Virtu Honest Craft

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

The Name Says It All

Virtù is a Machiavellian term for the pursuit of excellence — and at Virtu Honest Craft in Old Town Scottsdale, that pursuit shapes everything from the plate to the glass. The restaurant opened in 2013 as the fulfillment of a longtime dream for Chef Gio, a Phoenix-area figure who had cooked in numerous award-winning local kitchens before striking out on his own. What he built on N. Marshall Way has since become one of Scottsdale's most respected dining destinations, earning a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence in 2024 — recognition that speaks directly to the depth and thoughtfulness of the wine program here.

A Menu That Keeps Moving

The kitchen at Virtu Honest Craft doesn't stand still. The Mediterranean-inspired menu changes almost weekly, sometimes daily, reflecting Chef Gio's commitment to a modern, global interpretation of his Mediterranean family roots. Expect a wandering list of dishes that responds to the season and the moment rather than a fixed repertoire. That restlessness is the point: it keeps both the kitchen and the guest alert.

The team approaches each element of the experience with the same care — from the craft of the cocktails to the selection of wines — with every choice made to complement the food rather than compete with it.

The Wine List

The Wine Spectator recognition puts the cellar in sharp focus. The list spans Old and New World bottles, from Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs and Yarra Valley Chardonnays to Italian sparkling wines and Champagne, with a dessert wine selection that includes Far Niente "Dolce" and Royal Tokaji. It's a list built to travel alongside an Italian and Mediterranean menu that itself covers considerable ground.

Setting and Scope

Virtu Honest Craft offers indoor dining and heated outdoor patios, with private rooms available for events and parties. The atmosphere is one of sophisticated simplicity — the kind of room where the food and wine are the main event, and the surroundings support rather than distract.