Scottsdale AZ Real Estate & Lifestyle

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Where to Eat in Scottsdale

Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ – October 2014

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– Scottsdale Events for October 2014 –

Scottsdale Pinnacle Peak MountainIt is hard to believe that September is already halfway complete and that October will be here shortly. But, with that in mind and thinking about the cooler temperatures to come, here are some upcoming events in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas.

  • October 1 –  The Eagles will be playing at the Gila River Arena, (the Jobing.com arena) in Glendale. The will be bringing their “History of the Eagles – Live in Concert” tour and will be in town for one night.
  • October 11 – The Phoenix Zoo is holding its annual Rendez-Zoo event. This upscale fundraiser features food from top area restaurants as well as a seated dinner by the lake. Learn about the zoo initiatives, experience a preview of Zoo Lights and bid on auction items.
  • October 15-16 – A Taste of Cave Creek is back. Head on up to Stagecoach Village in Cave Creek to enjoy food and drink from over twenty-five Cave Creek eateries. Enjoy live music as you enjoy the fresh air and good fun.
  • October 17 – Taste of the Town at Scottsdale Quarter – Enjoy some of the Valley’s best food and drink as well as live music at this annual event. There will be a silent auction and proceeds benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
  • October 25-26 – The Polo Party is back for its fourth year at WestWorld and promises to be even bigger and better. In addition to exciting polo action, there will be food events, fashion shows, after parties and so much more.
  • October 27 – November 2 – The Charles Schwab Cup returns to the Cochise Course at the Desert Mountain Golf Club. See top players battle it out for the title.
  • October 29 – Jo London is teaming up with Jaguar for an event based on Jaguar’s new ad campaign “It’s Good To Be Bad.”  From 6-10PM, come view the latest and greatest  Jaguar models as well as enjoy some tasty food and drink.
  • October 31 – November 2 – The Thunderbird Artists are back for the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. Stroll through the Carefree Town Center and enjoy some wonderful art that includes paintings, sculptures, mixed media and more.

These are just a few of the many fun events coming up in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. Feel free to add other events in the comment section.

Where to Eat in Scottsdale: The Henry

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– Scottsdale Dining Picks – The Henry –

The Henry Scottsdale AZ restaurantIf you have read some of my previous posts about places to eat, you can tell I am a fan of the Fox Restaurant Concepts’ various restaurants. Recently, I had lunch at The Henry down on the Camelback corridor in Phoenix and I now have a new place to add to the list of places I want to go back to.

Before even looking at the menu, we appreciated the open design of the space. It is beautiful mix of current and comfortable. There are a variety of seating options from traditional table set ups, to dining at the bar or you can even choose from a number of couches and chairs placed around coffee tables. There is also ample patio seating if you prefer to eat outside.The Henry Homemade Soup

We got to The Henry when lunch was in full swing. Although there was a wait for the tables, we were able to sit in one of the couch areas and have our lunch there.

The menu is straightforward and offers a lot of variety. They offer appetizers, salads, sandwiches as well as a selection of entrees. There were quite a few things that looked good, so we decided to order several appetizers and go from there.

All four of the items we selected were great picks. We started with the daily soup, which that day was a Mushroom Soup. It was thick and flavorful without being too rich. After that, we ordered the Avocado Toast which was a thick slice of toasted bread with The Henry Scottsdale Diningmashed avocado topped with radishes and a sprinkle of cheese.  We had to try the Cheddar Popovers which came with two large popovers sprinkled with cheddar. They came with two choices of butter, one regular and one with smoked ham. The final thing we ate that day was Wood Grilled Artichokes.  This dish came with three artichoke halves that had been perfectly grilled, with drawn butter and a truffle aioli for dipping.

In addition the main restaurant, The Henry also has a dedicated coffee bar with breakfast and lunch options.

The Henry’s tagline is “The Greatest Neighborhood Restaurant” and it certainly fits that bill. It is a great place to go to meet up with family and friends for great and satisfying food.


