Jason and I have been trying to branch out and try different restaurants since being in Phoenix. In the past because I was in school (aka we were kinda poor) and busy, it made it super easy to just stick to Olive Garden and Chili's. However, we've made a resolution since being down here to try AT LEAST one new restaurant per month.... right now we are averaging about 2-3.
For Valentine's week, we actually tried 2 new restaurants. Jason picked me up with the following flower arrangement (the flowers look a little sad in the picture because it was taken after they'd been sitting on the counter at home for a few days) before making our 1st stop:
It is down town with a fun contemporary feel, and they serve several nice cuts of meat (Jason had filet mignon), seafood (I had swordfish that was to DIE for), etc. Food was awesome, Decoration was awesome, but due to the design it kind of was like an echo chamber when the noise began to pick up. Accordingly, 4.5/5 Overall.... Maybe on a "less busy" night this place would be a real keeper.
Stop #2: The Mission
It is located in OldTowne Scottsdale. For those of you who haven't been to OldTowne, you need to check it out the next time you are in Scottsdale/Phoenix area... Good Food, Fun Shopping, Great Vibe. Back to The Mission... it is a Peruvian/Central American Restaurant with a Classy Spanish twist. Very romantic and low lighting (which Jason hated because he said he felt like he couldn't see me, haha). It wasn't as noisy/echo-like as the Arrogant Butcher....however, we were sat RIGHT next to "neighbors" on both sides (because we were only parties of two, so they sat us a long the bench as shown in the picture). It made it hard to tune out their conversations when you are basically rubbing shoulders with them. Kind of awkward. The appetizers were SO delectable (we had a duck empanada and a mango & jicama salad).... the main course on the other hand was good, but not spectacular. 4/5 Overall.
These two restaurants were especially nice/pricey because it was Valentine's Week. We have been to several other low-end places that we have LOVED. We discovered something hard about going to more expensive restaurants: It is hard to be "pleasantly surprised." It's kind of like when you find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that is "good", it makes it even better because you weren't expecting it. When you go to a really nice, hyped-up place that is "good"... it's almost a let-down because you were expecting perfection. lol. All that being said.... We are LOVING being able to try so many unique restaurants down here in Phoenix during this phase in our lives. One of these Days I will post a running list of some other gems we've found..... While on the subject, add this one to the list of places to try: "CIBO". It is a non-chain, downtown Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor patio seating. It is a gem!
For Valentine's week, we actually tried 2 new restaurants. Jason picked me up with the following flower arrangement (the flowers look a little sad in the picture because it was taken after they'd been sitting on the counter at home for a few days) before making our 1st stop:
The Arrogant Butcher
Stop #2: The Mission
It is located in OldTowne Scottsdale. For those of you who haven't been to OldTowne, you need to check it out the next time you are in Scottsdale/Phoenix area... Good Food, Fun Shopping, Great Vibe. Back to The Mission... it is a Peruvian/Central American Restaurant with a Classy Spanish twist. Very romantic and low lighting (which Jason hated because he said he felt like he couldn't see me, haha). It wasn't as noisy/echo-like as the Arrogant Butcher....however, we were sat RIGHT next to "neighbors" on both sides (because we were only parties of two, so they sat us a long the bench as shown in the picture). It made it hard to tune out their conversations when you are basically rubbing shoulders with them. Kind of awkward. The appetizers were SO delectable (we had a duck empanada and a mango & jicama salad).... the main course on the other hand was good, but not spectacular. 4/5 Overall.
Taken on my phone while dining on the patio.... pretty cool ambiance, yeah?
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