Lunch Near Desert Botanical Garden in Scottsdale
My wife and I plan to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden a week from Saturday. Any lunch suggestions? Nothing too fancy. Preferences are Italian, Mexican or good American. Coming from Tucson and returning Saturday afternoon, so alcohol is not relevant. Money not a major issue but, like most people, it's a bigger issue than it used to be.
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lawyerbriefs
May 16, 2009 06:22 PM
So we went and, great recommendations noted, ended up at Humble Pie on Scottsdale Road. A little out of the way, but not bad with the express routes around downtown Scottsdale.
We started with the fries after our daughter asked the server if she preferred the fries or the calamari. Awesome, with garlic, Pecorino cheese, parsley, etc.
We shared the Margherita and Organic vegetable (no cheese/olive oil base) pizzas. I thought they were terrific, and really favored the veggie. My wife and daughter not so much, preferring the pizza we'd had at LGO two weeks ago. For me, I can't imagine Bianco being significantly better. Great non-greasy, tasty crust and very flavorful toppings.
Service was wonderful. Definitely a regular stop for me when I'm in central Scottsdale.
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re: lawyerbriefs
silverbear
May 16, 2009 09:15 PM
Actually, that Humble Pie location is in Phoenix.
Okay, just kidding. It's 100% in Scottsdale for real without reliance upon marketing chicanery or USPS creativity in assigning zip codes.
Glad you had a good meal there. I wasn't thrilled with HP when it first opened, but it has a come a long way and is now a family favorite. I'm with you in preferring HP's pizza over LGO's.
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bortukan
May 8, 2009 01:48 PM
I LOVE the Italian sub sandwiches at DeFalco's Italian Grocery. It's an Italian specialty grocery and deli combo with a few tables, and probably has all kinds of other good things too, but I've never been able to bring myself to skip a sandwich in order to try anything else. It's a small, very informal place and is fairly close to the garden.
House of Tricks is also excellent, and decidedly more upscale without being too expensive.
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De Falco's
2334 N Scottsdale Road, scottsdale, az›4 Replies-
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re: ziggylu
misohungrychewlow
May 11, 2009 02:59 PM
Superb!!! I'm always looking for the perfect meatball wedge and DeFalco's may have the best one in the Phoenix area. I had lunch there today and the only reason I passed on the meatball bullet was to scarf down one of their equally fantastic cheese steaks.
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re: crsin
silverbear
May 6, 2009 02:15 PM
I can't speak for others, but I'm sick and tired of the thinking that most attractions in the Metro Area are located in Scottsdale. If the confusion occurred equally in both directions, with people mistakenly saying that some Scottsdale attractions are in Phoenix, I'd be more understanding. However, that's not usually what occurs. Instead, one larger-than-life suburb seems to be misunderstood as the epicenter of all that is worthwhile in the region. I should be clear that I don't think there was any bad intent on the OP's part, but the error bugs me enough that I must issue a gentle correction.
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re: silverbear
ejs1492
May 6, 2009 02:42 PM
Well stated, Silverbear. And this comes from someone who LIVES in Scottsdale! (even worse....NORTH Scottsdale! Eek!) There are so many great finds outside of Scottsdale that are worth exploring and I find myself dining out beyond my neighborhood more than ever before.
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re: silverbear
lawyerbriefs
May 6, 2009 03:54 PM
I'm from Tucson. I have represented clients in the 64th and McDowell area (Scottsdale people) and didn't know precisely where the Phoenix/Scottsdale boundary is located. That said, I happen to agree generally with your point. While we don't have as many suburbs down here south of the Gila, there is a tendency among many to assume Tucson and ends north of River in the high-rent, Foothills part of town.
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re: silverbear
JK Grence the Cosmic Jester
May 7, 2009 10:08 AM
Oh, such as how the Phoenician has a Scottsdale mailing address despite its name and having only a small bit of the property on the Scottsdale side of the zip code boundary? Or how Camelback Inn prefers to say they're in Scottsdale even though they're in the very heart of prestigious Paradise Valley?
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re: JK Grence the Cosmic Jester
firecooked
May 16, 2009 09:27 PM
At a party - someone there was on the phone talking to an old high school friend on the east coast, saying she lived in "South Scottsdale" ... actually ... Gilbert.
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re: silverbear
I think it's much more a misspeak as a product of not giving it direct thought than it is anyone consciously assuming there's nothing in Phoenix (that'd really be an absurd assumption, and that person does deserve to be corrected). But, anyone who cares enough to be on this board can see that the posts regarding restaurants/attractions for Phoenix outnumber Scottsdale, and many Scottsdale restaurants are listed as being in Phoenix. Just on the first page right now, for example, has the thread "Heirloom (PHX)" from ejs. If I'm correct, ejs is a Scottsdale resident, and I'm sure knows that Heirloom is in Scottsdale, but he categorized it as Phoenix. Now, I obviously can't speak for him, but I doubt this was intentional or the product of any assumptions he has. Just happens.
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re: crsin
silverbear
May 8, 2009 10:50 PM
It's one thing to use "Phoenix" as a generic term for the entire Metropolitan Area. Using the core city's name as a sort of synecdoche for the surrounding region is established practice around the nation.
It quite another thing to incorrectly assign attractions in the core city to one of its suburbs. That occurs more frequently than it should with regard to Scottsdale, and I'll continue to pick that nit when it bothers me.
If someone believes, incorrectly, that the Phoenician or Kierland is located in Scottsdale, I can understand that because both properties have Scottsdale mailing addresses and market themselves as being in Scottsdale. I'm less forgiving of incidents like the one in which Martha Stewart stated that Pizzeria Bianco, far away from Scottsdale in Downtown Phoenix, was in Scottsdale.
Again, I sense no bad intent on the OP's part, and this isn't about him. I pointed out the minor geographical error and then gave a variety of restaurant recommendations in response to the request. Anyone who is uncomfortable with that package can look away.
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re: crsin
tastyjon
May 9, 2009 06:23 PM
Agreed. The neighborhoods to the immediate east and north of DBG are Scottsdale and even most residents in the area have no idea of the exact borders. Tourists probably look at a map and see the DBG is 1.5 miles to Old Town, 2.5 miles to Mill and 10 or some miles to downtown PHX. So while DBG has a PHX address, it's much more situated to the restaurant offerings of Scottsdale and Tempe, two distinct cities (and this is reflected in the suggestions).
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I had to do a double-take when I read this title..."huh? DBG is not in Scottsdale!"
Anyway, I definitely second the House of Tricks recommendation. If the weather permits, sit outside and take in the off-Mill Ave. view. Tricks has a wonderful variety of fish and meat dishes. In fact, the Filet Mignon tempted my vegetarian eye. There is also a bar in the middle of the patio that is nice to sit at while waiting for a table.
Salud.
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You are very close to a large variety of restaurants in Scottsdale.
Doesn't fit your criteria necessarily, but we went to "Noodles Ranch", which is Vietnamese food (but not divey, and a somewhat upscale atmosphere). The Noodle bowls (Bun) are filled with fresh ingredients (lots of veggies and herbs).
We have been twice to see the exhibit at the DBG (in the span of 6 days actually), and really enjoyed it.
Fine's Cellar (which is in Old Town Scottsdale, probably less than 10 minutes from DSG) would be a good choice for good American. You could easily make a meal of their cheese platter, and an app. It is a good value, and very reasonable if you don't go crazy with wine (which you said you wouldn't).
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Noodles Ranch
2765 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 107, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 -
tastyjon
May 5, 2009 10:06 PM
Specific to a Saturday in May, I'd take advantage of the end of spring and hit a local farmer's market... downtown PHX, Scottsdale or Vincent's. Each are about 15-20 minutes from the DBG and are both unique and unique to Saturdays. If you were coming in July, I'd go with regular restaurants recs. May is quite warm, but not crazy hot.
Another option is Tempe's Mill ave - also nearby. This presents a number of eating options and also is easy to visit on a Sat. Both Mill and the Scottsdale market are also popular places for strolling if you want to do a little tourist action and see shops, etc.
I'm not sure if we have any Italian/Mexican/American spots that are anymore distinct from Tucson when it comes to a casual lunch. But if you are into Asian or Mexican food, we have some awesome markets that are worth a stop. Ranch for Mexican and Lee Lee's and Mekong Plaza for Asian. Both brands are gems and offer lunch options, plus something you'd not expect in AZ.
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silverbear
May 5, 2009 09:54 PM
DBG is actually in Phoenix, although at the point where Phoenix converges with Tempe & Scottsdale.
Nearby options open for Saturday lunch:
Honey Bear's BBQ -- bare bones atmosphere, but good barbecue. Original location on Van Buren near DBG is demonstrably better than other locations.
Caffe Boa -- Italian / Eastern European hybrid. Nice patio with mist cooling and plenty of shade in Downtown Tempe
Restaurant Mexico -- Mexican classic on Mill Avenue
Rula Bula -- Irish Pub with better than average pub food
House of Tricks -- near ASU campus; classic place with Southwestern / Mediterranean hybrid menu
Cornish Pasty Company -- pasties stuffed all sorts of ways -- a modern take on the traditional miner's lunch
Regions -- promising new place on Mill. Regular all-American menu plus specialties from a different region of the country each month
La Bocca -- craft pizzas, bruschetta, salads, etc.
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House of Tricks
114 E 7th St, Tempe, AZ 85281Caffe Boa
398 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281Restaurant Mexico
423 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281Honey Bears Barbeque
5012 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZRula Bula
401 S Mill Ave Ste 101, Tempe, AZ 85281La Bocca Pizzeria
699 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281Regions Bistro & Bar
640 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ
