Lobby Bar at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa

An exotic and romantic date spot thanks to its lakes, waterfalls and gondola rides, the Hyatt’s further buoyed by the resort’s rotating live music roster. Every night in the lounge you can find one of three acts — Paul McDermand (steel drums and marimba), Mosaico (a flamenco group with dancers) and Nuance (a contemporary classical […]

Los Olivos Mexican Patio

Saved from condemnation by the direct intervention of Barry Goldwater, the Second Street location of this decades-old Mexican restaurant is definitely one of Arizona’s culinary landmarks. It features the old reliable Mexican staples — green corn tamales, enchiladas and chile relleno. Additional location in this region: 15544 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, 480-596-9787.

The Lunch Bag

The kind of casual place “Where it’s always lunch time,” the Lunch Bag offers a lengthy menu of mid-day items in Scottsdale like sandwiches served with Lays chips, salads, and homemade desserts. The Lunch Bag’s signature sandwiches include the Tuna Ciabatta, Spicy Roast Beef, and the well-known Mom’s Homemade Hot Meatloaf – featuring hot meatloaf […]

Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen

For more than a half-century, this local chain has been serving up sopapillas, enchiladas, and rellenos. Don’t take our word for it – ask President Obama, who stopped here for dinner during a post-election visit to Phoenix. The story goes that the chimichanga was invented here, and we tend to believe it – this signature […]

Mastro’s Ocean Club

High style, high prices. Ocean does for seafood what Ruth’s Chris has done for steaks. Everything is à la carte and served in big portions from white-jacketed, black-bow-tied servers. First-class fish isn’t entirely different from many other good seafood shops around town (at half the price), but for a place to impress on an expense […]

Mastro’s Steakhouse

A smart-looking, high-end steak house, featuring USDA Prime-grade beef. The 22-ounce bone-in rib eye is a thing of beauty, a marvel of taste and texture. The New York strip and T-bone are just about as powerful. Excellent appetizers and desserts (not to mention well-trained waiters) add to Mastro’s charms. Read our review.

McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic & Fitness Center

We’re not sure what we like more about this place: the pools, the views, or the architecture (considering we spent more time admiring Phil Weddle’s rusted steel and glass aquatic center building than we spent actually swimming). Not only does this place feature myriad aquatic options – including an eight-lane lap pool, a diving well […]