Phoenix recommendation: 10 days with kids

[CRoz]

We will be in Phoenix for a 10-day vacation starting Dec 12. Our 2 kids are 4-year old and 1-1/2 year old. I would love some recommendation on restaurants that serve great food and still family friendly.

Pizzeria Bianco and Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles look fantistic but I am afraid of the wait for a table since both places do not take reso's. How does a pizza from Pizzeria Bianco travel? We can always pick up and take back to the hotel.

I also thought the Farmhouse at South Mountain looks interesting but I didn't find much about it in the Forum. Any comment?

My husband and I are also looking to go out one night on our own...leaving the kids with our nanny. Where should we go? We are gamed to try anything and price point will not matter much as this dinner is our holiday gift to ourselves. See Saw? Zinc Bistro? Lola Tapas? I know they are all different, but help us decide on a place that we will remember as that great dinner in Phoenix.

Thank you.

[duck833]

We will be in Phoenix for a 10-day vacation starting Dec 12.  Our 2 kids are 4-year old and 1-1/2 year old.    I would love some recommendation on restaurants that serve great food and still family friendly.

Pizzeria Bianco and Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles look fantistic but I am afraid of the wait for a table since both places do not take reso's.  How does a pizza from Pizzeria Bianco travel?  We can always pick up and take back to the hotel.

I also thought the Farmhouse at South Mountain looks interesting but  I didn't find much about it in the Forum.  Any comment?

My husband and I are also looking to go out one night on our own...leaving the kids with our nanny.  Where should we go?  We are gamed to try anything and price point will not matter much as this dinner is our holiday gift to ourselves.  See Saw?  Zinc Bistro?  Lola Tapas?  I know they are all different, but help us decide on a place that we will remember as that great dinner in Phoenix. 

Thank you.

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Depends a little where you are staying.

My favorites up at Kierland Commons are:

Zink Bistro, Greene House and North. There is a hugh thread on Zink here.

Downtown I really like Atlas Bistro. Near the corner of Thomas and Scottsdale road. 10 tables, you enter through the AZ Wine company, Atlas does not sell wine so you can bring your own or just buy one at the AZ Wine co and Atlas will take care of it. Very good food and not known much. I like of like See Saw but was not drop dead good. Right across the street is a wonderful new lunch place called the food bar. I had a great Cuban Panini there a while ago.

[gfron1]

HERE are a bunch of topics on Phoenix dining - let us know how it goes.

[markemorse]

How does a pizza from Pizzeria Bianco travel?  We can always pick up and take back to the hotel.

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Actually the Bianco website says that they're not currently doing to-go orders....

[markemorse]

We will be in Phoenix for a 10-day vacation starting Dec 12.  Our 2 kids are 4-year old and 1-1/2 year old.    I would love some recommendation on restaurants that serve great food and still family friendly.

Pizzeria Bianco and Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles look fantistic but I am afraid of the wait for a table since both places do not take reso's.  How does a pizza from Pizzeria Bianco travel?  We can always pick up and take back to the hotel.

I also thought the Farmhouse at South Mountain looks interesting but  I didn't find much about it in the Forum.  Any comment?

My husband and I are also looking to go out one night on our own...leaving the kids with our nanny.  Where should we go?  We are gamed to try anything and price point will not matter much as this dinner is our holiday gift to ourselves.  See Saw?  Zinc Bistro?  Lola Tapas?  I know they are all different, but help us decide on a place that we will remember as that great dinner in Phoenix. 

Thank you.

←

Having just eaten at both Zinc and Sea Saw for the first time, I would say that no contest, Sea Saw is the more "special occasion" restaurant: food, service, atmosphere are all quite a bit more subtle and intimate than Zinc.

[molto e]

We will be in Phoenix for a 10-day vacation starting Dec 12.  Our 2 kids are 4-year old and 1-1/2 year old.    I would love some recommendation on restaurants that serve great food and still family friendly.

Pizzeria Bianco and Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles look fantistic but I am afraid of the wait for a table since both places do not take reso's.  How does a pizza from Pizzeria Bianco travel?  We can always pick up and take back to the hotel.

