PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 On this episode of Desert Table, we\u2019re going behind the unmarked door and glowing martini sign to explore one of the Valley\u2019s most exclusive dining experiences: The Ra Ra Room. <\/p>\n
Created by Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia in partnership with Major Food Group\u2014the culinary powerhouse behind the world-famous Carbone\u2014this members-only dining club is bringing a new level of luxury hospitality to downtown Phoenix.<\/p>\n
A hidden sanctuary inside the arena<\/p>\n
While most sports fans and concertgoers flock to the main concourses of the Mortgage Matchup Center, a select few know how to slip away into a completely different world. <\/p>\n
Tucked behind an unmarked door under the soft glow of a neon martini sign, the Ra Ra Room offers an intimate escape from the high-energy events surrounding it. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s special because it\u2019s hidden in an arena where so much is going on,\u201d said Jared Laporier, the general manager of the Ra Ra Room, who has been with the concept since day one. \u201cWhen you\u2019re in this hidden space, you tend to forget how much else is happening in such a large building. Whether it\u2019s basketball, a concert, or a comedy show, you really get to hide away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Legacy of major food group<\/p>\n
Though the Phoenix location only opened its doors in 2024, the history and pedigree of the menu span over a decade. The concept represents a curated compilation of Major Food Group\u2019s most celebrated brands, most notably the legendary New York establishment, Carbone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe history of the menu itself goes back over a decade,\u201d Jared explained. \u201cIt started in New York and has expanded throughout the world and the country. It\u2019s a combination of a couple of different concepts that are under the Major Food umbrella. Most importantly, Carbone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diners at the exclusive club can expect tableside classics and white-glove service, featuring staples that made Carbone an international sensation. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have some of the most known items you\u2019ll see\u2014Caesar salad, the rigatoni. Those are the staples in Carbone,\u201d Jared said. <\/p>\n
When asked about his personal favorite on the table, Jared didn\u2019t hesitate. \u201cIt sounds clich\u00e9, but I gotta say the rigatoni. I\u2019ve had thousands of bites of rigatoni, and I\u2019ve never said to myself, \u2018I won\u2019t touch that again.\u2019 I\u2019m usually looking for another bite of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Is luxury becoming part of Arizona\u2019s food story?<\/p>\n
The partnership between Ishbia and Major Food Group highlights a major shift in the Valley\u2019s culinary trajectory. According to Jared, Suns ownership experienced the legendary menu firsthand and knew it had to be integrated into the arena\u2019s premium offerings. <\/p>\n
For a city historically known for more casual Southwestern flair, the arrival of a high-end, members-only club signals that Arizona\u2019s palate is maturing rapidly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was aware that Arizona was expanding very, very quickly,\u201d Jared said. \u201cAnd I think an important part of the culture of the city expanding is tapping into food and the dining culture. Being able to elevate that brings so much variety.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the standards of service match the high-octane environments of Los Angeles or New York, the Ra Ra Room\u2019s leadership notes that Phoenix brings its own distinct charm to the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that a lot of concepts are coming from other states that help influence the culinary scene here,\u201d Jared said. \u201cMy experience with food here is that Arizona culture is very kind. They\u2019re very warm. The hustle and bustle that you get in LA or New York, it\u2019s different. And although the service bars and standards are the same, I think that there\u2019s an energy that is very unique to Arizona.\u201d<\/p>\n
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