My Restaurant Reviews: North Phoenix and North Scottsdale (Mesa: live, food)

[ivanabacowboy]

Mastro's City Hall Steakhouse (Camelback Rd by Fashion Square): went here for a business "meet & greet" last night. (Yesterday was a busy day lol!). Way on the pricey side-if looking for budget dining, look elsewhere. Cocktails ran around $17-20 a piece. Tho they left the shaker at the table, so you essentially got 2 drinks for that price which is fairly reasonable. Try the dry ice! They put it in the drinks and they "smoke" like a witches brew which was a really nice presentation. They also served the shrimp cocktail with dry ice.

We had shrimp cocktail that while very large shrimp was equally as expensive. The shrimp were ok but I have had better. Stuffed mushrooms were good with a bit of a zing (suspect red pepper flakes). Tomato, basil and mozzarella salad was superb-nice thick tomatoes and absolutely excellent fresh mozzarella. Also try the pretzel bread in their bread basket-very good.

Unfortunately two of our party had another business obligation so we didnt have time to order dinner.

One of our party said this is the same Mastro's that does a seafood house restaurant as well in the valley. They said the menu is essentially the same, with the only difference being that in the steakhouse the "meat" portions are larger and more prominent, and in the seafood restaurant, obviously the "seafood" portions are larger and more prominent.

Recommend if you have a huge chunk of change to drop or an unlimited corporate expense account and want a nice meal for a special occasion. But if looking for budget dining for a family, look elsewhere.

[ELOrocks17]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Ajo Al's (70th & Shea): Mexican. Good! Portions are large. Loved: pollo con queso. Chicken with a lot of cheese and spiced cream cheese topping. And the tortilla chips and salsa. Reasonably priced. Definitely recommend.

hahaqhah...my fave dish! I thought it was on 92nd st..I know there is one on 75th ave and Bell.

[ELOrocks17]

I cannot believe no one has mentioned a few of my fave restaurants.

1. Uncle Sams---best mushroom cheesteak EVER!
2. Times square Pizzaria (27th ave & Deer Valley) Fresh seafood pasta!
3. Satisfied frog (Sadly, this closed down after 25 yrs of service)


I have always wanted to try "Ted's Hot dogs" since they advertise on the radio all the time. But i cannot justify driving all the way to
Mesa from N Phx for just some hot dogs...

[sheena]

Originally Posted by ELOrocks17

I cannot believe no one has mentioned a few of my fave restaurants.

1. Uncle Sams---best mushroom cheesteak EVER!
2. Times square Pizzaria (27th ave & Deer Valley) Fresh seafood pasta!
3. Satisfied frog (Sadly, this closed down after 25 yrs of service)


I have always wanted to try "Ted's Hot dogs" since they advertise on the radio all the time. But i cannot justify driving all the way to
Mesa from N Phx for just some hot dogs...

My husband was bragging about that Uncle Sams. I'm gonna have to check that out.

Also for Chinese Food Flo's in Scottsdale takes the prize.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by ELOrocks17

I cannot believe no one has mentioned a few of my fave restaurants.

1. Uncle Sams---best mushroom cheesteak EVER!
2. Times square Pizzaria (27th ave & Deer Valley) Fresh seafood pasta!
3. Satisfied frog (Sadly, this closed down after 25 yrs of service)


I have always wanted to try "Ted's Hot dogs" since they advertise on the radio all the time. But i cannot justify driving all the way to
Mesa from N Phx for just some hot dogs...

Ted's Hot Dogs is actually in Tempe, SEC of Broadway & McClintock. I've eaten there a few times; their hot dogs are pretty good, but it's still just a hot dog-- could great can a hot dog be? It's all junk food. Interestingly, Ted's is a chain based in Buffalo, NY, and all their locations are in that area, except for the one in Tempe, AZ.

[ivanabacowboy]

ELORocks17, this was initially just a thread of my reviewing restaurants I had been too. That is why none of those had been mentioned. ;-) I think Ajo Al's may have more than one location.

[JDish2000]

Originally Posted by ELOrocks17

I cannot believe no one has mentioned a few of my fave restaurants.

1. Uncle Sams---best mushroom cheesteak EVER!
2. Times square Pizzaria (27th ave & Deer Valley) Fresh seafood pasta!
3. Satisfied frog (Sadly, this closed down after 25 yrs of service)


I have always wanted to try "Ted's Hot dogs" since they advertise on the radio all the time. But i cannot justify driving all the way to
Mesa from N Phx for just some hot dogs...

Damn! I would occasionally drive by this place from time to time, over the last 20 years!

I kept telling myself I would stop in one day...

I even remember a radio personality (on AM radio KFYI?) having a "shindig" there... now it's too late!

There is truth to the saying, "you snooze you lose"...

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

La Hacienda (Scottsdale Fairmont Princess): Mexican. I believe the only 4 or 5 star Mexican restaurant in America. And IMHO 100% deserving of the honor. Food, dining area and service were outstanding. Not for the slim of wallet tho. We went with a group function and all told, with full appetizer course, entrees, desert and liquor (including the 150 year old tequila-->wow!), sum total was around $300 PER person. Most definitely recommend if you are looking for a way to get rid of a decent sized chunk of your disposable income.

That's pricey. But the priciest place I've eaten so far here is The Ocean Club. Our appetizer was $200.00! That was for ONE appetizer! It was shrimp, lobster, and crab on dry ice in the shape of a tower.
We've been a few times and it's very good, but very expensive.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Pizza Picazzo (Promenade at FLW & Scottsdale): Essentially a fancy pizza joint. Some very interesting "designer" pizzas-->like my son had a shrimp pizza. Pricing is a tad on the high side for a pizza joint. The small pizza essentially like a "personal size" with I think 4 slices was if I remember correctly around $15 or more. Not a place to take a hungry 19 year old son. I just see something theoretically wrong after appetizers and pizzas and beverages with forking out close to $70 for dinner for 2 at a pizza place.

What's good about this place though is that if you have celiac disease, they make a glutten free pizza!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Elephant Bar (Scottsdale 101 at Mayo & Scottsdale): Been here twice. Definitely recommend. Prices are actually very reasonable. Sandwiches run about $7 up. They also do a bit of Asian/fusion type stuff (hmmmm.....their decor says "safari" but some of their food says "Great Wall of China" lol!). I had a Philly Steak Sandwich the one visit and French dip the next visit. They were both good, but White Chocolate (see earlier in this post) still does a better French Dip (tho you pay much better for it as well...). I took 3 to dinner including a $13 appetizer platter for around $50. Tho if going at dinner hour-it is crowded. You will wait for seating. ;-)

I noticed you like the French Dip sandwich. Fox Sports Grill at the Promanade has a very tasty one also!