Trendy Kazimierz World Wine Bar calls itself a speakeasy and has its entrance around the back!

On a recent visit, we saw the epitomy of Scottsdale: an obviously well-to-do 30s-ish shopper in a trendy grocery on her cell phone the entire time we were there, discussing a friend’s dating woes while she put things in her cart.  The items in that grocery weren’t the typical things you’d find in a Safeway or more “ordinary” grocery store and price was obviously no object.

For Divas & Dogs - Trendy shop in Scottsdale 5th Avenue Shop area

Another Scottsdale scene involved about five young women, outside a bridal shop.  They were very energetically discussing how the bride-to-be looked in the dress she had chosen.

Courtyard at Borghata shopping Center

If these two encounters are any indication, the recession is definitely over – at least in Scottsdale.

Scottsdale's Fashion Center at night

In the next few weeks, we’ll visit a new, world-class musical instrument museum, “MIM,” the Musical Instrument Museum in northern Scottsdale.  We also visit two restaurants, and show you some other shopping areas in trendy, upscale Scottsdale.

A Bat Khine - gong chime from Thailand in the Musical Instrument Museum

Next week:  Everything from Eric Clapton’s guitar to how to build a piano to the wildest instruments you’ve ever seen!

Scottsdale has every imaginable food opportunity in both chain and unique restaurants.  Today, we’ll feature two unique restaurants catering to two different culinary inspirations.

First, Cowboy Ciao…

Named whimsically because the “ciao” is not like the chow the cowboys ate by any means, Cowboy Ciao is a unique restaurant that offers your taste buds a chance to luxuriate in really fabulous food.  We’ve eaten at Cowboy Ciao twice.  With all of the many restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale, the fact that I had to go back tells you something.

The décor is funky, the vibe is welcoming (Eric greeted us most graciously) and the food is creative, eye-appealing and delectable.  On my first visit, I tried their signature mushroom dish, which can be either an appetizer or a main dish.  If I could just eat their mushroom dish at least once a week, I think I’d be happy for life!

Funky decor adds zip to Cowboy Ciao's dining experience

Seriously, the mixture of many mushrooms served in a rich ancho cream sauce is just so delicious – well, I’m hooked!  The mushrooms are served over polenta and it is a richness of taste, texture and flavor.  On top, a grilled Portobello makes it perfect with pieces of avocado for color and additional richness.

We also tried their “Stetson chopped,” a salad that comes with striped segments of smoked salmon, couscous, arugula, pesto buttermilk dressing and other amazing touches.  With Sylvia offering to mix the ingredients at our table, we figured we’d see what the salad was supposed to be like.  As we shared the dish, my husband and I were careful to take turns not to be greedy.  Flavor, crunchy, sweet, tangy – I guess I could make a meal out of the salad as well.

My husband ordered a Wagyu beef burger – that special, lean beef cultivated in Japan.  His grilled burger was served on a knotted challah roll, buttered lightly on the inside.  The flavors were just right and cooked medium rare, just as they promised.

Peanut butter brownie liked you've never tasted!

The artistry with food continued to dessert.  They have recently updated their dessert choices and the chocolate chip cookies with bacon I was excited to try were not available.  Instead, we shared a rich peanut butter brownie.  It was not just a plain peanut butter brownie, but complex with layers including a crunchy chocolate layer on top.  The base reminded me more of cheesecake with a light peanut taste and the ice cream on the side had a slight hint of banana with bourbon and chocolate sauce. Plus, they added a rich, chocolate peanut butter truffle on top.  They may use these same flavors (except for bananas and bourbon) in Reese’s pieces, but for sheer sweetness and creativity, you can’t top this dessert. –

Unless, of course, you try one of their other inventive desserts like their “Breakfast of Champions” (frosted flake ice cream with amaretto caramel and candied smoked almonds), or Bread Pudding that I imagine has nothing in common with the heavy bread puddings most restaurants serve.  (There’s a brioche at its center with dried cherries, craisins, pine nuts and a compote of more on top with praline sauce.)

Uniqueness extends to the restrooms – men’s being “Dino,” women’s named “Gina” – I had to ask.  The mural in the restroom stopped me in my tracks – I had to run back for my camera.

Mural in "Gina" - the restroom

So, given any restaurant to return to, you can see why it had to be Cowboy Ciao.  Is this an endorsement?  Absolutely!

We went early at Sunday lunch hour and it was almost empty, but evenings really hop. See the recipe they were kind enough to share for the Stetson Salad at the end of this column.

http://www.cowboyciao.com/

Next…Green

It may not be easy being Green, but the restaurant does a great job and is the answer to where to go if you’re trying to avoid meat and actually eat something other than just the one choice on a menu that most restaurants offer. (Whew, that was a long sentence!)

Green is in a non-descript strip mall on Scottsdale Road.  The décor is hippy-modern with old car doors lining one wall, an inspirational message spanning two walls and utilitarian décor plus a couch for seating.

You order at the counter and the staff brings your food to you.  And, what great food!  Knowing that there is no meat is almost superfluous.  Everything tastes great and is not really imitations of “real food,” it is great food in its own right.

