Special Occasion Restaurants

Luxury, elegance, leisure, and comfort are to be expected when dining at The Palm Court at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. Gorgeous pink draped curtains and table clothes, accented with fresh pink flowers, cream-colored boquets and table runners, and black chandeliers with clear dangling crystals adorn the dining room; nothing less than glamorous. The wine collection is on display, set inside the wall and covered by glass, outlined with a decorative and delicate black wired frame. Each aspect of the aesthetic has been perfectly set in place. The menu reflects innovative American cuisine and dishes are often prepared au … Learn More »

For filling options for traditional American breakfasts, stacked sandwiches and hearty dinner entrees, Pointe in Thyme has all kinds of options for any meal of the day. Located in the Pointe Hilton hotel, this restaurant offers a setting rich in warm colors and deep wood accents. Pointe in Thyme is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Learn More »

Dine in an elegant, yet comfortable atmosphere at The Compass Arizona Grill, where Chef De Cuisine, Jason Hoven designs masterful seasonal menus year round. Innovative culinary creations find their way onto each plate out of his kitchen, as he translates distinctive visions with ease. The menu offers irresistible entrees made from fresh meats, poultry and seafood in a quintessentially contemporary style. The exciting and fabulous fare is accompanied by an extensive wine list. The combination of fantastic fare, wondrous wines and the breath-taking views allows guests to drift away into a dining dream! Learn More »

Modern and urban, North brings Scottsdale the best of Italy in a carefree, lighthearted setting. The sleek, loft-like interior plays host to an array of flavor Italian creations including wood fired pizzas, inventive pastas, and savory main courses. While serious Italian staples such as Pasta Bolognese, Grilled Artichokes, and Margherita Pizza pepper the menu, many of the dishes are playful and fun. Take the Marinated Fig, Goat Cheese, & Prosciutto pizza, Fork n’ Knife Meatball & Mozzarella sandwich, and “Not your Typical” Chicken Lasagna. When any of these arrive cooked to perfection, it is impossible not to sit back and … Learn More »

If you’re looking to escape, head to the El Chorro Lodge. Located on a 22-acre property in Paradise Valley, the restaurant is a longstanding tradition and a worthy destination. Built in 1934 as a school house, the property became a restaurant in 1937, and has been pleasing locals, tourists, and celebrities ever since. The menu is filled with comfort-food classics and decadent favorites, such as BBQ Ribs, Beef Stroganoff, and Chateaubriand for Two, carved tableside. The extensive menu also includes an array of mesquite-fired steaks, seafood, and burgers. All entries include a soup or salad, a choice of potato, and, … Learn More »

Adjacent to the Firesky Resort and Spa in Old Town Scottsdale, Taggia Restaurant brings a tropical feeling to the otherwise dessert location. Coastal Italian cuisine in the form of salads, pizzas and pastas is prepared with fresh ingredients, such as seafood, flown in daily. Guest can relax under the peaceful sky, or dine in comfort indoors for a calm and enjoyable meal in their preferred atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Taggia can accommodate any meal for any occasion from business dinners to social occasions and any other memorable moments life may bring. The warm atmosphere, attentive staff, and … Learn More »

Pappadeaux in Phoenix is a one stop destination for traditional and contemporary Cajun cuisine. Pappadeaux has a loud, fun, and fast-paced environment in a setting similar to a turn-of-the-century jazz bar, and the menu is complete with dishes seasoned in flavorful spices with unbeatable prices. Know for their seafood, Pappadeaux also has a variety of Cajun food that you don’t always find on your typical menu. Fried alligator? Yes indeed. Step inside the French Quarter of flavors and you might find what your taste buds have been looking for. Learn More »

Inspired by Italy’s Tuscany region, Ristorante Tuscany presents Italian cuisine with elegance. The restaurant is a recipient of the AAA Four-Diamond award and features inventive dishes from Chef de Cuisine Brian Archibald. Unique dishes like Lobster Saltimbocca and Grilled Cedar River Beef Tenderloin can be found on the menu. Pastas can be ordered in half or full portions. With wine being a specialty at this restaurant, it has a large wine list including vintage wines from Tuscany. The restaurant has an open exhibition kitchen, wood-fired oven, an outdoor fireplace along with views of the resort’s Isle of Capri. With the … Learn More »

T. Cooks is the place to celebrate an anniversary or to have a romantic night out. Located in the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, the restaurant goes along with the Spanish-style architecture situated in a rich earthy-colored den with panoramic views. The menu serves Mediterranean cuisine and centers its food around seasonal dishes from Barcelona, Spain, and Tuscany, Italy. For dinner, guests can select Executive Chef Lee Hillson’s pre-fixe “Iron Chef” menu with the option of wine pairing. Some of the dishes include Lobster Carpaccio with ham broth and sweet corn and Stuffed Rabbit wrapped in Serrano with mushrooms and … Learn More »

Flourish at the Copperwynd Resort effortlessly infuses its sophisticated style with an almost mischievous whimsy. Classic New American dishes are transformed by cheeky culinary tinkering: The Spinach Salad is sprinkled with shaved heirloom tomatoes and “dried corn confetti” while paella is given a Sonoran twist with Corona-steamed clams, poblano chilies, chorizo, and a soffritto corn broth. The innovation displayed by its menu is mirrored in Flourish' dynamic design. Floor-to-ceiling windows slide open to reveal a breathtaking view of the Sonoran desert, allowing the natural landscape to blend seamlessly with the restaurant’s stone and metallic accented interior. An evening at Flourish … Learn More »

