Put Fleming’s Chandler on your holiday gift list. Wrap up this restaurant for yourself. This season of joy — Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa — Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 905 N. 54th St., just off Ray Road at the Interstate 10 exit, is an ideal place to celebrate with friends and family.

The Newport Beach, California-based steakhouse, which offers prime meats and chops, fresh fish and poultry, salads and sides, also welcomes you at two Scottsdale locations and a west side Peoria venue.

“Fleming’s is always a place to come and celebrate, no matter what time of year, but during the holidays, we see families, friends and co-workers getting together even more so,” says John Jeffrey, operating partner at Fleming’s Chandler.

Assisting him and staff are Chandler residents Chef Partner Michael Garcia, Sous Chef Carlos Guerrero and Front of the House Manager Nicholas Longobardi.

Michael has three young boys with wife Monica, who works for the Chandler school district. His two older boys participate in Chandler Little League. Carlos and his wife have three children, including new twins; and Nicholas and wife Laura, from Los Angeles, recently celebrated their first anniversary.

Jeffrey suggests the private dining rooms for a holiday party for family or business or a number of seasonal menu, wine and spirits specials for two or more.

A night out with your spouse, friend or significant other? One option, through January 3, is the Fall Prix Fixe Menu: three courses for $39.95. Fleming’s Executive Chef Russell Skall’s menu offers a choice of appetizer, Oysters Rockefeller or Autumn Salad; two entrées, Veal Osso Bucco, on creamy risotto, or Cioppino in a spicy tomato broth; and a Dark Chocolate Cheesecake, served on crème anglaise.

Corporate Director of Wine Marian Jansen op de Haar has paired wine selections for each entrée: with the veal, a Masi Veneto Campofiorin Italy, 2006/2007; the Von Buhl Riesling Pfalz Medium-Dry Jazz Germany, 2008, for the seafood medley; and, accompanying dessert, a Renwood Zinfandel Amador County Amador Ice, 2008.

Additional seasonal wine and spirits specials are also available in Chandler and all Valley Fleming’s. From Sonoma Valley, the Forty-Six Diamonds Cabernet 2008 is the boutique wine of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar — a collaboration with famed California winemaker Walter Schug.

Aged in French and Hungarian oak barrels, the lush blend comprises Cabernet Sauvignon from three vineyards as well as Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot and Malbec. While supplies last through the holiday season, a glass is $16.25 and a bottle $65.

“The Forty-Six Diamonds wine program has been a lot of fun for us over the last few years. It provides us with an exclusive blend for Fleming’s from some of the great wineries around the world that we can offer to our guests,” Jeffrey says, explaining that Marian has collaborated with wineries and winemakers to create Forty-Six Diamonds. Paintings from artist and wine aficionado Thomas Arvid are the labels for each.

With dark cassis, plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors and fine-grained integrated tannins and a long finish, the Forty-Six Diamonds pairs best with the restaurant’s New York Strip and Rib Eye steaks, notes Bruce Duffy, wine manager for Fleming’s Chandler.

He adds that Fleming’s is featuring another wine for the holiday season, the Merryvale Profile 2006 at a special seasonal price: $125/bottle, significantly lower than the normal $295 charged in house and less than retail. This, too, is offered while supplies last.

Written by David M. Brown

Chase Southerland of FUTURA STONE COMPANY

Futura—Pebble Deck (concrete resurfacing) and Cool Deck Restorations (pool plaster coatings) are family owned and operated specialty contracting companies located in Arizona since 1988. They specialize in Pebble Dek concrete resurfacing, cool deck restorations, and pool plaster coatings. With more than 20 years in the business, the family’s experience assures the quality and attention to detail their clients demand.

What led you to start your business?

I was born into the business. My family got in the specialty contracting business in the early 80s, coming out with a concrete resurfacing product called Futura Stone. Futura Stone became the Number One selling product of its kind in Southern California. In 1988, my family opened Futura Stone Arizona in Scottsdale, which we have owned and operated since. Since then we came out with new products, such as Pebble Dek concrete resurfacing, and cool deck restoration services.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know.

We are the only installers of the Pebble Dek concrete resurfacing product in the state of Arizona. Pebble Dek is created with natural river stones and the highest quality epoxy bonding system.

We apply it over existing concrete areas. Pebble Dek is very durable, stain resistant, crack resistant, repairable, and restorable. Ideal for patios, driveways, pool decks, and patios.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

The biggest challenges have been adapting to the new economy, specifically adjusting sales, marketing, and overhead. A business plan that has worked in the past might not be successful in this economy.

What drives your passion in this business? My family, friends, and employees, is what drives my passion. They give me the drive to not fail, and make savvy decisions that will benefit

the company.

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

Surround yourself with good people. Your chances of success will go up greatly if you have the right people around you, and your business.

Stuart’s Tip: In all the years I’ve consulted small business owners, I’ve found the quickest way to improve a business is by improving its team of employees. Chase hit the nail on the head with his advice in surrounding himself with the right people. Ready to take your business to the next level? Do like Chase did, and build yourself a great team!