Quick Review: Centro Paninoteca, Scottsdale

[barry]

After reading about Centro on here, and reading the little review on azcentral, my panini loving wife and I decided to visit this very little place with friends last night after a movie. It's located on the north east corner of Scottsdale and Shea, right next to Handlebar J's (directly behind the Jack in the Box).

It's very small from the front, and even smaller when you get inside (maybe 1000 s.f.). There are one or two parking spots directly in front, and then a little patio before you get to the door. Inside, there is a small stand alone bar to the right when you walk in that didn't seem to be in use. Past that on the right is a door, that will soon lead to a patio on the side connecting to the front. He'll have another 460 feet of patio space once it's completed. Past the side door is the real bar with maybe 5 stools, and past that, more hidden in the back is the kitchen. The left 2/3 of the narrow space is reserved for 8 or so tables. The atmosphere is very casual and relaxed. Although the owner, Chris, used to be the GM at Delux, Centro is much less sophisticated in it's design. That's not a bad thing, but don't expect Delux with panini instead of burgers.

We sat at a table and checked out the wine list. The list has 8 or so each of whites and reds by the glass. I did not see a bottle list, but I assume you can order a bottle, if you prefer. Chris stated that the wines are most likely those you have never seen or heard of before, and with a few exceptions he was right. It is a very eclectic list, and I saw wines from California, Italy, Chile and other locales on the short list. The wines seemed to be in the $8-9 a glass range, and we tried a sauv blanc from Chile, and a Cline viognier. Both were very good. Centro also offers a nice list of beers, although I didn't take too long a look. It's all bottle beers, and someone in our group had a Stella.

The menu is split into 3 sections: appetizers, salads and panini. There were 6 of us but 2-3 didn't want anything to eat. I wanted to try a few things, so we ordered the bruschetta ($6, I think) and the ceviche ($9.50). The bruschetta was chopped tomato and spices in a bowl with several large pieces of crostini. It was good, fresh, but nothing crazy. The ceviche was great. Baby shrimp, cilantro, onion, lime in a tomato broth. Different, but very good...it also came with crostini.

We also ordered two panini. The vegatable panino ($8, I think) came with roasted red peppers, zucchini, roasted tomotoes, mozzarella and baby arugula (there may have been more). It was very tasty. I also ordered the market panino ($9) which was chicken wrapped in prosciutto with fontina and the baby arugula. It was very good, with the pressed/toasty bread crunch we like in panini. The ingredients all seemed to be top notch, and everything was fresh and flavorful.

There are maybe a dozen panini on the menu, including several that are fancy grilled cheese sandwiches. Several of them looked delicious, and I look forward to trying them soon. Centro also offers cocktails, which I didn't notice until I was standing at the bar paying the bill.

When we arrived around 9:45 there were only a couple of other tables occupied. Those folks left, but the small space quickly filled with small groups drinking and talking. We left around midnight with most tables occupied, the bar mostly full, and several people on the front patio.

A couple of things...it gets pretty noisy in there. It's a small space with low ceilings and less than great accoustics. Chris also plays the music a bit loud, so you can hear the person right next to you ok, but it was hard to keep up with the conversation beyond that. As we were wrapping up, a couple of my friends noted that it was hard to hear others at our table and I agree. It might be a good idea to lower the music volume a bit, but we didn't really have a problem until the room filled.

The waitress was very nice and friendly, perfect for this place. But, she didn't know anything abou the wine list, and had to get Chris to come over to talk with us (which was great, but it seems like she should learn a little about the list).

I really like this place a lot, and I encourage anyone in the area to stop in and check it out. I don't know that I would call it a destination restaurant. It's more of a place to go for a quick bite before or after doing something else, a quick weekday dinner (or lunch) or a place to go for a casual drink with a few friends. In other words, a great neighborhood spot in an area that can use a few neighborhood spots. Plus, it's open until 2am every night but Sunday (including the kitchen), which is definately unique for the Scottsdale area.

Barry

Centro Paninoteca
7120 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale
[phone]

[ciaogal]

Barry,

Thanks for the review......I am definitely going to hit it for lunch this week.....

[Firenza00]

I stopped in for lunch today since I was in the area. I was there around 1:20pm, so it was just me and Chris, the owner. I tried the Italian Press: spiced pepperoni, salami, tomato sauce, rosemary, fresh mozzarella, and parmesan. The owner also added a thinly sliced variety of different salami. It came on an herbed flat bread. It was awesome. The flavors melded perfectly and nothing overpowered the rest. It came with some seasoned sweet potato chips and he let me be a guinea pig for an aioli he was playing with for them. I wasn't too keen on the flavor of the chips and it overpowered the aioli, but he's still tweaking. He said a 1/2 salad can be subbed for the chips if you wanted.

