Peter Kasperski
The creative force behind downtown Scottsdale’s acclaimed wine-and-dining quartet at the intersection of 6th and Stetson is Peter Kasperski, self-proclaimed ‘restaurant junkie’ and 35-year industry veteran. Kasperski’s venues have helped raise the bar for memorable Arizona dining with a simple formula: creative food, interesting beverage, unique spaces, and knowledgeable staff empowered to thrill each guest, at every visit.
Kasperski has called Scottsdale home since 1979, leaving his native Chicago behind for a key position with the organization behind Steven café & restaurant. He opened or consulted on their subsequent projects in Phoenix, Chicago, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The initial location in Scottsdale won national praise from Esquire, Wall Street Journal, Gourmet, The Washington Post, Wine Spectator and Restaurants & Institutions and Kasperski moved on to regional management posts with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises and Bravo Restaurants, whose operations took him to Phoenix, Chicago, Milwaukee and LA.
Since the 1997 opening of Cowboy Ciao, his first independent venture, foodies and winos from across the Valley and beyond have been drawn to the corner Kasperski likens to a “Restaurant Row” of sorts. Now a standing local favorite, his flagship has been touted by respected local publications as well as The New York Times, The Globe & Mail, Cowboys & Indians, USA Today and OK!. In 2001, Kasperski opened a speakeasy-style lounge as a tribute to his late father; today Kazimierz world wine bar sees multiple demographics nightly, all enjoying the ‘Old World’ ambience, live entertainment, global wines and grazing dishes. Collaborating with chef Nobuo Fukuda, in 2002 Kasperski debuted Sea Saw, the boutique dinner house which captivates the most jaded foodies and has earned high praise at the national level (Art Culinaire, Food & Wine, Wine Spectator, Sunset and the James Beard Foundation).
Fans and critics alike applaud the value, depth and humor in his unconventional wine program, which encourages guests to experiment with unfamiliar varietals and boutique producers. Kasperski’s eclectic wine list –-offering 3000+ labels and nearly 250 varietals, from some 50 countries— has received multiple Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator and mentions in Food & Wine, Gourmet, Restaurant Wine, Food Arts and Wine & Spirits. He pens a beverage column for PHOENIX Magazine and has also written pieces for 944 and Scottsdale Magazine. Kasperski’s visionary thinking and his passion for advancing Scottsdale’s cachet as a dining destination prompted his appointment to the Scottsdale Convention & Visitor Bureau board of directors and inspired him to co-found the the local dining coalition Savor Scottsdale.
With his latest spot DIGESTIF located in SouthBridge, the urban village blossoming along the historic Arizona canal, Kasperski continues to draw a loyal, local clientele and food-savvy visitors; in short, all those hungering for memorable, big-city dining experiences in the heart of Scottsdale’s dynamic downtown.
