Scottsdale AZ Real Estate & Lifestyle

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Where to Eat in Scottsdale

Where to Eat in Scottsdale – Bodega 13

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– Bodega 13 – Scottsdale Dining – CLOSED

UPDATE: Bodega 13 has closed.

A couple of weeks back, we had the chance to go to Bodega 13 in North Scottsdale. Bodega 13 originally was located in Carefree, but recently moved a little further south into the La Mirada complex at Pinnacle Peak and Pima.

Bodega 13 is an international tapas restaurant and bar and features small plates from all over the globe.  In fact, each menu item has a small flag and the name of the country from which the dish is from. 

A major portion of the menu is tapas and they have been divided into Chilled Tapas and Warm Tapas. We had the Tuna Tetaki which came with fried capers and a wasabi potato salad from the chilled menu and then went with the New Zealand Steamed Mussels and Duck Confit Tacos from the warm menu. We enjoyed each dish thoroughly. 

Tapas are not the only thing on the menu. Soups and salads are available. There is also a selection of four different paellas, two with Spanish roots and two more non-traditional preparations. Plus, there are also several entree options, including Pork Schnitzel, Stir Fry and more. Our table ended up ordering the Lamb Chops prepared in a Moroccan style with couscous and the Chicken Picatta which came with pasta and vegetables. Both were delicious and filling. 

We never usually order dessert, but we saw something delivered to another table and had to try it. The Tahitian Pearl is a large chocolate sphere with vanilla ice cream inside. It comes with a caramel sauce and berries and it was out of this world. We were all fighting for the last bites. 

Bodega 13 is beautifully decorated. There is a central contemporary stone fireplace and interesting light fixtures. There is a combination of booth and table seating. Don’s miss the fascinating ‘fire table’ that faces the kitchen and would be a fun place to dine. And one other seating experience is the Chef’s Table. This table juts out from the kitchen and the round design allows the chef to come speak to an interact with the folks at the table. 

We enjoyed our meal and service and Bodega 13 is a great addition to the North Scottsdale dining scene.

More Information:
Bodega 13
8876 East Pinnacle Peak Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
– NE corner of Pima and Pinnacle Peak
(480) 284-7600
https://scottsdale.bodega13.com/

 

Healthy (and Tasty!) Dining in Scottsdale

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– Healthy Restaurants in Scottsdale –

Scottsdale and the surrounding areas have no shortage of great restaurants. Today, I wanted to highlight some of the ones that serve healthy fare, without sacrificing taste.

  • Kale and Clover Mindful Kitchen – Kale and Clover launched a couple of years ago in North Scottsdale. The menu is thoughtful and features flavors from all over the globe. There are curries, a “faux pho,” Bolognese, jambalaya and so much more. A broad offering of appetizers, salads, entrée and handhelds (aka. sandwiches and wraps, etc.) are on the menu. Kale and Clover serves lunch and dinner daily. Grab-and-go breakfasts are available during the weekdays and full breakfasts are available during the weekend.
    • Location: 20511 N Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255

 

  • Tryst Cafe – Tryst Cafe in the Desert Ridge area is another place to get a healthy and satisfying meal. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. There are also Happy Hour specials. They focus on organic food and try to source as many local products as possible. Indoor and patio dining are available.
    • Location: Shade at Desert Ridge, 21050 N Tatum Blvd #108, Phoenix, AZ 85050

 

  • True Food Kitchen – True Food has been a dominant force in the healthy but tasty restaurant scene for many years. Originally set in the Biltmore, it has now expanded across the United States. Although healthy ingredients are the main focus, they want you to leave satisfied from a flavorful and filling meal. Two of my favorite dishes at True Food Kitchen are the kale salad and the sspaghetti squash casserole.
    • Locations: Scottsdale Quarter – 15191 N Scottsdale Rd #101, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 & Biltmore – Camelback and 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85106

 

  • Fresh Mint – Fresh Mint is a vegetarian restaurant right near the Scottsdale Airpark that adds Vietnamese and Asian flavors and techniques to the dishes. They offer vegetarian, vegan and Kosher meals. Curries, pad thai, kabobs and so much more are offered. Fresh Mint is worth a visit. It is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
    • Location: 13802 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 161, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

 

These are some of my picks. Do you have any favorites that you like to visit? Feel free to add them in the comments section!