I also thought the Farmhouse at South Mountain looks interesting but  I didn't find much about it in the Forum.  Any comment?

My husband and I are also looking to go out one night on our own...leaving the kids with our nanny.  Where should we go?  We are gamed to try anything and price point will not matter much as this dinner is our holiday gift to ourselves.  See Saw?  Zinc Bistro?  Lola Tapas?  I know they are all different, but help us decide on a place that we will remember as that great dinner in Phoenix. 

Thank you.

←

Bianco does not do to-go pizzas...you will get a table at Lo-Lo's and even if there is a wait it moves fast...the Farm Kitchen serves lunch and on a nice day is a fantastic choice, you place your order and grab a table (outdoor seating) and they bring your food (soup, salad, sandiwiches)...kid friendly choices-chelsea's kitchen, La Grande Orange Pizzeria with Arlecchino Gelateria next door (must get gelato there)...great dinner-Binkley's or Sea Saw/ what part of town will you be staying in may influence that choice

[lemniscate]

Try to get out to Greasewood Flat if you can. It's approximately across from the Four Seasons, down a short hill, but a world away from the chi-chi Scottsdalia that surrounds it. It's an outdoor burger and brew place. The main bar building is an 1880's bunkhouse. It's not touristy, it's the real thing. There are barrels to start your own fire when the sun starts to set, a concrete "dance" floor and live music Thurs-Sun starting at 7pm. The kids love it there, great burgers and hot dogs and chili and lots of "junk" to look at. You can buy a bag ( or bring your own) bag of marshmallows to roast over the fire. I like Thursdays the best, not crowded, no parking problems, and music. Fri-Sun can be a zoo.

"We're sorry, we're OPEN" is the first sign you see as you walk in. It's a great place.

[CRoz]

great dinner-Binkley's or Sea Saw/ what part of town will you be staying in may influence that choice

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We are staying at the Legacy Golf Resort on S. 32nd St between E. Southern Ave and E. Baseline Rd; I think it's pretty close to the airport. How far is a drive into Scottsdale? There seems to be a lot of choices there. Binkley's menu looks good with great fish selection which I love. I have also looked at the pictures of all the meals you had at See Saw, molto e...I am drooling just thinking about them.

Greasewood Flat looks interesting. The kids will love the open space and a different dining experience.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I am complying a list to bring so we can go to a recommended place wherever we happen to be. Thanks again.

[duck833]

great dinner-Binkley's or Sea Saw/ what part of town will you be staying in may influence that choice

←

We are staying at the Legacy Golf Resort on S. 32nd St between E. Southern Ave and E. Baseline Rd; I think it's pretty close to the airport. How far is a drive into Scottsdale? There seems to be a lot of choices there. Binkley's menu looks good with great fish selection which I love. I have also looked at the pictures of all the meals you had at See Saw, molto e...I am drooling just thinking about them.

Greasewood Flat looks interesting. The kids will love the open space and a different dining experience.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I am complying a list to bring so we can go to a recommended place wherever we happen to be. Thanks again.

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Voted in Best of Phoenix as Best Patio Restaurant is:

Old Town Tortilla Factory, located in Scottsdale

Food is middle of road mexican, nice margaritas

Great kid friendly place though

[Gabe D.]

We're new to the area, so I can't be much help - except to say that my wife and I took our girls to the Farm at South Mountain for breakfast a month-or-so ago, and it was very good - even the coffee was very good. We got there right when they opened, and were the only ones there, but 15 minutes later, the parking lot was full and there was a wait. The good thing is, there's plenty of room for the kids to run around while waiting.

[lemniscate]

great dinner-Binkley's or Sea Saw/ what part of town will you be staying in may influence that choice

←

We are staying at the Legacy Golf Resort on S. 32nd St between E. Southern Ave and E. Baseline Rd; I think it's pretty close to the airport. How far is a drive into Scottsdale? There seems to be a lot of choices there. Binkley's menu looks good with great fish selection which I love. I have also looked at the pictures of all the meals you had at See Saw, molto e...I am drooling just thinking about them.

