FEATURE FRIDAY: Letty Ebel on Bringing Tastes of Europe to Scottsdale

Letty Ebel has spent a lot of time traveling—which has now culminated in her venture Pinard Wine Bar & Restaurant in North Scottsdale.

Though originally from Denver, Letty Ebel has been visiting the Valley since the early 1990s. In the early 2000s, she and her family purchased a vacation home in Scottsdale, later making the move to full-time Scottsdale in 2020.

Her family has been very involved in restaurants both in the Midwest and the Valley, and that, coupled with her time spent in Europe, inspired her to open Pinard, which is slang for “red wine” in French. The locale offers a European-style dining and wine drinking experience, with classic dishes like beef bourguignon and ratatouille, shareables such as cheese plates and foie gras, and rich and hearty entrees like a veal chop and several cuts of prime steaks. There are more than 40 wines by the glass and over 200 wines by the bottle.

Here, Ebel talks about Pinard, running a restaurant, and what she does when she’s not at work.

What inspired you to open Pinard Wine Bar?

I love to travel. One of our family’s favorite places is Paris. We try to visit there as often as possible. Our daughter just spent a year studying in Milan, and we visited her several times. The time we have spent in Europe really inspired the idea to bring an authentic European experience to Scottsdale.

Why a French-inspired menu and European style of dining?

One of the things we love about Europe is the way food and drink bring people together. The slow pace of dining encourages true connections with the people you are with. Food and drinks are the catalyst for great discussion and interaction. I wanted to bring that sense of togetherness here.

Pinard Wine Bar & Restaurant offers more than 40 wines by the glass and over 200 wines by the bottle. The majority of wines offered are European, and the owners are proud to offer varietals that are not found at other Valley wine bars. Courtesy Pinard Wine Bar & Restaurant

What makes this locale special to you?

We live in the area. Being able to bring a unique dining experience to North Scottsdale is very exciting to me. We also have a lot of friends in the area that we share a love of wine with. We were always looking for a place to go with a great wine selection with something for each of us. We knew Scottsdale was the place for our new concept!

You have so many wines there! How do you choose which to offer?

One of the fun perks of this restaurant is the opportunity to try many different wines from the local distributors and importers. I look for a wide range of grape varietals, many well-known styles, and some that even I have not heard of before this project. We have a lead sommelier who helps make sure we have a large cross-section of products from all over the world.

Your personal favorite dish on the menu?

With so many great dishes on the menu, that’s a difficult question. I would have to say the Beef Bourguignon. It is a classic French dish that transports me back to Paris every time. The rich wine-steeped gravy over the large amount of tender beef cubes is balanced by the generous mix of vegetables and served over buttery mashed potatoes. This all blends for a dish I enjoy on a regular basis.

Speaking of the menu, you have an impressive chef helming the kitchen. Can you tell us about him?

Our chef is Sidney Goodman. He was born and raised in Arizona. He’s a proud Marine veteran and served multiple tours of duty in the Middle East. Upon his retirement, he attended Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando and began his second career in the kitchen. Over the years, he has worked at some of the top hotels and restaurants in Florida and Arizona. He is enjoying getting back to his culinary roots and creating the menu and specials with a European influence.

When you aren’t at the restaurant, we’d find you … 

Enjoying time with friends and family. Spending time outside, exercising, hiking, reading in the sun. Any reason to be outside in the beautiful Arizona weather, really. And travel whenever time permits.

You obviously love Europe. What draws you to Scottsdale?

I love the outdoor activities and weather as well as the natural landscape. Our family loves the restaurants and shops throughout Scottsdale, too.

The one thing you wish you had known before opening a restaurant?

Probably the depth of the wine industry. I thought I had a solid understanding of wine, but I have learned an amazing amount doing this project. Also, the wine community is very welcoming and loves to share information. I have had a few great people who have been instrumental in expanding my wine knowledge. It has been a great experience and allowed me to offer an extensive wine list with something for everyone.

20469 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

The patio at Pinard Wine Bar & Restauant. Courtes Pinard Wine Bar & Restaurant