I adore L’Amore Ristorante

Kudos to L’Amore on Lincoln drive on Phoenix, AZ

It is a nice Italian restaurant, like back east style.  Great bread, crisp salads, the pasta dishes are excellent, the sauces light and plate licking good.  This is a local gem used by all the regulars that are greeted by the owner by name.

 

Even the lunch menu and service is top notch.  Hard to find really good lunch places here in town these days.  They also have a nice patio area and an old time bar area that people actually come to eat at the bar.

On my return soon list.  Kudos to L’amore Italian done right.

McGrath’s Fish house was just an average blah chain experience

Blah  to McGraths Fish house in N Scottsdale

It was just blah. I had great hopes for the N Scottsdale location.  Entering the restaurant was almost empty, hum … but the place looked great.  Service was average.  I had to find the front desk person to seat us.

 

The clam chowder was ho hum, the fried oysters were good but not outstanding, we also ordered the salmon. OK  it was not bad, just not interesting, or have that yum factor.

 

So over all an OK but blah average dinner and it was a lot of money….so not on my must return list.

Valle Luna never disappoints

Continued Kudos to Valle Luna restaurant on Cave Creek Rd in Phoenix, AZ

Valle Luna is our old tried and true Mexican restaurant and as much as we have tried many others, we still come back time and time again to Valle Luna.  There is just something about the place that makes you feel like a your favorite local tavern or place the family can kick back have really good Mexican food and still get out for $50 bucks.

The chimichangas and their sizzling skillets are tops. The plates are over sized and the chips and salsa are delish.  The kids menu is very good.  The drinks are well made.

 

Over all a night our at Valle Luna is a family favorite

Basis restaurant is a hidden treasure

Kudos to Basis in Phoenix, 7th st and Thunderbird

Basis is the kind of local gem that we all hope to have in our neighborhood.  It is in a non descript strip mall with a Safeway. Don’t let that turn you off.  The transformation starts when you enter the door.  The decor is pleasing and upscale. It is a bustling bistro that serves excellent food and wine. 

My preferred business dinner local or a nice dinner out.  I have never been disappointed.  Sort of California cuisine meets the southwest flavors. Sort of on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for.

Acura North Scottsdale made us a good deal and did it right

Kudos to Acura of North Scottsdale. 

After spending the last few weeks looking for a car at various dealerships, my hat goes off to my sales person Richard S at Acura North Scottsdale.  He definitely gets a kudo by himself in my book.  He was the perfect blend of professionalism with a very nice approach. Highly recommend due to my experience with him.

I also want to give a kudo to his sales manager Ray S.  He did a great job in the negotiation and bringing this to a successful close.  So I told him I was impressed enough to spread the word, he expected me to say 4 or 5 people, I said to at least 20 people.  I don’t think he understood that I am a blogger and can really spread the word far past the typical word of mouth.  So If you car looking to buy a Acura see Ray and tell him you were referred by the woman who “spreads” the word around.  Inside joke.  I bet he will drop $250 off  or more off the price for your best deal.    Ah the power of the Internet.

 

Kudos for an excellent buying process Acura of North Scottsdale.

 

Moon Valley Country Club Grill nice for a kick back evening or a wedding

Kudos to the Moon Valley Country Club Grill in Phoenix AZ

Last night we kicked back at the Moon Valley Country club grill.  My understanding is you can be a club member to eat there, but they also take cash if you are a non member. Call ahead to verify.  The hot boneless wings were good, the sliders were notable.  The wines served are good and it has a beautiful view of the golf course.  Best green grass and mountain views in the city.  It also has a nice patio to sit out at.  A get away without getting out of town.  Casual and kid friendly.  No jeans… its a country club… 

There was a wedding going on in the main area.  What a beautiful place to hold your wedding….picture perfect,  all looked like they were having so much fun. 

Another find thier snack shack inside the fitness center/ pool area.  Good fast food, treats and a local favorite for the kids and golfers in the neighborhood.

Fuddruckers, funny name, good burgers.

Kudos to Fuddruckers at Dunlap and I -17 in Phoenix,

We have not been there is quite a while, but a burger was what we were all after.  It was good, tasty roll, the toppings that you can add were fresh.  The are now serving baked potatoes if you ask instead of french fries.

It has a retro 50’s crossed with junk shop, which is interesting in dining in.  There are video games for the kids to play, so bring extra cash.

Over all a fun night with a good burger.

Sauce is consistant and a regular when we eat out.

Kudos to Sauce restaurant

Sauce which is part of the Fox group, has several location in Phoenix, AZ.  We like the 7th St and Glendale Local.  The pizza is thin crust, the sausage and onion in very good and the tomato, cheese and greens is also very good. It is sort of addictive and  we tend to order the same thing which is repetitive.

 

They bring a roll and butter to the table and finally caught on to bring one of each person in the party.  I was tired of sharing.  The wine list in average.  There are summer specials that I hope they bring back this year.

 

All in all a place to reasonable feed the family, and can go for hair cuts in the same shopping strip center.

Deluxe Burger worth the wait

Kudos to Deluxe burgers.

Burgers are burgers right!  Wrong!!!  Deluxe burgers at 32nd st and Camelback in Phx is wonderful  The sweet potato fries, the kobe beef burgers.  Yum Yum Yum.  The place is small even with the expansion for the take out.  You will most likely be seated with or close to other people.  Part of the charm. Be prepared for a wait.  Open late for after hours munching.

 

The bathrooms and the shared ( Guys and Gals) sink freaked me out. Parking at lunch is an issue.

Wild about Wild Tunas Sushi restaurant

Kudos to Wild Tunas

Wild Tunas is a new Sushi restaurant at 7th Street and Thunderbird in Phoenix AZ.  The sushi was very good. The edamame was done correctly and there is a nice selection of beer and saki.  The service was a little slow, but they did a good job of telling us about the various things on the menu.

 

The decor is new and over designed. The blue walls are a bit much, but can be over looked for the food.