Hilton Tucson East Italian scratch-restaurant “Alloro D.O.C.” with chef Ginny Wooters now open

The Hilton Tucson East recently completed its $9 million renovation. Naturally, we’re most excited about the restaurant addition, Alloro D.O.C. Italian Trattoria and Chophouse.

While hotel restaurants aren’t normally worth getting excited over, this particular opening features Tucson chef Virginia “Ginny” Wooters. Her culinary background runs deep, but guests are likely to recognize her from her days as executive chef at Jax Kitchen, the Abbey, or Commoner & Co. — Hilton hired Wooters just over a year ago.

Wooters thanks her kitchen team, who she has worked with for the past few years at other restaurants, for her continued success. “I have a team of great people that have traveled around with me for the past couple of years,” she said. “It’s crazy, I just tell them what I want. I know their style, they know mine […] any chef can have a million ideas in their head, but it’s all about having the team to execute. I’m really fortunate to have them.”

Although Alloro isn’t Wooters’ concept, she created the menu and it’s apparent for diners familiar with her style. The kitchen makes everything from scratch, including all of the pasta and the mozzarella. Another Wooters touch is the addition of dried apricots in the house Caesar Salad.

Alloro also features a selection of USDA prime steaks ranging from a 10-ounce Top Sirloin ($27) to a 40-ounce Tomahawk Ribeye for 2 ($99). Steaks come with a choice of sauce (Béarnaise, herb pistou, blue cheese butter, or Chianti demi-glace) and two sides (house fries, sauteed mushrooms, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, charred broccolini, creamy polenta, or sauteed spinach).

Furthermore, Alloro plans on a couple of tableside preparations such as Fettuccine Alfredo ($22/$44) for two or four guests.

Alloro D.O.C. Italian Trattoria and Chophouse Menu Highlights

• Fried Fresh Mozzarella ($11) – fresh grilled bread, tomato sauce, basil oil, balsamic
• Radicchio Salad ($11) – six-minute egg, bacon lardons, Asiago, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon
• Salmon ($28) – cauliflower puree, spicy broccolini, smoked grape tomato vinaigrette, anchovy butter
• Pappardelle ($22) – short rib, mushrooms, house-made ricotta, kale, pomegranate seeds

The restaurant opens at 6 a.m. for breakfast, but operates as Alloro from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily. A full menu is not yet available online.

Alloro D.O.C. Italian Trattoria and Chophouse is located on the second floor of the Hilton Tucson East Hotel at 7600 E. Broadway Blvd. Keep up with Alloro D.O.C. Italian Trattoria and Chophouse on Facebook. For more information, call (520) 721-5633 or visit hilton.com.