Holiday Events in Scottsdale 2016

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– 2016 Holiday Celebrations in Scottsdale –

Holiday Events Scottsdale AZThe holiday season is now in full swing, which means there are tons of holiday events going on in and around Scottsdale.

Here are some noteworthy celebrations and events going on over the next month:

  • Cookies with Claus at the Four Seasons Scottsdale – December 3rd, 10th and 17th – Little ones will create their own special cookies and as they are baking, will get to enjoy the hot chocolate bar, write letters to Santa and listen to stories read by Mrs. Claus.
  • Phoestivus – December 8th and 15th – Fans of Seinfeld will love this event taking place twice in December ad the Phoenix Open Air Market. In addition to all of the Seinfeld references – Airing of Grievances anyone? – there will be 130 local vendors with their offerings.
  • Gainey Village’s Sips & Sounds – December 8th – From 5 to 8PM, head over to The Shops at Gainey Village for a free event that includes pictures with Santa, live music, carriage and train rides and carolers. Nibbles will be provided by Panera and some of the other restaurants.
  • Carefree Christmas Festival – December 9th – 11th – Downtown Carefree will turn into a winter wonderland with 40 tons of snow, a pet parade, fireworks, a visit from Santa and more!
  • Holiday Lights at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park – December 9th through January 1st – This annual event is a favorite. Every evening (except December 24, 25 and 31) the park comes alive with thousands of lighted displays. Hop on the train for a magical tour of the exhibits.
  • Scottsdazzle – Now through January 1st – Downtown Scottsdale has over a month of dazzling lights and events going on. The Soleri Bridge area will twinkle with over a million lights. And during Hanukkah, there will be a nightly menorah lighting at the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza. Champagne tours, art events and holiday markets are just a few of the fun things planned.
  • Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden – Now through December 31st – On select evenings throughout the month, 8,000 luminaria lanterns will be hand-lit and provide a beautiful glow all through the Desert Botanical Garden. Live entertainment and cocoa will add to the fun.
  • Phoenix Zoo’s Zoolights – Now through January 8th – Zoolights is back for its 25th year! Millions of lights bring hundreds of displays to life nightly. December 9th, 16th and 23rd will feature special performances and don’t miss out on the Polar Slide Tubing.
  • Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess – Now through January 1st – This is the 7th year the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has hosted its Christmas celebration and this year is bigger and better than ever. Lights, train rides, an ice skating rink, S’moresland and more await visitors young and old.

As always, this is just a partial list, so feel free to add any other events in the comment section.

Disclaimer: Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

Where to Eat in Scottsdale – Drexyl Modern American

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– Drexyl Modern American Food in Scottsdale AZ-

drexyl-scottsdale-menuIn the Shops at Gainey Village, just across the way from The Hash Kitchen, you will find Drexyl. Drexyl focuses on American cuisine with inspiration from other parts of the globe. We were there a couple of weeks ago for the first time and really enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere.

We were greeted warmly upon entering and given a choice of seating – booth, table or patio. Our server was very friendly and was excited to talk about the different lunch options and specials.

drexyl-lunch-scottsdaleWe are big fans of the soft pretzel trend we see around, so we had to order the Soft Pretzel Sticks. These are some of the best we have had. They were hot with the perfect amount of salt and chewiness and were served with two dipping sauces, a beer mustard sauce and a poblano cheese dip. I plan to order these on all future visits.

For our entrees, we tried three different offerings. The first was the Chicken Marsala special. It was served over polenta, spinach and had a bit of a sweet potato puree. It was delicious and satisfying without being too heavy.

The second entree was a Brussel and Beet Salad that we topped with salmon. (You can opt to add chicken, shrimp, salmon or filet to any of the salads.) Added to the sprouts and beets were dried fruit, candied pecans, parmesan and greens. This too was wonderful.

drexyl-gainey-ranchThe final entree was the Seared Salmon Salad, which is a play on a warm German potato salad. It came with a layer of warm sliced baby red potatoes on the bottom that was then topped with greens, tomatoes and a warm bacon vinaigrette. This is one of their most popular lunch items and it is easy to understand why.

Overall, we had an excellent lunch coupled with excellent service. I look forward to returning soon to try some of their other offerings.

