Scottsdale AZ Real Estate & Lifestyle

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Where to Eat in Scottsdale

Where to Eat in Scottsdale AZ: The Scottsdale Salad Co.

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UPDATE: The Scottsdale Salad Co. is no longer open.

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A new casual dining place called the Scottsdale Salad Co. has opened up in the Scottsdale Airpark area on Northsight. This new family-run restaurant serves a mix of breakfast, lunch and dinner with traditional and more eclectic menu items thrown in.

The owner was very welcoming when we entered and was happy to walk us through any menu items. Scottsdale Salad Co. is set up so that you order at the counter and then your food is brought out to you.Scottsdale Salad Company Restaurant Scottsdale AZ

Our visit took place over lunch and there were lots of items to choose from. As the name of the restaurant suggests, there are several salad options to choose from. There are seven globally-inspired choices and you can choose from half and full sizes. For instance, the Scottsdale salad utilizes southwestern ingredients. The Beijing salad brings Asian flavors to the mix and so on. You can also add-on a variety of protein choices, like steak, chicken and shrimp for an additional charge.

Salads aren’t the only lunch and dinner options. The Scottsdale Salad Co. also has a large selection of wraps ranging from vegetarian to steak. My dining companion had the chicken teriyaki on a spinach wrap and really enjoyed it. What she liked is that the teriyaki flavor in the wrap was not too heavy handed. For those of you who prefer more of a teriyaki flavor, the wrap comes with a side of teriyaki sauce for dipping.

One other section of offerings that makes the Scottsdale Salad Co. unique is the Eurasian Fusion menu. These items use classic Asian flavors and cooking, but incorporate them with whole wheat pastas and noodles. For instance, they offer a Chow Mein Spaghetti.

On the day I was there, they had tacos on the menu as well so I tried those. The chicken was well-cooked and the smaller, more traditional size of the tacos made for the perfect amount of food. I do know they offer weekend specials as well and was told their soups were excellent. We plan to visit again to try out some of the other menu items.

If you are down in Scottsdale Airpark area and want to visit a new and tasty place, stop by and give the Scottsdale Salad Co. a try.

More Information:
Scottsdale Salad Co.
15040 N. Northsight #104
Scottsdale, AZ 85060
(480) 991-9081
www.ScottsdaleSalads.com

Hours:
Monday through Friday 7AM to 8PM
Saturday 9AM to 7PM
Sunday 10AM-6PM

Free delivery with minimum purchase in delivery area.

Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ: Scottsdale Farmer’s Market – Bigger and Better

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Downtown Scottsdale AZ Farmers MarketIT’S BACK – THE SCOTTSDALE FARMER’S MARKET IS BIGGER AND BETTER

The balmy weather in Scottsdale provided a beautiful background for the bigger and better Farmers Market held in Old Town Scottsdale on the corner of Brown and 1st Street.

Visiting the Farmers Market early on Saturday mornings has become a ritual.  My first stop is always at McClendon’s Select section. One of the largest booths at the market, it is filled with a huge selection of fresh organic vegetables from their local farm.  I’ve never been disappointed in any produce I’ve purchased here.

This trip I bought a new (to me) vegetable called the golden beet that was recommended to me by a fellow shopper. I parboiled them, then sliced up and tossed them in my new bacon flavored olive oil I purchased at the Queen Creek Olive Mill booth.  Fifteen minutes in the oven and they were delicious!  It was a milder flavor than the traditional red beet and my next dish will be to prepare them in a beet salad along with red beets and a little goat cheese.

Queen Creek Olive Mill Old Town Scottsdale Farmers MarketI was thrilled to see the Queen Creek Olive Mill booth this year.  I had read about their new “bacon” flavored olive oil and was planning to drive down to their store to do some tasting.  Having the booth at the Farmer’s Market was great as it saved me a 75 mile round trip from my home in North Scottsdale.

The Scottsdale Farmer’s Market has added an entire new section of booths and expanded into another part of the municipal parking lot they use.  Also coming back this year to the market was entertainment – a lovely young woman strumming her guitar and singing ballads.  Quite a hit!

I, of course, had to visit two of my favorite vendors – Decio pasta and Pickled Perfection’s home-made pickles of all sizes and shapes.  They have been at the Scottsdale Farmer’s Market for a number of years and are always a favorite of the crowd.

