Scottsdale Realtors launch Cafe 8600 for members, public
The Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors needed a space to house their staff, plus offer member services, educational seminars and free Wi-Fi lounges. As they sat down to design a new building near the Scottsdale Princess Resort, they thought: Why not make this a full-fledged meeting venue?
That’s why the group’s new headquarters also includes not only seven private event rooms, but Cafe 8600, a sleek, modern eatery trimmed in crisp white with pops of lemon-orange, a community table, big-screen TVs, pendant lighting, bistro seating and a dining patio.
Set in the Venue 8600 lobby and open to the public, the cafe is becoming an insider’s favorite with workers within its surrounding Perimeter Center.
“It was actually a group of Realtors who had the ambitious vision to create a gathering place and home for Scottsdale Realtors plus the community at large,” said Elayne Beyer, the facility’s director of events. “Together with our architects and interior designers, we were able to create what we think is a truly unique, innovative and modern space.”
Tucked behind enormous walls of glass, and a soaring, wing-style porte-cochère entry, the 44-seat cafe serves breakfast and lunch weekdays. Food comes from Ciao Baby Catering in the Scottsdale Airpark; Ciao Baby also operates Zulu Caffe within the airport.
The lineup covers mainly the basics, such as a smoked salmon plate with bagel and cream cheese ($7.50), eggs ($6) and pastries ($3) in the morning. At lunch, executive chef Brian Ford and chef de cuisine David Paul put together selections like an achiote chop chicken salad with avocado, tomatoes, black beans, feta and chipotle in molasses vinaigrette ($9); a turkey avocado sandwich with arugula, brie and cranberry mayo on prairie bread ($9.50); and a vegetable wrap with hummus and herbed goat cheese tucked in a wheat tortilla ($8).
The cafe — and the entire venue, actually — can be rented for holiday parties, private dinners, wedding, special events and small commercial expos.
Details: Venue 8600, 8600 E. Anderson Drive, Scottsdale. 480-478-6300, venue8600.com. Cafe hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Carey Sweet covers dining news. Contact her at carey@careysweet.com.