Dolce Vita Bistro

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Casual Bistro with a Historic Wine Distinction

Dolce Vita Bistro sits on the ground floor of Mirabella at ASU on East University Drive in Tempe, open to residents and the general public alike for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The setting is quick and casual, with food to go available for anyone passing through campus — but the kitchen's ambitions run considerably higher than the relaxed format might suggest.

In 2024, Dolce Vita Bistro became the first restaurant in a senior living community to receive a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The recognition came on the strength of a wine list approaching nearly 200 selections, paired with a kitchen that designs its food offerings to complement them. The list evolves with the seasons, and resident feedback actively shapes what gets poured and what lands on the plate.

The Kitchen Behind the Recognition

Executive Chef Ryan Staroszik leads the culinary team, bringing experience from some of the world's most luxurious resort properties. His approach to American cuisine emphasizes seasonal variety, made-from-scratch preparation, and genuine attention to nutritional balance — without sacrificing the kind of comfort food that makes a meal feel like an occasion. Baked goods come out of the kitchen from scratch, and special themed meals mark holidays and celebrations throughout the year.

The team accommodates a wide range of dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and heart-healthy requirements, treating each as a creative challenge rather than a constraint. The same kitchen that crafts health-conscious plates is equally at home producing a cheeseburger or a slice of banana cream pie — made, as with everything here, with quality ingredients.

Open to the Campus and Beyond

What makes Dolce Vita Bistro distinctive within the Mirabella dining program is its accessibility. While the building also houses a formal fine-dining room and a panoramic-view casual restaurant, Dolce Vita is the one that opens its doors to the public — a ground-floor spot where the ASU campus community and Tempe visitors can sit down for a proper American meal or grab something on the way out. The atmosphere encourages mixing and mingling, and the Wine Spectator-recognized wine program is there for anyone who wants to explore it.