Scottsdale Farmers Market Organic VegetablesThere are also some smaller booths from family-owned organic farms. I always visit their booths as they continue to surprise me with vegetables I’ve never seen before.   In particular was a carrot called “Paramek.”  It has an unusual shape and I’m told it is delicious and sweet to the taste.  Next trip, I am getting some to try.

One of the most fun parts of my Saturday morning visits is to enjoy the crowd filled with babies, strollers, lots of dogs of different breeds, local residents and visitors to Scottsdale.   I always finish off my trip to the market by dropping my purchases off at my car and then strolling down the promenade leading to the Scottsdale Performing Arts Center, where I can enjoy the flowers and artwork that dot the landscape.

Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ: Visit the Town of Carefree’s Town Center

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On the north side of Scottsdale, Arizona, you will find a charming town called Carefree. Dating back to the 1950’s, Carefree is home to about 4,000 residents and some of the best-named roads in Arizona, Carefree is truly a delight to visit and/or reside in.Carefree AZ Sundial in Town Center

One of the focal points of Carefree is the Carefree Town Center. The Carefree Town Center is a collection of shops, galleries and restaurants and is host to many events throughout the year. Its main focal point is the 90 foot Sundial, which appears to be the 3rd largest sundial in the western hemisphere. There is the main central area and just down the way, there are more shops and dining options in the Spanish Village section.

Although I have yet to discover all of the stores and various vendors, here are some of the places we like to support and things we like to do at Carefree Town Center:

– The English Rose Tea Room – Experience traditional High Tea and escape for a little while in charming tea room.  They serve my favorite scones here and I always love to try a new blend of tea. High Tea English Rose Tea Room Carefree Town CenterIn addition to tea and food, there is a store area where you can purchase many tea-related items and items from the U.K.
– Friday Farmer’s Markets – Come support local vendors as they sell their specialty products. Thinks salsas, spices, fresh vegetables and baked goods and treats.
–AZ Wine Company – AZ Wine has been a staple of Carefree Town Center for many years. They offer a huge selection of wines and spirits for all tastes and budgets. Customer service is friendly and knowledgeable and they are happy to locate a wine for you if they do not have it in stock. They also offer lots of wine tastings and events.
– Easy Street Shoe Repair – This is the place I head when I need some shoe and heel repairs. The owner is great at his craft and works hard. He also does handbag and luggage repair on top of many other items.
Spanish Village Carefree Arizona– Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festivals – Taking place a few times a year, this is a great way to enjoy the Town Center with lots of amazing art as the backdrop. Grab a glass of wine and peruse the various artists’ work.

These are just a few of the large number of shops and events at Carefree Town Center. If you have not had a chance to visit, make sure to take a day to go and explore. And, if you have some favorites of your own, please feel free to share them in the comments section.

 

 

My Favorite Things to Eat in Scottsdale AZ – Part 4

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True Food Kitchen Scottsdale Quarter Kale SaladThis is the fourth post in a series of some of the things I love to eat in and around Scottsdale. I originally had planned on a single post, but I am now up to four. That is just a testament to the delicious and creative cuisine that can be found in Scottsdale and Phoenix!

Their win on Cupcake Wars prompted me to drive down to Urban Cookies and Ollie Cake to taste their creations in person. I ended up buying a 6 pack of the various flavors being offered that day and sampled a taste of each of them. They were all really delicious, but the two flavors that really stood out were the lemon cupcake and one of the Cupcake Wars winners, the Orange Olive Oil and Rosewater Cupcake. The rosewater was very subtle but came through and blended with the earthy orange of the cake.

Staying on the sweet side, another favorite local treat of mine is the toffee from GoodyTwos. This mother and daughter team continue to create and innovate some amazing toffees and flavors. My personal pick is the Sweet & Salty as I love the combination of dark chocolate and sea salt. The combination of traditional toffees and the more creative ‘contemporary’ toffees are sure to please everyone.

Chelsea’s Kitchen has been and continues to be an area favorite for great, fresh and comforting food. One of my favorite indulgences there are the Chicken Nachitos. There are no huge surprises in the ingredients, but the combination of fresh organic chicken, guacamole, cheese and home-made salsa make for a satisfying, tasty, memorable dish.

