Roadtrip: Scottsdale, Arizona
Author: WIBIA | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: Scottsdale, AZ, On The RoadWhen 95 degrees was not hot enough for us, my wife and I made the decision to travel to Arizona and hang out in 117 degree heat. However, we had a great time and had some wonderful food and some really bad food. Our trip to Los Reyes De La Torta can be found here, otherwise I will lump the rest under this post. When we arrived, we went straight to:
Dick’s Hideaway
6008 N 16th St
Phoenix, AZ 85016
http://www.burningembersphoenix.com
Based on the picture above, I get the “hideaway” part. The entrance is between those two bushes, there is no signage… The place smelled great and was really cool inside as it was someplace I could hang out here for a while.
What I Ate: Rellenos and Eggs. I chose one duck and one pork and had it with green sauce. It was served with two eggs any style, potatoes and pinto beans, for around $11.
I really liked this. Their green sauce is amongst the best that I have ever had. My wife had the Huevos Rancheros with red sauce and neither of us liked it. If you go to Dick’s, remember…go green!!
Would I Buy It Again? Yes, though I am not sure it is a must have. The green sauce is great and I really liked this place. I would feel comfortable recommending this to a friend.
Hotel Valley Ho, Trader Vic’s and Café ZuZu
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
We stayed at the Hotel Valley Ho for a night as it was soooo cheap and has a retro vibe to it that I thought was cool. We visited happy hours at both restaurants ( Cafe ZuZu for earlier happy hour and Trader Vic’s for late night menu) that are at the hotel and both were horrible. It is not worth even going into.
Would I Buy It Again? No. Horrible food, bad service a train wreck.
Cafe ZuZu:
Trader Vic’s:
Because our food was so bad and the service was horrible, we went to:
Metro Brasserie & Bar
7114 E Stetson Dr #105
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
http://www.metrosouthbridge.com
Because it is 117 degrees and no one is around, there are happy hours everywhere. At Metro, we had the poutine and a carmelized onion flatbread. The poutine was really really good and the flat bread was tasty as well. The gravy was thinner on this version, but it was really, really, really good. Then again, what did I expect out of putting all these awesome ingredients together?
Would I Buy It Again? Yes, easily. Great food, good service and I would like to go back the next time I am there. I can’t help but think this place would do lights out in Indy.
Cowboy Ciao
7133 E Stetson Dr
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
http://www.cowboyciao.com
This place is influential in defining modern southwest food. Their signature dish is a mushroom stir fry for $12.95. They have over six or seven different types of mushrooms in a cream sauce served with polenta.
I really liked this quite a bit. It was really rich and I couldn’t imagine eating more than a lunch portion, but it was pretty tasty. My wife had a roasted duck sandwich that we didn’t care for that much.
Would I Buy it Again? No. I enjoyed the mushroom dish, but the sandwich was a mess. I just didn’t love the place. However, if someone really wanted to go, I would give it another try, but it is not making my “must have” list.
Meals without pictures:
Spotted Donkey – A cool little place with upscale Mexican food. They make a mean margarita (of which I consumed many) and have a great happy hour. Since it is so close to my in-laws house, I will definitely go again. The food is ok, but there is something about it that I just like being there.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes, for drinks and chilling out.
A Different Pointe of View – A Four Diamond Award winner that is perched on a mountain top, this is knows to be one of Scottsdale’s best. However, it wasn’t that night. The five course tasting menu was a major disappointment. With wine pairing, the bill was around $240 without the tip. Again, a major disappointment. However, the service was great and you really can’t beat the view.
Would I Buy It Again? No.
Binkley’s - Another Four Diamond Award winner. This meal was unlike any other I have had. Seven amuse bouches throughout the five course tasting menu. I enjoyed the service and it was just a constant onslaught of food. Extremely creative food and presentations. For two people, it was around $215 without the tip, but I thought it was well worth it. A great meal.
Would I Buy It Again? Yes and I would like to go there the next time I am in Arizona.
I think that is it. Some really good food and we had a great time. If you have never been, you should go…and I hope this list helps you.
-wibia
Tags: a different pointe of view, arizona, binkley's, cafe zuzu, cowboy ciao, dick's hideaway, duck, eggs, Food, hotel valley ho, Pork, rellenos, scottsdale, southwest, spotted donkey, trader vic's, Vegetarian
I’m glad you got to go to Binkley’s, my in-laws have a place in Scottsdale and we go out there as much as possible. We found Binkley’s four years ago when we went back to celebrate our 1st anniversary and we go back every time we are in town. The place is amazing. The menu is always different and the staff is great. It is really a special restaurant and is always one of the best meals that I have all year.
Sounds like you had a few more bad meals than you would’ve liked. If you go back, don’t miss Roka Akor. Although they are opening one in Chicago in the late fall. It is also a do not miss.
BJ
@Brent. My wife and I made a pact that we would not go to restaurants that we have been before, and I have been to Roka Akor before… it pained me not to go. I think that we are going to go out there again late winter, so I will make sure that I go back.
Anywhere else that you enjoy out there?
This is Brent’s wife and I see he has already beat me to the punch on Binkleys. Agreed, one of my favorite meals anywhere. I also really love Rokerji: http://www.burningembersphoenix.com. Their roasted elephant garlic app is out of this world. Also, a trip to Chelsea’s Kitchen, Radio Milano, or Le Grande Orange shouldn’t be missed. They are all under the same owner. For a great casual breakfast, I recommend: http://www.galloblancocafe.com/
@Hannah Rokerji is form the same people as Dick’s, in fact…. they use the same Rokerji plates! It is on my list for next time, it looks good. I will check out all the places websites that you mentioned. I have a feeling there is some great food out there, however I have yet to find anything that I loved. Roaring Fork was a dud, Mastro’s is not that much better than any other high end steakhouse…. I will keep trying.
I prefer dinning in Phoenix over Scottsdale. Hannah mentioned some of my favorites like Chelsea’s Kitchen and Le Grande Orange, unfortunately Radio Milano closed
My Phoenix must go to spots are: St. Francis, Matt’s Big Breakfast, Sens, Gallo Blanco (Hannah Mentioned), Durants, Postino and Vig Uptown. Let me know if you make it to any of these spots on our next trip out!