Excellent dining venues are now competing with franchised restaurants. The restaurants below have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over US$70)
$$$ (US$35 to US$70)
$$ (US$20 to US$35)
$ (up to US$20)
These prices are for a three-course meal and the equivalent of one-half bottle of wine but a sales tax (about 8%) is extra. A tip of 15-20% for the waiting staff is customary.
La Hacienda
Think turn-of-the-20th-century, free standing Spanish ranch house for this restaurant at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (see
Hotels). White tablecloths,
warm woods, large plush Spanish-styled chairs complement the excellent service and signature margaritas. Expect gourmet Mexican food like spit-roasted suckling pig or
filet mignon rubbed with brown sugar, coriander and Oaxacan chilli. Save room for desserts like
capirota (fried milk bread pudding with port berries and star anise ice cream).
7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale
Tel: (480) 585 4848.
Website:
www.fairmont.com/scottsdalePrice: $$$$
Biltmore Grill & Patio
Attentive service, an open kitchen, brick walls, white tablecloths and ceiling-to-floor windows add to the traditional American food and Southwest favorites, whether a chilli-rubbed ribeye steak or a bistro burger
with blue cheese and bacon. There is a blazing open-pit fireplace on an outdoor patio in the evenings.
Arizona Biltmore Resort (see
Hotels)
2400 East Missouri, Phoenix
Tel: (602) 954 2550.
Website:
www.arizonabiltmore.comPrice: $$$
Asia de Cuba
This farm-themed bistro has rooster pictures, tall pottery renderings of fruit baskets and an enormous egg on the patio. Everything is pure white. The food and people make the color. Specialties like miso-cured Alaskan butterfish and char sui beef ribs, a fusion of Asian and Cuban cuisine, are excellent. So is the service.
7353 East Indian School Road, Scottsdale
Tel: (480) 308 1200.
Website:
www.morganshotelgroup.comPrice: $$$$
Pizzeria Bianco
New York Times and Oprah Winfrey have dubbed this pizza some of the best in the country. Mozzarella is fresh and the pizza is cooked in a wood-burning oven. You have to have patience to enjoy it. Huge lines form way before this small, unimpressive-looking little brick house opens. Waiting times can be as long as three hours, as bookings are not accepted except for groups of six or more (and even then, reservations must be made at least six weeks in advance).
Bar Bianco, the watering hole next door is the place to hang out until your name is called.
623 East Adams Street
Tel: (602) 258 8300.
Website:
www.pizzeriabianco.comPrice: $-$$
Delux Burger
Award-winning, succulent burgers are served at this small eatery. It is nothing more than an open kitchen with one long table and two rows of side tables. Yummy fries, both regular and sweet potato, are served in a mini grocery shopping cart. It is open daily for lunch and dinner.
3146 East Camelback Road, Phoenix
Tel: (602) 522 2288.
Website:
www.deluxburger.comPrice: $$
Pita House
This simple corner shop with few tables and a small outdoor eating area is the place for quick-stop Greek/Lebanese cuisine. Babaghanouj, hummus, falafel, kebabs and pita sandwiches - all are prepared from scratch and delicious. Some consider it the best in the valley.
7210 East First Street, Scottsdale
Tel: (480) 425 9200.
Website:
www.pitahouseonline.comPrice: $ (without alcohol)
Nightlife:Phoenix, especially Scottsdale, has swinging nightlife that often lasts until 0200. Happy hour venues offer discounted and half-priced drinks and light bites. The
Salty Señorita,
at 3636 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, is famous for its Margaritas. Meanwhile
Kazimierz World Wine Bar, also known as
Kazbar, on 7137 East Stetson Drive in Scottsdale, is the place to sample the grape. Alternatively the chic
Red Bar, located at 7353 East Indian School Road in Scottsdale, with cherubs on its ceiling and a huge red apple as its focal point, is a magnet for 30-somethings. Clint Eastwood has dropped by the
Rusty Spur Saloon, a cowboy bar at 7245 East Main Street, Scottsdale.
Wanna groove to some tunes?
Try
Axis and Radius, at 7340 East Indian Plaza in Scottsdale for dancing to all kinds of music, or the disco
Myst, 7340 East Shoeman Lane in Scottsdale, where celebs go to hang and dance.
HandleBar J Restaurant & Saloon, 7116 East Becker Lane in Scottsdale,
has live country music nightly.
Wright Bar, Arizona Biltmore, 2400 Missouri, has a pleasant atmosphere, good drinks and nightly entertainment.
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