The Henry Scottsdale restuarantMore Information:
The Henry & The Henry Coffee Bar: XV
4455 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix Arizona 85018
Phone: (602) 429-8020
Website

– Open daily for lunch and dinner
– Saturday and Sunday brunch

Phoenix, AZ 85018

 

 

 

Where to Eat in Scottsdale: Virtu Honest Craft

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Virtu Honest Craft Restaurant Scottsdale AZ Scottsdale’s Best Dining – Virtú Honest Craft at the Bespoke Inn –

As soon as I read an article talking about the new restaurant, Virtu, I knew it was going to be added to my list of places to try. I finally had the opportunity to go a couple of weeks ago and it was one of the best dinners we have had in a long time.

Virtu is a smaller restaurant located in the Bespoke Inn in Old Town Scottsdale. Inside, it seats a little over 40 people, but there is an outdoor dining patio that adds a few more seats.

Asparagus at Virtu ScottsdaleThe creative menu changes all of the time based upon what fresh ingredients they are featuring, but you will generally find seafood, home-made pasta and contemporary takes on Mediterranean dishes. The menu itself is not huge, which translates into excellent execution of the dishes. And, there were multiple things from all of the sections that we wanted to try and each of them was excellent.

Although you may not see the same dishes on the menu when you are there, I did want to touch on a few outstanding ones.

The first was a decadent asparagus dish. The asparagus had been grilled then drizzled with hollandaise sauce and a hint of truffle oil. It was topped with a poached duck egg and sprinkled with feta and bacon pieces and finished with pea shoots. On the lighter side, we had a burrata with lightly dressed greens, prosciutto, honey and peaches that was excellent. Another standout was a mussels special that had just been added to the menu that day. The mussels came in a tasty broth with large pieces of flavorful  linguica sausage, cherry tomatoes and chickpeas and lots of crusty bread to soak up the broth. Te final dish was a straightforward carbonara pasta. And although the preparation seemed simple, the dish itself was incredible.Virtu Old Town Scottsdale AZ

For dessert, we had a small chocolate cake with sticky toffee. It was easily the best dessert I have had in recent memory.  If you like dessert and this is on the menu, you definitely need to try it.

On the service side, our server was excellent and attentive. And, the personable and very knowledgeable front desk associate stopped by several times to see how our meal was and if we had any questions.

Overall, we had an excellent meal and experience. Virtu certainly lived up to our expectations and we will return soon, perhaps for brunch this time.

 

 

More Information: 
Virtu Honest CrVirtu Honest Craft at Bespoke Inn Scottsdaleaft
3701 North Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 946-3477
Website: https://virtuscottsdale.com/
– Open for Brunch (10am-2pm) and Dinner Daily (5pm-10pm)

 

Where to Eat in Scottsdale: Blanco Tacos + Tequila

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– Scottsdale Casual Dining – Blanco Tacos & Tequila – 

Blanco Tacos Scottsdale AZAs a fan of the Fox Restaurant Concept’s many restaurant offerings, I was looking forward to trying out Blanco Tacos + Tequila. Blanco Tacos is an upscale casual dining restaurant that serves up tasty Mexican food for lunch and dinner as well as an impressive array of tequilas, cocktails and more.

Currently, there are four locations in Arizona. The location in Scottsdale is at The Borgata, there is one at the Biltmore in Phoenix, the third is in Tucson at La Encantada and the final location is at the Sky Harbor Airport.

We were down in Tucson a few weeks ago and had the opportunity to try out Blanco’s lunch offerings. Blanco ‘s menu is pretty straightforward and offers a lot of familiar choices. You can choose from salads, tacos, burritos, enchiladas and cheese crisps. They do have an appetizer section as well as a few select entrée choices.

Blanco Tacos GuacamoleWe started with the Famous Guacamole and it did not disappoint. Fresh, tasty guacamole, with just a hint of chile and a sprinkle of cotija cheese was served. The chips were warm and disappeared pretty quickly. We then also tried the Roasted Chicken Tacos, which came with three of the smaller-sized ‘street’ tacos and sides of rice and beans. They were excellent. We also did a Roasted Chicken Burrito with peppers and onions. It was another great choice and was a large enough size that my dining companion brought half of it home for dinner.

Blanco Tacos + Tequila was the perfect place to stop in for a fresh, filling lunch that did not weigh us down. Service was friendly and efficient and if you are ever in Tucson, be sure to stop by that location. They have a great patio with lovely views.

