Looking for a place with good, but not stuffy food in Scottsdale area for this week. A mountain view would be a big plus. Read about Talavera but a Four Seasons isn't quite casual enough for this outing. We ate at Sol last night. Great food. Is there someplace like that with a view in Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek, etc?

Thanks.

Good food, may not fulfill mountain vistas.Check out El Chorro, Petite Maison, Franco's Cafe

Not answering your question, but if you don't know about Taliesin West check into it. It's my favorite experience in the area -
http://www.franklloydwright.org/abou...WestTours.html

Now back to restaurants...

My recommendations came from a Scottsdale resident, their favorites.

???

Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse.

No view, but great food - Pizzeria Bianco.

http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/

Get there early.

Not sure if T. Cooks is to stuffy, but it is one of our favorites- http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/restaurant/

In Scottsdale - Grimaldi's (other locations too)
http://www.grimaldispizzeria.com/arizona

I see there's a new Bianco-

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bel...restaurant.php

This restaurant was recommended by local sportscasters as their hangout during spring training.

Don & Charlie's.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...estaurant.html

I live in Cave Creek, and recommend Tonto Bar and Grill (in Cave Creek). Right on a golf course, very pretty, good food.

If you go to Cave Creek, stop at Brix wine bar before dinner.

The Mission - Hands down my favorite place in Scottsdale:

http://www.themissionaz.com/

Beautiful outdoor courtyard and great ambiance inside as well. Excellent food and really delicious margaritas.

Amy's Baking Company! Just saw them last week on "Kitchen Nightmares". It was the first time Gordon Ramsay threw up his hands and ran away.

Someone I know was at the taping of that show (re Amy's Baking Company). She confirmed that Amy and her husband are actually that crazy!

Thanks all. We have had our dinner. Chose El Charro based on good reviews. It is a beautiful patio. Great location with the mountain looming in the background. Warm welcome from the staff. Downhill after that. Although the patio was less than half full and I told the hostess that we had come especially to see the mountain, we were seated behind a bank of tress that completely blocked any view. We had to ask to be moved. Then our waiter recommended a signature drink. It tasted like straight Sprite. After sending it back, he admitted that he had never tasted the drink.

I had the enchilada and hubby had the pork tenderloin. Neither would rank high on the flavor scale. The sticky buns were good, but a little odd with dinner. We brought them home for breakfast.

Our waiter seemed to be uninspired. Everything came late. It was impossible to get his attention. When we paid the bill, our credit card wasn't returned. Hubby had to track down the waiter to ask for it. Waiter had it in his shirt pocket. Hummmmm?

All in all....it was a beautiful setting, but I probably wouldn't return.....certainly not for the food or service.