The Spotted Donkey at El Pedregal

This spacious yet welcoming adobe-style restaurant nestled into El Pedregal, the sophisticated shopping center in North Scottsdale, features lunch and dinner offerings of upscale Southwestern and Mexican cuisines whose flavors play it safe for its well-heeled, over-50 patrons. Popular entrees like the stuffed poblano chiles and chimayo chile-rubbed pork tenderloin are passable, but more interesting flavors can be found in such "who knew?" appetizers as the shrimp aqua chile ceviche, the queso dip made with five Mexican cheeses, and nachos served stacked and layered with tender pulled pork, black beans, Serrano chiles, and cheese. There’s also a healthy tequila selection, including a $32 sipper of Patron Gran Plata.