{"id":30900,"date":"2026-04-20T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/?p=30900"},"modified":"2026-04-16T11:50:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:50:54","slug":"kuza-appoints-executive-chef-erik-davila-ahead-of-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/phoenix-food-and-restaurant-news\/kuza-appoints-executive-chef-erik-davila-ahead-of-opening","title":{"rendered":"Kuza Appoints Executive Chef Erik Davila Ahead of Opening"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A new dining destination is taking shape as Kuza<\/a>, an Asian-inspired concept from Clive Collective, prepares for its upcoming opening later this year with the appointment of Executive Chef Erik Davila. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kuza will center around globally influenced Asian cuisine, emphasizing bold flavors, seasonal ingredients, and high-impact presentation. The restaurant will feature a robata grill and raw bar, supported by a beverage program and energetic atmosphere intended to blend dining with entertainment and design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt comes down to respecting the fundamentals, using the right techniques, working with what\u2019s in season and creating dishes that feel thoughtful but still approachable for guests,\u201d Davila said.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Davila will oversee menu development and kitchen operations, shaping a program focused on technique, simplicity, and seasonality. The menu will highlight traditional robata cooking alongside a focused sushi program built around seasonal fish, as well as ramen crafted from slow-developed broths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davila brings more than 16 years of culinary experience to the role, including recent work as executive chef at Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, where he helped refine the restaurant\u2019s sushi program and overall culinary direction. His background also includes time at concepts such as Sumomaya, Shoga, and A Latte Vino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Image and rendering courtesy of Clive Collective<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKuza represents the kind of concept we\u2019re passionate about bringing to life. It\u2019s something that feels transportive, energetic, and rooted in quality, with a clear focus on culinary integrity first,\u201d said Mikis Troyan, co-founder and managing partner of Clive Collective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The menu at Kuza will reflect Davila\u2019s first opportunity to lead a restaurant from concept through opening, with dishes expected to include house-made gyoza, Edomae-style sushi, dim sum, and slow-developed ramen. An open kitchen design will further showcase the interplay between robata grilling and sushi preparation, creating a dynamic, high-energy dining experience for guests. For more, visit kuzarestaurant.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"New Asian-inspired concept Kuza will debut in Scottsdale later this year.\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":30903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[17278,4971,17615,12286],"class_list":{"0":"post-30900","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-phoenix-food-and-restaurant-news","8":"tag-clive-collective","9":"tag-featured","10":"tag-kuza","11":"tag-scottsdale-dining","12":"cs-entry","13":"cs-video-wrap"},"yoast_head":"\nKuza Appoints Executive Chef Erik Davila Ahead of Opening<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"New Asian-inspired concept Kuza 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