Toscana 87

You can get a taste of Italy right up the road.

Toscana 87, a recently-opened Italian restaurant at Fort McDowell Casino, is surrounded by scenes of Italy – canals, vineyards, quaint piazzas, little markets. Everywhere you look is a different sight. Italian music flows through the air, adding to the ambiance.

And then there’s the food. Soups and salads (zuppe e insalate), sandwiches (paninis), pizza, pasta and more. Led by Food and Beverage Director Rudy Navarro, and followed by Executive Chef Olga Potkonjak, the food reflects the Tuscan region of Italy.

When planning the changes in the restaurant, Navarro, Potkonjak and principals at Fort McDowell Casino sat down and brainstormed.

“Our general manager (Lester Brzozowski) wanted to create an Italian environment,” Navarro said. “This is the result of all our meetings.”

Prior to opening in November 2006, Toscana 87 was Café 87 and featured American fare. With considerable renovation not only of the restaurant but of the casino’s kitchen, the variety is greater and service is enhanced.

“The restaurant has been very well received,” Navarro said. “We have had great response from our guests.”

In addition to the newly opened Toscana 87 is the Saguaro Cantina, which features traditional Mexican food. The casino still features its fine dining restaurant, The Peaks, which is a steak house; as well as the Silver Platter, casual dining; and the Verde River Buffet, with a variety of dishes served buffet style.

Toscana 87 has an Old World feel. The murals by Colorado artist Carrie Simpson, give people the feeling that they are inside a plaza look out at various scenes.

“I really think the ambiance of Toscana creates a whole feel,” Navarro said. “The ambiance, the food and the service all just give you the good feeling of being in Italy. You don’t imagine the casino right outside the door.”

Navarro said his favorite dish on the menu is the calamari, but his morning manager and event coordinator Renee Skowron says she loves the meatballs.

“They are phenomenal,” Skowron said.

A favorite among diners is gnocchi d’Olga, created by the executive chef. Her particular choice, however, is fettuccini Alfredo with chicken. And what does she enjoy cooking the most?

“Veal marsalla,” she said. “It is a wonderful dish to do.”

Toscana also serves breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m. and offers frittata, omelets, waffles, pancakes and eggs.

The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Fort McDowell Casino is located on U.S. 87 (Beeline Highway), two miles north of Shea Boulevard.

This story was featured January 2007.