clothing and accessories, ZOË Boutique brings its A-game. What’s more, this Tucson fashion store hosts art openings throughout the year and features rotating artwork by Arizona creators. Locally-owned Avenue Boutique (pictured) features hand-picked vintage items, home goods, accessories and a wide range of clothing styles from independent designers, putting quality above all else. zoeboutique.net; shopavenueboutique.com.
MOST INFLUENTIAL TUCSON WOMAN: Randi Dorman
Randi Dorman is basically the renaissance woman of Tucson. A New Yorker with a successful career in advertising and global branding, Dorman’s heels touched desert ground in 2001 and since then, it’s been nonstop action. As the former president of the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson and radio show host on KXCI and current real estate developer (R+R Develop) and chairwoman of the Downtown Tucson Partnership, Dorman has a hand in much of what makes Tucson tick.
BEST HOTEL OR RESORT, BEST SPA AND BEST RESORT RESTAURANT: Casino Del Sol
Casino Del Sol, a Tucson-based luxury hotel, is Arizona’s only Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond Casino Resort. Located amidst the stunning Tucson mountain range, Casino Del Sol features 215 rooms and suite accommodations, as well as top-notch gaming. The property’s Hiapsi Spa and Fitness Center’s philosophy of balancing physical, emotional and spiritual health will leave you feeling revitalized and refreshed. Guests can take a more intensive physical approach with a vigorous cardio workout in the fitness room, or take it slow with a signature massage or full-service manicure and pedicure treatments. The resort also houses eight restaurants, including PY Steakhouse. With top chefs, the highest- grade cuts of meat, fabulous seafood and an extensive wine list of more than 1,000 varieties, guests can enjoy an elegant dining experience in the 100-seat dining room or in the bar and lounge area. casinodelsol.com.
BEST TUCSON-BASED FASHION DESIGNER: Dorota Zglobicka
Polish fashion designer Dorota Zglobicka’s brand, Theo Doro, is driven by fairytales, motion pictures and works of historic art, with a highly feminine touch. A few of her past collections include “Mad Dollhouse” and, the most recent one just shown at New York Fashion Week in February, called “Cinderella Went Crazy.” Zglobicka goes for an avant-garde vibe, designing cocktail dresses, evening gowns, casual wear and one-of-a-kind wedding dresses. theodoro.biz.
BEST RANCH ESCAPE: White Stallion Ranch
White Stallion Ranch, located in northwest Tucson, evokes the warm hospitality of a traditional guest ranch with all the amenities and services of a resort. This family-owned ranch prides itself on offering an experience that is sincere and personal to each guest. With a variety of activities offered, visitors can go horseback riding through the stunning Sonoran Desert, partake in a rock-climbing adventure or enjoy nightly entertainment, among a variety of other attractions. whitestallion.com.
BEST WEDDING VENUE: Merci Gallery
A popular locale for chic, high-class weddings with an artsy twist, Merci Gallery is a multi-media gallery that focuses on art, music and bubbly. Merci Gallery, located in central Tucson, is a go-to spot for making couples’ special days all the more enchanting, providing exceptional service and a truly unique wedding experience. mercigallery.com.
FAVORITE TUCSON COUPLE: Angela and Michael Kapp
After living in New York, San Francisco and Shanghai, Angela and Michael Kapp made their way to the Southwest to establish themselves as prominent figures in Tucson. When she’s not jet-setting as an e-commerce and retail expert and an advisor and investor in mid-stage companies in China, Singapore and New York, Angela serves on the advisory board of UA Presents. Michael, after a successful career on Wall Street, now coaches the University of Arizona women’s lacrosse team, leading the team to the regional playoffs five years in a row.
MOST FASHIONABLE MAN IN TUCSON: Richard Oseran
For Richard Oseran, being the most fashionable man in Tucson isn’t just about timeless, quality attire and slick suit jackets—it’s also not (entirely) about the way he revs up his 1987 560XL Mercedes-Benz and cruises around town. It’s a state of mind. Oseran has been the owner of legendary Hotel Congress since 1985, making him the face of the establishment that brings the excitement and energy of downtown Tucson to life. And credit can also be given to his wife and three daughters for their influence on his impeccable manner of dress.
MOST FASHIONABLE WOMAN IN TUCSON: Adaleta Avdic
Beginning as a senior college blog project, Adaatude is now a bonafide, multi-faceted blog with a readership of 35,000. Focusing on fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle, Adaleta Avdic is an adventurer with a timeless, down- to-earth style. Follow her escapades in travel and get her take on a variety of makeup and skin care products on her site. adaatude.com.
BEST COLLEGE PARTY BAR: Gentle Ben’s Brewing Co.
Located a minute’s walk from the University of Arizona campus, Gentle Ben’s Brewing Co. is positively packed on Friday and Saturday nights and during UA games with college kids looking to blow off steam. And don’t be surprised to see professors and faculty hanging out there either. Serving up quality, craft brews, including Barrio Rojo and Nolan’s Porter, two Great American Beer Festival medal winners, Gentle Ben’s has been the go-to bar and nightclub of UA students for more than 40 years. gentlebens.com.
BEST TUCSON LIFESTYLE INSTAGRAM: @WhyILoveWhereILive
It’s not just an Instagram page filled with idyllic photos and unique happenings around Tucson. @WhyILoveWhereILive is a Web site that inspires people to take an active part in their community through events, products, photos and blog posts. Having transformed from creator Kristin Tovar’s personal journey to connect with her home to a full-fledged community of thousands, @WhyILoveWhereILive encourages individuals to get out there and explore their surroundings. whyilovewhereilive.com.
BEST ANNUAL TUCSON EVENT: Tucson Fashion Week
A platform for up-and-coming designers to showcase their best work, Tucson Fashion Week brings the community together for three dazzling days of distinctive events centered on style, art, fashion and celebrity. Fashion industry leaders from across the country including designers, artists and CEOs attend this coveted, yearly event. tucsonfashionweek.com.
Buy your copy of Arizona Foothills Magazine Best of Our Valley 2017 Collectors Edition issue here.
