great restaurants scottsdale & phoenix
 

Hello. My husband and I are going to a wedding in Scottsdale for New Years. We have never been to Arizona. Can anyone suggest some great restaurants worth trying? Thanks!

elements at sactuary on camelback is fab. do a google search to find the hotel and restaurant. The booths are great for dinner at sunset.

We really enjoyed Sam's Cafe near the Phoenix convention center and ate there several times. Everything was great starting with their homemade sweet potato chips and corn chips. They specialize in southwest flavors. Even the mashed potatoes are made with a southwest flair. It's in a little shopping center with several other restaurants.

agree with elements, which is high end but wonderful. Sam's Cafe is fine, but there are better SW restaurants. Consider Los Sombreros or Barrio Cafe (you can find both on the internet). Both chef-owned local gems.

Call before going - the holidays often produce closed restaurants around here. Do try to fit in a trip to the Phx Botanical Garden - it's wonderful and well worth a visit on yoru first trip to AZ.

Absolutely check out the botanical gardens. I think the admission was about $9.00, but well worth it. Plan on spending several hours. There's a small restaurant/cafe there as well. Have a great time!

P.S. Stay away from the chain restaurants, there's just too much good, authentic Mexican food to be had! Try Rosita's in Mesa for some of the best enchiladas -- the margaritas are pretty killer, too, but it's not a fancy place.

We loved Lon's at the Hermosa. Food and service were excellent and it was lovely dining outside by the fountain, with a nightcap by one of the large chimeas (sp?) We were there in mid Oct - I'm not sure if it's still warm enough for al fresco dining in Jan., but inside looked charming as well. Enjoy your trip!

Never been but heard Sasso's Pinnacle Peak and Alma School -on or near the four seasons is worth checking out.

Never been but heard Sasso's near Pinnacle Peak and Alma School -on or near the four seasons is worth checking out.

The Havana Cafe on Bell Rd around 64th Street has great food. It's one of my favorites. For "authentic" Mexican food, try Carolina's in South Phoenix. You might also enjoy El Encanto in Cave Creek - good is good, not great, but the ambiance, if you sit outside, is wonderful. There's a huge pond with ducks, geese and large turtles. It will be chilly at night but there will be heaters outside.

T.Cooks at the Royal Palms Resort is one of the BEST. Even better to eat out on their courtyard!