For this post which has been on the more decadent side, I am going to end with a healthier option that is no less delicious. True Food Kitchen’s food has been a huge hit for the past several years. One of their signature starters is my final pick for this post. The Tuscan Kale Salad is a must order every time I visit. The combination of the crunchy kale and breadcrumbs highlighted by garlic, olive oil, citrus, red pepper flakes and Pecorino is outstanding.

 That is it for this edition. If you have any favorite foods you would like to share in the comments, please do so!

 

My Favorite Things to Eat in Scottsdale – Part 3

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Sassi Italian restaurant Scottsdale AZThis is the third post in a series about some of my favorite things to eat in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale and the surrounding areas have some amazing restaurants and local artisans and I love finding new places and things to try.

Postino’s White Bean Bruschetta – If you never have been, Postino is a charming place tucked into the Arcadia area of Phoenix. (There is a newer location on Central, but I have yet visit.) One of the great options they serve is a bruschetta sampler. You choose four of the many types offered and the bruschetta come delivered to you on a platter for sharing. They are all quite good, but my favorite overall is the white bean and chopped tomato. I have to have it every time I am there.

Pure Sushi in North Scottsdale serves a very unique sushi roll that is not really a roll. It is called “Box Sushi” and it is one of our family’s favorites. To make the Box Sushi, no seaweed is used. Instead, they compress the rice, roe and fish into a box. Once it has formed into a triangle, it is then cut up into several pieces. The fish is tuna and salmon and the bottom layer of rice has a little roe mixed in for color and a little crunch.

The third item on this list is the Duck Carnitas Empanada at The Mission in Old Town Scottsdale. Playing with the more traditional preparation that is made with pork, The Mission uses duck meat instead. This delicious, rich, cheese and duck-filled fried dough is topped with an orange habanero sauce that is sweet with a bit of spice.

The Caprese Salad at Sassi in North Scottsdale is not to be missed. Sassi has the Buffalo Mozzarella imported directly from Italy and it is a very generous, not to mention delicious, portion. The cheese comes intact on a plate of lovely heirloom tomatoes and basil drizzled with olive oil. You can slice the mozzarella to the size you desire, add it to the tomato and basil and enjoy.

That is it for this post, but there will be more to come. Feel free to share any of your favorite bites or places to dine in the comments.

My Favorite Things to Eat in Scottsdale AZ – Part 2

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Here is the second post in a series of my favorite foods in Scottsdale, Arizona and the surrounding areas. (Click here to see the first post on Favorite Scottsdale AZ Bites.)

There are actually two items from Roka Akor in Scottsdale that are “must orders” every time we go. The first is the Butterfish Tataki with White Asparagus and Yuzu. The fish just melts in your mouth. The other item is Sweet Corn with Garlic Butter and Soy. These small pieces of corn on the cob are cooked over the robata grill and come out with a slight bit of char. The garlic butter and soy add the perfect amount of flavor while letting the corn stand on its own. Downtown Scottsdale Arizona Shopping and Dining

Cowboy Ciao in Scottsdale is known for many great things, but one of its standouts is the Stetson Chopped Salad. It is so good that I have seen imitations of it at other restaurants around town. It is a combination of arugula, dried corn, pepita seeds, smoked salmon, tomatoes. Israeli couscous, currants and asiago cheese. These components are then mixed tableside and blended with the delicious pesto/garlic/buttermilk dressing. The first time I heard what it was made with, I was a skeptic. However, once I tasted it, I was a die-hard convert.

Wow is the first thing that comes to mind when you are presented with the popovers at BLT Steak at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. They come to the table piping hot and they are enormous – not to mention delicious. The best part is that BLT Steak provides you with the recipe when they are served in case you want to try and replicate them at home.

If you have a sweet tooth, look to Julia Baker Confections to treat yourself. I have not had the opportunity to try one of her chocoloate bars, but I am a huge fan of her truffles. My favorite is the French Caramel Truffle.  It is a milk chocolate truffle with delicious caramel inside. To finish it off, the outside is coated with toffee. It is simply heaven in a single bite. You can visit the Julia Baker store at the Montelucia in Paradise Valley (now closed) or you can purchase her confections at AJ’s and other Valley locations. And, even better, if you are not in Arizona, you can have them mailed to you.

I hope you enjoyed this quick list of some of my favorite things to eat in Scottsdale. Feel free to share your favorite bites in the comments.

