Experiential Elegance

Sexy Roman offers a fine dining take on modern Italian cuisine

By Alison Bailin Batz

Since opening its doors at the Esplanade in 2019, Flint by Baltaire has been a sensation, offering elevated American fare infused with bold flavors from across the Mediterranean and Middle East in an utterly sophisticated setting. “Given our success, we have had the dream to open a second concept in the Valley but wanted to wait until the perfect space opened up,” says Travis Strickland, chief operating officer of Alliance Hospitality Group, owner of Flint.

Enter the W Scottsdale. “When Sushi Roku closed at the W Scottsdale, we jumped at the opportunity to reinvigorate the space with what we feel is ushering in the bold redevelopment of the area’s popular entertainment district,” Strickland says. “We wanted to create an experience-driven restaurant that will have people talking and mouths watering for years to come.”

Set to open this month in the 5,500-square-foot space, Sexy Roman is designed to seduce all the senses. Visually, the concept is inspired by a grand salon celebrating a bon vivant’s triumphant return home from an Italian adventure. It is awash in rich olive wood veneer and black marble with a wall of dramatic green velvet drapery, a wraparound bronze and glass wine cellar that doubles as an art installation, a moody lounge space with ample plush furniture, and an expansive bar with embossed Italian leather panels. Stunning red and white marble tables and wine-colored booths complete the main dining room.

“The only thing more dramatic than the visual upon entering Sexy Roman is the menu,” says Strickland, an award-winning chef himself who enlisted the talent of chef Jason Franey to craft the eatery’s dishes.

A James Beard Award nominee and veteran of James Beard Award-winning eateries including Canlis and Eleven Madison Park, Franey’s menu boasts scratch-made pasta, notably a spicy lobster spaghetti with squared pasta extruded in-house bathed in a Calabrian chili-infused tomato sauce; and agnolotti with velvety cheese, leeks and truffle sauce. There is also a considerable Prime steak section of the menu as well as a large variety of other entrees, including a 14-ounce double-breasted chicken parmesan and 16-ounce bone-in veal Milanese. “We also wanted to have a lot of shareables one might expect at a celebration, so there are a host of starters as well as a snacky menu with items like roasted focaccia with tomato jam and saffron-scented suppli, which is a Sicilian-style arancini,” Strickland says.

The cocktail program is highlighted by custom-made martini carts offering glass chilling tableside and martinis designed in partnership with Chopin Vodka and Meletti Italian liquers. Additional specialty cocktails are elevated, modern takes on the classics, many with experiential elements such as smoking, and the wine program is a blend of American and European favorites with funky, eclectic Italian varietals.

Sexy Roman is open 5 to 11 p.m. nightly, with plans to offer breakfast and lunch service in coming months.

7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale; 480.970.2100; www.sexyroman.com.