Maple & Ash
This revered Chicago steakhouse transplant elevates tradition with bold, sexy aesthetic; a wine program that’s named among the most outstanding in the world; and a menu that sources the highest quality steak and seafood available. Enjoy staples like a dry-aged tomahawk ($175) and wagyu filet mignon ($128) or throw caution to the wind and let the chef wine and dine you with whatever his heart desires by opting for the I Don’t Give a F**k menu.
7135 E. Camelback Road
Scottsdale
480.400.8888
mapleandash.com
Bourbon Steak
Celeb chef Michael Mina and local exec chef Sara Garrant send forth luxurious fare: oysters, foie gras, Maine lobster, wagyu beef, Kurobuta pork and signature butter-poached steaks.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort
7575 E. Princess Drive
480.513.6002
scottsdaleprincess.com
Cafe Monarch
The prix fixe menu changes weekly and always features New American influences and seasonal, local ingredients. All servers are certified sommeliers who participate in weekly wine tastings to ensure optimal pairing recommendations. Cafe Monarch is by reservation only and offers accommodations for patrons with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free preferences.
6939 E. First Ave., Scottsdale
480.970.7682
cafemonarch.com
Marcellino Ristorante
It’s a good night when osso buco makes it to the menu. Then again, any of Marcellino Verzino’s handmade-daily pastas are a treat, and wife Sima’s songs and hospitality are nourishing in their own right.
7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale
480.990.9500
marcellinoristorante.com
Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse
Black leather, textured glass and red accent lighting set the scene for celebrating corporate anniversaries and closing big business deals. The dress code is smart; the service is spot-on.
6991 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale
480.941.4700
mastrosrestaurants.com
The Mission
A wall of amber bricks of salt gives the Brown Avenue dining room a romantic glow; at Kierland, it’s a heaven-reaching centerpiece bar that beckons and beams. Latin influences (and good taste) are the reasons for ham on chicken tostadas, and raisins and cashews on barbacoa ribs. Huitlacoche is the sleeper hit: a corn fungus that becomes a luscious, earthy sauce in either capable kitchen.
3815 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale
480.636.5005
Kierland Commons
7122 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale
480.292.7800
Fat Ox
Region-hopping Italian cuisine features grilled vegetables, pastas dressed with truffle butter or bolognese, slow-roasted meats and crispy-skinned salmon. The sharp 7,000-square-foot space can seat 350 guests.
6316 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480.307.6900
ilovefatox.com
MODERN Oyster Bar + Chophouse
With elevated surf and turf, an impressive oyster bar, and a signature cocktail program, Modern Oyster Bar + Chophouse can seat up to 299 guests in its lush, deep blue interior or on its grand patio, complete with a full bar and fire pit.
10050 N. Scottsdale Road, Ste. 127
480.531.1400
modernoysterbar.com
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Steaks and seafood, a la carte sides, lobster bisque and creme brulee are served to linen-dressed tables indoors and out.
Kierland Commons
15233 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale
480.951.4400
mortons.com/scottsdale
Ocean 44
With seafood from around the world, dining settings that range from grand tables to intimate enclaves, and an over-the-top selection of fresh seafood, this coastal eatery is the place to see and be seen.
4748 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale
480.687.0044
ocean44.com
Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace
Area workers whoosh in for breakfast burritos, boxed salads and sandwiches to go. The leisure set sits beneath artful clusters of filament bulbs or market umbrellas, requesting platters of bacon-wrapped dates and short rib flatbread, and refilling wine glasses from bottles left on ice. Mediterranean flavors influence preparations of meats, fish and pasta.
Scottsdale Waterfront
7135 E. Camelback Road
480.751.2200
oliveandivyrestaurant.com
Orange Sky
The fine dining restaurant at Talking Stick Resort sits on the 15th floor, yielding vast mountain and sunset views. Share caviar and cured meats before a steak, chop or loin, or request tableside carving of wagyu, elk or 24-ounce beef tenderloin.
9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale
480.850.8606
talkingstickresort.com
Preston’s Steakhouse
Rare is the sophisticated steakhouse that offers a children’s menu; here, four ounces of sirloin or salmon or a spread of chicken fingers are the options. Full-grown guests get beef servings of 10 to 44 ounces and sauteed and creamed a la carte sides. Upstairs, there’s a piano lounge and big-sky patio.
The Citadel
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale
480.629.5087
prestonsscottsdale.com
Roka Akor
Japanese rolls, robata-grilled meats, sakes and shochu spirits form the foundation of this concept, which now has six U.S. locations. Order bit by bit as whims of the table dictate or submit to the omakase experience—let the chef make the decisions.
7299 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480.428.0051
rokaakor.com/scottsdale
Sel
By sitting on Scottsdale’s major art gallery avenue, this classy and ever-changing restaurant plays frequent host to vacationing collectors, area gallerists and artists with representation. (And you thought big deals were negotiated on the golf course.) Yield to the featured prix fixe; it’s a veritable parade of fine art.
7044 E. Main St.
480.949.6296
selrestaurant.com
Sushi Roku
Nearly circular booths keep your friends close and ribbons of pickled ginger closer. Time a property visit right and catch the chatter in the adjacent Living Room Lounge & Bar or on the Shade Lounge upper deck during digestion.
