Taste DINING GUIDE COLLINS BROS. CHOPHOUSE

Scottsdale’s newest chophouse goes beyond the usual steakhouse menu to include fresh seafood and pasta alongside their quality cuts of meat. You’ll find center-cut filet, blackened New York strip, Sonoma ribeye, and 12- and 16-ounce prime rib, as well as pork chops, ribs and three styles of rotisserie chicken. Pair them with goat cheese whipped potatoes, wilted greens and Reggiano, or a good old loaded baked potato. Oysters, shrimp, ahi tuna, and salmon tartare comprise the seafood station, and salads and sandwiches round out the selection. Happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m. 8220 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 480.699.0811; www.collinsbroschophouse.com; $$$-$$$$

Guests will be wowed by the grand dining room, equipped with floorto-ceiling windows, unique artwork, a rustic fireplace, and a marble bar. 4712 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale; 480.690.6180; www.francinerestaurant.com; $$$-$$$$

Opened in 2007, Merci is a Parisianstyle cafe serving homemade French food and pastries, including crepes, quiche, burgers, omelets, and sandwiches. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, diners can indulge in sweet Belgian waffles, buttery croissants, a croque madame sandwich (add black truffle mushrooms and swiss cheese for a decadent treat), Merci burgers made from beef, lamb or crab cake, and traditional dinner favorites like beef bourguignon and French onion soup. 7620 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale; 480.947.2777; www.mercifrenchcafeandpatisserie.com; $-$$

Chef Jean-Christophe brings more than 30 years of experience to Voila, which opened in 2015. The menu includes traditional French cuisine including mussels, escargot, quiche, sole meuniere, steak tartare, duck á l’orange and foie gras. Succumb to temptation and order a classic French dessert like creme brulee or profiteroles with vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate sauce. 10135 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale; 480.614.5600; www.voilafrenchbistro.com; $$

A café, bistro and wine bar all in one, French-inspired Zinqué opened its first Arizona location at Scottsdale Fashion Square’s luxury wing in 2019. Breakfast items include frittatas, fruit tarts and croissants. Lunch and dinner serve up steak frites, quiche and savory tartines. Zinque also has an extensive selection of wine, cocktails and bubbles. 4712 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale; 623.745.9616; www.lezinque.com; $$

D’lite is a health-conscious kitchen and coffee house that features a convenient drive-thru for those who want a nutritious fast-food alternative. The ‘Man’ Salad is especially protein-packed, featuring a housemade tuna-stuffed avocado served on a bed of spring mix greens with chicken and bacon. The California club is a delicious signature breakfast sandwich with eggs, bacon, smoked turkey, tomato, avocado, pepper jack cheese, cream cheese and pesto that cannot be missed. The coffee is fair trade, all natural and locally roasted. D’lite offers a simple and healthy kids menu and guests can even purchase daily turkey and rice leftovers for their dogs. Two Scottsdale locations: Old Town and Shea Boulevard; www.dlitehealthyonthego.com; $-$$

FARM & CRAFT

Farm & Craft offers healthy and sustainable food with gluten-free and organic options for brunch, lunch and dinner. Diners can choose from a variety of signature bowls, flatbreads and salads, or order a few of the veggie-packed side dishes to enjoy as a meal. Dinner entrees include flat iron steak, herb-crusted salmon and lasagna Bolognese. Enjoy the indoor-outdoor bar with a cold-pressed cocktail and eclectic kombucha drinks. Happy hour weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. 4302 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.568.8980; www.ilovefarmandcraft.com; $$

In addition to its popular juice cleanses, Kaleidoscope also offers cold-pressed juices; smoothies like the strawberry shortcake and the peachy clean; gluten-free brownies and cookies; illuminating waters; and coffee drinks. Other menu items include avocado toast, banana nut toast, acai bowls and wellness shots. Three Scottsdale locations; www. kaleidoscope.love; $-$$

Mad Greens is a made-to-order salad shop originating out of Colorado. Customers can select from a preset menu of salads or customize their own and watch as their meal is prepared and tossed right before their eyes. The Don Quixote salad is one of the eatery’s most popular, made with shrimp, mango, avocado and roasted corn and mixed with a creamy ginger dressing and the restaurant’s own Mad Spice pepper blend for an extra kick. For non-salad options, Mad Greens offers grain bowls, wraps, soups, and juices. 14418 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. www. madgreens.com; $

