Some restaurant openings are places where you walk in, have dinner, and think, this is nice.
And then there are places where you walk through the front door and immediately realize someone has put a lot of thought into making the experience feel different.
Il Segreto, North Scottsdale’s newest upscale Italian restaurant, is one of those places.
We stopped in last weekend, just days after the restaurant opened its doors on August 12, and before we even sat down, it was obvious that it wasn’t simply a matter of putting a new sign on the old Arrivederci space.
Located at 8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, just behind Lamp Pizza and Raven Gastropub, Il Segreto has completely transformed what was there into something darker, moodier, more sophisticated and, frankly, a whole lot more fun.
The restaurant calls itself a refined Italian restaurant built around seasonal cooking, exceptional ingredients, wine and hospitality. But descriptions only tell you so much.
You really have to walk through the door.
A Door We Wish Were Green
The name Il Segreto means "The Secret."
And we have to admit, there was one tiny missed opportunity right at the entrance.
We really wish that front door had been painted green.
Once you step inside, you'll understand why.
There is something wonderfully mysterious about the space, and it would have been almost too perfect to have a green door leading into The Secret. It would have given us the perfect Scottsdale line:
We're Behind the Green Door.
If you know, you know.
Instead, you're greeted by a lovely hostess and one of the first visual moments that sets the tone for the entire restaurant—a dramatic wall featuring keys.
From there, the space splits into two very different experiences.
To the left is the lounge.
Green velvet, stylish furniture, moody lighting, and just enough swank to make you want to pull up a chair, order a cocktail, and forget that you have somewhere else to be.
It has that rare combination of being classy without feeling stuffy and sexy without trying too hard.
To the right is the dining room.
And this is where we found ourselves looking around, thinking, How did they do this?
The transformation from the former restaurant is remarkable. Il Segreto doesn't feel like a remodeled version of the space. It feels like an entirely different restaurant.
We especially appreciated the sound level. Many Scottsdale restaurants have music that competes with conversation. Il Segreto takes a different approach. The room is sophisticated but comfortable, and you can actually talk to the person sitting across from you.
Even some of the behind-the-scenes elements have been thoughtfully considered. The waiter station, for example, is tucked behind a wall rather than sitting out in the dining room. It's a small thing, but those small things add up when you're trying to create a polished experience.
And then the evening actually begins.
Before the First Course
When we sat down, we weren't immediately handed a menu and left to figure things out.
We were greeted with a small glass of champagne.
It was an unexpected touch, and a good one.
Then came an amuse-bouche-sized arancino for each of us.
Neither was meant to fill us up. That wasn't the point.
It was more like Il Segreto was saying, Welcome. Slow down. You're going to be here for a while.
And that little bite set the pace for the entire dinner.
This is something that can be difficult for a restaurant to create. You can spend a fortune on furniture and lighting, but making someone feel like they're being taken care of is something different. My guess is that this build-out was between 3 and 5 million, and once you walk in, you will see why.
Il Segreto seemed to understand that from the beginning.
The Details Are Part of the Experience
Plenty of little details throughout the restaurant tell you this wasn't thrown together overnight.
The plates are beautiful, and we were told they were imported from France, while the silverware comes from Italy. Whether you're the kind of person who notices those things or not, you will notice these.
The restaurant also makes its pasta and focaccia in-house.
And the focaccia deserves its own mention.
It was so incredibly light that we kept wondering how they managed it. Focaccia can easily become heavy, dense, and overly oily.
This wasn't.
It was light, airy, and almost disappeared in your mouth.
It's the kind of bread that makes you say, Okay, I'll just have one more piece.
And then suddenly there isn't any left.
The Food Is Doing the Heavy Lifting
If there's one thing we would like to see evolve as Il Segreto settles into its first few weeks, it's the plating.
Not because the food needs help; it doesn't.
We simply think a restaurant with this much attention to its room and overall presentation could take the plating just one small step further.
Because the food itself?
It could stand on its own in a paper bag.
We started with the Artichoke Crudo, featuring shaved artichokes, 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano, and tomato.
The flavor combination worked beautifully, although the shaved artichokes were a little firmer than I personally prefer. I would have liked them just a touch softer.
That's a matter of taste, though, and it certainly didn't overshadow the dish.
