Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Padillo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been in the food and beverage industry for 23 years now. I started in San Diego where I’m a native and I moved to Arizona about 10 years ago. I have worked for a couple very large restaurant concepts in my time and I have opened over 60 restaurants all over the country. Food and Beverage and guest service is my passion. With that being said almost a year and a half ago I met a lady named Miriam Hayenga that had a vision of opening a restaurant concept that over looked Dolphins in the back yard of the restaurant at OdySea in the desert. After seeing the site and meeting Miriam the owner Modern Grove Views/MG fresh concepts I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Miriam is a native of Arizona and a very highly respected entrepreneur. In a year and a half we have also opened our Docktails bar inside Dolphinaris, Views and our High Bar that is located on top of the Views restaurant. Views is a farm to table made from scratch kitchen with delicious food and amazing views. Docktails is a street taco style menu with awesome views of the dolphins in the pool on the ground level. Our High Bar is the hidden Gem it has fabulous sunsets over camel back mountain and breath taking views of the mountains. We serve hand crafted cocktails and bruschetta boards. The last project Miriam brought to the table this year was opening up the first Ice Bar is Arizona at OdySea. Polar Play Ice bar is 23 degrees in the freezer with tons of ice sculptures, games, crazy drinks to have fun!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Our struggle is getting the word out that there is a lot more to do at OdySea in the desert than just the aquarium. Everyone that comes loves it but we need to build night time business. Please come check us out and spread the word.
Please tell us about Modern Grove Views.
We specialize in food and beverage in day to day service as well as our private catered parties we host. We have the most food and beverage room at OdySea. We have hosted trade shows, fashion shows, private plated, wedding rehearsals, buyouts, dinners for 300 to 500 guests. Our food is amazing our brand chef Dustin Cooke is always thinking outside the box and his food creativity is top notch. Dustin uses local farms for produce to get the freshest product and keeping our sources as much as possible right here in Arizona.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
You know the restaurant industry is a tuff industry and very challenging it is not for everyone. You have to have tuff skin and a very high work ethic. Working hard has never been an issue for me because I believe in wanting to be the best at whatever you do. You know for me being there more for my kids would be my only change. My family understands why I’m gone so much and crazy weird hours but seeing them grow up I will not get back.
Pricing:
- Our prices are $9 to $11 for apps, Salads $12 to $14, sandwhiches, $12 to $14, signature items $17 to $21, fladbreads $12 to $13
Contact Info:
- Address: 9500 E Via De Ventura, Scottsdale AZ 85256
- Website: moderngrove.com
- Phone: 480-291-6570 restaurant Maeghan sales and catering manager 480-291-6573 Eddie GM 619-948-6190
- Email: Maeghan Glynn maeghan.glynn@moderngrove.com Eddie Padillo eddie.padillo@moderngrove.com
Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