Greasewood Flat looks interesting. The kids will love the open space and a different dining experience.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I am complying a list to bring so we can go to a recommended place wherever we happen to be. Thanks again.

←

You really aren't far from Los Dos Molinos if you like hot Mexican food. This place is quite renowned for the heat in its foods. Pretty popular and definitely local. It's located south of Baseline on Central near South Mountain Park. Drive up the mountain to the towers for a fantastic view of the Valley. There's lots of hiking and biking there too.

For a more mellow but different Mexican style food, try La Parrilla Suiza in Mesa off Stapley and US60. Mexico-City style is what it serves which is grilled meats, chorizo, really good chicken soup and a tasty trio of table salsas. This is a casual kid friendly place and there are Mariachis on the weekends. They also have normal Sonoran style food on the menu too.

Greasewood Flat is at Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale, probably 30+ miles away from where you are staying. The 101 North (and South) to Scottsdale is murder at rushhour weekdays. I suggest leaving well before 4:30 to avoid the worst traffic that direction.

Rawhide Wild West Town is now south of Phoenix on the I-10 at Wild Horse Pass. There's a cowboy steakhouse and and all that goes with a wild west town. And of course the Indian Casino for the adults. Kai at the Sheraton is highly rated dining, Native American inspired menu. I have not been but have read the reviews.

Hope this helps.

[molto e]

great dinner-Binkley's or Sea Saw/ what part of town will you be staying in may influence that choice

←

We are staying at the Legacy Golf Resort on S. 32nd St between E. Southern Ave and E. Baseline Rd; I think it's pretty close to the airport. How far is a drive into Scottsdale? There seems to be a lot of choices there. Binkley's menu looks good with great fish selection which I love. I have also looked at the pictures of all the meals you had at See Saw, molto e...I am drooling just thinking about them.

Greasewood Flat looks interesting. The kids will love the open space and a different dining experience.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I am complying a list to bring so we can go to a recommended place wherever we happen to be. Thanks again.

←

you are so close to the Farm at South Mountain with the kids the breakfast, lunch spots there are a no brainer and not to overkill it but Quiessence for a nice dinner could work very well...Binkley's rocks but you are completely on the other side of town...Kai at the Sheraton Wildhorse Pass is very close...if the photos of Sea Saw do it for then you should end your search there-it is without question one of the finest restaurants that I have ever dined it...be sure to request the Omakase when you make a reservation and if you are really into that style ask for the premium Omakase-you should read Ronnie Suburban's post on his first meal at Sea Saw, he nails the experience on the head and he has had a couple good meals in his life

Edited December 6, 2007 by molto e (log)

[CRoz]

We had a fantastic time in Phoenix/Scottsdale. Although it was not as warm as we’d like, it was sunny everyday…we were glad to be away from the snow/rain in Vancouver.

My husband and I ended up going to See Saw. What a phenomenal meal. Every course was excellent; my husband claimed it the best meal he had ever had. I was still thinking about the following few things for several days after:

Part of Hassun – oyster/uni shooter in tomato water – the oyster and uni were really fresh and greatly balanced with the tomato water. Great way to start the meal.

White Fish Carpaccio – white fish in a sea of sesame garlic oil that is so flavorful that I wanted to mop up every last drop. Just as I had that thought, a plate of bread materialized in front of me. Heaven.

Foie Gras – what a way to finish the meal. Crispy on the outside, sweet and rich once you bite into it. Hmmmmmmm……

The rest of the dinner - the sashimi, tuna tataki, mushroom, lamb – was all good…great actually. I am not good at describing it all, but if anyone wants a meal that is truly memorable where all the layers of flavors marry happily, go to See Saw.

We are also fans of the La Grande Orange group – we have tried the pizzeria (loved the sausage and fennel pizza), the gelateria and Radio Milano. Food was great and the service was even better…very kid friendly which scores big in my books.

We also went to the Farm at South Mountain a few times…fantastic.

This was our first time to Phoenix and we can’t wait to come back to explore further and try the other restaurants we didn’t get to the next time we come for our family vacation. Thanks for all the recommendations.