KATHY K’S RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Tratto – She wrote: “was just named one of the 50 best restaurants in the US by the NYTimes. Only one in PHX area.” It’s less than a mile from our house. Mapquest says we can drive it in one minute or walk it in 8 minutes. It’s also close to Bianco’s Pizzeria, the place we went a few years ago on recommendation of the NY Times as the best pizza in the country. NY TImes said this about Tratto: “Chris Bianco is one of America’s most respected pizzaiolos, thanks to his pioneering flagship restaurant, Pizzeria Bianco. Less known, at least outside Phoenix, is this five-year-old trattoria. The restaurant moved from a strip mall to a larger, stand-alone building mid-pandemic. Its kitchen still proves that Arizona wheat makes pasta as exemplary as it does crust and bread, and that an Italian menu can be guided by seasonal regional ingredients, even in a desert city where walking to your car often feels like passing through a pizza oven. — BRETT ANDERSON” More in NY Times

If we want to eat at Tratto, we probably should make reservations long before we arrive in Phoenix.

Buck & Rider – Kathy wrote: “one of our favorite restaurants here is Buck & Rider, a seafood restaurant that is consistently excellent. Don’t know if fish and seafood qualifies as a choice for your group but to Midwesterners in the middle of winter, it could appeal. Great patio seating too.” It is a 10-minute drive north of our house and located in what looks like a somewhat upscale outdoor shopping mall at the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard.

MONIKA’S RECOMMENDATIONS:

Bourbon & Bones Chophouse
4200 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

Steak 44
5101 N. 44th St. , Phoenix

“Take It Outside: Patio Dining in Phoenix,” Phoenix Magazine, 10/22/20

“The 15 Best Restaurant Patios for Outdoor Dining in Metro Phoenix,” Phoenix New Times, 11/21/20

Diego Pops – Mexican Mexican Restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale

The 2017 edition of New Times’ Best of Phoenix includes 63 best restaurants, markets and dishes.  

“Chris Bianco, Tacos Chiwas team up for restaurant in century-old Phoenix building,” Arizona Republic, 8/21/17

“Best breakfast in Phoenix: 15 critic’s picks for morning (and midday) meals,” Arizona Republic, 7/26/17

“Where to eat, drink in Phoenix,” Sports Illustrated, 6/30/17

“10 Iconic Arizona Restaurants Worth Traveling For,” Phoenix New Times, 6/14/17

BEER!

“The ultimate beer-lover’s guide to bars, breweries and taprooms in Tempe and Scottsdale,” Arizona Republic, 2/29/20

“The ultimate beer-lover’s guide to bars, breweries and taprooms in Phoenix,” Arizona Republic, 2/18/20

Saddle Mountain Brewing Company

SanTan Brewery & Distillery Tours

“Sample some craft beer with your baseball at spring training in Arizona,” Los Angeles Times, 2/23/19

“Phoenix brewery guide: Standout local beer makers, our favorite places, what’s coming soon,” Phoenix Republic, 11/28/17

“10 Best Sports Bars For Food and Drink in Metro Phoenix,” Phoenix New Times, 1/24/18

“Celebrate National Drink Beer Day at these Arizona breweries,” Arizona Republic, 9/27/17 List of Arizona brewpubs north and south of Phoenix.

“11 Best Craft Beer Bars in Metro Phoenix,” Phoenix New Times, 1/24/17

Scottsdale Ale Trail, map and addresse.

Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, includes Arizona Beer Trail Road Map

PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA

CRAFT 64
http://www.craft64.com
Best Pizza – Phoenix Magazine
OPEN DAILY 11AM TO 11PM
(KITCHEN CLOSES AT 9PM)
6922 EAST MAIN STREET
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85251
(480) 946-0542

“Phoenix is one of the nation’s premier pizza towns: 12 great spots for pizza in Arizona,” Arizona Republic, 10/22/17

  • Base Pizzeria
    3115 E. Lincoln Drive., Phoenix. 602-535-8914, basepizzeria.com.
  • Cibo
    603 N. Fifth Ave., Phoenix. 602-441-2697, cibophoenix.com.
  • Craft 64
    6922 E. Main St., Scottsdale. 480-956-0542, craft64.com.
  • Il Bosco
    7120 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale. 480-335-8680, ilboscopizza.com.
  • La Piazza al Forno
    5803 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. 623-847-3301, lapiazzaalforno.com. Also, 1 N. First St., Phoenix. 602-795-7116, lapiazzaphx.com.
  • La Grande Orange Pizzeria
    4410 N. 40th St., Phoenix. 602-840-7777, lagrandeorangegrocery.com.
  • Lamp Wood Oven Pizzeria
    La Mirada Center, 8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-292-8773, lamppizza.com.
  • Nook Kitchen
    3623 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602-651-1390. Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown, 15 E. Monroe St. 602-258-1037, nookkitchen.com.
  • The Parlor
    1916 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-248-2480, theparlor.us.
  • Pizzeria Bianco
    Heritage Square, 623 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-8300. Town & Country, 4743 N. 20th St., Phoenix. 602-368-3273, pizzeriabianco.com.
  • Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana
    8977 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-998-1366. Downtown Phoenix and Gilbert locations at pomopizzeria.com.
  • Pizzicletta
    203 W. Phoenix Ave., Flagstaff. 928-774-3242, pizzicletta.com.

     

DINING IN SEDONA

“Sedona, Ariz., surprises with destination dining,” USA Today

DINING IN MESA

Osteria, 5609 E. McKellips Road, Mesa

Pacino’s, 2831 N. Power Road, Suite 104, Mesa

DOUGHNUTS

Donut Worry Coffee & Smoothies, 9115 Baseline Road, Mesa

“The 10 Best Doughnuts in Metro Phoenix,” Phoenix New Times, 2/7/19

BAGELS

New Wave Market
https://www.newwavemarket.com
7120 E. 6th Ave. #20
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Monday & Tuesday 11:00 – 3:00
Wednesday – Friday 11:00 – 8:00
Saturday 9:00 – 8:00

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

Cuff Bistro, 7021 N. 58th Ave., Glendale

Wilderness Brewing, 201 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix

Wally’s American Gastropub, 7704 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Scottsdale

Mochilero Kitchen, 6791 West Happy Valley Road, Suite 100, Peoria

Jade Bar at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Local Bistro, 20581 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale

Pizzeria Bianco, Town & Country Shopping Center,  4743 N 20th St, Phoenix.  Original is located at 623 E. Adams, Phoenix

Barrio Café, 2814 N. 16th St., Phoenix

Durant’s, 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

Matt’s Big Breakfast, 825 N. 1st, Phoenix

Red, White & Brew, 6740 E. McDowell Road, #102, Mesa

D-vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 2837 N. Power Road and McDowell Road, Mesa

McFate Brewing Company, 1312 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

Paul Martin’s American Grill, 6186 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale