Restaurant Recommendations
 My wife Kathy and I have a long connection with the Phoenix/ Scottsdale/Paradise Valley area of Arizona.
Over the past 20 years, it has come to be a second home to us. During the past two decades, I have had the opportunity to try and get to know most of the best restaurants in the Valley of the Sun. I believe that first-time visitors will be staggered by the number of really fine eateries that are available to tempt every palette and every pocketbook. The enclosed list includes some of my favorites. Each and every one of these restaurants is spectacular and will afford a wonderful experience for those who choose to dine there. I hope I can be forgiven for my obvious bias in favor of Italian food, which explains why this section of the guide is perhaps overly represented. Also included in this restaurant guide is a nightclub with great food called, "Barcelona." It was the site of the party for attendees at the 2004 NAHC Annual Meeting. Ask anyone who went and they will tell you it was an experience of a lifetime. I look forward to seeing you in Arizona.
Val J. Halamandaris President
National Association for Home Care & Hospice.
American Food
 Different Pointe of View
This one is magnificent. I believe it is one of the 10 best restaurants in the United States. It is located on a mountain top with a view of the Phoenix city lights in one direction, and the community of Moon Valley in the other. It is hard to find anything more romantic. The food is 5-star. The Chef, Ivan Flowers, pulls together French, Italian and Mediterranean dishes that will have you reeling in ecstasy. You can find pretty much whatever you want here, and that is why I label it American food. Located in the Point Hilton Resort at Tapatio Cliffs, 11111 N. 7th Street.(602) 866-6350. Expensive.
The Cheesecake Factory
It will take you forever just to read the menu. You have choices and more choices, all of which are great and come in huge portions. The deserts are to die for. You can't get much more American than this place. This national chain has two Phoenix locations. The closest is at 15230 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. (480) 607-0083. Moderately expensive.
Southwestern
El Chorro Lodge
This one is as authentic as they get. It is the favorite of locals who swear that it is a slice of heaven. It is Merv Griffin's favorite restaurant. You may catch him here accompanied by friends and maybe his dog, Charlie. It features indoor-outdoor dining, great food and plenty of it. The popovers are so memorable you may be tempted to skip dinner. Located at 5550 East Lincoln in Paradise Valley. (480) 948-5170. Moderately Expensive.
The Claim Jumper
My family and I are frequent visitors here. The food is great and portions huge. Try the nachos or the baby back ribs. The barbeque fare is terrific. You have to try that mile-high six layer chocolate cake. If you are too full, take a piece home with you to eat later. This chain started in California and made the jump to Phoenix three years ago. You will be hearing a lot about them. They are too busy to take reservations. They take people, first come, first served, but the restaurant is huge and you won't have to wait too long. Besides, the bar is a comfortable place to wait. Located at 7000 E. Shea Boulevard (Shea just west of Scottsdale Road). (480) 951-6111. Moderate.
Bar-B-Que
El Paso Bar-B-Que Company
Voted best bar-b-que in Phoenix by New Times magazine, this restaurant has six Valley locations. The closest one is located at 8220 N. Hayden Road, Suite 112 in Scottsdale. (480) 998-2626. Moderate.
Italian
 Avanti
Those who know me best know that I love Italian food. Avanti has been my favorite Italian restaurant in the greater Phoenix area for the past 20 years. Owned by Angelo Livi and Benito Millino, the bistro presents the best of Italian food, including homemade pasta along with fresh seafood, veal and some of the best steaks in town. The collection of autographed photos from movie stars, politicians and other glitterati makes an eloquent statement about the quality of the food here. The décor is black and white and a little on the art deco side. Located at 2728 E. Thomas Road. (602) 956-0900. Moderately Expensive.
Un Bacio
This is an elegant yet charming and comfortable venue. The food is northern Italian. Pasta, veal, chicken and shrimp are served in ways that are both flavorful and appealing to the eye. You may run into former Phoenix Suns basketball great, Charles Barkley, who swears by this place. Located at 7704East Doubletree Ranch Road in Scottsdale. (480) 609-6969. Moderately Expensive.
Leccabaffi
The Italians can say a lot in one word. This one means the food is so good you will want to lick your mustache. Reservations are hard to come by because people love the pizza and the pasta (and everything else) here. Carl and Elaine Hammerschlag joined us one night for dinner here a couple of years ago. I was feeling very proud of myself for snagging a reservation. Everything was so good and I ate so much that I just about needed a sedan chair and four strong men to carry me to my car. Located at 9719 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale. (480) 609-0429. Moderately expensive.
La Locanda
This restaurant is consistently on the list of most popular Italian venues in the Phoenix area. The food and the service are both great, and you get tremendous value for your dollar. Located at 10201 N. Scottsdale Road. (480) 998-2822. Moderate.
Steakhouses
 Morton's of Chicago
The nation's premier steakhouse, Morton's claims to have "the best steaks anywhere" and most people I know would agree. Sit back, enjoy one of their fine wines and feast your eyes on a culinary display like no other as steaks, whole Maine lobsters, fish and other entrees are rolled to your table. If your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach, feast on a 24-ounce porterhouse, which is the house specialty. Located at 15233 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale. (480) 951-4440. Expensive.
