Talavera set to debut at Four Seasons

Talk about a fresh start.

The Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North will usher in 2008 with a whole new look -- and a whole new restaurant.

Renovations have been ongoing at the resort since July. A few months back, I'd gotten word from Kim Cole, the Four Seasons' director of PR, that along with a complete makeover of all 210 rooms, the in-house fine dining restaurant, Acacia, would be getting an overhaul as well.

As it turns out, there's been a name change. The new spot will be called Talavera, and it's scheduled to open in late January. Expect dramatic colors ("Sonoran desert in full bloom"), tableside presentations, and a killer desert view in the new dining room. As for the menu, there aren't many specifics yet -- for starters, we're promised seasonal ingredients from boutique purveyors.

Talavera will also feature a private dining room, a private wine cellar with a communal table, and an adjacent Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lounge called Onyx, where guests will be able to sip cocktails and nibble on small plates.