looking for great scene & good food in scottsdale

[mark r]

NY Foodie staying at Mondrian. looking for cool scene as well as good food. good cocktails, eye candy etc...expense acccount.

any type of cuisine.

thanks for your help

[kmarg]

In Scottsdale you usually get scene with your meal no matter where you go, but for good food and good people watching try

See Saw for Japanese in Old Town
Stingray for sushi right on Scottsdale Rd
Cowboy Ciao also in Old Town and a board favorite
Furio or Italian Grotto for Italian
Garzie Pizza for wine and good pie
For pure people watching with dinner go to Barcelona in North Scottsdale

[HomeCookKirsten]

All of these are also great recommendations.

Without being rude, are you seeking a 20-something scene, or a more sophisticated 30, 40 or 50-something scene? You can easily find loads of eye candy of all ages in Scottsdale, it just depends on the variety of sweet you prefer.

That will help us narrow down recommendations

[mark r]

good question. not too young, but mid 20's to 30's. we are all in our 30's.

btw - i am totally crushed that bianco is closed the weekend i am there. devastated

[HomeCookKirsten]

I know - so sad re: Bianco.

Hotel Valley Ho (Trader Vic's and Cafe ZuZu) also is a good option - another great one that I often refer out of towners to is Old Town Tortilla Factory. The food is good, but the margaritas and ambiance (and crowd) is usually outstanding. Sit outside.

[hopeinmee]

Would you also recommend the Old Town area for a group of 20 somethings from NYC on a Saturday night? We are in Scottsdale tomorrow night and want to go out for a good dinner and a couple drinks afterwards.

[azhotdish]

The answer is a definite yes, but since this is a food board, let me suggest Asia de Cuba, Stingray Sushi, and City Hall Steakhouse for an excellent (and good-looking) pre-club dinner. Most likely, follow it up with Jackrabbit Supper Club, Dirty Pretty or Axis/Radius. Have fun.

(Dirty Pretty is the old Bar 74, below).

HomeCookKirstin has the rest covered above.

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Mastro's City Hall Steakhouse
6991 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Asia De Cuba
7353 E Indian School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Stingray Sushi
4302 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Jackrabbit Supper Club
4280 N Drinkwater Blvd Ste 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Dirty Pretty
7443 E 6th Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Axis/Radius
7340 E Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[AZBconcierge]

wow old town tortilla eh? I get complaints left and right about that place but to each their own.

Id definitely hid wildfish seafood grille at Scottsdale waterfront. You will love it plus happy hour is from 5-10 every night.

Cowboy ciao is incredible. Southwestern with a medeterrianian flair.

Taggia at the new firesky (kimpton hotel) has been getting amazing reviews for coastal Italian

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I hate to say it Kirsten, but like AZB, I haven't heard anyone say anything good about the food at Tortilla Factory. It's across the street from work and I let people know they're better off going to Los Sombreros or even Los Olivos on the other side of downtown Scottsdale.

[kmarg]

I'll take the advocate role for OTTF. I've had several great experiences there, but I've got to say the service can be a little hit or miss.
I usually find they struggle when they try to get to creative with the food. But the more traditional preparations come off excellent. Maybe their exec chef needs to try out and tweak his new ideas a little more before they hit the menu. ;)

I'll also just say that Los Olivos was the sight of my single worst mexican dining experience ever. But that was one time thing,

[HomeCookKirsten]

All good points on Old Town Tortilla Factory...I just still always like recommending it because sitting outside (when the weather is good) and sipping some premium tequila and munching on chips and salsa and appetizers is just so fun. The kind of place you tell people about when you get back home.

I have to say the I rarely actually "eat" there, but its more about the ambiance, atmosphere, drinks, etc.

For great Mexican food, yeah, I would also say Los Olivos or Los Sombreros would be better.

[kmarg]

On the other places to try list ...
Jackrabbit rocks and is easily the trendy/best hang out in Scotts these days. Food is OK, have only had appetizers there.

Also tyr Union wine Bar on Brown. Just tried for first last night (we had a coupon!) very nice atmosphere ad wine select. Not as busy as I would have expected.

[HomeCookKirsten]

Since this is a food forum and we'll get in trouble if we veer away from topic, I'll just list places with a great scene that are specifically good-food-serving places:
Asia de Cuba @ Mondrian, Postino Wine Cafe, Stingray Sushi, Mastro's, Ocean Club, Sol y Sombra, Blue Wasabi, Jade Bar (and Elements) at Sanctuary, Wildfish, Sapporo

Anyone know if Pane y Vino is still a good crowd? Haven't been up there for a few years.

Some lesser (food-wise) but great scene:
Olive and Ivy (overrated slightly average food, great people watching and scene), Kona Grill (happy hour), Z Tejas

For early in the day scene, The Breakfast Club and La Grande Orange