Acacia at Four Seasons Resort
Want a little romance with your steak? This restaurant serves up great food along with great views of the high Sonoran Desert from its location in the Four Seasons Resort. Located in North Scottsdale, this bistro sits at the foot of Pinnacle Peak near the Reata Pass (elevation 2,600 feet compared to 1,000 at Phoenix downtown). Rave reviews from Condé Nast Traveler. Located at 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive. (480) 515-5700. Expensive.
Fish
Mastros Ocean Club Fish House
The Club features indoor-outdoor dining. The fish are so fresh that you will want to slap them. Located at 15045 N. Kierland Boulevard in the shadow of the Westein Kierlands Resort and Kierland Commons Shopping Center. (480) 443-8555. Moderately expensive.
Salt Cellar Restaurant
F
fine dining located in what else – a cellar, which is a rare thing in Phoenix. Reservations have been tough to come by when I have called in the past. Located in Scottsdale at 550 N. Hayden Road. (480) 947-1963. Moderately expensive.
Asian
 Roy's of Scottsdale
Great seafood, spring rolls combined with French sauces, Asian seasonings and plenty of Hawaiian influence. Located at 7001 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. (480) 905-1155. Moderately expensive.
P.F. Chang's China Bistro
This upscale Asian restaurant chain began here in Phoenix and has taken America by storm. Eat here once and you will know why. There are three restaurants with this name in the area. The closest is at 7014 East Camelback Road, Suite 1039 in the Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale. You'll probably want to go there for some acquisition therapy since it has the biggest collection of upscale stores in the Valley. Located in Kierland Commons, 7132 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale. (480) 367-2999. Moderately expensive.
Mexican
Garduno's Margarita Factory
This bistro was voted best Mexican food in Phoenix, and also won best margaritas and best tequila selection honors. They're famous for strolling mariachis. Their Sunday brunch is something else. Located at 8787 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. (480) 607-9222. Moderate.
Pizza
Patsy Grimaldi's Pizzeria
This famous pizzeria was voted best pizza in New York in a Zagat Survey five years in a row and rated the best in Phoenix for three years in a row. Patsy Grimaldi has now brought the formula of coal-fired brick oven pizza to Phoenix and received rave reviews. Checkered tablecloths on tables inside and out, and happy customers abound. Located at 4000 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. (480) 994-1100. Inexpensive.
French
 Mary Elaine's
A gorgeous view of Scottsdale from every table, coupled with world-class food, makes dining here something you will remember for a long time. Located in the 5-star Phoenician Resort at 6000 E. Camelback Road in Scottsdale. (480) 423-2530. Expensive.
L'Ecole
Feel like being part of someone's education while you enjoy the best food Francais? Try this restaurant which provides six-course dinners weekdays only. Why? It is part of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute at 8100 E. Camelback Road. (480) 425-3111. Moderate.
Voltaire Restaurant
This eatery is described as "one of the Valley's most intimate dining experiences" by Gourmet magazine. Executive Chef David Antonelli along with his father, Martin, wife, Ludia, and Aunt Liliana personally oversee all of the preparations. While I have never eaten here, I have heard only the best things about it. Located at 8340 E. McDonald Drive in Scottsdale. (480) 948-1005. Moderately expensive.
L'Auberge de Sedona
This restaurant is world famous. It has been listed among the 10 best in the United States by Gourmet and Condé Nast magazines. The setting is magnificent. It is part of L'Auberge at Oak Creek Resort located in Sedona, Arizona, some 90 miles away from downtown Phoenix. Suffice it to say, I took Kathy there for a Valentine's Day romantic weekend, and we were delighted with the experience. Everyone should make it to Sedona if possible. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful or more spiritually uplifting place on earth. Located at 301 L'Auberge Lane. (800) 272-6777. Very expensive.
Greek
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
For those who like the finest Greek food. The food is terrific, the ambience is great and the service is top-notch. Located at 4218 N. Scottsdale Rd in Scottsdale. (480) 949-8900. Moderate.
Sushi
 Sushi on Shea
I confess that I don't do sushi, but this restaurant has been voted best of Phoenix and Scottsdale. It is located at 7000 E. Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale. (480) 483-7799. Moderate.
Dining Experiences
Buffalo Chip Saloon
You will feel like you stepped back into the 1800s. This is one salty place, located in the artists' community of Cave Creek. The present owner, Marla McGee, is the daughter of Max McGee, the Green Bay Packer great, who used to catch numerous touchdown passes thrown by Bart Starr in the days when Vince Lombardi took them to Super Bowl victories. Located at 6811 E. Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek. (480) 488-9118. Moderate.
Improv
This place is famous for world-class comedy. Its proximity to both LA and Las Vegas makes it an easy stop for people making the circuit. Great comedians from Robin Williams to Bill Cosby have played here. The nice part is that you can get comedy and a good meal at a reasonable price. You will definitely see a great variety in the people who go there for the dinner show. Last time I was there, Kathy and I shared a table with two members of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. Located at 930 East University Drive in Tempe. (480) 921-9877. Moderate.
Barcelona
This is a world-class nightclub and restaurant. The place is huge and needs to be, given all the people who want to see and be seen here. It is the number one "happening place" in the greater Phoenix area. If there are movie stars or professional sports players around, you can bet they will show up for the nightlife at Barcelona. The lines are long. One way to get in and stay for the great music, live performances and dancing, is to make a reservation for dinner. Located at 15440 North Greenway Hayden Loop in Scottsdale. (480) 603-0370. Moderately expensive.
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