Then came the Zucchina Doppia, zucchini blossoms, whipped ricotta, and preserved lemon honey.
Order this.
Seriously.
This was one of those dishes that makes you stop talking for a minute.
The combination of the zucchini blossoms, creamy ricotta, and that little hit of preserved lemon honey was outstanding.
If you're going to ask us what you shouldn't miss on a first visit, this one is at the top of the list.
The Carpaccio Piemontese, made with prime K4 Ranch filet, tonnato sauce, fried capers, and wild arugula, was another winner.
The beef was exceptionally tender, and the tonnato brought a savory richness without overwhelming the meat.
Then came the Mafaldine di Mare, with dayboat scallops, Salt Spring Island mussels, white wine, and herbs.
This was the dish that left us wanting more.
The pasta had that wonderful quality where you finish what is on the plate and immediately start thinking about ordering another one.
Knowing the pasta was made in-house made it even better.
The Pollo alla Diavola was another pleasant surprise.
The Calabrian-marinated chicken with cherry tomatoes and roasted pepper was juicy, tender, and packed with flavor.
Chicken can sometimes be the safe choice on a menu like this.
This wasn't a safe choice.
It was a very good one.
Just have to say…
It's worth remembering that Il Segreto is brand new.
We were there during its first week, and while our server was professional, friendly and attentive, there were a few moments when he was still getting comfortable with parts of the menu. He knew 98% of the menu like the back of his hand.
A new restaurant is a moving target during those first few weeks. The kitchen is figuring out timing, the staff is learning the menu, dishes are being tweaked, and everyone is finding their rhythm.
We're not going to fault anyone for that.
In fact, we'd much rather see a new restaurant take a little time to get everything right than pretend it has been operating for six months when it’s been open for six days.
And Then Came Dessert
Now let's talk about the chocolate tart.
We had heard people talking about it before we arrived.
Now we understand why.
I don't even consider myself much of a tart person, but this thing was ridiculous.
The chocolate was so light and airy that it almost seemed impossible that you were eating a chocolate dessert.
It was more like a warm chocolate cloud.
That may sound dramatic.
It was.
But so was the dessert.
The Secret May Not Stay Secret for Long
Il Segreto is still finding its rhythm, but the early signs are very good.
The restaurant is also building flexibility into the experience, with its bar and lounge offering a place to come in for a drink and settle into the evening, while the dining room provides a more traditional dinner experience. The restaurant's own messaging puts hospitality front and center, with the idea that the best evenings begin before the first course arrives.
That's exactly how our night felt, all 2 hours and 35 minutes of it.
Also note: Valet service wasn't up and running yet when we visited.
Personally, I'd love to see them eventually take the valet experience a step further, with guests being dropped at the front entrance and cars retrieved from the rear. It would be one more little detail that fits the level of experience they're creating. Maybe just do valet in the back by the restaurant itself; it is one of these secrets. If you have been there before, you know the valet is in the back like a well-kept secret.
But none of that takes away from what Il Segreto is already doing well.
The food is excellent.
The room is beautiful.
The hospitality feels intentional.
Something about the entire place makes you want to stay a little longer.
We're already planning our return.
Next time, we're thinking about skipping the dining room and settling into that green velvet lounge—or trying the patio.
They don't have misters installed yet, but we're told that's part of next year's plan. Once Scottsdale cools down, that outdoor space could become one of the restaurant's best features.
And that's probably the biggest compliment we can give Il Segreto after a first visit:
We aren't done exploring it yet.
For a restaurant called The Secret, that's probably exactly what they were hoping for.
The secret, however, may not stay a secret for very long.
Plan Your Visit
Address
8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Suite D1
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Northeast corner of Pinnacle Peak Road & Pima Road
Behind Lamp Pizza and Raven Gastropub. Same parking lot as Maetros and the Belmont
Phone
480-956-7040
Website
ilsegretoaz.com
Reservations
Reserve on OpenTable
Instagram: @ilsegretoaz
Current Hours
Wednesday–Thursday: 4:00–9:00 PM
Friday–Saturday: 4:00–9:45 PM
Sunday: 4:00–9:00 PM
Aperitivo Hour
Wednesday–Sunday: 4:00–6:00 PM
Cuisine: Contemporary Italian / Northern Italian
Price: $$$$ / Fine Dining
Dress: Business Casual
