Phoenix, AZ restaurant recommendations are in a separate blog post.
I only post exceptionally positive dining-out experiences here...no negative reviews.
If you only have two nights in Scottsdale, and are near Old Town, make dinner reservations at The House Brasserie and Virtu.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
(The) Herb Box (various locations) - sit on the back patio
Schmooze (Old Town location) - sit on the front patio
Zinc Bistro (Kierland Commons) - sit on the back patio!
LUNCH
Andreoli's
last visited for lunch on 3.16.23
This is a family owned Italian deli, marketplace and restaurant. We've purchased meats and cheeses from the counter for taking home, but we've also dined in for both lunch and dinner. Very casual, family feel, it's a spot for regulars...but don't skip it...everything we've ordered has been absolutely delicious! Love a ll the pastas, and definitely get some prosciutto & mozzarella for the road! The simple spaghetti with olive oil,garlic a nd parsley is scrumptious, and the pasta with sausage is super rich and every bite is delicious!
Chula Seafood (Grayhawk Location)
Chula has both a great restaurant with delicious offerings, as well as a fresh seafood market. My dining in experiences have been wonderful, but I do like this location better than the others. All locations have a very casual, neighborhood feel. This is where I purchase all my seafood for cooking meals at home, as I know it comes in fresh every morning from San Diego! BBQ Trout Sandwich pictured below.
OHSO
December 4, 2022
My mom ordered the brisket sandwhich with fries (left) and I had the burger with jalapeno cream, and side salad (right). Both were delicious...we shared a few bites with each other!
DINNER - Top Favorites
Americano
October 2022
Tasty Sea treats at Americano! Started with the octopus appetizer (perfect umami richness!) & paired with 2 briny oysters. Delish lemon-y drink to go with…Drunken Wifey. Finished with a creamy scrumptious wedge salad. Well done #Americano! Can’t wait to return!
Casa Mia
September, 2022
Phenomenal!! We've dined here numerous times, as it's close to our house. Authentic Italian, lovely atmosphere, family-run, delicious food. This is definitely a spot where regulars come back time and time again.
Eddie V's
December 31,2022
This is the 2nd time we havedined here together. For New Year's Eve there were only 4pm reservations left, but inside the restaurant it still felt like an energetic 7pm dinner service. Service was phenomenal; meaning friendly, informative, gracious, and an intuitive sense of how often and when to visit the table. Our table of 4 ordered oysters and the shrimp cocktail...and they were a hit! The wedge salad was shared, and again...I'm craving a few more bites already. It was the perfect balance of light, crunchy and creamy-thick blue cheese. The quality of ingredients really shined through. As a main, I ordered the Ahi Tuna. It was crusted, seared and came nestled on top of a spicy chile sauce, with soy sauce dip on the side. I definitely was super happy with my choice of entree. Every bite was savored...SO tasty! The bananas foster butter cake was brought out as a treat...a complimentary little bite of 3 desserts. This is a treat to indulge in, definitely. Buttery, moist, silky, deliciousness! The first photo pictured on the left, below is a mocktail our friend ordered. The Bananas Foster is pictured on the far right of the dessert plate.
El Chorro (for outdoor dining, a top favorite!)
Fall 2021
Setting is lovely, especially outside near the fountain. Gorgeous views of Camelback Mountain. I continue to order the short ribs time after time, because they're mouthwatering delicious! I've tasted other offerings as well, and you just can't go wrong with any item on the menu.
FnB
December 9, 2022 and Spring, 2022
Phenomenal!! Quaint, comfortable...very "Auberge" feel...food was absolutely delicious and inspiring...not the usual. I LOVE it and want to return on a regular basis! In the Spring, we shared the chicken p aprikash with spaetzle and it was absolutely delicious. In Dec. 2022 there were 4 of us. and we shared 3 appetizers: Roasted sunchokes with anchovy vinaigrette and med boiled egg (I loved this!), winter green salad, delicious beans. And we share two different entrees: the fish in a corn chowder sauce, and the pork chop with roasted squash. Unfortunately, I can't find a menu online to re-state the actual titles of dishes.
