Whether you have enough disposable income to keep the golf
caddies and hotel valets happy, or just once a year vacationer, there are many
options to choose from while visiting this lovely city. With over 225, 000
residences, many call Scottsdale home, and for those visiting, you will get a
good idea of why this city has been a favorite for retirees and newbies alike.
From the historicTaliesin West, the iconic estate that once
served as Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter residence, adjacent to the Lloyd Wright
School of Architecture, to the many other cultural and historic offerings of
the area, you will find something for everyone on your vacation wish list.
Among some of the favorite things for the outdoor enthusiast, are the many
hiking trails that lead to Camelback Mountain’s Cholla and Echo Canyon as well
as the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
If you would rather have a bird’s eye view, hot air
ballooning is the best way to experience a tranquil ascent over the Sonoran Desert.
On this trip we had a memorable time of flying with the Hot Air Expeditions Inc.,
enjoying the expertise of our captain as we made our way above the saguaro, and
rolling hills of the desert. As we
drifted silently and pleasurably above the desert floor, we were again amazed
at the ability to move upwards of 5,000 feet in a basket, held up by some rope,
hot air and a large piece of fabric. Once back on the ground, we received our
Certificat’d Ascension En Machine Aerostatique, to the clinking of champagne
glasses and a well deserved round of applause to our flight crew and captain.
Indeed,a unique way to spend your early morning hours in the desert. www.
HotAirExpedition.com
Among one of the local tourist attractions, where your feet
keep grounded to the local flora and fauna, is the The
Desert Botanical Garden offering some of the world's finest collection of
arid-land plants from deserts around the world. Not only can you get your
cactus collections counted, you can also dine at the lovely restaurant, Gertrude’s,
which is conveniently located within the premise. After hours of meandering
through the spiny gardens, The Desert Botanical Garden’s full-service
restaurant, located just inside the main entrance, is a tribute to garden
founder Gertrude Divine Webster and her vision to create a place where nature
lovers could share a healthy meal. By using
sources from local artisans and farmers as well as herbs grown onsite, the
freshness and flavor are sealed into every meal. We had the fine opportunity to
try this unique restaurant within the garden and were amazed at the fresh
organic offerings and the extensive wine list. We decided to try the Blue
Marlin that had just been flown into the area, beingthe inaugural dish of this
large sea creature from Hawaii, we were pleasantly surprised.
The fish reminded us of a sword fish but a bit
more tender, as it was well prepared with a buerre blanc sauce and local
seasonal veggies. Accompanying our meal
was a bottle of Pasqua Passimento, Romeo and Juliet. This elegant and velvety red blend of Merlot,
Corvina, and Croatina, was a lovely and robust addition to the meal. It
especially paired well with the red wine and chocolate torte. After a morning of hiking through the
gardens, Gertude’s was the perfect interlude before our next adventure.www.
Gertrudesrestaurant.net
Now that we have had a sample of some
of the outdoor activities, we needed a check into our accommodations. This
evening we were staying at the world class Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. With it’s highly acclaimed
restaurants, including Richard Sandoval’s La Hacienda, Michael Mina’s Bourbon
Steak house, state of the art meeting facilities, outstanding Well & Being Spa (formerly Willow
Stream Spa), six sparkling pools and two newly renovated 18-hole championship golf courses, including the
home to the Annual PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open. We were well aware
that we were at are one of the best resorts in the world. Exemplary customer
service, impeccable grounds, and even a sweet Golden Retriever who greets the
guests are examples of elevated hospitality.
Being able to experience one of the country’s most acclaimed
Mexican cuisine restaurants, La Hacienda, was indeed a lively and memorable
experience. Each appetizer and entrée was a reflection of skillful European
cooking techniques, elevating the vibrant flavors and texture of Mexican
cuisine. We loved the tequila tasting with the rattle snake fangs and tail as
innovative props to get you to pay attention to diversity of tequilas. The
highlight was the flaming cocktail that created a chorus of ooh’s and ahh’s
throughout the restaurant; A wonderful way to say Adios to a grand dining
experience.
In nearby Mesa, the newly opened Sheraton Mesa Hotel is a
wonderful place to stay and explore the area. The boutique property has 180 rooms
in the heart of the city's new multi-million development, Mesa Riverview. If sports is your thing step into the open-air
lobby and take a seat in Stats Sports Grill. This 10,000-square-foot lounge
with separate bar and living room areas is adjoined by a modern, glass-enclosed
wine cellar featuring 300 wines from around the globe. The Food and Beverage
program is headed up by executive Chef Cameron Bolender. His expertise shines
in the quality of the steaks prepared with many different types of butter that
pleases your palate to no end. It’s all
about the butters here, steak sauce is not an option. This resort has a very unique feature in that
it overlooks the Chicago Cubs spring training home, Sloan Park, and Mesa's
stunning Red Mountain.
 |
| Chef Cameron Bolender. |
Gilbert Arizona has become a vibrant locale for delicious
cuisine and tasty libations over the last few years. We visited Postino East
Wine Café right on the main street in downtown Gilbert. This venue has a
selection of 40 hand-selected unique wines many of which are from Arizona. We
also tasted through simple, delicious food featuring local ingredients like
Bruschetta, Panini’s, salads and soups. Postino is an upbeat, warm, friendly
and has atmosphere that brings people together.
