Scottsdale Restaurant Tips by ArizonaExpert

Restaurant Name: Stingray

Just wanted to let you travelers know of a great new place in downtown Scottsdale for sushi. Ra used to be the only place, and it is still good...plus the staff is very nice and let's just say...attractive for those that need visual stimulation for eating.

But Stingray is open now about a mile north of Ra on Scottsdale Road and it is an excellent option for sushi and you may not have to wait...like you will with Ra.

Favorite Dish: Chef's choice!

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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 480-941-4460
Address: On Scottsdale Road just south of Camelback Rd.
Directions: West side of the road...

Restaurant Name: Furio

Another lesser-known place to eat is Furio. Hidden by many large chain places in the area, Furio creates some excellent dishes in a quaint, but contemporary environment. I have had 4 different dishes there, and send many parties, all of whom were more than satisfied. There are several large booths, and a small outdoor area when the weather is just right...which is most of the time.

Favorite Dish: They change the menu regularly, and will cook to order, with substitutions and special requests (at least they try to accomodate).

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 480-945-6600
Address: 7210 E 2nd St.
Directions: SCottsdale Rd and 2nd St. in downtown Scottsdale.

Restaurant Name: Village Tavern

Don't be fooled by the word tavern here...this is not your local pub. This is a large restaurant with one of the largest and most comprehensive menus in the area. You can really get anything here...short of specialized ethnic food. They have great meats, chicken dishes and fish, plus pages of other options. It is large, and when busy, can be fairly loud inside, but it is spacious and with mostly booths, you maintain some sense of privacy. There is also a small outside section. Watch out for weekend nights, as wait times can be an hour. Make reservations!

Favorite Dish: I last ordered flank steak, because my mom used to make it for me when I was a kid, and you don't often see it on a menu. The steak was perfectly done, and served in generous quantity, along with veggies and a baked potato.

My wife had fish and it was excellent, again, with large portions and sides.

Service staff is very friendly, even when very busy.

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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 480-951-6445
Address: 8777 N Scottsdale Rd
Directions: Scottsdale Rd at McCormick Parkway...In the Gainey Village Shops. Mid-town Scottsdale.

Restaurant Name: Bloom

I tried three times to get into Bloom before I realized I better make reservations...and you should too! The atmosphere is wonderful. Great colors, flowers and lighting. The service was excellent. Staff was friendly and attentive, engaging and suggestive when asked. They actually had an opinion on the menu!

We ordered an appetizer (Brie) and split a salad that they delivered on two plates without us asking. It was excellent!

We ordered two different fishes for dinner and both were fantastic with nice portions. The vegetables were perfect and the bread fresh.

Favorite Dish: My wife and I are great dessert fans, and we were not disappointed. We ordered the chocolate fingers, an outrageous dessert we managed to finish, despite a full stomach. The couple next to us saw our dessert and ended up ordering the same thing.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: Gainey Village at McCormick Parkway and Scottsdale

Restaurant Name: Sushi Brokers

I do eat other foods than sushi, but I have to tell you about this place. I was at Sushi Brokers opening night a couple years ago and visit at least once every other week. They have only gotten better each year. The place is in a strip-type center (albeit upscale) just north of Frank Lloyd Wright on Scottsdale Road. The service has always been good, and the wait staff are usually young and okay, nice looking.

The best thing about Sushi Brokers is happy hour, which is 7 days a week. Great deals on sushi and drinks. We sometimes get out of there full (2 of us) for $25! I am talking $1 Hamachi...2 piece!!! Try the spring rolls...outstanding! The happy hour menu is limited, but still has a nice variety. We took all 7 of us there for the first time latst week and got out of there for under $50.

The downfall is seating, although with outdoor tables, there is some relief. Problem is during the summer when we vie for the few tables inside. I don't think they take reservations either.

Love this place for an extensive menu, great wait staff, and the best happy hour (until 6:30 I think)!

Favorite Dish: The sushi has always been excellent. We have ordered off the regular menu a couple of times for fish and other things, and have never been disappointed.

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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 480-515-5000
Address: 17025 N. Scottsdale Rd
Directions: 1/4 mile north of FLW/Bell on Scottsdale Rd, east side of the street.

Restaurant Name: Elements at Sanctuary

For our 5th anniversary, I took my wife to Elements at Sanctuary resort. Knowing what to ask for on a special occasion, I reserved a booth near the windows that look over Paradise Valley. What a view! Watching the sunset from our seats was spectacular, and the lights below after that were dazzling.

The food and service were equally spectacular. We opted for a slow, one course at a time meal, and the staff obliged. My wife is also a vegetarian, but finding items to share was not a big problem. Both the soup and salads we selected were outstanding (sorry I forgot which ones).

She had Tappia and I had a lamb chop for the main course, and once again, the place did not disappoint.

Dessert was fantastic and we just enjoyed each other and the view.

I would rate this as one of the top 3 meals of the year for us, and a must go place for romantic, special, or anytime dinner!

Favorite Dish: We couldn't find anything that was bad!

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 480-607-2300
Address: 5700 E. MCDonald
Directions: 57th street and McDonald in Paradise Valley. McDonald is a major street...ask any concierge.
Website: look under sanctuary resort

Restaurant Name: Roy's

Roy's is a wonderful place tucked into a shopping center right off Scottsdale Road. I have eaten there twice, most recently with prospective employers from Seattle. Even they were impressed with the experience from start to finish.

The staff is great! They are attentive, educated on the menu, and willing to help with decisions and choices.

We had 5 different fish dishes and they were all great! The appetizer platter was superb, and we had the vegetarian ravioli, which was outstanding.

The place has indoor and outdoor seating, and was quiet enough for us to do business.

Favorite Dish: I had the mahi-mahi...crusted with nuts and prepared perfectly over vegetables. Can't say enough good things about the food and the people at Roy's.

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 480-905-1155
Address: 7100 N Scottsdale Rd
Directions: At McCormick Parkway and Scottsdale Rd

Restaurant Name: Vu- Hyatt Gainey Ranch

The Hyatt is in the process of changing out all their restaurants at Gainey Ranch. This is a familiar place for me...I have been there a dozen times. The place is beautiful and that never gets old. However, theis new place...Vu...was not a good experience.

We got an outdoor table which was very romantic. The wait staff was very friendly and knew the menu....problem was there wasn't that much to know! There were 6 appetizers and 6 dinner choices...unless you wanted the tasting 2 hour chef's delight....no thanks.

My wife (vegetarian) only had one appetizer choice and two fish choices for dinnner. I opted for the salad (her one choice) and was presented with a beautiful piece of art....no lettuce...but it was beautiful. I know it had beets and cheese and walnuts, but really, no lettuce. I thought salad meant lettuce?

My wife, starving and only eating bread, ordered a fish and I ordered tenderloin. Her fish was served on a huge plate, which made the child-like portion seem even smaller. We actually laughed at how little food she got....a small palenta side...and nothing else.

At least my 3 small pieces of meat came with a dollop of mashed potatoes, which I offered to my wife. NO veggies...nothing else.

I couldn't bring myself to order dessert. If we didn't have a great sense of humor, I would have been livid.

The total bill, with two glasses of wine, was $120! Obscene is the only word I can think of. I picked a crummy place for our anniversary! I don't mind paying for a good meal, but I sure want to feel special when I leave. Here, I felt violated.

Favorite Dish: Ummmm....my favorite dish WAS the dish...because it was better than the actual food....and there was more of it!

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Theme: American
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: Hyatt at Gainey Ranch
Directions: Doubletree Rd east of Scotttsdale Rd