[Firenza00]

I stopped in tonight to get a sandwich to go, and Chris (the owner) mentioned that during August, they are going to "summer hours" and open at 4pm. He said he wants to finish the patio out front before it cools down and since they are open from something like 11am-2am, something had to give. Once the patio is done and it cools off, it should be a great place to sit and enjoy one of their yummy paninis.

[crsin]

Hmm, thanks for the heads up. I didn't even know this place existed. Love a good panini, and am always driving around in that area trying to think of where to eat. Sounds like a solid addition. Will give it a try soon.

[Firenza00]

I'd definitely recommend it. I've been there three times in the past couple weeks. I got the prosciutto-wrapped chicken panini for my g/f last night and the bites I had were really good. The other time I'd tried it I had already eaten some of my Italian Press sandwich and it overwhelmed the subtlety of the the chicken/prosciutto/fontina cheese combo. After trying it with a clean palette, I'm now a fan.

[crsin]

.

[sunshineinaz]

We tried to go for lunch today but they were closed. Does anyone know the scoop on when they are open? Are they just closed for lunch on Mondays? Really wanted to try this based on the reviews.

[Firenza00]

The menu I have doesn't show hours. I haven't been on a Monday before, so I don't know. Their number is 480-443-7162 if you want to call and confirm hours. The owner told me they were closing for lunch during August to finish their patio, but it seems early for that.

[sunshineinaz]

Thanks for the info..tried calling twice but all I get is a recording that the voice mail box hasn't been set up yet. I'll try calling later in the day to see if I can get a hold of a live person.

[seeallinaz]

Hit this place last night, the hours are 4pm to 2am Mon through Sat through Aug. Server said. Went last night around 7pm, found last table and small bar was full. Had a quick glass of a killer red, owner , Chris, came out from kitchen behind divider, when server told him we didn't recognize many of his wines and tasted us through a couple, VERY COOL! I ended up with a Pinot Nero my girl had a white, too sweet for me but she loved it.. Hmm. Went to a movie just east of place and came back after dark. Great atmosphere after dark! Only had one app, too much movie snacks, but was very good. Caprese salad w/ a spring mix garnish and a sliver of roasted pepper. Toms were ripe and just enough balsamic and oil to have enough for every bite. Good date place after dark. Only little thing...menu font a little too small after dark but if that's the only thing wrong I'll deal w/it. Perfect place. Thnks.

[Firenza00]

I guess they did the hours change earlier than I'd been told. Oh well. They usually aren't busy until 9pm or so, so I'm not sure how much summer business they will lose. I'm sure once word gets around, it'll pick up.

[crsin]

I went on a Thursday at around 6:30 a week or two ago. All tables were full except maybe two. We took one, and soon all tables were full, and a steady stream of people kept coming. By about 7:00, all tables were full, the main bar was full, a couple was sitting at the sidebar and another were forced the sit outside on the patio (which obviously isn't ideal in 110 degree air). After the place was packed, the steady stream continued with another 5+ groups walking in, turning around and immediately leaving (likely shocked at how full it was), even telling other groups walking in that it was full as they walked to their cars.

The place is definitely bustling and I'd say word HAS gotten out. The traffic really suprised me. I don't think you have much to worry about in terms of it "picking up." If anything, worry about how to squeeze your way in at the right time.

[sunshineinaz]

Thanks so much for the update on their hours...will have to try after work instead of at lunch. The caprese sounds delicious.

[Firenza00]

Once caveat we noticed on a trip last week. Chris (the owner) wasn't there and someone else was manning the grill. Both of our paninis were stone cold in the middle. I did mention it to the waitress when we paid, and she said she'd let the grill man know, but if you don't see Chris there, I'd almost recommend leaving and coming back when he's around.

[thattreoguy]

Thanks Firenza00.......Was it crowded or something when you went there?

[Firenza00]

Our most recent visit, the inside was empty when we got there. Outside on the patio, there was a two-top, and a large group of drunk Scottsdale girls, maybe 6 or 8. The girls had finished eating already. So maybe 10 to total customers, including us. Really no excuse for cold sandwiches. Ours was the only active order as far as I can tell. Just inexperience on the cook's part. Chris needs to train him better or he just needs more time at it.

[hohokam]

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