So many great restaurants, so little time in South/Old Town Scottsdale.
FNB
American
7125 E. Fifth Ave.
480-284-4777, fnbrestaurant.com
James Beard Award winner Charleen Badman serves a farm-focused menu dependent on ingredients she receives from local growers. Fare could include spaghetti squash amandine, roasted jidori chicken or king salmon. If manti – pillowy Turkish dumplings – are on the menu, order them. $$-$$$
Atlas Bistro
ECLECTIC
2515 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-2433, atlasbistrobyob.com
Tucked away inside AZ Wine Co., this tiny BYOB feels cozy and a little quirky, thanks to an eclectic menu and wine-geek servers. The Southwestern-edged menu changes frequently, but always includes red meat, seafood and vegetarian options. $$$
Barrio Queen
Mexican
Seven Valley locations, barrioqueen.com
Gourmet Mexican food is on la mesa at this Old Town Scottsdale hot spot. Don’t miss the elote or fresh guacamole sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. $-$$$
The Beverly on Main
American
7018 E. Main St.
480-889-5580, beverlyonmain.com
This buzzy, cheeky spot might have the most eyebrow-raising cocktail names in the Valley: M.I.L.F. (tequila, agave nectar, orange Cognac, lime, chile rim) and Pirate Hooker (rum, mead, orange Cognac, lime, passion fruit), to name a few printable ones. $$
Berdena’s
coffee
7100 E. Fifth Ave.
480-256-1403, berdenas.com
This cute corner coffee shop is bright, airy and flush with delicious pastries and coffee creations. Try the honey-lavender latte. $
The Breakfast Club
American
4400 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-222-2582, breakfastclub.us
Wake up and smell the coffee. This sunny, upscale spot serves breakfast all day, and the choices are awesome. Try the huevos con masa, eggs Benedict (in all of its delicious versions) and the bananas Foster pancakes. Other locations: CityScape (602-354-7284), Biltmore (602-661-3443). $-$$
Bourbon & Bones
Steakhouse
4200 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-629-4922, bourbonandbonesaz.com
This hip chophouse specializing in premium bourbons and wet- and dry-aged steaks is anything but buttoned-up, but don’t let the cool music, creative cocktails and lively vibe fool you – you’ll pay top dollar for the bone-in filets and center-cut ribeyes. Then again, if you’re a scenester, you may love every minute of it – the bar is a good place to be. $$$-$$$$
Café Monarch
New American
6939 E. First Ave.
480-970-7682, cafemonarch.com
Feeling flush? You’ll need to be to partake of a scrumptious four-course prix fixe dinner at this elegant fine dining restaurant, where the atmosphere is quiet, the wine list is deep and every server and sommelier is ultra-attentive. Our rec: roasted duck breast with cherries and seared foie gras. $$$-$$$$
Chula Seafood
SEAFOOD
8015 E. Roosevelt St.
480-621-5121, chulaseafood.com
Don’t be turned off by the run-down strip mall that houses this seafood market and restaurant specializing in fish caught off the Southern California coast. The Heflin family owns and operates the restaurant and a commercial fishing boat in San Diego, offering fresh, never-frozen “boat-to-table” seafood in a variety of delicious permutations. $$
Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila
MEXICAN
7228 E. First Ave.
480-970-9002, cienagaves.com
This lively, colorful cantina serves up fresh, excellent margaritas (made with more than 100 premium tequilas). Tacos come 13 different ways and can be ordered by the platter. The Kahlúa flan, sopapillas and churro sundae are crave-worthy. Other location: North Scottsdale (480-467-4455). $-$$
Citizen Public House
NEW American
7111 E. Fifth Ave.
480-398-4208, citizenpublichouse.com
Old Town’s original gastropub still has it going on. Updated menu items like seared venison with burnt honey jus, and Mediterranean sea bass with rainbow chard promise palate satisfaction. Belly up to the centerpiece bar and sample from a selection of craft beers, or try one of the modern or classic cocktails. $$-$$$
Cornish Pasty Co.