Blanco Taco Tequila MenuMore Information:
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
6166 N Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85253
– At The Borgata – Scottsdale Road just south of Lincoln 
Phone: 480-305-6692
Website
– Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner, plus Happy Hour Specials

 

 

Where to Eat in Scottsdale: The Pink Pony

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– Scottsdale Dining Picks – The Pink Pony in Old Town Scottsdale –

Pink Pony Scottsdale Interior

July 2016 Update: The Pink Pony has closed.

Earlier this year, one of Scottsdale’s long-time, well-loved restaurants reopened with a fresh new look and menu. The Pink Pony in Old Town had been an institution for decades when in closed a few years back. Fast forward to March 2014 and it is now reopened and serving baseball fans, locals and visitors alike.

We stopped in for lunch a few weeks ago. Walking in, past the new patio dining area, you are greeted with an open, modern space. Baseball memorabilia is displayed throughout as well as art echoing the history of the original establishment.Pink Pony Scottsdale Pretzels

As a starter, we had the Pretzels & Beer Cheddar Fondue. The hot, large pretzels were great with the fondue and this dish disappeared quickly.

We also had the Chop Salad, which contains a number of things like chicken, fennel, lettuce, peppers, egg, candied cashew ‘bark’ and more. The salad is then topped with crispy onion strings and is finished with a smoked blue cheese dressing, where you could really taste the smokiness. The large number of ingredients all come together to make a delicious salad.

Pink Pony ScottsdaleChop SaladThe final item we had that day was the Turkey Breast Sandwich. We were served a delicious sandwich with turkey, bacon, cheese, avocado and more on grain bread. And although a turkey sandwich is pretty straightforward, the Pink Pony elevates this one with a tomato jam and the use of freshly roasted turkey.

Our server could not have been more friendly or helpful. She was always there with refills, which was a plus on such a warm day.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Pink Pony and look forward to dining there again.

 

More Information:
Pink Pony
3831 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 945-6697
Website: https://www.pinkponyscottsdale.com/
– Summer Hours: Open at 3:00 daily
– Lunch Service to return on October 1st

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Where to Eat in Scottsdale AZ: OHSO Eatery and Distillery

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OHSO Brewery Scottsdale AZ

 – Casual and Tasty at Dining at OSHO Brewery in North Scottsdale –  

Although O.H.S.O. is not new to the Phoenix market, it is somewhat new to the North Scottsdale market and it is a great addition to the area.

A couple of months ago, OHSO opened its newest location on Hayden Road, in the shopping complex just south of Frank Lloyd Wright. I had the chance last week to stop in for lunch with a client and am so glad I did.

It is easy to spot OHSO, as it has a patio full of bright orange sun umbrellas to greet you. We elected to sit on the patio that day as the large number of fans and misters and shade from the umbrellas were doing a great job of keeping the heat at bay.OHSO Scottsdale AZ menu

Our server was very friendly and happy to walk us through any questions we had. He was great about bringing refills for us before we even had to ask.

The menu was quite varied and there were options from starters to salads, to tacos, sandwiches and burgers. There was also a selection of entrees to choose from.

I ended up opting for the Grilled Chicken which came with rosemary jus, asparagus and couscous. It was incredible. My client opted for the Waldorf Chicken Salad Wrap. It too, was excellent. Rather than drowning the chicken in a lot of mayo, there were good size pieces of chicken that were mixed with just enough sauce to give it flavor and bind the salad together. The fries that came with it were great, too. OHSO Brewery Scottsdale sandwich

Although we did not get to sample any of the brewery items OSHO is known for on this visit, we will certainly be back to try them. Every Saturday and Sunday, OHSO hosts a Beer Brunch from  9am-2pm and Sunday afternoons are BBQ time with a Backyard BBQ from 2pm-7pm.

Besides great service and tasty food, the OHSO patio is dog friendly. They offer homemade dog treats at the hostess stand and servers prepare bowls of water for the pups to enjoy.  On the afternoon we ate there, we were the only table on the patio without a furry friend.

When you are there, definitely take a look at the huge orange bike that is the centerpiece of the bar.

Overall, we truly enjoyed our first visit to OHSO and it will certainly not be our last.

More Information: 
O.H.S.O. Eatery and Distillery
15681 North Hayden Road, Suite 112
Scottsdale, AZ
Phone: (480) 948-3159
Website: https://ohsodistillery.com
– Open Daily

 

 

 

 

Where to Eat in Scottsdale: JJ’s Deli

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Back in 2010, a new deli opened in the location that Kashman’s had recently vacated. That place was JJ’s Delicatessen and I wrote about my visit to it in the early days.

