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Four Course Flying Leap Wine Dinner with Chef Michael Elefante at Mama Louisa’s Offers Sneak Preview of Iron Chef Tucson Competitor’s Talent

Four Course Flying Leap Wine Dinner with Chef Michael Elefante at Mama Louisa’s Offers Sneak Preview of Iron Chef Tucson Competitor’s Talent

May 20, 20161 min read
What
Iron Chef Wine Dinner
When
6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31
Where
Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant & Catering
More Info
mamalouisas.com

In anticipation of the upcoming Iron Chef Tucson event, Chef Michael Elefante is hosting his own Iron Chef Wine Dinner at Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant & Catering at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31.

Growing up, Elefante cooked with his family in Mama Louisa’s kitchen. But, beginning in 2010, he took a position at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain where he seriously honed his chops. In 2014, he returned to Mama Louisa’s as co-owner and executive chef.

Although Mama Louisa’s menu offers typical American-Italian cuisine, Elefante’s wine dinners – of which there have been three since returning – are an opportunity for him to really show what he’s capable of.

Check it out:

Four Course Flying Leap Iron Chef Wine Dinner Menu

First Course
  • Aperol compressed watermelon, hazelnut brittle, Tajín vinaigrette, Sleepy Frog Farm arugula, ricotta salata
  • Wine pairing – 2013 Flying Leap Grenache “LaFlor” Rosé
Second Course
  • Wild mushroom risotto, mascarpone, pancetta, seared scallops
  • Wine pairing – 2014 Flying Leap Escape
Third Course
  • Sambuca braised short rib, grilled radicchio, liquid polenta, roasted garlic demi
  • Wine pairing – 2014 Flying Leap Sangiovese Reserva
Dessert
  • Frangelico crème brûlée, ricotta zeppoli
  • Wine pairing – Flying Leap Solo Grenache Dessert Wine

For more information, visit mamalouisas.com. Seats are $70 per person. To make reservations, call 520-790-4702.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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Swipe to see six itineraries built around Tucson’s core attractions, each paired with nearby restaurants participating in this year’s event. Menus and prices are subject to change, so it’s worth confirming details on the Sonoran Restaurant Week website before heading out.@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs from September 4 through 13, 2026, and it’s the perfect excuse to pair a day of Tucson sightseeing with a prix fixe meal. Since the Old Pueblo packs desert trails, historic missions, art districts, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation into one metro area, visitors can easily build a full day around any interest and land near a Restaurant Week stop when it’s time to eat. Swipe to see six itineraries built around Tucson’s core attractions, each paired with nearby restaurants participating in this year’s event. Menus and prices are subject to change, so it’s worth confirming details on the Sonoran Restaurant Week website before heading out.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM
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📍 Flying V @loewsventana 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM
Whole Hog BBQ Dinner
📍 @bashfulbanditbbq 

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Sunshine Wine Special Dinner
📍 @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM
BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner
📍 @bocatucson 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM
Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM
Cielos Special Dinner
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM 
Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM
Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner
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Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead!

Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️

#SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieevents@Sonoranrestaurantweek is here! Join us today through September 13 for 10 days of dining across Tucson.🌵🥂 In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner 📍 @incasperuviancuisine SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM Penca Special Dinner 📍 @pencarestaurante SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover 📍 Flying V @loewsventana SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM Whole Hog BBQ Dinner 📍 @bashfulbanditbbq TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM Sunshine Wine Special Dinner 📍 @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner 📍 @bocatucson THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 📍 @bacio.italianoaz FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM Cielos Special Dinner 📍 @cielostucson SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 📍 @nanas_kitchen_2008 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner 📍 @wildgarlicgrillofficial Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead! Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️ #SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieevents