Coffee Plantation

This Village at Shea coffee hangout promises many things – pastries, light lunch options, smoothies, and yes, coffee. The small coffee chain that is Coffee Plantation first opened in 1989 in Tempe (though that location has since shuttered), with the Scottsdale and Shea location following later. This Arizona original coffee shop is open at 6 […]

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

Let’s focus on the first promise of this rowdy local restaurant chain’s moniker. Happy hour at the Seventh Street location of Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers definitely has cold beer, and in the form of $3 domestic pints, $4 domestic bottles, and $4 Four Peak Pints. Pair your Hop Knot with happy hour eats like the […]

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

With a name that says it all, this upscale casual eatery in North Scottsdale features a sizeable menu of American eats and plenty of brews, but hit-and-miss dishes mean the cold beer can complement or simply wash down a mediocre meal. Best-choices from the hefty, half-pound burger selection include the Pittsburger with grilled tomatoes and […]

Cold Stone Creamery

Phoenix diners who have never managed to master Starbucks’ sizing system will find Cold Stone Creamery’s similarly challenging; the ice-cream chain eschews small, medium, and large in favor of “Like It,” “Love It,” and “Gotta Have It” sizes. Once the portion is picked, patrons can concoct their own creations from super-premium ice cream flavors like […]

CrackerJax

Located off Scottsdale Road south of Bell Road, CrackerJax Family Fun and Sports Park is like having a mini-theme park right in your own backyard. The year-round amusement part doesn’t have roller-coasters or other big rides, but will certainly entertain the kids for a least a long afternoon – if not a whole day. The […]

deseo

Star chef Douglas Rodriguez has made an international name for himself with his Nuevo Latin American cuisine, and now he’s in our humble town. Everything is stunning here, such as ceviche with Spanish and Asian influences, arepas (griddled corn cakes) with caviar and quail egg, and plantain-crusted halibut with sliced banana, sautéed spinach, bacon and […]

Dominick’s Steakhouse

If you want to impress and surprise your significant other, book a table at Dominick’s Steakhouse. Be prepared to be dazzled with a red carpet upon entering the restaurant. Once inside, the rooftop seating will provide a view of the Arizona sky. The menu doesn’t disappoint either. Fresh burrata, shishito peppers, a seafood tower, and […]

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

This is the Valley’s premier seafood restaurant. The oysters are superb, the Georges Bank scallops are off the chain, and the butterfish will give you the culinary equivalent of the Big O. When it comes to dessert, order the Godiva cake.