Name: Cool Nihongo at Japanese Friendship Garden
Start: 2027-07-10
End: 2027-07-10

Choose-your-own-meatball and build-your-own charcuterie board experience complete with hand-rolled meatballs and saucy attitude, fresh-made pastas and Italian butcher-style meats. The modern-casual meatball and butchery-inspired concept is the first of its kind to launch in Phoenix. Brought by visionaries and operators of Tomaso's Italian Restaurant, Tomaso's When in Rome, Hash Kitchen, and The Sicilian Baker. The Sicilian Butcher is a chef-driven neighborhood restaurant developed by Celebrity Chef Joey Maggiore, his wife and lead designer Cristina Maggiore, business partner Flora Tersigni and creative team led by Freddy Nguyen.

The Sicilian Butcher & Bakery

This dual branded hotel is located in the Discovery Business Campus adjacent to the ASU Research Park in Tempe. The hotel offers 228 total guest rooms–with the Home2 Suites offering 108 studio and one-bedroom suites, and the Hilton Garden Inn offering 120 king and two queen rooms. A combined 5,260 square feet of event space, The Garden Grille & Bar, outdoor fire pit lounge, BBQ grill patio and so much more.

Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Tempe ASU Research Park

Black Fig Coffee & Bistro is an express service eatery just steps from the casino floor. Open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, the bistro serves fresh coffee, tea and lattes, as well as delicious handcrafted sandwiches, specialty pizzas, mouth-watering appetizers and fresh soups and salads.

Black Fig Coffee & Bistro at Talking Stick Resort

Fresh seafood prepared Creole style! Experience a taste of New Orleans in Scottsdale, located just off our casino floor on the main level. Ocean Trail serves up exceptional seafood with aromatic Creole spices and classic New Orleans favorites—a rarity among restaurants in the Phoenix area. Items on the menu include raw oysters, steamers, Cajun style boils and of course delicious clam chowder. Everything is made to your taste on a spiciness level between 1 and 10, freshly prepared in front of you at the restaurant’s open cooking station. Ocean Trail also offers specialty cocktails, lunch specials Monday through Friday and happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. The dining area is an exclusive 19-seat seafood food bar with sleek, modern décor. Ocean Trail is consistently given top reviews, and is the ultimate destination for New Orleans style dining in Scottsdale.

Ocean Trail at Talking Stick Resort

Scottsdale's premier Talking Stick Resort™. Offering distinct comfort and contemporary design, Talking Stick Resort™ guest rooms and hotel suites exude the flavor of Scottsdale, Arizona with a luxurious touch. Experience exciting casino gaming, rejuvenating spa treatments, championship golf, outstanding dining and world-class entertainment-all at Arizona's hottest Four Diamond destination. In addition to relaxing in one of the 496 luxurious rooms and suites, enjoy several upscale amenities, including an open-air spa with panoramic views, world-class dining, and a host of entertainment lounges. For special rates and packages, visit our website or give us a call.

Talking Stick Resort

Scottsdale's premiere Talking Stick Resort. Experience exciting casino gaming, rejuvenating spa treatments, championship golf, outstanding dining and world-class entertainment-all at Arizona's hottest Four Diamond destination. In addition to relaxing in one of the 497 luxurious rooms and suites, enjoy several upscale amenities, including an open-air spa with panoramic views, world-class dining, a host of entertainment lounges plus a 240,000 square foot property. For special rates and packages, visit our website or give us a call.

Located on the Garden Level (lower level) of the resort, Blue Coyote Café is open 24 hours a day and offers an eclectic mix of mouthwatering American cuisine and sushi. The ambiance is upscale yet casual. Blue Coyote is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor dining with our indoor-outdoor restaurant seating. Many tables have a wonderful view of our main hotel pools. Our large menu selection features items for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a Southwestern flair, including the best fresh omelets, specialty sandwiches and a variety of soups and salads. Our full sushi menu includes Nigiri, Sashimi and rolls like Alaskan, Rainbow and Boston. Sushi is served daily from 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Blue Coyote Cafe at Talking Stick Resort

Blue Coyote Cantina™ is the ideal spot for those who seek a true Southwestern experience in Scottsdale. The southwestern inspired menu featuring tacos, burritos and much more packs a punch that pairs well with the large selection of tequilas. Enjoy dining in an upscale atmosphere with chic modern furniture and live entertainment daily after 4 p.m. If you're feeling lucky, our casino floor is just steps away with exciting slots and table games.

Blue Coyote Cantina at Talking Stick Resort

Orange Sky is the signature fine dining restaurant at Talking Stick Resort with one of the best sunset views in Arizona and an award-winning wine list. Located at the top of the hotel on the 15th floor, Orange Sky restaurant sets the senses ablaze with its signature dishes and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer the best 360-degree views of the Valley's signature orange sunsets. Private dining and event spaces are perfect for receptions, dinners, conferences, board meetings, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, intimate dinner parties and corporate dinners. Our wine selection includes over 400 bottles and 30 wines by the glass, and has received Wine Spectator's "Best of Award of Excellence" (2017, 2018, 2019) for being one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world. The restaurant offers private dining reservations for groups, meetings, parties or intimate dinner celebrations. The indoor private dining rooms accommodate 10 to 18 guests and our Community Table in the main dining room accommodates up to 24 guests. Enjoy spectacular views from our patio which holds up to 50 guests. We are also able to accommodate small groups of up to 25 guests with a semi-private half patio reservation. Minimums apply.

Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort

Tash restaurant is a Mediterranean dining experience for those who think food should be as inspired, innovative, and courageous as they are. The Tash menu merges the freshness of local ingredients with the boldness of global inspiration to create truly transcendent dishes.

Tash at Talking Stick Resort

It's time to go beyond. Follow trails that reveal mighty mountaintops. Wander among iconic landscapes beneath picture-perfect skies. Let the Sonoran Desert be your guide to limitless adventure.

Visit Phoenix Sports & Events 

**Discover Japan through Language & Culture at Cool Nihongo!** Nihongo means “Japanese language” — pronounced *Knee-Hone-Goh* — and just like that, you’ve learned your first word!

Each month from September through June, our instructors introduce seasonal themes and cultural traditions, from fall festivals and New Year’s greetings to spring ceremonies and summer celebrations. Through interactive activities, cultural insights, and practical language practice, you’ll explore Japan in a fun and approachable way. Handouts are provided to support your learning, and there’s time to mingle and practice with fellow participants.

Your Cool Nihongo ticket also includes complimentary admission to the Japanese Friendship Garden — a chance to enjoy the serene beauty of the Garden before or after class.

Cool Nihongo at Japanese Friendship Garden

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