The Southside has a new kid in town. After years of planning and months of renovation/redesign, historic 34 South San Francisco St. in Flagstaff , Ariz. plays host to town’s newest restaurant, Tinderbox Kitchen, opening today, May 5.
Tinderbox serves American comfort food – redefined. The restaurant, named after a box that holds flint and steel to make flame, offers nostalgic, soul-satisfying classics that have been spiked and fused with modern flavors and spins on ingredients. The constantly changing menu is enhanced by a wine list featuring well and lesser-known varietals, vineyards and wineries from around the world. Tinderbox hosts a full-liquor bar as well.
Embracing Flagstaff ’s historic Southside district, Tinderbox honors Flagstaff ’s past in its menu, but with a contemporary atmosphere and trend-setting feel. In the spring and summer months, the 50-seat restaurant will expand outside to an historic patio area with one wall existi ng as the remains of a handball court constructed in the 1920s. Used by the Basque immigrants (an ethnic group from northern Spain that came to Northern Arizona as sheep herders) staying in the Jesus Garcia’s Tourist Home next door, the handball court was an important part of every Basque community. This court is the only remaining court in U.S.
A trailblazer in Flagstaff ’s culinary scene, Chef and Co-Owner, Scott Heinonen, formerly of Cuvee 928, has a unique philosophy for food, which he expresses by blending artistry with skilled food preparati on techniques to deliver clean, bold flavors and beautiful, simple dishes. A graduate of NAU’s Hotel and Restaurant Management program, Scott sought to further his skills of the culinary arts by attending the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in St. Helena, Calif. For 25 years, he cooked in acclaimed kitchens throughout Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Mendocino County and North Lake Tahoe. A highlight of Scott’s career was in 2003 when he reveled in being Paul McCartney’s private chef for one week. Chef Heinonen moved back to Flagstaff in 2005.
Partnering with his cousin is Manager and Co-Owner, Kevin Heinonen. Kevin brings over fifteen years of business experience to Tinderbox. As a licensed attorney, Kevin is well-known in the local business community, having practiced law and marketed commercial real estate in Flagstaff for the past fifteen years. It didn’t take long for him and his cousin Scott to begin visualizing Tinderbox, its potential and their partnership together.
“Our philosophy is that we’re only as good as we were yesterday – everything Tinderbox will be governed by this vision, with the ultimate goal of becoming Flagstaff ’s favorite neighborhood restaurant,” says Chef Heinonen.
Tinderbox is open Monday through Saturday for dinner from 5 – 9 p.m. Beginning in June, the restaurant will open for lunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
There was an Open House on Friday, May 1, where Flagstaff’s locals and visitors were enticed to get a flavor of what’s to come. More than 200 people drifted in and out and Flagstaff ’s very own Mayor Presler made an appearance. The once dreamed-of restaurant is here and now – a realization that has hit Scott and Kevin with nothing but exhausted joy.
I have been to the Tinderbox Kitchen and was delighted by the eclectic food offerings, the wonderful staff and the entire experience. I will return again and again, and have recommended this restaurant to my family and friends!