Scottsdale / Phoenix advice?

[ForteKitty]

We are going to a wedding in Scottsdale in April. I managed to snag the JW Marriott Desert Ridge for $100 on priceline when their rates are normally $230!!! They have a lazy river, several pools, and we just found out that their bakery dept. represented Team USA in the 2010 International Pastry Competition and won 3rd place! Very excited about that, so now we're looking to spend that money saved on some good food.

Is there anything that I HAVE to eat in Phoenix and Scottsdale? We will have a car, so we dont mind driving. We will be there April 7-10.

Btw, is Pizzeria Bianco really that good? I read they serve the "best" pizza in the US, but lines are horrendous, like 2 hrs wait, and there is no take out.

TIA!!

 

[y2kitty]

Desert Ridge is a lovely resort in north Phoenix.

I like Pizzeria Bianco, but I heard its not the same since the original chef stepped down. So I don't think I will be waiting 2+ hours for pizza ever again.

Where are you coming from & what types of food do you enjoy?

 

[ForteKitty]

Thanks Kitty! Aww, i'm kinda bummed that Pizzeria Bianco isn't the same quality anymore, it's been on our food list for almost 2 years!

We're coming from los angeles and like all types of food, so we were hoping for some unique places that locals swear by. Trying to avoid Yardhouse and other chain places if possible, since they're all over LA.

 

[D&T]

Do try Oreganos http://www.oreganos.com/salads.html

Locals love it! its our favorite pizza bistro place to go out here, and whenever anyone comes out to visit us, we take them there, and everyone has loved it! their portion sized is rather generous. One of my favoriate salad is the Pablo Picasso Salad, its spicy. Have fun! its a great time of the year to visit!

 

[ForteKitty]

OOooooh that looks delicious! It's going on our food list. thanks D&T!!

 

[y2kitty]

I second Oregano's but they have a new soup that is awful do not get it.

I enjoy a Jamaican place downtown called Breadfruit - http://www.thebreadfruit.com/..

Also, I love Pane Bianco, Pizzeria Bianco's sandwich shop sibling.
http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/pane/menu.html

 

[D&T]

OOooooh that looks delicious! It's going on our food list. thanks D&T!!

sure thing

As for pizza, For something light, I really like the Bistro Classic, although it is a white sauce, no meats, and topped with sliced tomatos, Its yummy for a no meat kind of pizza, i think... Oooh talking about this is making me salivate!

 

[ForteKitty]

So Pane Bianco is the same location as the Pizzeria, except it's open for take out during lunch? we land at 10am, so it'll be a good place to try. Thanks!!

 

[ForteKitty]

OOooooh that looks delicious! It's going on our food list. thanks D&T!!

sure thing

As for pizza, For something light, I really like the Bistro Classic, although it is a white sauce, no meats, and topped with sliced tomatos, Its yummy for a no meat kind of pizza, i think... Oooh talking about this is making me salivate!

Thank goodness it's lunchtime!

 

[y2kitty]

No, Pane Bianco is 4 miles north of Pizzeria Bianco. But if you landed at 10, its probably a good place to stop by at 11 for lunch at is not that far from the airport.

 

[ForteKitty]

Dur.. i found the address under contact. Haha thanks! we woulda been standing around waiting at the other place!

 

[Dee*Jay]

I think Pizzeria Bianco opens quite early (5 maybe?) and the XHH and I never had to wait long, if at all, if we showed up right then. Coming from a later time zone, by the time we sat, ordered, and got served, it didn't really seem that early.

Cowboy Ciao in Scottsdale is MARVELOUS. I have the espresso crusted filet every time and I LOVE IT. The same people also own a sushi restaurant next door (or maybe a few doors down), but I'm more inclined to eat a steak than raw fish in the middle of the dessert... !

The Roaring Fork is also great. Go for the Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce ribs!

 

[ForteKitty]

Thanks Dee Jay for the additional suggestions! That espresso crusted filet sounds absolutely delicious!!

I read in some reviews that people would start waiting around 3:30-4pm in order to get into the first batch of seats, so we might do that one day. Good thing the bar is open at 4pm!