New: McClintock's
McClintock's opened last week in the exclusive community of Saguaro Ranch, northwest of Tucson. The entrance to the community is an eerie tunnel that was made by blowing a hole in the Tortolita Mountains. The menu features organic-American cuisine with Tuscan influences. McClintock's is open daily for dinner starting at 5 p.m. Reservations are required by calling 579-2100--and those reservations will permit you to enter the guarded and gated community. Magnificent views can be enjoyed from the restaurant.
New: Santillo's Bar and Grill
Santillo's, which recently opened, lives on where Si Grille previously was at 8195 N. Oracle Road. Hailing from Buffalo, N.Y., owner Michael Santillo introduces beef on wec, or wick to Tucsonans. What's a wec? Kummelwick or kummelweck is a salty kaiser-like roll. Horseradish made to Santillo's specifications is the spicy condiment of choice. Buffalo brought us wings, and now the wec; 297-3454.
On a Roll
The wec got me thinking: Santillo said his restaurant's kaiser rolls are made especially for him; then he adds garlic butter, caraway seeds and sea salt. The amounts are his little secret. And then there's Frankie's Philadelphia Cheesesteaks (formerly Daglio's), where the owner uses Amoroso rolls. These chewy morsels are the real thing and are flown in directly from Amoroso's Baking Company in Philadelphia. Now if only we had some New York bagels ...