Starting with samosas, little triangles of flaky pastry with vegetables inside, I definitely wanted to eat more.  We also tried “crab” cheese puffs that were properly crunch with creamy “cheese” inside.  Great start!

Then, on to barbecued “chicken” that had the right degree of chewy with a sweet barbecue sauce including onions -rich, filling and good even off the bread.  (I was avoiding carbs and they even have gluten free offerings for those who have that need.)

We also had a “meatball” sandwich, which had a light saucy “cheese” on top.  You could not tell that they were not made with meat.

Of the menu items we tried, my favorite was the samosas, that weren’t trying to be anything except what they were.  They were great and the other menu offerings sounded really good from rice dishes to pasta, po’boys and more.

The staff are ingratiating and offer real smiles and don’t condescend to newcomers who don’t understand the offerings.  They’ll explain and adapt things to your likes (no bread, no peppers, no problem).

The “New American Vegetarian” food works.  So, if you’re in the neighborhood, give it a try!  They’re open Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM.

http://greenvegetarian.com/

RECIPE -

courtesy of Cowboy Ciao

STETSON CHOPPED SALAD

Israeli or “pearl” couscous (cooked) – 2 oz.

Arugula – chopped – 2 oz.

Roma tomatoes – diced – 2 oz

Smoked salmon – chopped small – 1 ½ oz.

Asiago cheese – ½ oz.

Pepitas – ½ oz.

Black currants – ½ oz.

Super sweet dried corn – 1 oz.

Pesto Buttermilk dressing

Pesto – ½ cup

Shallot- rough chop – 1

Aioli – 1 cup

Buttermilk – 1 cup

Coarse black pepper – 1/2 tsp

½ lemon, juice only

Salt & Pepper to taste

To make pesto dressing : Add first three ingredients to food processer and blend thoroughly. Keep motor running and add remaining pesto dressing ingredients to combine. Store in refrigerator.

Serve by making stripes of the solid salad ingredients on a plate. Offer the dressing to pour over to taste.  Mix all of the ingredients.

NEXT WEEK: Tucson!

Camelback Inn

A five-diamond AAA property, the impeccable landscaping – desert-acclimated, of course – the warm greeting by the valet service (even if you are not leaving a car) and the casitas spread out over the landscape signal that you have arrived.  Since I stayed at the Camelback, the Marriott property has undergone a renovation, but the property still looks like a true depiction of the southwest.

Camelback Inn

Be aware, even with recession-reduced rates, a one-night stay is not “cheap.”  But, what you receive is a first-rate experience. The amenities have been upgraded since I stayed at the Camelback in the early 2000s. There are many room options with pricing beginning at approximately $200 per night and continuing upward.  (And I recall rates being in the $300-500 range when we stayed in 2001, so these are bargains.)

Internet is available in every room (fee), but the kitchen amenities are upgraded.  A microwave is included, but sometimes there is a full refrigerator and regular oven.  

The photos online show vibrant décor – ours was more muted when we stayed – but with the same hacienda-style accommodations that made us feel at home. The rooms are spacious.  We stayed in a “casita,” which is almost like having your own little home.  Ours was attached to only one other guest casita, so privacy was enhanced.

Casita at Camelback Inn

So, put aside your concerns about rates and revel in the experience.  You could literally stay here and never go anywhere else until ready to leave on your airplane.  Golf, spas, six restaurants, and trails are on the property with additional amenities within a few miles.  The expanded conference center ensures that there will be many people, but the property is spread out over many acres, so you don’t feel crowded.

When I visited, my conference held an event at “Mummy Mountain,” an old west location onsite with old west storefronts and other evocative western props.  It’s a fun place to hang out and is used for everything from convention events to weddings. 

Mummy Mountain - the "Wild West" at Camelback Inn

One of the restaurants is an upscale steak restaurant, BLT Steak, located in almost a dozen major US cities.

Arizona has an abundance of upscale resorts.  Camelback is one I know of and can recommend.

http://www.camelbackinn.com/

Hotel Valley Ho

A venerable hotel that has also undergone a renovation, the Valley Ho is located nearer to the heart of Scottsdale.  First opened in the 1950s, Valley Ho was the place to stay back then with celebrities making it their resort of choice.   

Hotel Valley Ho with trolley

After seeing hard times, the hotel was renovated in 2005.  Décor is now very modern crossed with some of its ‘50s vibes.  The modernized bathrooms are worthy of a modern art museum, and some tubs are, surprisingly, planted in the middle of rooms!

Trader Vic’s and Café Zuzu provide upscale dining experiences.  Trader Vic’s offers a Polynesian/Asian aesthetic with wood-fired oven dishes, wok offerings, curries, and other exotic menu items plus upscale variation of wonton soup and the like.

Café Zuzu is a more “comfort food” style restaurant with special touches serving everything from meatloaf to filet mignon, plus burgers, mac and cheese, vegetarian offerings and seafood.  The vibe is for a younger crowd.

Hotel amenities include a spa, pool, and the nearness to Scottsdale shopping. Rated four-diamond by AAA, it is a fun, convenient place to stay.

http://www.hotelvalleyho.com/