Developed in 2019 by chef Aurore de Beauduy and restaurateur Roman Yasinsky, this BYOB restaurant concept combines the elegance and sophistication of French cuisine with paleo diet nutrition principles Diners can feast on specialties like the paleo bread platter, beet tartar, and rabbit stew. The kitchen is entirely gluten-free and substitutions can be made to accommodate other dietary and lifestyle needs. Reservations recommended. Closed Sunday and Monday. 10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale; 480.7715123; www.sapienskitchen. com; $-$$

KHAZANA INDIAN BISTRO

Khazana is an Indian term for “treasure” and what a gem this bistro is! Guests are enveloped with beautiful aromas of fresh Indian cuisine as they step inside Khazana Indian Bistro. If unsure what to order, check out the daily lunch buffet where you can sample everything the restaurant has to offer, or bring the family in for a casual dinner. Try one of the dozen specialty breads and naan that pair well with any of the curries and entrees. Vegetarian friendly. 8140 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.590.0029; www.khazanaindianbistro.business.site; $$

MARIGOLD MAISON

One of the Valley’s most popular Indian restaurants, Marigold Masion uses the traditional tandoori oven in preparing many of the menu’s dishes, including several varieties of naan. Menu favorites include classics like chicken tikka masala, lamb vindaloo, samosas and pakora. 4720 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix; 602.795.0020; www. marigoldmaison.com; $$

TIKKA

Tikka Shack offers fast-casual Indian cuisine, from street food starters to bold curries, and a variety of Indian staples and side dishes. House favorites include chicken tikka masala; the original house curry with chicken; and the chicken tikka wrap, served in handmade naan. Guests can also craft their own curry and visit the beer wall to self-serve their own drink to wash it all down. Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly. At Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix; 602.354.8800; www.tikkashack.com; $$

TAJ MAHAL

Taj Mahal is an adventure in fine Indian dining. House specials include tandoori mix grill, pasta masala, goat curry, a wide variety of vegetarian dishes and traditional Indian desserts. 4225 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale; 480.257.1791; www.aztajmahal.com; $$

LA LOCANDA

La Locanda offers a slice of authentic, distinctive Italian dining in Old

Town Scottsdale. The menu is simple, with recipes originating from northern Italy. Pasta is made fresh in-house, and the flavorful meat and seafood entrees pair well with the wines on their extensive list. Entrees and salads are made with fresh, organic, local ingredients. Menu favorites include the ossobuco, ravioli quattro formaggi, linguine frutti di mare, and panna cotta for dessert. Happy hour daily from 4:30 to 6 p.m. 6830 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale; 480.284.6511; www.lalocandaaz.com; $$

SFIZIO MODERN ITALIAN KITCHEN

Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen is a truly authentic scratch kitchen. It is a family-owned and operated business started by Chef Rocco Pezzano, who used his southern Italian roots to inspire a new restaurant. The chefdriven menu is derived from Rocco’s roots in the south of Italy, combining traditional flavors with modern cuisine. Serving brick oven pizza, hand-crafted pasta, salads, bruschetta, and more, Sfizio creates a cozy and authentic Italian dining experience using daily handcrafted dough, imported meats, and fresh produce. 21050 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix; 480.687.8107; www. sfizioitaliano.com; $$

SOPHIA’S KITCHEN

At Sophia’s Kitchen, the menu is carefully crafted to offer craveable dishes for a variety of palates. It features family recipes, seasonal ingredients, chef specialties, modern tastes, and Italian comfort classics. Enjoy homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, bruschetta, seafood, salad, panini, and more. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list to pair with its menu items. A number of glutenfree options, including pizza on cauliflower crust and pasta, are available as well. Happy hour Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 17050 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale; 480.351.7160; www.sophiaskitchen. com; $$-$$$

Spiga Cucina Italiana imports the classic flavors of Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. Diners can expect hearty southern Italian pasta, Neapolitanstyle pizza from a wood-fired oven, Sicilian-style seafood, and Northern Italian risottos, as well as an extensive wine collection and traditional Italian desserts. Pasta is made in-house daily. Try the pork saltimbocca or the grilled branzino as an entrée. Spiga’s lunch menu features antipasti, panini, pizza, pasta, risotto, soup, and salad. Happy hour Tuesday through Friday,