Phoenix Date Ideas? (Glendale: hotel, restaurants, shop)

[Dbacksfan1]

If you're looking for both active and unique, you could do ladies night at Shooters World.

Seriously, though, I think downtown Phoenix is your best bet. In addition to the bigger destinations (like the art gallery and sporting events), there are a number of great restaurants and bars now in the area. My wife and I usually stick with the casual and funky places with great food and wine.

A couple recommendations: Cibo (mostly outdoor seating), My Florist, Durant's (much more formal), Fez, Coronado Cafe, and Fuego.

Another direction you may want to consider is the South Mountain area. There's Amano, Los Dos Molinos, and the dinner place located within the Farm at South Mountain, to name a few.

[Finger Laker]

i'd avoid Durants - much better in the area for that price point, even with all it's "charm"

downtown isn't a bad option and it's an easy drive from goodyear - my wife and I have been going there more frequently for nights out and hitting places like Rooselvelts Tavern (which has had a nice crowd the couple of times I've been there, although i've heard horror stories of overcrowded with obnoxious types)

i liked the heard, although I think my wife tired of it pretty quickly

[Dbacksfan1]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

i'd avoid Durants - much better in the area for that price point, even with all it's "charm"

Hey, Durant's is my favorite steak restaurant, here or anywhere else. It's nothing like the popular style of Morton's, but it's classic and has great food. Plus, it's always been a great place to grab a martini after work.

[Finger Laker]

it's real close to my office so I've been there many times out of convenience - it's decent, but that rate I could think of 10 other steakhouses and many more traditional restaurants I'd rather be at

it's got a cool vibe - but just doesn't do it for me - it's not bad by any means, but with donovans, capital grille, any of the mastro restaurants, etc as competition it doesn't hold up ......... also for a date i think a place like Lons or Coup Des Tartes would be nicer for the price point

obviously it's all preference though with no right answers

[Dbacksfan1]

Good point about Coup de Tartes. However, I had two terrible dinners at Lon's (at the Hermosa).

Mastro's is certainly great, but I still like Durant's better. I've always had excellent experiences there, and the vibe is different than any of the alternatives you mentioned. How many Phoenix restaurants can claim the same level of uniqueness as Durant's, which has been there for a really long time.

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

What about tubing the Salt River? Its a pretty relaxing float down the river, just bring lots of drinks and youll be good. The water is pretty cold, making the outside temps more bearable.

Plus, you get to see her in bikini all day!

[The_Cadillac_Lawyer]

Whoa....whoa....whoa.......lol
Dunno know your particular situation, but personally there's no way I'd be shelling out $150 bucks for dinner on some chick I don't know, unless she's splitting the bill. Plus that will make you look like your trying too hard. I dated ALOT when I first got to PHX because I didn't know anyone, and it was easier to meet women than guy friends. I've NEVER taken a women out to dinner or a movie on a first date. Trust me it's so typical, you'll seem like every other smuchk out there. There have been some killer suggestions posted up, and if I were you I'd incorporate them. Museums are great, Science center is great! Ice skating is golden!.....even roller skating! Shooters world is by far the best Idea posted IMO. Women love untraditional stuff, outside the box things.......hell we all do.
It all depends on what kind of woman she is though, if she's fun and easy going any of the latter things would be great. Shooting firearms though does it every-time. It's so exhilarating. It may seem like WTF is the guy thinking at first, but one you get into it, you feel like you've worked out. Maybe go there on your own first, rent a couple pistols and blast away, so you know what your doing when you take a chick there.

BTW I'm not knocking any of the awesome restaurants that any of you suggested, but just not for a first date. I live right across the way from that FEZ place and it's outstanding. Very trendy, and very impressive. Anyone I take there from my friends to my girlfriend have been impressed, and shocked that places like this existed in the valley

[Finger Laker]

I have to agree on shooters world as well ....... it's a nice little range - i grew up in the country so one of the fist things I did when I took my wife home was let her shoot some in our backyard ........ she dug it

[Urban Renewal]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I don't think I'll ever be at a loss for something to do on a date again!

I didn't even know about downtown Glendale (cut me some slack--I've only been here for a year). I looked into it and it seems pretty interesting. I think I will take her there.

[synapse]

Originally Posted by Urban Renewal

Thanks for your replies everyone. I don't think I'll ever be at a loss for something to do on a date again!

I didn't even know about downtown Glendale (cut me some slack--I've only been here for a year). I looked into it and it seems pretty interesting. I think I will take her there.

Downtown Glendale is cute. I'd also suggest, as other people have, one of the museums like the Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, or Science Center - makes you look very cultural, is air conditioned, and keeps you both interested and gives you stuff to talk about. Diamondbacks games are also great dates.

I also agree that you don't want to blow a lot of money on a first date like at Mastro's or something like that, but there are *dozens* of cute small restaurants like Pane Bianco, My Florist, Chevrount Wine Bar, Postino, etc. that aren't expensive and are terrific date places. Also, if you get the timing right, I'd suggest First Fridays Art Walk or Downtown Scottsdale's Art Walk - as the weather begins to cool down in the evenings towards late August / September, those are terrific.