I love this spot for a happy hour cocktail or early dinner. The outdoor fire pits are also perfect…read morefor a glass of wine on a cool AZ winter night! The bar area is my favorite - it has great mood lighting once the sun goes down and even has two TVs on either side. Typically I'm not a big fan of TVs, but these are out of the way enough that they don't feel like a distraction. Delicious espresso martinis, good wine list, and solid food. Staff is always kind and attentive.

Oliver's Modern American has a great location that's easy to find, and parking was convenient,…read morewhich made for a stress-free start to the evening. The restaurant has a beautiful ambiance with a modern, welcoming atmosphere that's perfect for a nice dinner. The service was friendly and attentive overall, but when I asked for a recommendation between two menu items, I was hoping for a little more guidance rather than a neutral response. The Argentinian Shrimp appetizer was flavorful and a great way to start the meal. The Prime Bistro Steak was cooked well and was definitely the standout entrée. The Ragout was an unexpectedly large portion and had more spice than anticipated, which overpowered some of the other flavors.

Always a good choice, I recommend getting plates and sharing amongst your group so you can try more…read morethings! Favorites: White bean purée Chicken karaage Ceviche Pork belly & salmon tacos When the weather is cooler sitting on their patio is lovely! Give yourself a moment for parking!

As my friend said, the white bean puree here is a non-negotiable. It was my FAVORITE menu item…read more Only complaint was...give me another flour tortilla - ha. We ordered a bottle of wine and went to town on: White Bean Puree * Crispy Short Rib | Herb Salad | Flour Tortilla: Karaage * Aji Amarillo | Citrus Gastrique | Togarashi | Lime Elote * Chorizo Butter | Lime Creme Fraiche | Toasted Chiles Romaine * Buttermilk Dressing | Mexican Sriracha | Parmesan | Noble Bread Breadcrumbs Gambas al Ajillo * Wild Shrimp Co. Mexican Shrimp | Paprika Garlic Butter | Serrano Cruda | Garlic Noble Bread - this was the only dish that was not my favorite. SUPER flavorful but I wanted a more.. 'traditional' tapas Gambas al Ajillo flavor aka less paprika please. Saudero tacos (a brisket confit suadero tacos with a chile jam, aguacate, serrano cruda, toasted sesame, fresnos and micro cilantro) We sat on the patio for a wonderful AZ spring evening. The service was great. I also enjoyed their extensive tequila and mezcal menu. The only downside is the parking -- it's pretty small and shared with Lou Malnati's next door!

Society Swan was one of the places I've had on my Happy Hour list for a while now. I have gone in…read moretwice and each visit was exemplary. The first time I came in with 2 coworkers for HH. We ordered some apps and cocktails. Great prices for drinks ans food and we were full!! The dishes are super tasty and filling. Cocktails on point and so was the service. The second time I came with a friend and we shared the Fried Chicken Sandwich after I saw the reel they posted on Instagram. That thing was juicy and a great size. I don't normally do chicken, but this burg was worth it!! I'm glad we shared it because there is no way I could have eaten it by myself, lol. It's dimly lit for a romantic vibe, but it's a casual dress code. The bar upstairs is great for Happy Hour, but be warned it's really dark in there. We had no complaints about the service, pricing or food options. One of the managers came around and spoke with us as we dined, which I thought was nice of him. He thanked us for coming in. We will be coming back again soon!

Society Swan has great options for their Happy Hour menu. Crab and Avocado Roll, crispy chicken pot…read morestickers, truffle Brie and baguette, oysters and roasted garlic custard were all very tasty. Great expansive menu for HH i must say. We did try items not on happy hour as well such as the Filet Mignon, Chicken Francese as well as the Smash burger (that last one only on HH) and all of which were just ok. Their meats were cooked to tempt, but somehow just end up tasting burnt and dry on the outside which was unappetizing. If you want real tender, juicy meats all around I would suggest going to Brassiere Melrose on 7th Ave and Camelback. Their filet was too die for and I haven't found another yet that can beat theirs at Brassiere Melrose. We will be back for Society Swans other goodies tho! We enjoyed their sangria and their petite martinis and their atmosphere. Oh and we also tried their Tuesdays Tastings menu which was a 3 course menu for $55. They do give you an option to pair it with a wine or cocktail however that it not including in the $55 price. But was definitely a fun option to try more of their menu!

