By Erin Kain By Erin Kain | January 5, 2024 | Food & Drink, Feature, Guides,
This Valentine’s Day, treat your special someone to a delicious night out at one of these romantic Scottsdale restos.
Impress any date with a visit to Old Town Scottsdale’s Cafe Monarch, an intimate space featuring an ornate courtyard with a flowing water feature, dimmed lighting and glittering chandeliers that offer seductive environs. The four-course prix fixe menu is ever-changing, but sample menu items include Berkshire pork belly with leek remoulade and Argentinian shrimp paired with poblano polenta.
Opened by chef Gio Osso in 2013, this bespoke fine dining experience in Old Town Scottsdale is sure to delight. Menus here rarely stay the same, but all feature a deliciously modern Mediterranean flair—think spicy saffron spaghetti, creamy burrata and fregola with duck confit and black trumpet mushrooms.
Reserve is a new concept introduced by the team behind Cafe Monarch, so of course, it makes our list. Choose from five or 10 courses featuring seafood paella, dry-aged meats, and more. The swanky lounge offers caviar service (including taro root chips, French onion dip, deviled eggs and potato pave) alongside fresh oysters, filet sliders and popcorn shrimp.
One of Old Town Scottsdale’s oldest-standing residences doubles as an epicurean hot spot perfect for passion. Modern American dishes juxtapose Victorian-inspired decor, tantalizing the tastebuds with succulent escargot dripping in butter, lump crab croquettes and 28-day dry-aged steaks. For dessert, opt for one of the housemade ice creams, the flavor of which changes weekly.
The Italians know romance, and Marcellino Ristorante is no exception. Be sure to impress with the chef’s intimate dining cove, a sensual hideaway draped in plush velvet with a personalized five-course menu and complimentary wine pairings. Prefer to dine al fresco? The outdoor patio is surrounded by large olive trees and a mural of Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo.
Traditional Latin flavors meet dramatic desert vistas at Talavera, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North’s signature steakhouse. Executive chef Chuck Kazmer’s flavorful fare spans from stuffed Iberico pork with apple cider foam to King salmon roulade with smoked tomato sauce and roe, plus a signature paella that showcases chorizo, chicken, pork belly, lobster, prawn and so much more.
J&G’s classic tasting menu takes the guesswork out of date night, serving up sumptuous black truffle cheese fritters, tasty tuna tartare, parmesan risotto and a perfectly grilled filet paired with roasted Maine lobster. Sup over amazing views through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows or cozy up to the charming patio fireplace during sunset.
Husband-and-wife team Branden and May Levine’s modern American hot spot, Sel, is a vibey eatery in Old Town Scottsdale. The bright, airy space houses shimmery chandeliers, eclectic art, and a seasonal chef’s tasting menu to die for. Expect global, sophisticated cuisine with a twist—think Malpeque oyster stew with potato puree, blue fin tune tataki and herb-crusted Patagonian lamb loin.
Cozy booths, mood lighting and California-Mediterranean fare transport diners to the French Riviera at Olive + Ivy. Dine tapas-style with a variety of flavorful small plates (the black truffle arancini is one of our faves!) or savor an exceptionally prepared entree—the Pacific sea scallops are the perfect entree for an alluring night out.
Authentic Florentine cuisine is on the menu at this Italian eatery. Cozy up with a heaping plate of pasta—favorites include staples like linguini and clams and the ravioli with meat sauce. Other mains, like the grilled pork chop or bistecca Florentina, pair perfectly with a glass of bubbly from the extensive wine list.
Elevate your date with a night out at swanky steakhouse Maple & Ash. Heat things up with the fire-roasted seafood tower straight from the hearth, a fun take on the classicly cold dish. Can't make up your mind? This Valentine's Day try the chef's cheeky I F*@cking Love You menu, including oysters, caviar service, wagyu and more.
North Scottsdale’s new Italian staple, Famiglia, is the latest concept from sommelier Broc Chaves and executive chef Richard Rangel. Dishes are crafted to share with the freshest seasonal ingredients, including overnighted seafood, proteins butchered in-house and housemade pasta and foccacia made daily. Fancy a nightcap? Try one of the delicious spritz variations like Aperol and Limoncello.
Sprawling views of Camelback Mountain and the surrounding desert scape abound at Elements, a dining destination in Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort. The Asian American fusion menu features succulent seafood (including a fabulous raw bar) and entrees like a green curry hot pot and wagyu beef and ginger dumplings.
Photography by: COURTESY OF J&G STEAKHOUSE
