Cory Oppold is well-known for winning Chopped on the Food Network and for his decades of culinary creativity at Atlas Bistro, Binkley’s, and L ’Auberge de Sedona. During the pandemic, Chef Oppold innovated a cryogenic method to create a multi-course fine dining experience called “Simmer Down,” where clients would take Chef’s mostly-prepared menu items and plate them at home. Those innovative courses were just the foundation for what would eventually become a brick-and-mortar concept.
“By 2021, in addition to Simmer Down, I started doing in-home and special event dining, focused on unforgettable and artfully plated courses getting more elaborate and adventurous with every booking,” said Oppold. “In early 2022, I did a private dinner that allowed me to realize my biggest dream.”
During that dinner, Oppold connected with two guests, Brett and Christian Pezzuto, who would become his partners in an innovative, immersive dining experience that would change all their lives, aptly named COURSE Restaurant.
Open since May 2023 in central Scottsdale, the restaurant—nearly 1,900 square feet inside with a 625-square-foot patio covered in greenery to evoke a secret garden feel—is the culmination of every single course that has inspired Oppold throughout his career. Light and bright upon entering, the design is modern and simple, with a neutral wood palette so that the dishes may serve as the art.
“For me, vegetables serve as the primary paint on each of what I call my culinary canvases,” said Oppold. “Not to say we don’t have a stunning Wagyu beef and insane cuts of other proteins, but the vegetables allow so much playfulness in technique, seasoning, and plating that I think they will stand out most to diners.”
Oppold offers a variety of dining experiences, each seamlessly blending Michelin-level technique and precision with familiar and rustic flavors. Many of these experiences will take guests back to their childhoods.
“Each dish is a bit of a sleight of hand as it may appear more haute couture than a hot dog, but upon tasting our creations, guests are meant to go on a culinary journey of nostalgia, uncovering a core memory based on the inspiration for the dish,” said Oppold. “We are certainly avante-garde and fine dining, but also really approachable in our flavor profiles by design.”
Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, the COURSE menu features two primary evening options: a five-course offering Tuesday through Thursday starting at $135 per person and an indulgent chef’s tasting menu for all the senses on Fridays and Saturdays that starts at $175 per person. There is the option to add sommelier-selected beverage pairings for an enhancement as well as specialty additions to the menu including caviar, truffle, and Wagyu beef for supplemental charges. Menus change regularly but expect plates ranging from maple-cheddar ice cream paired with bacon and sour cream-infused sugar, to sturgeon pie that tastes like the world’s greatest version of a Ritz cracker with spray cheese. There are even caviar-infused doughnuts on some menus!
The restaurant recently launched “of • COURSE, a Sunday Menu Series.” During these exclusive midday dining experiences on Sundays, expect the entirety of the menu to follow a theme. By way of example, one menu explores the warm flavors from the heart of Europe in a dining adventure called The Alps. There have also been services focused on Mexico, Italy, and even a twisted take on the 12 Days of Christmas. Each of these menus starts at $145 per person, with reservations available on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fans of Oppold’s weekend brunch service series are also in luck as it will likely be offered as part of a Sunday series this spring, most likely during National Brunch Month in April.
Oppold even has some tricks up his sleeves for Valentine’s Day, offering an aphrodisiac-themed eight-course menu for three nights, both for couples and singles alike. “This year, we put together a special singles section of the restaurant for those dining on their own or with friends,” said Oppold. “Who knows, maybe we can help some folks fall in love with each other right along with our food.”
Just how good are these wild, wonderful menus? Though open for less than two years, COURSE has already garnered local and national acclaim. It notably earned the 2024 Arizona Restaurant Association’s Foodist Awards for Emerging Restaurant of the Year and Top Chef and was recently named to Yelp’s national list of the 2024 Best New Restaurants. Earning the No. 7 ranking, COURSE was the only local eatery to earn a spot on the list.
written by: alison bailin batz | photographed by: luke irvin
course restaurant | 7366 E Shea Blvd Suite 106, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
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