KASAI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE

Kasai offers innovative Asian fare, sushi and cocktails. Dishes include filet carpaccio, misoyaki black cod, char-grilled lamb chops and teppanyaki served with fire and flare. The menu also offers signature cocktails, a variety of sake and an extensive sushi selection. The recently renovated restaurant offers happy hour daily from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Closed Monday. 14344 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.607.1114; www.kasaiscottsdale.com; $$-$$$

550 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.947.1963; www.saltcellarrestaurant.com; $$$-$$$$

Since 1951, Buffalo Chip Saloon has been an Arizona icon and destination for a Wild West event and dining experience. At the saloon, guests can learn how to line dance, watch live bull riding on Wednesday and Friday nights, or bring the entire family in for the all-you-can-eat fish fry. The menu consists of classic barbecued meats, including brisket, spareribs, sausage, and chicken; and traditional sides like macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, beans, collard greens, and more. 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek; 480.488.9118; www. buffalochipsaloon.com; $$

No one does all-you-can-eat meat like a Brazilian steakhouse. The Fogo de Chão Churrasco experience includes servers that continually bring skewers of meat carved tableside. Options include filet mignon, sirloin, ribeye steak, pork, lamb, and chicken, as well as Brazilian sides like crispy polenta and caramelized bananas. Seafood appetizers and entrees are also on the menu. 6300 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.609.8866; www.fogodechao.com; $$$-$$$$

Houston’s is a part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group. The restaurant serves up familiar steakhouse plates like a chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail, an iceberg wedge salad, and a USDA prime center-cut filet. Originals such as a kale and rotisserie chicken salad tossed in a roasted peanut vinaigrette and a Hawaiian ribeye. The French dip sandwich is cooked to perfection and served au jus. At Hilton Village, 6113 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.922.7775; www.houstons.com; $$$

THE CAPITAL GRILLE and the chive- and cream cheesestuffed hash brown, and don’t miss out on the wood-roasted shellfish. 4748 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale; 480.867.0044; www.ocean44.com; $$$

Locally owned and tucked away in the McCormick Ranch area, Rockefeller serves up fresh, chef-sourced seafood in a sophisticated, yet relaxed setting. You’ll find oysters on the half shell, Peruvian ceviche, and lobster risotto to be the sttandout dishes on a menu where classics sit beside elevated seafood specialties. The wine list is well thought out and the signature cocktails are creative and pleasing to a variety of palates. Happy hour daily from 4 to 6 p.m. Closed Monday. 8260 N. Hayden Rd., Suite A-100; 480.687.3757; www.rockefellerscottsdale.com; $-$$$$

Down the wooden stairwell lies Arizona’s only underground, full-service restaurant. This landmark establishment has been serving some of the best seafood in the Valley since 1971. A variety of seasonal seafood is sourced from all over the world, but The Salt Cellar is known for always having an excellent selection of whole Maine lobsters at the ready. Look for creative specialty dishes such as shrimp San Remo with parpadelle pasta and appetizers including the skewered calamari strips. Happy hour daily at the bar from 4 to 7 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to midnight.

The Capital Grille is a national chain serving dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood in an upscale atmosphere. Seafood starters include jumbo lump crab cocktail, lobster and crab cakes, and tuna tartare. Chef’s suggestions include a Kona-crusted New York strip and seared tenderloin with butter-poached lobster tails. The lobster mac ‘n’ cheese is a favorite side, as are the roasted wild mushrooms. At The Promenade, 16489 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.348.1700; www.thecapitalgrille.com; $$$-$$$$

The Keg is a national chain serving classic American steakhouse fare. The steaks and prime rib are aged and cooked with the signature Keg seasoning. The menu also includes a variety of seafood, chicken, and ribs, as well as appetizers like baked garlic shrimp and crispy fried cauliflower. Shareable sides, such as three-pepper mac and cheese and charred creamed corn complement the main dishes. Happy hour Monday through Friday, 4 to 6 p.m., and all-day Sunday. At Desert Ridge Marketplace: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix; 480.419.7772; www.kegsteakhouse.com; $$$

BITTERS COCKTAIL BAR & FOOD

Bitters Bar is a gastropub and cocktail lounge featuring fresh ingredients with a local focus. The full bar boasts handcrafted, creatively named cocktails like the mezcal-based The Bitter Truth and the vodka-based Bitter Ex. They also offer rotating microbrews and wine. Snack on gourmet appetizers like baked brie or elevated nachos, or choose an artisan salad, salad, local specialties, or mac and cheese specials. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy hour 4 to 8 p.m. daily. At the ASU SkySong campus, 1455 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.550.5088; www.bittersbar.com; $$

Try and buy a variety of wines at this charming wine bar and store. Brix has an impressive selection of hard-to-find collector wines alongside high-end and accessible wines, which can be enjoyed at home or on-site with no corkage fees. Guests can create their own cheese plate from the marke to accompany their wine selection. Closed Sunday and Monday. 37636 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree; 480.595.2749; www.brixwinesaz.com; $$

The Beverly on Main is an intimate and upscale cocktail lounge in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Let its bartenders craft you a stiff classic martini, or try one of its seasonal cocktails. The kitchen offers gastropub fare like deviled eggs, French dip sliders, burgers, flatbreads, and more. Vegan, glutenfree, and keto options are available. Happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. 7018 E. Main St., Scottsdale; 480.889.5580; www.beverlyonmain.com; $$

Serving Old Town Scottsdale since 1971, The Grapevine is a casual neighborhood hangout with an openair balcony and nightly karaoke. At the upstairs patio bar, guests can order from an eclectic menu of shareable tasty bar fare, like nachos supreme and loaded potato skins, as well as larger entrees like fish and chips, famous lavosh options, burgers and sandwiches, and spaghetti Bolognese. In addition to karaoke seven nights a week, happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. 4013 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale; 480.994.1792; www. grapevineaz.com; $$

Scotch aficionados from far and wide come to the The Scotch Library, home to one of the largest collections of scotch in the Southwest. The library provides both seasoned Scotch drinkers and those new to the golden liquor with more than 300 different whisky labels poured by Scotch Library Ambassadors, who are experts in the areas of single malt and blend whiskies from Scotland. On Fridays at 6 p.m. join them for An Evening of Scotches, a tasting and learning event featuring three selections of Scotch whisky. Advanced reservations required for this weekly event. At The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale; 480.624.1202; www.kierlandresort. com; $$-$$$$

When your group has beer and wine drinkers, Scapegoat Beer and Wine can play the mediator. Scapegoat rotates its taps and seasonal wine list to ensure there is always something new for guests to try. But don’t overlook the gourmet tapas menu items such as The G.O.A.T., which is Parisian ham with three cheeses baked between local bread; and the gruyere cheese puffs. No reservations accepted. Closed Sunday and Monday. 7150 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale; 480.292.7605; www.scapegoatbar.com; $$

Sorso Wine Room is a sampler’s paradise with its wall of wine taps allowing guests to try a variety of wines. Wine is also available by the glass or bottle, and there’s even a selection of beer. The food menu includes bruschetta, salads, sandwiches and charcuterie boards. Sorso offers a comfortable setting, fun patio and a market area with bottles, growlers, sweets and wine accessories. Happy hour offered daily from 3 to 6 p.m. and all day on Wednesday. At Scottsdale Quarter, 15323 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.951.4344; www.sorsowineroom.com; $$