W Scottsdale
7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale
480.970.2121
sushiroku.com
Talavera Restaurant
As a self-respecting Spanish steakhouse ought, Talavera furnishes New York strip with chimichurri, four paellas, lamb meatballs, and a broad palette of tapas and sherries. From the dining room and patio, views of undeveloped desert are far-reaching.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive
480.513.5086
talaverarestaurant.com
Binkley’s
Just 24 guests can be accommodated inside this small midtown house each night, Wednesdays to Saturdays, with multicourse experiences from $180. Add wine pairings from $95 to $140.
2320 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix
602.388.4874
binkleysrestaurant.com
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Unfurled to full length, the cocktail menu here could wallpaper a 10-story building; coincidentally, the establishment is located in the 10-story Luhrs Building. Call a car service.
1 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix
602.340.1924
bitterandtwistedaz.com
Chelsea’s Kitchen
Arcadia families and young professionals come in droves to this ranch-style restaurant, which features a shady patio on the bank of the Arizona Canal. A modern American menu features tuna tartare with guacamole, short rib tacos and Dixie pan-fried chicken.
5040 N. 40th St., Phoenix
602.957.2555
chelseaskitchenaz.com
CRUjiente Tacos
A rainbow of zesty ingredients—including wagyu, pork belly, Korean fried chicken and lots of pickled veggies—rests on crispy or soft tortillas. You’re going to want to take pictures of these little beauties.
3961 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
602.687.7777
crutacos.com
Durant’s
Steaks, chops, lobster, liver specials and oysters on the half shell have been served here since the 1950s. Guests enter through the kitchen.
2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
602.264.5967
durantsaz.com
El Chorro
Between Camelback and Mummy mountains sits this popular spot for brunch, which may include applewood-smoked salmon, steak and eggs, or omelets with country potatoes
5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley
480.948.5170
elchorro.com
elements
Perched on the north side of Camelback Mountain, the Asian-inspired restaurant—presided over by Iron Chef America star Beau MacMillan—offers standouts like beef-cheek dumplings in truffle ponzu, and osso bucco next to foie gras risotto and asparagus.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa
5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley
480.607.2300
sanctuaryoncamelback.com
Hanny’s
Once a posh department store, Hanny’s is now a name to note for martinis, bruschetta and skinny, sassy pizzas in downtown Phoenix.
40 N. First St.
602.252.2285
hannys.net
Mora Italian
A modern twist on an Italian osteria, Mora combines stunning design with a laid-back neighborhood feel. Enjoy handmade pasta dishes, pizzas, bruschetta and scallops with salt-baked sunchokes.
5651 N. Seventh St., Phoenix
602.795.9943
moraitalian.com
Ocean Prime
Doors with ship-portal windows lead to well-plated seafood and steaks in an energetic atmosphere.
High Street
5455 E. High St., Phoenix
480.347.1313
ocean-prime.com
Pizzeria Bianco
Local consensus is that Bianco makes Arizona’s best pizzas. The man behind the Rosa topped with pistachios won a James Beard Award in 2003.
Heritage Square
623 E. Adams St., Phoenix
602.258.8300
The Shops at Town & Country
4743 N. 20th St., Phoenix
602.368.3273
pizzeriabianco.com
Steak 44
Before this contemporary steakhouse set up shop, the very same address housed a Cork ’n’ Cleaver. Nowadays, steaks can be topped with foie gras or burrata in addition to yesteryear’s blue cheese or green peppercorns. Don’t miss the wall of cleavers near the welcome podium.
Camelback Village
5101 N. 44th St., Phoenix
602.271.4400
steak44.com
T. Cook’s
One of the Valley’s most romantic resort restaurants specializes in the northern-Mediterranean diet. Fish dishes are spectacular.
Royal Palms Resort & Spa
5200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
602.808.0766
royalpalmshotel.com
Tarbell’s Mark
Tarbell has served his mom’s recipes to restaurant guests, written a wine column for the Arizona Republic, named a short-run lounge in collaboration with rocker Sammy Hagar, and hosted Arizona PBS’ Check, Please! On the southeast corner of 32nd Street and Camelback, he also oversees an eponymous restaurant, tavern and wine store. Scotch beef has been a dining room mainstay forever.
3213 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
602.955.8100
tarbells.com
UnderTow
Located beneath Sip Coffee & Beer Garage, this Tiki bar trades in tropical cocktails in a setting that feels like a seafaring pirate ship.
3620 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
602.753.6504
undertowphx.com
Dominick’s Steakhouse
Boasting the look and feel of an elegant upscale restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, Dominick’s offers impeccable cuisine, attentive service, meticulously crafted cocktails, a gorgeous bar area and live entertainment on certain nights.
15169 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480.272.7271
dominickssteakhouse.com
Restaurant Progress
Small and charming, Restaurant Progress is located in the old Wagon Wheel Bar strip mall in midtown Phoenix’s Melrose District and serves up daring, seasonally inspired dishes. We recommend splurging on the tasting menu ($75 per person) to get a true sense of chef TJ Culp’s creative genius.
702 W. Montecito Ave., Phoenix
602.441.0553
facebook.com/restaurantprogressphx
