I'll be there from the 21st through the 23rd...so, I've got up to three lunches and two dinners to choose from all the yummy goodness in this area.

Some contenders:
Mortons (dinner) - Or I heard that Mastros is possibly better?
Roys (dinner, unless they're open at lunch?)
Steamers Seafood (seafood, lunch or dinner?)
T Cooks (lunch, since it's cheaper at lunch)
In 'N Out (doesn't really fit with the rest, but I gotta have it)

Any other suggestions? Or, others you'd recommend over the above in their respective genres?

I want a least one really good steak and some great seafood--both very lacking where I'm currently living. In 'N Out, as I said is a must. Apart from that, I'm open to suggestions. My wife and I both love steak and seafood, as well as all kinds of Asian food. The only thing I don't really care for is Mexican and Middle-Eastern food.

Thanks for any advice!

FWIW--we're staying at the Phoenician. But, I don't mind driving anywhere within an 45-60 mins for a great meal if it's worth it.

PF Changs is usually nice. I started going to the original one in Scottsdale when it was it's only location. I just went to the new location in the Waterfront last night, and would say that it's gone downhill a bit, but still very good.

Their mass consumer chain, Pei Wei is pretty decent as well.

It's too bad you don't like Mexican food. Lots of good selection there.

I don�t mind travelling to Phoenix to eat at Mary Elaine�s at the Phoenician...yes it is expensive but it really is the best place down there in terms of food, service, and atmosphere. Be aware that it is not "steak and seafood" but haute French food, so if this is not to your taste you might be better off at Mortons.

I go out to PHX area quite a bit and there are two places I always love to go to...

1. The Melting Pot - this place is fantastic, its a bit of a chain place, but very limited. everything is fondue style - all the courses... It's a interesting but very very yummy expereince.

2. Tarbelle's - this place is fantastic, I'm a NJ / New Yorker and this places comes as close as possible to 3/4 star NYC quality in terms of food and service. They use fresh stuff and have great chefs.

There is only one Tarbelle's and two Melting Pot Locations...

Both are must trys!

-Vincent

The best seafood place in town is Eddie V's Edgewater Grill, in DC Ranch in North Scottsdale. Good steaks, also. www.eddiev.com. Much better than Steamers, IMO.

You might also consider the Roaring Fork, which has a Western flare and is much closer to your location. http://www.roaringfork.com/ScottsdaleAZ/index.html

For Asian, try the Bamboo Club (several locations, including one at the Biltmore http://www.thebambooclub.com/locations.html), Thaifoon (www.thaifon.com) or Malee's (Thai food - 2 locations).

I will have to respectfully disagree about the Melting Pot.

Voted "No. 1 for food in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area:" Restaurant Hapa
http://www.restauranthapa.com/
-I ate there twice. Very good, fine dining, not inexpensive.

Great Pizza: Oregano's Pizza Bistro
http://www.oreganos.com/
- Kind of a local institution. Very busy & packed. Beautiful crowd.

Best of all, both are iDine locations.
The Melting Pot is iDine too, but they are a chain, of course.

Maybe I'm just spoiled being east coast based, but I never liked the pizza at Oregano's and I have it all the time as it close to my "freind's" apartment...

-Vincent

I second Mastro's over Morton's. Roaring Fork is great, happy hour has $2 beers and great bar food. There is always a crowd for the bar tables. Eddie V.'s for seafood, they also have a great happy hour. Another seafood possibility is Mastro's sister Ocean at Kierland. If you don't mind a little drive go to Binkley 's in Cave Creek, terrific! Make sure you have reservations, same for Ocean. Donovan's Chop House gets a lot of good press and that is close to the Phoenician.

Thanks for the excellent replies.

P.F. Chang's and The Melting Pot are favourites for me and my wife. However, I think we want to try to stick mostly to places we can't find within two hours of Fort Wayne...and both of those are available in Indianapolis.

Actually, Mortons is available in Indianapolis, too. But I want a good steak, and I feel "safe" there because I've enjoyed past meals at Mortons. I've heard a couple recommendations for Mastros, along with a few that say they're actually BETTER than Mortons. I guess I'm still undecided about whether to try it or stick with the safe option.

Hapa sounds interesting...maybe as a substitution for Roy's. Are the prices comparable to Roy's? Or significantly more??

Mary E's at the Phoenician sounds interesting, as well. Is the food there really that good? I've heard several people say it's very overrated.

Is it bad that Tarbell's seems too healthy for my tastes?

And finally, Eddie V sounds great...better is better!

Keep 'em coming!

Do you really want to have seafood in the middle of the desert? Is Phoenix really known for its seafood? I would think you'd want to have the best of the regional cuisine. Just my two cents.

Mary Elaine's is good, and service is a bit under what one would expect for the price point. Then again whenever I go out in PHX service always seems to be lacking compared to east coast counter parts...

TarBell's is not "too healthy" IMO. It's Good Food...

-Vincent

I see your point. However, seafood in the midwest is worse. At least Phoenix/Scottsdale caters to a "higher end" crowd, which seems to draw better quality than here in Indiana. I dunno...I suppose I go go without as long as what took its place was good.

I'm a foodie, so when I travel, I pick where I want to eat first, then plan everything else around that.

C'mon, many of the restaurants listed are either chains or not what this region is known for.

I'll find links to the following reviews in Phoenix/Scottsdale,

but some very good LOCAL restaurants are:

Cowboy Ciao
Roaring Fork (mentioned above)

Two places from a very artisanal(sp?) chef Chris Bianco are:
Pizzeria Bianco (most have not had pizza like this)
Pane Bianco


A good thread to look into: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...hlight=Phoenix

I suppose being from IN, PHX can seem that way - I'm from NJ/ NYC so I guess my expectations and point of view is a bit different.

Just ate at Maestro's last week...Morton's last month. Maetsro's, hands down.

Their Ocean Club is also good for seafood.

Pizzeria Bianco is downtown and one of those things people say you should try. I did, and was glad, but was not bowled over by it. I wouldn't use up one of my meals there.

T Cooks is great. Roy's is tired, to me.

I like North in Kierland Commons and The Grill at the TPC for Steaks/Seafood.

I've heard Binkley's is good, but haven't tried it yet.

You can get PF Changs and the Melting Pot in other cities. I don't think either of these are worth a missed opportunity at many of the other great restaurants on this list.