Salut Kitchen Bar was named Best Wine Bar in Tempe, Arizona. It offers a wide array of flavorful and innovative menu items inspired by a mix of Mediterranean and American cuisine. The 3,400 square foot restaurant and bar, located between the infamous Mill Avenue and Tempe Marketplace, offers sophisticated-yet-affordable authentic food such as bruschetta, gourmet tapas, salads, sandwiches, entrees and an extensive wine selection that suits anyone looking for a memorable wine-and-dine experience.
Salut’s signature menu includes Hummus Nachos, Quinoa Fritters, and Pistachio Crusted Salmon. Enjoy these dishes along with other specialties for lunch and dinner every day and night of the week. Guests can also enjoy more than 100 types of wine by the glass and bottle. Salut features indoor and outdoor seating, a 20-seat bar, rustic and vintage décor, a wine room on display, a custom glass garage door that allows walking access to the 1,250 square foot dog friendly patio, private event space, and more. It offers something for everyone in a relaxed European inspired environment
BRIAN RIESENBERG – GENERAL MANAGER
Prior to joining Salut Kitchen Bar, Brian worked for Darden Restaurants for 20 years. During his tenure with Darden Restaurants, he was recognized for his passion for hospitality, strong leadership, and achieving industry top box results. In 2015, he was honored with the, “Michelangelo Award”, the Top General Manager of the Year. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Born and raised in San Diego, California he moved to Arizona in 2008. Brian’s, true inspiration in his life are his three children, Lilly Rose, Dylan, and Emily. When not working Brian enjoys outdoor activities, water sports, and spending time with his family.
LIVIA SARTORI – ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Livia Sartori was born and raised in Brazil with a family that lives for the hospitality industry. Her family owns a bed and breakfast, and that’s taking care of customer’s needs are in her blood. She went to school in Goiânia, Brazil and completed her degree. Upon completion, she continued to focus in managing and hospitality in the US where her passion for the business grew deeper. She worked in the greater Boston area for various companies like Compass Group and Cinnabon, learning all aspects of the restaurant. In 2004, she moved to Arizona where she worked for The Boulders, a Waldorf Astoria property. She then moved on to become the General Manager of Elements at Sanctuary Resort. Over the years, Livia has worked with the best chefs in the valley, which helped land her a job with Fox Restaurant Concepts where she managed for 2.5 years, opening The Henry, and Arrogant Butcher while learning the corporate aspect of stand alone restaurants.
What Livia loves the most about the restaurant industry, is that it is constantly changing and developing and for that reason, she loves working at Salut Kitchen Bar in Tempe. Where people and culture meet, creating a strong foundation while building memorable experiences.
She also loves outdoor sports, mud races, hiking, swimming and most of all, spending time with her 2 boys, Elijah 10, and Aethon 8.
CRAIG PIERSON – CATERING MANAGER
Upon turning sixteen years old, Craig took his first job bussing tables for the local Frisch’s Big Boy in his home town of Newark, Ohio. Thirty years later, having never left the hospitality industry, he has a lot of stories to tell. Having attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Craig worked the restaurant, bar, and event scene and even ran the local Bagel Deli while earning his degree in Business Administration. From there, he joined the risk management department at McDonald’s in Oak Brook, Illinois, but missed the daily fun of interacting with people. Thus, he loaded up and drove to Arizona to work many years at the Infamous Monti’s La Casa Vieja serving steak to the masses and having nightly discussions with the ghost of Sallie Davis Trumbull Hayden. After a brief stint with the Walt Disney Company in sunny Burbank, California, he returned to Arizona to help launch Buca di Beppos, then a 5 year period with the Buttes Marriott Resort before finally operating the Orange Table for another 5 years. Now he serves as the Catering Manager for Salut Kitchen Bar and loves it every day. Corporate catering, private events, celebrations and social mixers fill his days, and planning the next one takes up his nights. So the next time you need catering or want to party at Salut, call Craig.
CHRISTOPHER J BRUGMAN
Leading the innovative culinary team at Salut Kitchen Bar is Executive Chef Christopher Brugman. Originally from Los Angeles, he moved to the Valley of the Sun in 2013, after spending his formative years training in Hollywood under the likes of Michelin Starred Chefs Gordon Ramsay and David LeFevre in Manhattan Beach. Chef Brugman takes an artisanal approach to his craft, drawing upon his French culinary training while maintaining regional influences across the Mediterranean and South East Asia.
While staying local to his roots, Christopher studied at The University of Southern California, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Policy, Planning and Development. Several years later he also received his Grand Diplomé in Culinary Arts & Sciences from Le Cordon Bleu in Hollywood, California. Chef Brugman strives to create distinct flavor combinations that celebrate authentic regional cuisine, while maintaining a strong focus on sourcing local sustainable ingredients, and working with farmers and culinary artisans across the Valley.
In addition, he reflects the Salut team’s philosophy of involvement in charitable efforts by contributing time and talent to various causes and events such as Taste of Phoenix benefiting The American Liver Foundation, Maricopa County Humane Society, and The National Breast Cancer Foundation, where both his mother and sister are survivors. By participating in such fundraising events and causes that are close to his heart, Christopher helps give back to the world in which he’s found so much creative fulfillment.
A seasoned talent with extensive experience in the culinary arena, Chef Brugman is committed to delivering an impeccable culinary journey of food, service and hospitality to every guest he reaches. He currently resides in Scottsdale with his wife Jill and puppy Lucy.
ANASTASIOS TIRKAS (TASO) – CO-OWNER
Taso is the definition of the “American Dream.” Originally from the island of Cyprus, he came to Arizona in 2003 to pursue a degree in marketing and communications at Arizona State University. He has opened six restaurants within the last eight years throughout the Valley, including Mesa, Tempe, Peoria and Phoenix, and the Biltmore area. Taso is very personable and enjoys meeting new people, especially those with a passion for food. You can find him at the restaurant; he is the guy that is always smiling.
DAVID FREEDMAN – CO-OWNER
David was born and raised in Philadelphia. He arrived in Arizona in 2000 and graduated with honors from the W.P. Carey School of Business in 2005. David has 10 years of marketing experience, and has worked with hundreds of clients to help with their marketing campaigns. His ability to understand social media and digital marketing are clear along with expertise in print and event marketing. He will be an integral part of ensuring Salut Kitchen Bar becoming the number one wine bar in Tempe.