BRITISH/PUB GRUB
3800 N. Goldwater Blvd.
480-945-1220, cornishpastyco.com
Everything is better when it’s encased in flaky pastry dough, right? That’s the prevailing philosophy behind Cornish Pasty Co. Now with five locations across the Valley, the local mini-chain has been slugging out pasties – big, calzone-like British pastries filled with savory, stew-y fillings – since 2005. $-$$
Culinary Dropout
NEW American
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
480-970-1700, culinarydropout.com
You almost feel wrong eating soft pretzels and deviled eggs amid Culinary Dropout’s fetching décor of green chandeliers, plush banquettes and dramatic lounge chairs. Try the honey-drizzled fried chicken or the doughy apple monkey bread. Order a round of paper-bag beers or try a top-notch specialty cocktail. Multiple Valley locations. $$
Daily Dose
American
4020 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-994-3673, dailydosegrill.com
Lunch and dinner sing at this cozy kitchen and bar, but it’s the decadent, addictive breakfasts you’ll crave. Highlights include eggs Benedict; top sirloin and crimini omelet; and the Hangover breakfast sandwich. Enjoy spiked coffee drinks and an array of Bloody Mary options. Other locations: Midtown Phoenix (602-274-0334), Tempe (480-590-6937). $$
DeFalco’s Italian Grocery
Italian
2334 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-8660, defalcosdeli.com
A great place to grab a fat Italian sandwich or the fixings to make Italian specialties at home. Sturdy takeout entrées include lasagna and eggplant parmesan. Great selection of wine and Italian groceries, too. $
EVO
4175 N. Goldwater Blvd.
480-265-9814, evoscottsdale.com
Various star chefs have elevated this Old Town eatery with handmade pastas, intensely flavored sauces and delightful specialty meat dishes. Try the focaccia rustica, with crème de Brie, Taleggio, mascarpone, honey, olive oil and salt. $$-$$$
Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles
Soul Food
3133 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-945-1920, loloschickenandwaffles.com
Lo-Lo’s is the friendliest place for soul food in the Valley. The fried chicken and waffles are outstanding, but so are the greens, mac and cheese, cornbread and red velvet cake. Other locations: Phoenix (602-340-1304), Gilbert (480-207-6173), Phoenix Sky Harbor (602-273-3300). $
Fellow Osteria
modern italian
1455 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-207-1864, fellowosteria.com
Brought to you by Nicholas Campisano and Joshua James of Clever Koi and Across the Pond, this airy osteria specializes in Americanized modern Italian cuisine. $$-$$$
Franco’s Italian Caffe
ITALIAN
4327 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-481-7614, francosscottsdale.com
Culinary legend Franco Fazzuoli returned from New York, bringing back a stellar menu of Italian dishes, ranging from penne shrimp to chicken contadina. $$$-$$$$
Frank & Lupe’s
MEXICAN
4121 N. Marshall Way
480-990-9844, frankandlupes.com
If you’ve shied away from New Mexico-style food because you’re not keen on molten lava, head for this little café, where the carne adovada and chile poblano are never too hot. $
Geisha A Go Go
Asian
7150 E. Sixth Ave.
480-699-0055, geishaagogo.com
Asian cuisine with a little karaoke on the side. The traditional menu features meals cooked on hot rocks, a sexy sushi bar and a plethora of specialty drinks, including house-made sakes. The retro design is another quirky plus. $$-$$$
The House Brasserie
New American
6936 E. Main St.
480-634-1600, thehousebrasserie.com
Gastronomic guru Matt Carter’s experience is put to good use in a globally inspired menu. Start your culinary world tour with oh-so-European charcuterie and cheeses paired with vino or hand-pressed cocktails like the honey-grapefruit imbued Sazerac Square, then dig into the lamb pasty, a flaky pocket of braised meat and curried potatoes. $$
J’s Kaiyo Sushi & Bar
JAPANESE
4412 N. Miller Rd.
480-427-2526, jskaiyo.com
J is Jason McGrath, the 30-something son of Scottsdale culinary bigwig Robert McGrath of Roaring Fork fame. Jason forges his own route with Kaiyo, an unpredictable romp of Asian fusion. The sushi bar is superior, executing imaginative rolls with military-like precision, while the menu offers modern, fresh takes on Asian classics like the to-die-for Seoul chicken wings. $$-$$$
Jewel of the Crown
INDIAN
7373 Scottsdale Mall
480-949-8000, jewelofthecrown.net
Small but pretty, this jewel can really sparkle, thanks to its exotic setting and authentic Indian food. Try the excellent curries, vindaloos and vegetable dishes with garlic naan. The chicken tikka masala is not to be missed. $-$$
JOJO Coffeehouse
Breakfast/Brunch/Coffee
3712 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480- 907-6100, jojocoffeehouse.com
Set right off Scottsdale Road in Old Town, this breezy and bright breakfast and lunch spot has a fun coffee flight – a selection of five sippable styles (e.g. cold brew, mocha, latte) served on a handsome plank. From the food menu, try the goat-cheese-studded JOJO breakfast sandwich, the breakfast tacos and an assortment of pancakes. $-$$