More Information:
Drexyl
8877 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
(480) 840-1861
Website
– Open for lunch Monday through Friday starting at 11AM
– Open for dinner Saturday and Sunday starting at 4PM
– Daily Happy Hour from 3-6PM weekdays and 4-6PM on weekends

 

 

Where to Eat in Scottsdale – Cafe ZuZu at the Hotel Valley Ho

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– Brunch at Cafe ZuZu at the Hotel Valley Ho –

cafe-zuzu-scottsdale-menuThe Hotel Valley Ho has been an institution in Old Town Scottsdale for a long time. With its throwback vibe and tiki-modern design, it is worth a stay or visit.

Cafe ZuZu is the main dining destination at Hotel Valley Ho. It is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner as well as brunch.

One of the best things is that a lot of the items served at Cafe ZuZu are locally sourced – such as McClendon’s Farm and Hickmans.

cafe-zuzu-hotel-valley-ho-brunchWe were in the area the other weekend and decided to drop in for brunch. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available. Since things were pretty busy that morning, we opted for a booth in the main dining area.

Right after we were seated, we were greeted with water service and a basket of warm petite scones and butter were dropped off at the table.

Since we were both in the mood for something a little decadent, we both went for an Eggs Benedict. My companion had the traditional version and I had the California Eggs Benedict, which is a meat-free version served with avocado and spinach. Both were served on homemade English muffins and both were delicious. We also selected a side of turkey sausage which was equally as delicious.

hotel-valley-ho-scottsdaleThe brunch menu has a very diverse selection of breakfast and lunch items. All of your breakfast favorites are there like pancakes, waffles and egg specialties, but there are also many burger and sandwich options.

If you are interested in brunch cocktails, Cafe ZuZu offers both a mimosa bar and a bloody mary bar. You simply order your choice and when your drink is delivered, you head on over to the bar area to create your preferred concoction. A full bar is also available.

More Information:
Cafe ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho
6850 E Main St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Website
(480) 376-2600

 

Where to Eat in Scottsdale – The Hash Kitchen

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– The Hash Kitchen in Scottsdale –

hash-kitchen-bloody-mary-barLast week, I was able to visit and eat at The Hash Kitchen in the Gainey Village location. This breakfast and brunch destination was well worth the visit and I look forward to going back soon.

Upon entering, you come upon an enormous semi-circle topped with dozens of items meant for your custom bloody mary. This bloody mary bar is the most extensive and impressive I have seen and bloody mary fans are sure to hash-kitchen-menuhave lots of fun  making up new versions. And if you are not up for a cocktail in the morning, they do offer a virgin option so you can create without the alcohol.

The menu at The Hash Kitchen is very extensive. There are lots of favorites on there as well as favorites with a new twist. Here are some of the main offerings:

  • Hashes – Since the restaurant is named The Hash Kitchen, of course there has to be hash on the menu. For the purists, there is a Corned Beef Hash, but there are also more creative offerings like Carnitas Hash and Lump Crab and Sweet Potato Hash.
  • Pancakes – Everything from standard Buttermilk, to Ricotta and Lemon, to the kid approved Oreo Cookie Pancakes.
  • French Toast – Of course there is a classic offering, but I saw the Nutella & Banana French Toast being served at an adjacent table and it looked delicious and decadent.
  • Eggs Benedict – Again, there were plenty of options and this is what we both ordered. My dining companion had the Boring Beni which is the traditionally prepared version. I ended up trying the Lump Crab version with Old Bay Seasoning that came on a biscuit. There was a ton of crab meat and it tasted great.  Both dishes came with a side of hash.
  • Scramblers
  • Fritattas
  • Fruit and Oats
  • Waffles
  • Specialties – Here you will find things like Steak and Eggs, Grits, Croque Madame and so on.
  • Sides – We ordered the Turkey Sausage to split and it was excellent.
  • Lunch Items – There was also a  big variety of non-breakfast items to choose from.

hash-kitchen-lump-crab-benedictBoth of our meals were excellent and disappeared quickly. The best thing about The Hash Kitchen is the variety. I could come back over and over and never have the same thing twice.

Also, there are decadent items right alongside health-oriented options, so all types of eating styles can be accommodated.

In addition to the Gainey Ranch location, there is a North Scottsdale location on Frank Lloyd Wright and an Arcadia location is coming soon.

Additional Information:
The Hash Kitchen – Gainey
8777 N Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Website

North Scottsdale: 14838 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ

  • Open Daily from 7AM to 3PM

 

Brunch at Scottsdale’s Virtu Honest Craft

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– Virtu Honest Craft in Scottsdale –

virtu-signA while back, I had a chance to post about the great first meal I had at Virtu Honest Craft. Recently, I was able to try out their brunch offerings and had an equally wonderful experience.