Arizona just kept surprising us at every turn. It is a land
of abundance beyond imagination. We
heard about yet another surprise that was really going to open our eyes.
Ancient Grains at Hayden Flour Mills inside Sossaman Farms. We literally tasted
Arizona history at this family-owned flour mill that has even been featured in
the documentary “The Grain Divide”. They are focused on native seeds and
growing heirloom wheat with minimal processing, much or which is used in Italy
and in some of the finest kitchens in the country. Guests that visit can
indulge in a multi -sensory culinary experience that starts with a tour of the
Hayden flour milling operation and gives them an option to participate in
baking classes and educational seminars.
Check your calendar before visiting Scottsdale. We timed it
just right and took our seat at the internationally-renowned farm-to-table
dining series, Outstanding in the Field. This culinary road show is the
brainchild chef Jim Denevan designed to bring together world-renowned chefs,
local farms and ranches, iconic tables, and guests for a night unlike any
other. It makes total sense that this fall’s event featuredthe top rising star
in Arizona’s local culinary scene, Gio Osso. This rising chef has been named one of
America’s Best New Restaurants by both Esquire and the James Beard Foundation.
Chef shows off an ever-changing
Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring handmade pastas and premium seasonal
produce sourced from some of Arizona’s most celebrated farmers.
In 1988 Chris Bianco opened Pizzeria Bianco inside the back
corner of a neighborhood grocery store and has taken pizza to a whole new
level. A stop into this pizzeria is mandatory for a true taste of what has been
going on in Arizona for quite some time. Little did he know that his little
Pizzeria he would be such a driving force in the slow food movement and
specifically the artisanal pizza front. Chris won the James Beard Award for
Best Chef: Southwest in 2003, helped spawn a generation of independent and
artisanal pizzeria’s, lending his advice, wisdom and food philosophies to
dozens of fellow chefs and restauranteurs. For him, the food is a result of his
relationships and his intention. Relationships with the farmers, the local
producers, his family, customers and staff; and the respect and intentions he
approaches his recipes with.
 |
| chef Charles Wiley |
Scottsdale Arizona is full of history and the Hotel Valley
Ho is certainly part of it. Built in 1956, Hotel Valley Ho has classically cool
roots and still stands strong today as a must-stay destination in Downtown
Scottsdale. Oh if these walls could talk! This iconic hotel was host to many
celebrities including Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, among others,
Hotel Valley Ho gained notoriety and quite the fun reputation. Known as “one of
the best-preserved mid-century hotels in the country,” by Alan Hess, architect
and author of numerous mid-century modern texts, the Hotel Valley Ho is the
place where our cool came out to play on our visit. Dine at ZuZu and enjoy the gastronomic
delights from celebrity chef Charles Wiley, you will not be disappointed.
Perhaps the hottest new dining venue is FnB Restaurant. Arizona wines are making some big news lately
so we visited and partook in the Arizona wine experience with Pavle Milic,
part-owner of FnB. This trendy, quant restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy local
wines during lunch and dinner. At the helm you will find Chef Charleen Badman, a
James Beard nominated chef, known for her elevated vegetable creations, like
her braised leeks with mozzarella and a fried egg. She was named one of the 10
best restaurant dishes of 2010 by Food & Wine. Right next door take a sip
at owner Pavle Milic’s other venture,
Bodega/AZ Wine Merchants, an oenophile paradise with varietals grown and
bottled in the Grand Canyon state as well as local produce and artisanal
products from MJ Breads, Queen Creek Olive Oil and Maya’s Farm.
 |
| Pavle Milic |
Scottsdale is full of lovely boutique restaurants, many of
which are quite good. We would be remiss if we did not stop into Chef Gio Osso’s
Virtu Honest Craft. His menu has been described as “wandering Mediterranean,”
Chef Gio soared to national praise for his cuisine at the now-closed Estate
House in downtown Scottsdale. The very unique
rotating menu features hand-made pastas, braised oxtails, house-made sausages and
a 30 bottle global wine list, craft beers and handcrafted cocktails. Recently
Chef Gio pocketed yet two more prestigious awards that include the #1
Restaurant of 2013 by The Arizona Republic as well as being named one of the
top 20 best new restaurants by Esquire Magazine.
If you are looking to explore, taste and sip locally sourced
products with nationally acclaimed chefs, Scottsdale Arizona offers some of the
best experiences we have had in a very long time.
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