Taste DINING GUIDE

3 to 6 p.m. 7500 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale; 480.513.9000; www.spigaaz.com; $$

THE BLIND PIG

Serving brunch by day and New York-style Italian by night, The Blind Pig is Scottsdale’s own Little Italy. Spaghetti and meatballs for brunch? Why not? Or try the porchetta sandwich, Italian Benny, or Tuscan eggs with prosciutto, arugula, and parmesan, accompanied by the raw juice of the day. For dinner, start with antipasti, leading into a traditional Italian entrée of pasta, seafood, steak, or Barolo braised short ribs. If you’re not full yet, the dessert menu will not disappoint. 3370 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.994.1055; www.littleitalyofscottsdale.com; $$-$$$

THE ITALIAN DAUGHTER

Created by Melissa Maggiore, The Italian Daughter offers an elevated made-from-scratch Italian menu, inspired by her own family’s dinner table. The concept pays homage to the legacy of her father and prominent restauranter, Tomaso Maggiore. The menu boasts a variety of authentic Italian dishes, including handcrafted pastas, fresh seafood, and stone-fired pizzas, using recipes and techniques passed down through generations. Guests can also enjoy an assortment of Italian-inspired cocktails, wines, and beers. The restaurant hosts live local music in the piano lounge, where you can order pizza and small plates to share. 23655 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.404.6085; www.theitaliandaughter.com; $$-$$$$

Latin/Mexican

ASADERO

COCINA + CANTINA

Inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Paradise Valley, Asadero offers new Southwestern cuisine for lunch and dinner. They emphasize locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to make signature items like chilaquiles, tres leches French toast, a cuminroasted eggplant wrap, and braised short ribs. The bar staff creates tantalizing craft cocktails such as the frozen cojito and blood orange margarita. 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.947.5400; $$

CIEN AGAVES

This cantina is home to a collection of more than 100 tequilas with flights ideal for sampling, as well as margaritas and sangria. The food menu includes housemade guacamole, nachos, quesadillas, tacos from chicken tinga to island shrimp, and fajitas. Two locations: Old Town

Scottsdale and North Scottsdale; www.cienagaves.com; $$

DOS FAMILIAS

Fresh ingredients, authentic dishes, and flavorful seasoning are at the heart of the menu at Dos Familias. Of course, you will the traditional tacos, fajitas, and guacamole, but branch out from the basics to sample the delicious pozole, carne adobada, chile relleno with shrimp or chicken, and the fan-favorite stacked chicken enchiladas with spicy tomatillo/jalapeño green sauce, topped with cheese and a fried egg. All of the dishes here are full of flavor; you won’t want to put down your fork. Street corn, shrimp ceviche, and green chile queso are great to share—or keep all to yourself. Happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m. 10885 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale; 480.314.0550; www.dosfamiliasmexican.com; $$

EL ORIGINAL TACOS JALISCO

Tacos Jalisco is a casual quick-service Mexican restaurant offering affordable, authentic street food all day long. From tacos to fajitas to chile rellenos, the combinations are endless, even on a limited budget. You can’t go wrong with the carne asada or the tasty tortas. Breakfast is served daily until 11 a.m. Be sure to stop by the salsa bar to try them all. Pair your order with horchata or bottled Mexican soda. 3060 N. 68th St., Scottsdale; 480.941.9095; www. tacosjaliscoscottsdale.com; $

JALAPENO INFERNO

This Mexican bistro offers filling and flavorful Southwestern dishes like green corn tamales; monster nachos; fajitas platters with steak, chicken, seafood and veggie options; and taco-enchilada combination platters. Lighter menu offerings include a spicy hatch chile bowl and a roasted poblano chile stuffed with grilled chicken and black beans. Libations include a wide range of margaritas, frozen black cherry sangria, the sparkling blackberry paloma and many more. Two Scottsdale locations: Pinnacle Peak and DC Ranch; www.jalapenoinferno. com; $$

La Fonda Del Sol

La Fonda Del Sol has been familyowned and -operated since 1990. The authentic Sonoran recipes have remained the same through all those years. Try the homemade chili relleno, signature fajita dinners, or chili con carne. You’ll find it difficult to decide between the tasty nachos, varieties of quesadillas and enchiladas, taco salads, and endless combinations of

Mexican dinners with rice and beans. American favorites like cheeseburgers and chicken tenders with fries are also on the menu. 10155 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale; 480.991.9282; www.lafondadelsoltogo.com; $$

Se Or Taco

This counter-service taco shop serves everything you would want from a fast-casual Mexican restaurant. There are as many combination plates with rice, beans, and choice of entree as you can imagine. Breakfast favorites include burritos, huevos rancheros, and chilaquiles. Some of the most popular items include the chile verde plate and the carnitas. Breakfast is served all day. Several locations throughout the Valley, including Fountain Hills and Scottsdale; www. senortaco.com; $

Spotted Donkey Cantina

On the patio of Spotted Donkey Cantina, an Open Table Diners’ Choice award winner for Mexican cuisine, you can enjoy a meal under the stars on the spacious patio. As one of the premier places in Carefree for Mexican dining, the drink menu features more than 45 specialty tequilas including the exclusive Herradura Reposado Tequila — wine, and beer. Hatch chile pork stew and the surf and turf burrito are highlights of the all-day menu. El Pedegral at The Boulders Resort and Spa, 34505 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.488.3358; www.theboulders.com;

$$-$$$

Mediterranean CALA

Run by Food Network’s Chef Beau MacMillan and Clive Collective, Cala offers modern coastal cuisine with flavors of Greece, Spain, Italy, Morocco, and every place along the Mediterranean coastline. Reminiscent of the beautiful seaside restaurants along the coast, Cala provides a spacious high-energy atmosphere for endless celebration throughout the day and night. Cala puts the farmers, fishermen, and ingredients at the forefront, and blends them with a Mediterranean palette. Try the handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and artisanal hand-tossed pizzas. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m., daily. 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.590.5676; www.calascottsdale. com; $$$-$$$$

Pita Jungle

Pita Jungle has been a Valley staple for more than 25 years and has more than 20 locations. The casual restaurant celebrates the art of healthy eating with something for every taste, from a delectable variety of hummus and dips to fish, gyros, wraps and wood-fired lavash pizzas with a fresh Mediterranean flair. A wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes are available. Tapas and happy hour specials are available, along with seasonal menu items. Three Scottsdale locations: Fashion Square Mall, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Shea; www.pitajungle.com; $$

Pizza CRAFT 64

Craft 64 makes mozzarella in house daily and specializes in artisan, wood-fired pizza. Guests can choose from an extensive wine and craft beer selection including Craft 64’s own brews. Pizza options include the White Smokehouse pizza with house-smoked sausage and onions, the Honey Bee with pepperoni, jalapeno and honey, and a vegan pizza. 6922 E. Main St., Scottsdale; 480.946.0542; www.craft64.com; $$

Crisp Premium Pizza

Crisp is a local pizzeria serving trays of square – yes, square – pizza in Old Town Scottsdale. Pizza chef Adrian Langu has his craft down to an art, from the housemade dough to the hand-crushed tomato sauce. His crisp and airy pizzas can be ordered by the slice or as small or large pies. Get creative with the long list of toppings, but you can’t go wrong with the traditional mozzarella, pecorino, tomato sauce, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil. Happy hour every day from 3 to 7 p.m. 7111 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale; 480.874.2747; www.crisppizza.com; $$

Il Bosco Pizza

Once you step inside Il Bosco, your senses will be immediately awakened by the aroma of crusty handmade artisanal pizza cooking in the 900-degree, hand-tiled, wood-fired oven. To complete your dining experience, share a plate of roasted seasonal vegetables with burrata cheese and a glass of wine or draft beer. Gluten-free crust available. 7120 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale; 480.335.8680; www.ilboscopizza. com; $$

RAY’S PIZZA

This New York Italian pizzeria offers dine-in and take-out service with both Neapolitan thin crust and Sicilian thick crust pizzas reminiscent of classic New York slices. The menu also features strombolis, calzones, hoagie sandwiches, salads, wings, and pasta entrees like spaghetti with meatballs and baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella. Gluten-free menu available. 15577 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.368.0610; www.rayspizzaaz.com; $-$$

Seafood MASTRO’S OCEAN CLUB

The Mastro’s family of restaurants is a favorite for fine steak and seafood dining with impeccable service. Notable menu standouts include the lobster cocktail, bone-in filet mignon, and many of savory sides including th garlic mashed potatoes. The famous two-foot seafood tower served “smoking” with dry ice also serves as a succulent spectacle. Complete the dining experience with a bottle of wine from the broad list or order the restaurant’s infamous dry-ice martini. Mastro’s has live entertainment nightly in the lounge. Three local concepts throughout Scottsdale: Mastro’s City Hall, Mastro’s Ocean Club, and Mastro’s Steakhouse; www.mastrosrestaurants. com; $$$$

OCEAN PRIME

From renowned restauranteur Cameron Mitchell, Ocean Prime is an award-winning restaurant and lounge that specializes in exquisite seafood, steaks and exceptional service with many locations across the U.S. Menu favorites include the Chilean sea bass with champagne truffle sauce, the filet mignon and the sea scallops with parmesan risotto. 5455 E. High St., Phoenix; 480.347.1313; www.oceanprime.com; $$$

Ocean Trail At Talking Stick Resort

Located in Talking Stick Resort, this small New Orleans-themed seafood bar is popular for its Creole-inspired menu. Offerings include chilled seafood, pan roasts with diner’s choice of seafood in a lobster-citrus broth, Louisiana gumbo, and crawfish etouffee. Guests can customize their spice level as everything is freshly prepared to order in the open cooking station. Happy hour weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale; 480.850.7777; www.talkingstickresort.com; $$-$$$

OCEAN

44

Ocean 44 is the latest seafood creation by the Mastro brothers occupying 12,000 square feet near Scottsdale Fashion Square. The restaurant offers an array of upscale seafood dishes as well as premium steaks like its sister restaurants Steak 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse. Look for the Maine lobster escargot