If you are not familiar with Virtu Scottsdale, it is an award-winning restaurant within the Bespoke Inn Bed and Breakfast, located in Old Town Scottsdale. The restaurant has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and was deemed as one of the Best New Restaurants by Esquire Magazine when in launched in 2013.

Virtu features indoor and patio dining and since it was such a beautiful morning, we chose to eat on the patio. The brunch menu has a good selection of traditional breakfast fare and lunch fare, all with a creative twist. The menu changes frequently, but you can expect to see crepes and/or pancakes, sandwiches, salads pasta options and more.

virtu-scottsdaleOn that morning, we had three very different, but equally excellent meals.

  • The first was a Classic Crepe filled with gruyere and ham and topped with two eggs, mornay sauce and chives. It was delicious.
  • The second was a nice blend of sweet and savory – Lemon Ricotta Pancakes that came with a black pepper, grape marmalade, pistachios and whipped cream.
  • The final item came highly recommended and it was a Pork Ragu with a mascarpone polenta, fried eggs, a green salsa and toast.

All three items were amazing and we had fun sharing from each others’ plates.

In addition to the food menu, they have some fun brunch cocktails and wine.

If you have not had a chance to try Virtu yet, I highly recommend it. It is a true gem withing the great Scottsdale dining scene and every time we have been there, we have had an outstanding meal.

More Information:
Virtu Honest Craft
3701 North Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
– Brunch and Dinner served daily

 

FUN TIP: If you are visiting Scottsdale or have not been there yet, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is on the next block. You can make a day or evening of it!

 

Things to Do in Scottsdale – September 2016

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– Scottsdale Events in September 2016 –

Here are some things going on in and around Scottsdale during the month of September.

  • Phoenix Cooks – September 3rd, 10AM to 3PM– Just in time for the long weekend, Phoenix Cooks is back again at the Westin Kierland. This food and drink event brings in top local restaurants while benefiting Banner Children’s.
  • Whose Live Anyway – September 11 – The Whose Line is It Anyways? team is coming to the Mesa Arts Center for an interactive night of improv comedy. All ages welcome.
  • Hall & Oates – September 14 – I got to see them perform a couple of years ago and it was a fantastic show. If you are a fan, this is one you do not want to miss. The concert will be at the Ak-Chin Pavillion in Phoenix.
  • The Monkees – September 15 – Here is another concert that will take you back. The Monkees, with original members Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork, will be playing their hits at the Mesa Arts Center.
  • Arizona Restaurant Week – September 16-25 – One of my favorite promotions is back. Over 100 local restaurants participate and offer three course prix fixe menus. Prices start at $33 per couple and top out at $44 per person. This is a fabulous way to test out some of our top local restaurants.
  • Cave Creek’s Horny Toad Turns 40 – September 17th, 11AM to 6PM – The iconic Horny Toad in downtown Cave Creek is 40 years old and is having a party to celebrate. Food specials and live music await. And, feel free to don your best 1970’s look as they will be awarding prizes.
  • Nature Connects Lego Exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo – September 17 – January 2 –  Imagine over 1 million Lego bricks being used to build over 25 sculptures of animals and plants. In September and through the end of the  year, you will be able to view all of them at the Phoenix Zoo. The Grand Opening celebration will take place September 16 & 17 from 4 – 7 PM.
  • Slide Across America – September 23-25, Hours Vary -Imagine over 40 waterslides and other attractions all in one place. That is what Slide Across America is bringing to Salt River Fields in September. Plus, food trucks offering all types of cuisines will be onsite.
  • Christoper Kimball of America’s Test Kitchen Live – September 22 – Spend an evening with Christopher Kimball at the Mesa Arts Center. Live demos, tastings and Q & A are all part of this interactive evening.
  • Ballet Under the Stars – September 22 – 30 – This free event will take place at various valley locations at the end of the month. Enjoy exquisite ballet performances at these family-friendly events.
  • Sedona Wine Fest – September 24- 25 – Head north to Sedona for a weekend of wine, food and music.
  • Seussical – September 30 – October 30 – This show will take place at the Desert Stages theater and honors and recreates favorite characters and stories from Dr. Seuss.

Looking for more ideas? Here is a link to Phoenix Magazine’s Fall Arts Guide.

And, as always, feel free to post any events in the comments section.

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