Thanks for the kind and quick service Megan. Such a pleasure to be hosted by you. And the food was…read moredelicious

I made a reservation for my daughter's 19th birthday, but unfortunately made it for the wrong…read moreamount of people. I called and spoke to manager Devon, explained the situation. He was amazing at adjusting the reservation to accommodate her party. Devon could have simply said no, especially since it was on their busiest day during the busiest time, but he went above and beyond to ensure that my daughter has an amazing birthday dinner with her friends. Thank you to all the staff at Filthy Animal you have exceeded expectations.

Another absolutely amazing food experience from Chef Nobuo Fukuda who already gifted us with great…read moredishes made with Sonoran produce at SeeSaw back in the 90's, and Teeter House downtown. The retro-vibed atmosphere of the Papago Motor Inn complements the laid back pace of your meal. This is not a sushi spot or an Izakaya. Hai Noon is a chef presenting southwestern ingredients in a most respectful, flavorful and innovative manner. I was lucky enough to return 3 times in the past month. To my surprise, ingredients and sauces did not repeat themselves, and dishes were completely distinct in flavor and presentation. This is definitely my favorite food experience of the past few years...anywhere. All of our visits were handled by our waiter/guide "Arizona", who described dishes, and when asked what his favorites were (and unlike many other places that say everything is good when it isn't), he informed us we would love everything, but he could help us with the order we ate them, and suggest a sampling if we were just picking out a half dozen dishes. He was right. Everything was captivating, surprising and...absolutely delicious. Do not miss the specials...there will be 4 or 5 on a small piece of paper, and a couple of "special" drinks. These are seasonal items the chef wants to add because of the timing and presentation. They exemplify the category...they are indeed, SPECIAL. The second visit established a pattern. Have Arizona order, until you are full. He checked in with us along the way, and made a few modifications based on our hunger level, and allowing for certain dishes to be repeated. A few things really stood out because I hadn't tasted anything quite like those dishes. Other dishes ie: variations on classic aguachile, were just better than anything I've had elsewhere. Salmon and Whitefish carpaccios were both stellar, with really good hot sesame oil adding to the dish's garlic, ginger and Yuzu base. And, when you are done with the last bite of fish, they bring out rich, grilled slices of bread to mop up that sauce. We last started with Sashimi featuring Sea Bream, that had fatty belly, and less fatty but oh-so-flavorful filet slices, and an accompanying broth. Big Eye Tuna was served on a flavorful beet puree with sweet dark cherry wine notes. Since we didn't read the menu's notes before, a quick check showed that Nobuo does create a Pinot Noir reduction that invites wiping the plate clean. The first time, the Tuna and all traces of the puree were finished by the time Arizona walked out to describe the dish for us. That's why I re-ordered it each time we visited. Soup spoons present a sashimi/ceviche/aguachile experience that is delicate, nuanced, complex and downright spectacular in your mouth. Whether it showcased an oyster, hamachi or kampachi, each spoon was an amazing taste experience with complementing flavors and textures that were completely unexpected. Softshell Crab with cold noodles was the most succulent Softshell crab I have ever enjoyed, warm, beautifully moist and flavor popping within its crispy exterior, set off by the chilled vinegar and broth accented noodles. Brussel Sprouts with a honey mustard and wasabi glaze disappeared immediately. As it turns out, wasabi is the missing ingredient in many Brussel Sprout dishes! The Yams with goat cheese and Fresno chiles reminded me of the amazing fire-grilled gourds and yam dishes I have had at Bacanora...just unique and different. Two Wash chicken was beautifully caramelized finger food that I could also have made a meal out of. We thought it was amazing, and then the chef came out and told us how inspired he was when he first met the chicken farmers and cooked with their chicken, and if possible, the chicken became even more memorable for the story and connection. Curry marinated lamb was rich, and savory, and was another dish I could make a meal out of. The Pork Belly and Mushroom rice was likewise delicious, and full or deep umami richness and delectable meat and mushroom morsels. The Mushrooms en papillote (mushrooms served in paper), had absorbed what tasted like a delicious Veal Stock, were tastily caramelized, and then steamed in the paper container. They were so good we had to have another...and we weren't skimping on food. Beverages (Alcoholic and non) get the same attention. The cocktail list sounds absolutely crazy, with improbable ingredients. But all of the ones we sampled work, and they are wonderful (sharing amongst our table, we have now tried over half of the cocktails...and so far, they are damn great drinks). The beer selection is small and ideal for the food, as are the well-chosen cold sakes that span all budgets. It is better with a small group of people so you can really explore the breadth of fabulous offerings, but I think it's also an amazing spot to share food on a date!