Head south to the land of gauchos (Brazilian cowboys) and churrasco (barbeque) at Brazilian Bull Steakhouse, right here in Phoenix. This authentic churrascaria serves up a bounty of savory delights cooked over open flame and beaming with flavor. Boasting a carnival atmosphere, Brazilian Bull lets its customers orchestrate their own dining experience: Ready for the parade of skewered meats to begin? Simply flip your sign to green. Can’t possibly eat any more? Turn the sign to red and sit back. And laying it on its side signals for the staff to wheel out their 6-foot display of homemade treats. Learn More »

To truly wine and dine in style, visit Chandler Bistro at Kokopelli Winery. Wine tastings are offered daily, and weekends welcome the Kool Jamz Dinner events featuring live entertainment. Large private parties enjoy a unique degree of personal, and personable, service with several catering and hosting options presented through the winery. And while the fine selection of vino draws many guests to the Kokopelli grounds, Chandler Bistro is reason enough to visit. A few menu favorites include the Merlot Braised Pot Roast, the Pasta Roban, and the Chocolate Port Brownie. Learn More »

A western-themed attraction and restaurant all in one can be found at Rustler’s Rooste, a kid-friendly, novelty steakhouse and brewery straight out of the Wild Wild West. Opened in 1971, Rustler’s Rooste is Arizona’s Legendary Cowboy Steakhouse, complete with 2 stories, live country music and a general store. They serve only the finest, choice-cut steaks as well as ribs, chicken, and seafood. With a large food and drink menu, this “beef and brew with a view” was named “Best Special-Occasion Restaurant” and “Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant” by Phoenix Magazine. Open every day from 5PM-10PM. Learn More »

A relaxing, enjoyable eating experience can be found at Sophie’s French Bistro. The interior is reminiscent of a classic French countryside while the food is innovative and flavorful. Ideal for a romantic date, Sophie’s uses premium ingredients for their classic French dishes, presented elegantly and served on a simple white table cloth. Don’t expect a quick turnaround, though—Sophie’s cuisine is meant to be enjoyed and savored slowly, just as classic French meals are meant to be. If food is pleasure, then this is a place to appreciate. Learn More »

Regarded as a popular place to go see and be seen, this contemporary American chain does what so few restaurants of its kind manage: it keeps people coming back. With a strict philosophy of using the freshest ingredients from local farms and purveyors, they serve up gracefully presented dishes in a modern setting. Stained wood, burnished brass, dim lighting, and a trendy crowd reel people in, but it’s the friendly service and delicious meat, fish, and chicken that has people returning. And if you happen to chance into one of this location—don’t forget to try their famous shoestring fries! Learn More »

Desert rusticity melds with classic sophistication to create the finely balanced décor and cuisine of famed Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak. Visitors to this Scottsdale oasis may be struck first by how seamlessly the architecture and décor marries natural elements like cacti and budding shrubbery with the sleek and contemporary lines of minimalist design. And diners will certainly notice how artfully Executive Chef Sean Griffin combines comfort food classics with refined technique. Dishes like the The Whole Fried Chicken For Two and the Maine Lobster Pot Pie are reassuringly familiar, yet intriguingly polished. Learn More »

The five senses are held captive by the memorial dining experience this restaurant hopes to plate daily. The stunning mountain views and stylishly refined décor of the dining space entice the eyes, while the sense of taste and smell are entertained by Executive Chef Beau MacMillan’s American cuisine menu. Guests of the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, and visitors exclusively to this fine dining spot, may savor flavors of the season all day. Sunday Brunch selections include the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and the Old Fashioned Irish Oatmeal. Dinner guests may revel in the backdrop of an awe-inspiring sunset while … Learn More »

Comfort food is celebrated by Chef Chrysa Kaufman and the patrons of Rancho Pinot, where seasonal regional ingredients grace the contemporary bistro-style American cuisine menu. Chef Chrysa heads the Phoenix chapter of Slow Food, and infuses her food with the value of the dining table as the center of pleasure, culture, and community. The menu balances rustic elegance with refined technique in dishes like the Nonni’s Sunday Chicken and the Hand-Made Pasta. An extensive and thoughtful wine list accompanies the heart-warming menu, and entices the palate with selections that promise to both challenge and reward the taste buds. Learn More »

As is the case with most artistic endeavors, improvisational cooking can be incredibly challenging, and wildly rewarding. Chef and Owner Joshua Hebert knows firsthand how involved the task is to create a unique daily menu for his restaurant, Posh, and gladly accepts the challenge. The availability of seasonal local produce and meat largely dictate what ends up on the plate, and Chef Hebert crafts intriguing flavor combinations from every ingredient he touches to infuse each dish with a “one-of-a-kind” touch. Past favorites have included the Mushroom Braised Veal and the Red Wine Poached Salmon. Learn More »

Notorious for their long lines and long wait, customers keep coming back to Pizzeria Bianco for their famous pizzas, salads and brews. All pizzas are oven roasted, and even though there are only 6 selections to choose from, each option is eager to please, more notably their popular Rosa Pizza with red onion, parmigiano reggiano, rosemary and Arizona pistachios. Pistachios on a pizza? Full of surprises, the modestly simply Pizzeria Bianco will leave your belly satisfied. Learn More »