SCOTTSDALE -HAVEN'T BEEN THERE FOR A YEAR!!

[hopegoode]

Will be renting in the Mc Dowell Mountains area for a couple of months and would like to try new restaurants there, in Scottsdale, and downtown. Would appreciate moderate-priced places- although new places worth a splurge would be acceptable as well!

Thanks for your help!

[silverbear]

I have not been to Windows on the Green in several years, so I can't really comment with any accuracy. For contemporary Southwestern food in a casual, neighborhood setting, my current favorite is Sierra Bonita Grill in North Central Phoenix:

http://www.sierrabonitagrill.com/

Some of my favorites on the menu: watercress salad, butternut squash soup, Oaxacan chocolate souffle, nightly fish specials

[VegaCarpio]

quick help please - we're staying at Phoenician for couple of days - any opinion on Windows?
any other southwestern options in vicinity?
we've been to Roaring Pork last Fri: honestly the expectations were so hign after reading so many glorious reviews that we were a bit disappointed: but the burger was really one of the best!
thank you.

[dshapos]

Ippei is a miss. We went there a few weeks ago and were sorely disappointed. The offerings were American commercialized Japanese. For a more authentic Japanese experience, try Hiro Sushi in Scottsdale (off 90th?St & Shea). The owner, Hiro, is a sushi master, and the food is always fresh.

Cowboy Ciao in downtown Scottsdale is great fun with an eccletic menu. The mushroom dish is not to be missed. Same with the Elk.

North, at Kierland Commons, is a hit or miss depending when you go. If you like to people watch while you eat, early dining, followed by leisurly drinks is great fun.

Also at Kierland, I heartily recommend Zinc Bistro - ask to sit on the back patio. Inside can be noisy, and the outer cafe tables too busy. The cassoulet is superb.

If you like Tapas, try Tapino. It's on Shea just west of Scottsdale Rd.

And, the best yet - the best NY authentic pizza has come to Arizona. Patsy Grimaldi's (same Patsy's as in Brooklyn) with wood fired pizza, fresh made mozzarella, and excellent sauce. Try the white pizza with ricotta. We prefer the one on Scottsdale Rd just off Indian School (the other one in North Scottsdale on Pima was a disappointment)

[kstroble]

Not a new restaurant, but relocated (about 2 years ago?) - Roaring Fork in Scottsdale. The dining room is not inexpensive, but it is hard to beat Happy Hour in the bar on weekdays(and Saturday too, according to the website)! Good bar food and delicious huckleberry margaritas. Either option would be delicious. http://www.roaringfork.com/Scottsdale...

[Booger]

FYI, it looks like the bar menu at Roaring Fork is available basically all the time (it is 50 cents less per entree during Happy Hour). It looks like a pretty cheap way to check this place out. Anybody know if it is smoky in the bar area?
The wife really wants to check this place out (and who am I to argue). The menu looks really great, and they get rave reviews from everyone who eats there.

[silverbear]

The original chef / owner of Roaring Fork has recently sold the restaurant to a company that may try to "chain" it. It might be good to visit soon in the hope that some of Robert McGrath's personal touch might still be in evidence. It's not clear yet how the restaurant will perform under the new ownership and expanded number of locations.

See this thread for more detail:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[kittyfood]

Here's a report of our visit to Sol y Sombra from a few months ago. We haven't made it back yet, but we did enjoy it.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

Sarah C

[hopegoode]

Thanks for the list- will try Sabuddy's!
Maybe some other Chowhounds can comment on some of the new restaurants you mentioned!

[silverbear]

Some recently opened places in North Scottsdale and adjacent areas of northeast Phoenix include the following:

Star Spangled Tavern
Sol y Sombra
Ippei
Taneko
Greene House

In central Scottsdale, new arrivals include the following:

Wildfish
Pink Taco
Trader Vic's
Methode Bistro

I don't necessarily recommend all of these places. Opinions vary, and I have not yet visited most of these. You can search the Southwest board with the restaurant names listed above for reviews and discussions. Additional review sources include the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix New Times:

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dining/

http://restaurants.phoenixnewtimes.com/

Finally, one of my favorite restaurants, Sabuddy, just relocated from Tempe to Scottsdale, so I guess it would be new from a Scottsdale point of view. See this thread for more info:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...