JJ;s Deli Scottsdale AZFast forward to 2014, and JJ’s Deli is a solid neighborhood favorite and continues to thrive. JJ’s is named after the initials of the owner’s sons and you will almost always find the friendly owner there working hard alongside his pleasant staff, many of whom have been there since the days of the previous ownership.

JJ’s is known for its great breakfasts and lunches and the last few times I was there, it was clear I was was not alone in my assessment it was packed with locals and visitors alike enjoying their meals. There is some seating inside, but most people like to sit out on the patio, which is dog-friendly to boot.

Besides making a variety of fresh bagels daily, JJ’s has an extensive and hearty breakfast menu. You can order omelets, eggs prepared your way, French toast, waffles and pancakes as well as a lot of traditional Jewish deli favorites like lox, matzo brei, whitefish and latkes. Most of these come with breakfast potatoes or fruit and a bagel or toast.  On the lighter side, they also offer fruit, yogurt, oatmeal and cereal. I am a fan of the omelets, but I have never seen anything come out of the kitchen that did not look great.

JJs Deli Jewish Deli ScottsdaleOn the lunch side, JJ’s offers a large number of sandwiches, both hot and cold, as well as many salads.  Some of my favorites include the turkey rueben, if I am opting for a sandwich, or the Greek or Cobb salads. If you like potato salad, be sure to pick that as your side on your sandwich as it is excellent. The knishes are delicious as well.

If you are looking for baked goods, JJ’s has a wide variety of muffins, cookies and other treats in the display case.

I am happy to see this local business doing so well and if you are in the area, you should definitely stop by!
More Information:
JJ’s Delicatessen
23425 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
– NE Corner of Scottsdale Road and Pinnacle Peak
Phone: (480) 563-4557 (4JJS)
Website: https://www.jjsdeliaz.com/

– Open Daily from 6AM to 3PM

 

JJ's Delicatessen

Where to Eat in Scottsdale AZ: BiCE Ristorante

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– North Scottsdale Restaurants – BiCE Ristorante-

Bice Restaurant at the Citadel

BiCE is now closed.

 

If you have driven through the Pima and Pinnacle Peak intersection any time recently, you might have noticed that there is a new restaurant in the location that was formerly Michael’s at the Citadel. That new restaurant is the Scottsdale outpost of BiCE restaurant.

A few years ago in New York City, I dined at the Italian BiCE Ristoranti and really enjoyed my meal. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had expanded to North Scottsdale. (They have other locations in the United States as well as internationally.)

The main floor is the formal dining area and there is also a bar. Upstairs, you will find BiCE Nineteen, a bar/lounge that is open Thursday-Sunday. BiCE Nineteen has a large outdoor area where you can savor and enjoy a premium cigar and drink of your choice.

Although I have not had a chance to have a formal meal at BiCE yet, we did get to stop by and experience their Happy Hour, and I am so glad I did.

BiCE has Happy Hour specials Monday through Friday from 5PM to 7PM. Since it was a weekend, we headed up to BiCE Nineteen to try out the food and drinks. The Happy Hour food menu has a good selection of items to choose from. We tried one of the wood-fired pizzas and it was great. We also chose some fried calamari which was excellent.

The highlight for me was the cheese platter where you can select from several cheeses and they are served with various breads and crackers. For a few dollars additional, you can have it come with olives and a selection of honeys. Definitely opt for the olive/honey add-on, it was worth it. I am not a huge honey fan, but the three selections we received were outstanding and I finished all of them. The olives were great as well.

There were wine and cocktail Happy Hour deals as well as a large list of specialty cocktails. You can also receive discounts on cigars during Happy Hour.

That evening, there was some live entertainment in the form of a musician playing a guitar. He had a great playlist and while you we enjoyed the music, it was at just the right volume so that it did not overshadow conversation.

Overall, we really enjoyed our Happy Hour experience at BiCE and I look forward to coming back for a full meal in the main dining room.

 

Bice Scottsdale LogoMore Information:
BiCE  Ristorante Scottsdale at the Citadel
8700 East Pinnacle Peak Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 421-2423
– Dinner Nightly

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