November 16, 2022 - click above to go to restaurant website
We ordered 2 starters and 2 dinner entrees, and I had at least a few bites of everything. The food was all absolutely delicious and the flavor combinations were unique and memorable...in the best way. The service was exceptional and friendly as well. My favorite taste of the night was the phenomenal corn pudding that comes with the chicken entree. I'm craving more! There is both a market and restaurant on site, and I'll definitely be trying some of their cheeses in the near future.
Top right pic - Hamachiro Crudo, with pichuberry, radish, spiced apple sauce, scallion, & lemon hazelnut dressing
Top left pic - Roasted Mushroom Toast, with bone marrow & leek soubise, artichoke, guanciale, Saba, & fines herbs
Middle pic - La Belle Farms Duck Breast, with fennel pollen crusted skin, squash puree, brown butter parsnip, braised turnip root & greens, & Calabrian beurre blanc
Bottom left pic - Two Wash Ranch Half-Chicken with pichuberry mole, corn pudding, charred shishito, crispy corn nuts, & cilantro
(The) House Brasserie
September 2022, February 28, 2023
The aesthetics of this restaurant are absolutely charming and the food is expertly presented with enticing flavors. I enjoyed delicious Hamachi Crudo appetizer, a juicy; flavorful pork chop, and a treat of olive oil cake for dessert. On my second visit, I went with my husband and I enjoyed the wedge and steak. This is definitely my favorite Scottsdale restaurant...due to the combination of food, service and atmosphere...perfectly suited to my tastes. Joy.
Hush Public House (a top favorite!)
Spring 2022
Phenomenal!! Will add pics soon. Quaint, comfortable...very "Auberge" feel...food was absolutely delicious and inspiring...not the usual. I LOVE it and want to return on a regular basis! Oxtail is amazing, and if you get a chance, sit at the bar where you can watch the appetizers being cooked and assembled.
Monarch (for outdoor dining, a top favorite!)
June 22, 2021 birthday dinner!
The setting outside is preferable...SO pretty and food was amazing!
Can't wait to go back!
SEL
June 21, 2022 birthday dinner...one day early
Phenomenal!!
Sumo Maya
Spring 2022
I recommend going with others and sharing a number of dishes. Atmosphere is fun and food is great!
Toca Madera
January 4, 2022
Unique experience, really fun vibe for either a couple, group or family. Food is delicious and drinks are wild and creative!
Vic and Ola's
Summer, 2022
Love it! Outdoor dining is lovely, and if you go early enough you can stroll through a few shops prior to eating. We have dined here four times, and the food has always been delicious.
Virtu
February 28, 2021 Anniversary Lunch (most recent dining experience here)
If you're visiting from out of town, make sure this one is on your list of dinner reservations. It's more of a date night destination than a family spot...but any date night restaurant is also thoroughly enjoyable if you're travelling alone. Take yourself on a great food date; I certainly have learned to indulge in such a treat from time-to-time. At a peaceful table for one without distractions, your senses are more aware of all the beauty and smells around you. It can be romantic, even...if you enjoy your own company, and enjoy watching others interact with each other, and respond to delicious edible art when it is placed in front of them. And unintentional eavesdropping can be delightfully entertaining! We love every meal we've experienced at Virtu. We've only sat outside on the 3 occasions we've dined here. I definitely recommend outdoor dining in late fall and early spring, when visiting AZ. Virtu is SO lovely, service is excellent, and food is divine!
Zinc Bistro
October, 2022
This is one of our favorite brunch, lunch and dinner spots! My fvorite salad is the steak salad, only served at lunch. I've loved everything I've ordered from the brunch and dinner menu. The West (back) patio is delightful...small, quaint, mirrors and plants covering the walls, and trees and a fountain in middle. Definitely sit out on this patio on a nice day, but on hot summer nights, indoors is delightful as well.
Lunch OR Dinner (more great options!)
Citizen Public House
Summer, 2022
Great dining experience. Service and food was top notch!
