The Houston's Restaurant in Scottsdale brings back warm memories.

Not in the least fancy, but if you find yourself in the mood for a good beer and a good burger (or similar pub grub) try one of the Four Peaks brewpubs; they have locations in Scottsdale and Tempe.

http://www.fourpeaks.com/

Since no one else has mentioned it, I thought I would suggest City Hall for steaks. It's owned by the Mastro's people and is just down the street from the Phoenician. I personally think it's better than Morton's or Donovans, but can't compare it to Mastro's since I haven't eaten there. The food and service have both been excellent each time I've been there. Plus, you can have a drink in the bar before your table is ready and be entertained watching the goldiggers hunt their prey.

Deleted - duplicate post.

We went to Roaring Fork last year on the recommendation of another FTer. It was fantastic, both the food and the service. It was about $80/person after tax/tip for four courses plus beverages, and worth every penny.

AZ88 is a great bar, very stylish (at least it was last time I went to PHX)...

Parking is annoeying as heck though...!

-Vincent

Drinkwater City Hall Steakhouse is great. Steak is definitely in line with primes you find at Mortons. Even if you are not having dinner, the bar scene is great place to enjoy a martini. I will be trying Mastro's for the first time this week.

Roaring Fork was good but I don't think it's great as all the press makes it out to be.

Roy's - what you would expect at any other location

Barcelona - I heard some great things about this place. Again, I will be trying this place sometime this week.

Chuckbox - A dive burger joint near ASU in Tempe. The building looks very run down, old west style. Inside, you will find a open fire grill cooking up burgers. I believe this is a must try. Sides are great as well. I'm a huge fan of In N Out as well and I always have it once when I'm out west but Chuckbox is a very unique Arizona experience.

Another place, which I had originally omitted because it didn't fit your parameters, but what I consider to be one of the very top restaurants in Phoenix, in terms of both atmosphere and food, is Lon's at the Hermosa Inn. www.lons.com.

Lon's is a great place for Sunday brunch. Great food and reasonably priced when compared to the brunches at some of the resorts around town.

Local Phoenix seemed to me to be some form of SW/Mexican, which gets old real fast

San Franscisco and NYC are two big seafood centers, and on an ocean. Usually, none of the seafood is local, and frequently it is imported from 3-5000 miles away.

Our favorite was called Medizona, with Cowboy Caio second but zagat does not mention medizona at all. meybe closed.

http://www.medizonarestaurant.com/

Two fun lunches:

Thai food - Malees on Main in Scottsdale. Great lunch, get to see Old Town Scottsdale as well.

American - served old politico style - Durants It's an old haunt of the power-broker crowd, has in interesting decor and history.

A bit late, but for good Italian food in Scottsdale, try Maria When In Naples. Yummy.

Yummy, yes. But out of business.

I just returned yesterday.
Rather than trying a chain,try Fleming's Prime Steakhouse .
Arcadia farms cafe is a great lunch spot. Great sandwiches,soups and salads.
A little further away is Tutti Santi Ristorante. It is worth the trip. I go to Italy often and my wife and I agree that the ravioli is very similar.