Kazimierz Wine & Whiskey Bar
Cocktail lounge
7137 E. Stetson Dr.
480-946-3004, kazbarscottsdale.com
Reached by an unmarked back door, Kazimierz is Scottsdale’s foremost vino speakeasy. Snacks include pâté, chopped salad and flatbread. Want to pair your Pinot with something heartier? The short rib tacos and pulled-pork sliders are savory winners. $$-$$$
Kona Grill
ECLECTIC
7014 E. Camelback Rd.
480-429-1100, konagrill.com
There’s something yummy for everybody at these rich-looking restaurants, where the Asian-inspired menu offers pizza, burgers and meatloaf, as well as sushi, noodles and satay. The Scottsdale location’s outdoor bar is a scene at happy hour and a great break while shopping at Fashion Square. Other location: Gilbert (480-289-4500). $$-$$$
Kyoto
JAPANESE
7170 E. Stetson Dr.
480-990-9374, kyotoscottsdale.com
By 6 p.m., this sushi and teppanyaki restaurant is slammed with 20-somethings on their way to the clubs. High turnover equals fresh fish. $$
Los Olivos
MEXICAN
7328 E. Second St.
480-946-2256, losolivosrestaurants.com
This local landmark has been serving up good old-fashioned Mexican food for years. Great enchiladas, green corn tamales and steak picado, as well as fabulous housemade tortillas and the best cheese crisp in town. $-$$
Malee’s Thai Bistro
THAI
7131 E. Main St.
480-947-6042,maleesthaibistro.com
The most popular Thai restaurant in town goes heavy on the sugar, light on the chiles. But the tom kha gai and jalapeño-fried rice are wonderful. $$
Marcellino Ristorante
ITALIAN
7114 E. Stetson Dr.
480-990-9500, marcellinoristorante.com
Chef/owner Marcellino Verzino brings elegance to his modern Italian cuisine by using fresh ingredients and cooking them simply. Pasta is the specialty at this intimate spot, but everything is first-rate, including salads and gamberi e feta. $$-$$$
Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse
STEAKhouse
6991 E. Camelback Rd.
480-941-4700, mastrosrestaurants.com
Steaks and chops are the stars at this swanky eatery, from a zippy 16-ounce New York pepper steak to succulent rack of lamb to juicy herb-roasted chicken. An extensive drink and dessert list includes an abundant wine selection and Mastro’s signature warm butter cake. $$$-$$$$
The Mission
Mexican
3815 N. Brown Ave.
480-636-5005, themissionaz.com
This swanky lounge serves up mouthwatering meals and exotic cocktails, all in a quaint adobe-style setting. Start with chef Matt Carter’s tableside guacamole, duck carnitas empanada, pozole or pork shoulder tacos. Sip on a pineapple-ginger mojito while savoring the short rib steak or cauliflower pibil. Other location: North Scottsdale (480-292-7800). $$-$$$
Sel
New American
7044 E. Main St.
480-949-6296, selrestaurant.com
Within the framework of a four-course prix fixe meal, Food Network veteran Branden Levine offers a repertoire of ingredients and styles, shifting into different roles every couple of weeks in this small, quietly chic restaurant. Outstanding regular entrées include filet, duck breast and halibut, but the purées and reductions with which Levine presents them are recombined with infinite variety. $$-$$$
Morning Squeeze
breakfast
4233 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-945-4669, morningsqueeze.com
The eatery’s lime and white color scheme is a better eye-opener than any cup of coffee, and gets our mouths watering for orange-hibiscus juice and one of the resto’s eggs Benedict creations. Other locations: Tempe (480-264-4688), Phoenix (602-675-2641). $
Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace
CALIFORNIAN/MEDITERRANEAN
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
480-751-2200, oliveandivyrestaurant.com
This Testani-designed hot spot has universal appeal, thanks to its gourmet bakery, high-end retail market, grab-and-go café, luxurious patio, great wine selection and airy, open restaurant featuring Californian-Mediterranean cuisine (and great people-watching). $-$$$
