We are going to these areas for the last two weeks of October. Looking for good restaurants, casual, fine dining and brunches. Also want to do some golfing, any suggestions for good courses and sightseeing. Thanks for any help.

Restaurants: Z Tejas (southwestern) - casual
Don & Charlie's - rib and chop house
Coup Des Tartes - fun bistro type food
Arcadia Farms - casual lunch spot or brunch

Spas: Gainey Village, Camelback Inn, & The Phoenician are all top spas in town. There are many to choose from.

We went to Phoenix and Scottsdale last October and had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Camel Back Inn owned by Marriott and would recommend that. One good- not fancy or fine dining but great restaurant is PF Changs... great Asian food. Lots of shopping there and in general just a fun place. Have fun!

One of our all time favorite restaurants is La Hacienda at the Scottsdale Princess. The food is tremendous and the grounds are beautiful. The number is 480-585-4848. Will also be there in Oct. and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Will also be trying Mary-Elaines at the Phoenican. The city lights are suppose to be beautiful. Do not know for sure. Will try to post when I return. I will also be going to Frank Lloyd Wright's home to tour. Called Taliesin West. It was his winter home until his death in 1959.
Also fun to walk around the ART WALK which is every Thursday night from 7-9 down around Main St.
The restaurants previously mentioned are chains and can be found in other cities. However, they are good and also crowded.
As far as golfing I think there are all kinds of incredible courses. Take your pick. My husband enjoyed Talking Stick about 2 years ago when it opened.
I let you know more when I return from this trip. When will you be leaving?

Thanks everyone for your help. Any more ideas welcome. Kim, we are leaving on the 13th for two weeks so if you get back before then please give me any more info you gathered.

In Scottsdale --
Bandera in Old Scottsdale
Maria's When in Naples
The buffet at the Marriot Camelback

Take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's house just north of Scottsdale.

Janet,
Will be passing you in the airport. We leave Scottsdale on the 13th. Will try and find time to post from there. Also if you are there for that long I would drive to Sedona. Have fun!
Kim

Definitely try to get up to Sedona, and stay at Enchantment Resort. Its views are incredible. We like the following restaurants: Roxsand, Razz's, Mary Elaine's (if you want to splurge),
Barmouche, Roy's, Lon's at the Hermosa Inn and T. Cook's at the Royal Palms.
You might check out the Heard Museum. We like to take out of town visitors for a drink on the terrace at The Phoenician Resort.

For golf, check out the Thursday edition of the Arizona Republic newspaper. The3 last 2 weeks in October are usually perfect weather.

For restaurants
Mexican - Los Olivos in downtown Scottsdale

La Fontenella in east Phoenix (about 40th st on Indian School) - good upscale Italian

Pinnacle Peak Patio for Cowboy Steaks. Wear an old tie.

Great time to visit - it should be nice and mild...although it's still 105 here today! Anyway, here are my suggestions:
Brunch: Sunday champagne brunch at the Phoenician. $50 per person, but then you probably won't be hungry for the rest of the day!
Dinner - nice: Roy's. They have 2 locations, one in Scottsdale atScottsdale Rd. and Indian Bend and the other around 24th St. and Camelback.
Dinner - casual: The Cheesecake Factory. I don't know if they have one of these places where you're from, but they're great! The food is delicious (and huge portions) and the cheesecake, of course, is fabulous.
Golf: Las Sendas in East Mesa or The Raven - but neither is cheap.

HAVE FUN!

I will also be going to phoenix on the 13th. This is a much needed girls trip. We are all in our mid 30's married with children. We are staying at Grand Vista's Painted mountain Resort affiliated with RCI. I heard the Pink Jeep tours in Sedona was not to miss. Also the Hilton Point resort and camelback inn were mentioned as good spas. As for restaurants I was told Eddies and Flemings. Any comments are appreciated.

We've been to Scottsdale a few times (In fall, winter and spring). We're in our late 30s FYI. One restaurant that we found overrated was Vincent Guerithault (sp?). We loved Cafe Terra Cotta at The Borgata. Also there are some great restaurants (not all fancy) at the Biltmore Fashion Mall. We liked Roxsand. Also there's a great, more casual Asian restaurant there.

The spa at Marriot's Camelback is a good one. One note: Someone mentioned Cafe Terra Cotta at the Borgatta -- it's not there anymore. I talked to one of the owners of the Terra Cotta in Tucson, and he confirmed that the one in Scottsdale had closed. Hope that saves you from going on a wild goose chase.