couples weekend in Scottsdale

[pilgrimsojourner]

We are heading to Scottsdale over Memorial Day weekend and leaving our (combined) 7 children behind. We are staying at the Intercontinental Montelucia from Friday to Monday. I am trying to plan 3 breakfasts (at least one will be at LGO, it's tradition), 3 lunches and 2 dinners. My husband and I love good, interesting food but don't love to spend a fortune to get it. Our friends love good food as well but are not "foodies".

Any suggestions on spots we must try, not too far from where we are staying, that won't break the bank or scare our friends?

I know that's a tall order. Thanks in advance for the help!

[pilgrimsojourner]

thank you for all of the great suggestions. We are going next weekend and are so ready! I have already made reservations at Cowboy Ciao & Herb box. Haven't heard back from FnB. Will call back in a bit. Our friends have requested some Asian options. Any good Thai, Japanese/ sushi, Indian. I feel like I read about an interesting Japanese spot but now I can't find the info - thanks!

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Cowboy Ciao
7133 East Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

FnB
7133 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[Dapuma]

in scottsdale: Roka Akor for Japanese - is a fun spot - plates are meant for sharing, some of the items are really great some are average, i would get the black cod and the beef tenderloin with the dipping sauce if they are on the menu, they are both very good - the rice pots i would pass on - flavored souchu drinks are great IMO - as is their martini with sake and sochu in it with cucumber - they have a coupon right now on localdines.com - however you can rack up the bill here fast FYI

for sushi: Sushi Broker - great for happy hour (north scottsdale) Sushi Roku (old town) expensive
Thai: Malee's Bistro - old town - good value
Indian: I dont like it :)

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Malee's
21001 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050

Roka Akor Restaurant
7299 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

Sushi Brokers
17025 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

[johnseberg]

For Indian, in Scottsdale, I like Tandoori Times. A little further away is Udupi, which is a very vegan friendly place, just across the Tempe / Scottsdale border. I find most Indian to be generally mediocre, in the Phoenix area.

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Tandoori Times Indian Bistro
8140 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Udupi Cafe
1636 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe, AZ 85281

Tandoori Times Indian Bistro
8140 N Hayden Rd Ste H115, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

[TandT]

For truly excellent Thai food I have to strongly recommend Soi4 in Gainey Village. They are a bit creative in using proteins you might not find in a typical Thai restaurant - such as short ribs and pork shoulder. The quality is first notch and the flavors are spot one. In my opinion I have yet to find an Indian restaurant that is consistent and truly represents Indian cuisine. I'm gonna put in a last minute shout out for NOCA. I think they have the most consistent, excellent food in the Phx/Scottsdale area. Every component of every dish is prepared near to perfection. If you want a great food experience go there. If you want a fun 'downtown' dining experience Cowboy Ciao can be great fun but I've had both great meals there and terrible meals there.

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Cowboy Ciao
7133 East Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[mwest9]

I'd recommend Pomo Pizzeria for excellent Naples-style wood-fired pizza. Not too expensive, easy to get a reservation, and delicious!

Also Vincent Market Bistro is very good and inexpensive for breakfast/brunch.

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Vincent Market Bistro
3930 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

'Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana
6166 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

[Beach Chick]

We stayed last year at the Montelucia, which we LOVED and the breakfast was included and fab...never hurts to ask the front desk or cost for supplemental.
Prado has a great happy hour with excellent tapas and drinks.

We headed to the Phoenician at J&G steakhouse bar for the famous burger and beer for $19.
We like Lon's at the Hermosa for breakfast..lunch or dinner is excellent on the patio.

Carlos O'Briens for great Mex that is cheap and good..they are not chintzy on the cheese!
Carolina's Mex too...happy hour at McCormicks and Schmicks for the $3 cheeseburger with fries and other items that are decent and kids are welcome.
Nello's in Scottsdale for pizza.

PHX board is always helpful..
Have a great time and report back!

[scaheld]

Beach Chick,

I want to update the info on The Phoenician J&G Burger & Brew deal; it is no more. J&G has a happy hour now only on Thursdays in the bar - link below. Since the Phoenician opened a specialty burger joint last year (Relish Burger Bistro), they don't have that special in the J&G space.

J&G Thursday Happy Hour-
http://www.jgsteakhousescottsdale.com/file/2053/JG_PHX_Happy%20Happy%20Hour%20Menu_11.01.10.pdf

Relish Burger Bistro-
http://www.thephoenician.com/dining/r...

[Beach Chick]

Thanks for the update scaheld!
Great menu at Relish and love the draft root beer on tap..

[Rubee]

Some of my favorites, though a couple like Prado and Noca can be pricey.

Dinner: Prado (Italian) at your hotel; actually heading there tonight . Noca - New American. FnB with an emphasis on local. I recently went to a wine dinner at Cowboy Ciao (Southwestern) after having not been there in a while. It was so good, I'm planning on getting back there for dinner soon.

Lunch: The Parlor Pizzeria. Antipasti, wood-fired pizzas, hand-made pastas, salads and sandwiches. On-site herb garden, and they source local with seasonal specials.

Sunday brunch (they also have Saturday breakfast): The Herb Box Southbridge, same area as FnB above. Great spot with pretty patios along the canal in Old Town Scottsdale. Loved the smoked salmon hash I had this weekend made with honey smoked salmon out of Colorado, fingerling potatoes, crispy capers, and topped with a fried egg. My husband liked his red velvet pancakes with Grand Marnier syrup and mascarpone cream. $5 Bloody Marys and Mimosas all day Sunday . It's also a great spot for lunch:

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Cowboy Ciao
7133 East Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Noca
3118 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Prado
4949 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

The Parlor Pizzeria
1916 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

FnB
7133 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

The Herb Box Southbridge
7134 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[Dapuma]

for one of the dinners i would piggy back on what rubee said, cowboy ciao or fnb or both would be great for the dinners

for breakfast / brunch -- i would throw in Rokerji / Richardson's / Dick's Hideaway (all the same thing) & Daily Dose which has happy hour 4-8 every day

lunch: Delux burger - great burgers and fries lots of beers on draft

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Delux
3146 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Dick's Hideaway
6008 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Daily Dose
4020 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ

[Dapuma]

what is your daily budget? then we can help you maximize it :)

[pilgrimsojourner]

We don't really have a budget but perhaps less than $75/per person each day would be good. Thanks for your help!