Dining in Scottsdale
If you've never been to the Southwestern United States, a trip to the beautiful city of Scottsdale, Arizona might be the perfect place to start. While it's not the perfect getaway for those that love the bustling crowds and frenetic urban energy of cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, those whose vacation scene tends more towards beautiful scenery, fine dining, and sophisticated nightlife will adore spending a few days in Scottsdale. Outdoor adventure and quality time with loved ones are what's important in this charmingly old-fashioned city, whether it's a family vacation camping with the kids and making, or hot-air ballooning over the peaceful landscape with that special someone.
Though the city may embrace the beauties of nature, family, and a simple but healthy lifestyle, the culinary gems of Scottsdale are surprisingly sophisticated. Award winning restaurants populate this small city, offering an unexpected variety of cuisine from around the world. In Arizona, residents are focused on living a healthy lifestyle while still managing to stay unpretentious and avoid taking themselves too seriously. This winning combination shines through in the food, which is heavy on fresh produce, free-range poultry, and light, crisp flavors. Citrus fruits, big business in neighboring California, are commonly used in everything from salads to glazes to mixed drinks, and refreshingly crisp white wines are often seen with dinner.
The culinary experience in Scottsdale is almost Mediterranean in style, perhaps due to the beautiful climate that residents enjoy, particularly in the spring and autumn. Dining al fresco is immensely popular, as are influences from Europe such as olives, freshly prepared lamb, and yogurt-based sauces. Wine tastings occur virtually every day of the week, and when the weather is nice, are more popular then the local bar for after-work mingling and relaxation. Coffee and tea houses are not difficult to find in Scottsdale, where small, locally-owned operations that bake their own fresh pastries on the premises are a much more important part of the scene than the Starbucks drive-thru.
Residents of Scottsdale are largely a group of outdoor-loving, free-thinking individuals who are determined to enjoy the best of what life has to offer; food, wine, family, sports, and culture. Amazingly, they do it all with a focus on healthy living and eschew the excessive and the hurried, a refreshing change for many Americans.