My Favorite Things to Eat in Scottsdale AZ – Part 1

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If you do a quick review of my previous posts, you can see that I really enjoy dining at local restaurants. I thought for today, I could present a short list of five of my favorite things to eat in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. Scottsdale AZ restaurants

Here they are in no particular order.

1) When you eat at Bourbon Steak  at the Scottsdale Princess resort, you are served some of the most delicious sampler of Duck Fat Fries. The fries are cooked in duck fat and are prepared three ways with three different dipping sauces.  The first preparation is paprika fries with BBQ dipping sauce. The second is herb fries with an onion-enhanced ketchup. The final preparation is my personal favorite. It is truffle fries with a truffle aioli. 

2) Zinc Bistro in Kierland Commons serves one of my all-time favorite sandwiches for lunch. Called the Basiled Chicken and Brie Sandwich, is a chicken breast with brie, basil and mushrooms on deliciously crunchy bread. It is heavenly and feel free to order a side of pommes frites to complete your meal.Update: As of my last visit, they had updated this sandwich a little. Rather than mushroom and basil, they are now using tomatoes and arugula. It was also quite tasty.

3) On the super decadent and rarely offered side, Binkley’s in Cave Creek serves a White Truffle Risotto that is out of this world. It is only offered for a limited amount of time based on the season for white truffles. It is not an inexpensive dish, but it is something you have to try at least once.

4) The Scones at the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree, Arizona. They are so simple, yet so delicious. Our favorite thing to order is the Cream Tea. With that, you get a pot of tea, two enormous scones, Devon cream and strawberry preserves.

5) Yogurtology Frozen Yogurt. There are several of these stores all over Scottsdale and this is one of my favorite places to stop by and get my “sweet fix” without feeling guilty. They consistently offer a large variety of creative flavors and change them up quite often. Some of my favorites are the Oatmeal Cookie, Tiramisu and Mint Chocolate. They also have flavors to tie in with the season. For instance, the last time I was in, they had a gingerbread yogurt offering.

So this was just Part 1 of some of my favorite things to eat in Scottsdale. Please feel free to add any of your favorite “bites” to the comments. It is always fun to discover new things to try in Scottsdale and beyond.

Where to Eat in Scottsdale AZ: The Mission

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The Mission Latin Restaurant Old Town Scottsdale AZRecently, I finally had the opportunity to visit and dine at The Mission in Old Town Scottsdale. I am a huge fan of Chef Matt Carter’s food at Zinc Bistro, so I was looking forward to tasting some of the “modern Latin cuisine” served at The Mission and The Mission did not disappoint.

A group of us went early on a weekend night recently and the restaurant was already quite busy. The decor is dark and sleek and there is a large bar area with seating.

There are a couple of ways to approach the menu. You could go the more traditional route and order an entree and some starters or sides. Or, there is such a large selection of smaller plate choices, you could just order an assortment of dishes and dine family-style.

There were so many good things on the menu, we agreed to order several things to share and then each of us would have something that was our own.

To share, we ended up getting the guacamole which is prepared tableside and served with fresh chips and salsa, which are both made onsite. We also tried several sides to nibble on including the Torreados, which was a mixture of hot peppers that had been slightly seared and were served with lime and sale. The peppers range in heat from more mild to very spicy and our server walked us through which ones were which. In addition, we had a huge serving of the Taro Fries, which were quite tasty. We also tried the White Bean Puree which was a mixture of white beans, cotija cheese, arugula and tomato. It was quite good as well.

For the entrees, almost everyone selected the tacos which come served in wonderful, homemade corn tortillas. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed them. Another selection was the Duck Carnitas Empanada. A mixture of duck and mushroom was served inside the empanada which was then topped with an orange habanero sauce. It was delicious and decadent.

Even though we ordered a large number of items to try, there were still several more options that we did not have room for. However, at the end of the meal, we made a plan to return and try some of these other items.

The Mission is located right in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale and there is a large public parking lot across the street which makes parking a breeze. (This parking lot is also the seasonal home to the Old Town Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.)

If you have an opportunity to try The Mission, I highly recommend it. We really enjoyed our meal and look forward to going back.

More Information:
The Mission in Old Town Scottsdale
3815 North Brown Avenue
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-636-5005
Web: www.themissionaz.com

Open for lunch and dinner daily
Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays

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