Campo Italian Bistro
Spring, 2022
Cacio de Pepe is delish!
Culinary Dropout
Spring 2022
For me, this is now a great lunch spot with my 20-something and teenaged kids. The menu is conservative enough to satisfy even the pickiest of palates, but the atmosphere is friendly and fun...very social feel to it. I've dined at the Scottsdale Quarter and Fashion Square(Camelback) locations on multiple occasions over the past 10+ years, but my first dining experience there I can still remember...back in 2011. I was there for a dinner for 2, and the cheeseboard was one to remember....you can pick and choose what you want on the board, and the waiter gave us perfect recommendations after we described what we like. The service is what I mainly remember though...he was incredibly hospitable...knowing just how often to check in on us, and very thoughtful, professional and warm. I tend to be more drawn to smaller restaurants for dinner dates, with it4ems on the menu I may have never tried before, but this is a great place to stop in for a meal with the family! Fun vibe, great food...good for big groups.
Different Pointe of View (Stunning view of the Valley, especially in evening! Special occasion spot)
December 2, 2022
I had the Octopus appetizer,and duck main entree. Both were really good! Afriend had the special...scallops over risotto...phenomenal!
Etta
April 29, 2022 & Summer 2022
Octopus was great, and everything we've had has tasted delicious! Sharing several dishes is encouraged by the chef.
Fat Ox
Spring, 2022
The truffle pasta is the best!
Grass Roots
Sumer, 2022
Phenomenal!! Will add pics soon. Love the patio when weather is nice.Everything I've ordered...from salads to short ribs to blackened fish sandwhich and shrimp and grits...everything has been delicious and I keepgoing back for more!
Olive & Ivy
July 2022
I've eaten here about six times, and they've all been wonderful experiences. If the weather is nice, don't skip dining here out on the patio; it's a beautiful setting and the food is consistently delicious. Dining at the bar can be fun as well, for a more casual experience. I recommend the filet of beef with horseradish, dauphinoise & red wine shallot sauce. Scrumptious!!
Postino
We eat here often and love their bruschetta!
Pubblico Italian Eatery
July, 2022
I've been here a couple times and sat at the bar on both occasions. First with my husband, and on the 2nd occasion I was on my own. The first night we shared the mussels and clams appetizer and they were so good that I day-dreamed about them for days...and craved more. So when I had an hour to kill one evening a onth later, and was in the neighborhood, I spontaneously stopped in on my own. I ordered the same appetizer, along with a Caesar salad. It was a delicious and satisfying meal, and I'm not sure I can ever try anything else on the menu when I go back. The staff was helpful and friendly and Publico will see more of me!
Rockefeller
Spring, 2022
Click here for restaurant website
Great experience sitting at the bar...really tasty options on the happy hour menu!
Salt & Lime
We eat here often and especially love the taco vampire and jicama-mango slaw!
Sante
May, 2022 Mother's Day
Had a delicious benedict breakfast, and on another occasion, a tasty & beautiful salad. Fun, eclectic atmosphere with healthy options.
Spiga Cucina Italiano
May 9, 2021 Mother's Day
Fun vibe, great food...good for big groups
Sushi Sen
Last dined here on Dec. 7, 2022 however this is a regular favorite of ours
I would call this a gem hole-in-the-wall find. It's a small little family owned sushi restaurant, nothing fancy, but absolutely fresh and delicious options...if you enjoy sushimi and sushi! We're regulars! Thepork or shrimp shumaiare both great, and we really enjoy all the sashimi and rolls we've ordered here.
True Food
We've enjoyed every entree and appetizer we've ordered. Super yummy! The mocktails (virgin/nutritious/sparkly) are especially delicious!
Zinque (located at Fashion Square Mall)
Spring, 2022
Burgers at lunch, and breakfast options are all great!
TAKE OUT
CM2 (next door and owned by same family as Casa Mia)
Spring 2020
This is one of our favorite pizza joints, and we enjoy both take-out and dine-in. Quaint atmosphere!
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