“I want customers to forget about the outside and experience being in the moment and enjoying time with whomever they’re with.”
Acclaimed Flagstaff Chef and Restaurateur Rochelle Daniel has a lot to celebrate this season. First, her popular fine-dining restaurant Atria in historic downtown made Arizona history by being named a MICHELIN Guide Recommended restaurant for the inaugural 2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest. Atria is one of 12 Arizona restaurants to earn the designation and the only one outside metro Phoenix.
Daniel, already a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, received the surprise MICHELIN designation during an invitation-only ceremony in Las Vegas honoring restaurants in the Southwest, including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
“This recognition means a great deal to me. Atria has a commitment to excellence and a passion that fills our work,” said Daniel. “Fine dining is hard to find in Flagstaff, and even though we’re in a college town, we continue evolving and improving to uphold the highest standards. I’m proud to be part of history for Arizona.”
Just as exciting, Chef Daniel is starting to fulfill her dream of establishing the downtown area as the culinary heart of Northern Arizona and is in the midst of opening two more restaurants. Each restaurant will have a different vibe, filling the void that she says Flagstaff residents have been craving. Daniel says during the five years Atria has been open, she has developed a customer base and learned what food her guests are missing in town.
That prompted her to want to open the all-day French bistro and bakery, Pompette, next door to Atria. Daniel’s goal is to bring the warmth of classic French food to the high desert, while offering a welcoming atmosphere designed for long, leisurely meals and spontaneous stops. The daily menu will include French classics such as steak frites, mussels, tartare, coq au vin and meats prepared on a custom open-fire hearth, with fresh-baked pastries and artisan breads created under the direction of Pastry Chef Alicia Motter.
Pompette’s custom-tiled floors, rich wood tones and playful floral touches are designed to add to the atmosphere.
“It’s been a fun experience for me because I’ve been able to pick out all the details of the restaurant and the design down to the lights and color. I’m designing my dream kitchen, which is cool.”
Opening downstairs from Pompette and Atria will be Little Rich Girl, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar and lounge. Renovating a 100-year-old building, Daniel is staying true to the time period and keeping the original flooring but adding deep velvet and dark wood paneling for what she says will be “a cool, sexy bar that Flagstaff doesn’t have.”
“It will be a place that carries a spirit of what happened beneath the streets, with a creative menu that elevates bar bites and pushes flavor without losing the craft.”
Daniel says she is adventurous and is looking forward to expanding Flagstaff’s palate while also offering a unique experience. Dishes will include smoked fish, ribs or lamb shoulder and something extra tasty.
“You can order a large cinnamon roll with tableside icing, meaning we will ice it at the table until you say stop,” she explained. “I want customers to forget about the outside and experience being in the moment and enjoying time with whomever they’re with. Forget about their phone, work, everything, and immerse themselves in experience. I want to put on a show.” FBN
Mary Parra, FBN
Pompette and Little Rich Girl, both located at 101 N. Leroux Street, are expected to open later this month or early November.
Courtesy Photo: Rochelle Daniel pursues her dream of making downtown Flagstaff the culinary heart of Northern Arizona. Her popular Atria on Leroux Street is a MICHELLIN Guide recommended restaurant.
Dining and Cooking