Some restaurants announce themselves with neon lights and a line out the door. Others seem almost…read moredetermined to keep you away. Hai Noon falls firmly into the second category. I booked a solo seat at the bar just two hours before dinner, which, in hindsight, should have been my first clue. The night before, my plans at Chilte had evaporated after I arrived to discover the owner was hosting a baby shower and the ceilings were being painted instead of dinner being served. I wasn't eager to go 0-for-2 on my Scottsdale food pilgrimage. Pulling into what looked more like an aging roadside motor lodge than the home of a James Beard-recognized restaurant, I wondered if Google Maps had developed a sense of humor. I parked around back, followed the sign to the dining room, and found... a locked door. Naturally. For a brief moment I thought the Arizona restaurant gods were playing another practical joke. Then I spotted another entrance simply marked "Bar." Inside, Hai Noon revealed itself as a tiny oasis. Phoenix met Tokyo somewhere in a dimly lit room with clean lines, warm wood, and mellow music humming through the speakers. Three other guests occupied the restaurant--a couple finishing dinner and what appeared to be a delightfully intimate two-person baby shower. I took my place at the bar. The server welcomed me warmly. When I admitted I was in town for work and wanted to experience the restaurant rather than order safely, he smiled and took control. A few menu staples were unavailable but he confidently selected four dishes. The grapefruit avocado hamachi spoons arrived first and immediately justified the trip. Rich, buttery fish balanced against bright citrus acidity with avocado quietly stitching everything together. It's the kind of bite that reminds you why chefs obsess over simplicity done well. The white fish carpaccio followed with a little theater. Hot sesame oil was poured tableside, barely kissing the fish into submission. Fun presentation. Beautiful execution. Though once the spectacle faded, the dish itself never quite reached the same emotional high as the hamachi. The garlic butter mushrooms arrived... in a plastic bag. It shouldn't have worked. It absolutely did. Deeply savory, unapologetically rich, and refreshingly unconcerned with appearances. The house chicken, unfortunately, couldn't keep pace. Twice fried and topped with egg salad alongside a chili vinegar, it sounded far more exciting than it tasted. Sometimes clever combinations simply refuse to become memorable food. Cocktails, however, were another story. My first choice--the Kosho--was unavailable, so I settled on the Japanese Moss, a gin cocktail topped with yuzu cold foam. The foam leaned aggressively tart but never overwhelmed the drink. Later, after finally coaxing the bartender away from his phone, he suggested an off-menu serrano-infused rum cocktail with miso. Complex, vegetal, spicy, balanced. Exactly the sort of drink you hope to discover when you stop ordering from menus. By 7 p.m., I was the only customer left. Summer in Phoenix is merciless. One hundred thirteen degrees has a way of convincing even adventurous diners to stay home. I watched two reservations cancel while chatting with the bartender and server, who explained that between May and August, three tables can qualify as a good night. Location doesn't help either. Hidden behind an unassuming hotel, Hai Noon isn't exactly benefiting from walk-in traffic. The chef emerged from the kitchen several times during service. Each time he glanced at the empty reservation book, quietly acknowledged another cancellation with a shake of his head, and disappeared back into the kitchen without speaking to anyone. There was something heartbreaking about it. Here was someone capable of creating award-winning food, still chasing perfection while circumstances far beyond the plate slowly worked against him. Hai Noon isn't flawless. Service occasionally drifted. One dish missed the mark. The room felt almost too empty. But I'd rather spend an evening in an imperfect restaurant full of ambition than a polished dining room serving food without a soul. I just hope Scottsdale's relentless summer doesn't prove too Hai for many more Noons.

Great service and the best ever butternut squash canneloni. The restaurant is huge without being…read morenoisy and the private room is perfect for a group of 12 or so. Outside, weather permitting, is a treat.

This is my second time visiting. The place is beautiful. Barrie was my server and she is…read morephenomenal. She is very friendly and attentive. I ordered the bruschetta prosciutto and fig (I give this one a 3/5- there was barely any fig preserves on it) but the sea bass was perfect 10/10 - very fresh dish with lots of veggies. I'll definitely be back.

Chelsea's Kitchen is hands-down, one of my favorite restaurants! From the moment you walk through…read morethe parking lot and see & smell the "wood-smokers" doing their job, to entering the beautiful establishment, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Our experience was nothing short of perfect! The food was AMAZING! We ordered the Eggs Benedict & a bottle of champagne with a sidecar of OJ. If the hollandaise sauce is not scratch-made, they have us fooled. The building, decor & garden patio 's kitchen is is absolutely beautiful. The staff was very attentive and kind. OH!!! and don't leave w/o grabbing a sweet bite size sea salted chocolate chip cookie on your way out the door (complementary) Class act imo! It's a 40 mile round trek for us, but we will definitely be back! Cheers Chelsea's owner/staff! Thank for a great experience!

Heard a lot of great things about Chelsea's Kitchen, so we had to give it a try. The service was…read moreawesome. The staff was friendly, attentive, and genuinely engaged, which made for a great dining experience. FOOD Deviled Eggs - Great flavor with a bold, well-balanced seasoning. A strong start to the meal. Corn Bread - Really enjoyed this. It had a nice balance of sweet and savory and was moist without being too heavy. Fries - Crispy, well seasoned, and easy to keep reaching for. Swordfish Tacos - I would skip these. The fish didn't taste as fresh as I expected and had a noticeable fishy smell that took away from the dish. Overall, the food was good, but with such a large menu I would probably try different items on a return visit. My favorite part was actually the warm cookie they give you when you leave. It was a really nice touch to end the meal.

I want to shout out the kitchen staff they were grinding nonstop wings were being fried 3-4 baskets…read moreat a time

Don't usually drop these. But come on, post on your website and on Yelp what time the KITCHEN…read morecloses. You're going to spend all that time talking about your wings on social media then when people do show up they can't get them because kitchen closes. At least say it in your posts and heck on your website. Looked like a good vibe, fyi. Maybe I will get another chance to check it out prior to returning to NY. But for this time. Yeah. Two thumbs down. Sorry. Post better info on your website and posts!!!!

The soft serve margarita and boozy dole whip were perfect on a hot AZ summer day and burger was…read moreamazing!

Dodo Bird Kitchen and Cocktails has been on my list of places to try for Happy Hour, Wing…read moreWednesday, Oyster Thursday and Tomahawk night!! Let me start off by saying my first 2 visits were not the best. In fact, This place was sitting on a 3 star rating for a while, but my last visit picked up and made up a little. I waited to wrote this review in hopes that they would redeem themselves from my first 2 visits. The first time I came, I had Lemon Pepper Wings which came to me after a very long wait. When I finally got them, they were basically naked wings, like without any seasoning. I asked for the seasoning and one of the bussers came and brought me a cup of it. I sprinkled the wings with it but when I took a bite, they were SALTY AF!!!!! I then had to shake off all the seasoning to be able to finish them. SMH. I also ordered some Sweet Potato Fries which oddly came to me within about 3 minutes. I almost finished them before I finally got the wings. I was seated at the bar and since it was packed, I sat in the only open seat which happened to be between 2 gentlemen. The guy to my left was ready to go and when he asked for his bill, they had charged him for my stuff. Super weird because we clearly weren't together and I wasn't even talking to him the entire time. He kindly alerted them and they adjusted his bill. My second visit the next day wasn't any better. Went in with 2 coworkers for $1 oysters and Happy Hour. We ordered some cocktails which took forever again, and when we asked about them, we were told they didn't have the blended margaritas ready, so she offered us on the rocks instead. We said okay since we were thirsty on a Thursday. We tasted each other's drink and they tasted exactly the same, even though we ordered different ones. I also ordered a 2nd round of 6 oysters for myself which I never got. I had to let our server know that I never got them, so she took them off the bill. Our server wasn't very friendly and she just looked like she wanted to leave. My 3rd and latest visit is when I had the Tomahawk. My friend and I started off with oysters, then ordered their huge Tomahawk, which came with a variety of sauces and a side of French Fries. This time, we came in a little later, around 730 pm or so. It wasn't as busy, so maybe that's the perfect time to go. Service was great that last time, and our drinks were perfect. Overall, it's a cool place and the decor is pretty gnarly, but I feel like they do need to work out some kinks. Prices are average but Happy Hour is where it's at. The Tomahawk special is $99 on Mondays and Tuesdays I believe, and they come with 2 large sides (we went on a Thursday so we didn't get that special). The last visit brought up my 3 stars to a 4. I'll come again, but I hope they stay consistent!