Pizzeria Virtú
Italian
6952 E. Main St.
480-663-9797, pizzeriavirtu.com
Casual, family-friendly sibling to chef-owner Gio Osso’s Virtù Honest Craft,this masterful Old Town pizzeria provides the antidote to bland commercial pies, turning out no-flop oven-blistered VPN pizzas with next-level toppings such as smoked scamorza, King Oyster mushrooms and soppressata. Osso’s menu has evolved to include two weekly pasta and two weekly main course specials, as well as frequently changing bruschetta and seasonal burrata. $$
Ra Sushi
sushi
3815 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-9256, rasushi.com
Although these sexy-looking sushi bars possess traditional Japanese design elements, their menus and outlook are strictly modern. Besides sushi, there’s a full menu of Japanese and Japanese-inspired dishes. Check online for other locations. $$$
Roka Akor
STEAK/SUSHI
7299 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-306-8800, rokaakor.com
The charcoal-fire robata grill anchors this chic international superstar of Asian fine dining. Robatayaki (a grilling technique of Japanese fishermen) inspires a menu featuring sushi, salads amd grilled entrées. $$$
The Salt Cellar
SEAFOOD
550 N. Hayden Rd.
480-947-1963, saltcellarrestaurant.com
Nobody’s put off by the dated decor of this perennially popular underground seafood joint. Excellent fresh catches and great happy-hour bargains on seafood appetizers like shrimp cocktail, oysters Rockefeller, halibut “ceviche” and mussels in butter sauce. Time-warp back to the 1950s and order the salmon Oscar, topped with crab, asparagus and hollandaise. $$-$$$
Second Story Liquor Bar
New American
4166 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-945-5555, secondstoryliquorbar.com
Take the stairs up to this swank gastropub, where global accents highlight an American menu. The WTF biscuits are worthy of their name, and the fat, juicy burger just may be the best in town. Good place for cocktails and street-watching on the balcony overlooking Scottsdale Road. $$-$$$
ShinBay
Japanese
3720 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-361-1021, shin-bay.com
You’ll need an open mind and some serious cash to partake in Shinji Kurita’s spectacular omakase, a mind-blowing, multi-course roller coaster of virtuoso Japanese cuisine, manifested in at least two dozen mostly classical preparations of seafood and exotic vegetables. There is no menu – in the omakase tradition, you have to trust the chef to serve you something delicious. And trust us: He will. $$$$
Sugar Bowl
American
4005 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-946-0051, sugarbowlscottsdale.com
Known Valleywide, this pink-and-white ’50s ice cream parlor makes shakes, sundaes and banana splits. Dive into dessert first, then have soup, a sandwich or any of the offered daily specials. $
Sushi Roku
JAPANESE
7277 E. Camelback Rd. (W Hotel)
480-970-2121, sushiroku.com
Amid a sexy ambiance, this nightlife district favorite serves up premium sushi and specialty dishes. Don’t miss the Colorado lamb chops marinated in soy and garlic, or the High Roller, topped with golden Osetra caviar. $$$$
Tapas Papa Frita
SPANISH
7114 E. Stetson Dr.
480-699-5004, tapaspapafrita.com
Sitting on the patio along the bank of the Arizona Canal sipping a Spanish red is a lovely way to spend an evening. Order tapas of marinated manchego cheese, share a well-crafted paella Valenciana or cut into a filet mignon with melted Spanish blue cheese, then finish strong with burnt sugar-topped crema Catalana. $$-$$$
Virtù Honest Craft
MEDITERRANEAN
3701 N. Marshall Way
480-946-3477, virtuscottsdale.com
Virtù offers an ever-evolving Mediterranean menu at the charming Bespoke Inn. Head straight for the signature charred octopus (one of PHOENIX magazine’s 75 Best Dishes in the Valley) and wash it down with a handcrafted cocktail. For dinner, we recommend handcrafted pasta. Great cocktails, too, like the Confused Negroni with peach tea-infused vermouth, Meletti 1870 and orange bitters. Brunch, lunch and dinner daily. $$-$$$
ZuZu
NEW CONTEMPORARY
6850 E. Main St.
480-248-2000, hotelvalleyho.com
With updates in décor and dishes, the airy, open eatery at the retro Hotel Valley Ho offers entrées like Tuscan kale salad, pan-seared sea scallops and roasted spaghetti squash. Go full-on retro with the chilled seafood cocktail or the beef tartare. For dessert, splurge on the doughnut sundae, warm butterscotch pudding cake in a Mason jar, or the resort’s over-the-top Showstopper Shake, which changes seasonally. Breakfast and lunch M-F, dinner M-Su, brunch Sa-Su. $-$$$
