McDowell Mountain Music Festival
The McDowell Mountain Music Festival begins today in North Scottsdale, gates open at 4pm (which is perfect, because Happy Hour is from 4-6pm at the MMMF). Tomorrow and Sunday they open at 11am, and the schedule is crammed with local bands, including Ryan Shaw, Easton Ashe, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and the Sugar Thieves. Assembly of Dust and Steve Kimock Crazy Engine perform at the After Hours events on Friday and Saturday night, respectively, and require a separate ticket. Those shows run from 11pm - 2am.
Single Day adult tickets are $35 on Friday and Sunday each; $45 on Saturday. But save yourself some cash and pay $100 for all three days and make a weekend out of it.
The event is put on by the same crew that owns The Compound Bar & Grill (next door to the MMMF this year), which always has live music and has become a major hot spot in northern Scottsdale/Phoenix.
Read more about the festival, including the full lineups and ticket information on their website.
Location: NE corner of 68th St. and Mayo Boulevard, just SW of the Scottsdale Rd/Loop 101 exit.
Happy Hour at Tommy Bahama Cafe
We needed to do a little shopping at Kierland Commons (oh, darn) so we opted to stop by the Tommy Bahama Cafe for a little bite to eat and to soak up the beautiful day. From past experience, we knew that they offered some happy hour deals from 4 to 6pm, so we decided to go that route rather than a heavy meal. Their happy hour (or Island Time, as they call it) prices are great - $5 appetizers and wine - and they have live music which sets the perfect mood. Of course, they also offer some fantastic Island-y drinks. I just happened to be in the mood for a little wine this particular evening.
Live Music
Ahhh, this is the life
When our food arrived, I was so anxious to dive in that I forgot to snap pictures first. In the photos below, you'll see that we had already indulged - I promise, there's more food than you see here. I had the Coconut Shrimp (dee-licious) and Fish Tacos (also yummy), and my husband snacked on the Quesadilla and Sliders. He loved both, especially the cheeseburger slider.
Coconut Shrimp
Quesadilla
So, the next time you're in the mood for a little Island Time, head over to Tommy Bahama Cafe and get your happy hour on. Great prices, great food and great atmosphere. What's not to love?
Tommy Bahama Cafe
Kierland Commons
15205 N. Kierland Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ
www.tommybahama.com
After the Open: What to Do
We are right in the middle of the Waste Management Phoenix Open week, of course with the big signature weekend to come tomorrow and Sunday. The Open is up at the TPC in Scottsdale, and is definitely known for being the rowdiest, loudest, most energetic crowds on the Tour. All that energy has to go somewhere once you've left the gates, and if the Bird's Nest isn't your thing, here are our suggestions for what to do and where to go in the North Scottsdale/Phoenix area:
WHERE TO EAT
Skip the chain restaurants and head to these local gems up north:
Zinc Bistro: At Kierland Commons, just a little more than a mile away from the TPC, you can find Chef Matt Carter whipping up his French specialties. It's delicious and you can eat on the patio, on the side or tucked away in a back courtyard, to absorb the perfect weather. Whatever you do, get the molten cake - just make sure to order in advance.
North, Greene House: North (and Bar North) and The Greene House are all brain children of you-guessed-it, Sam Fox, and both are at Kierland Commons. If you haven't tried The Greene House, prepare to be wowed. The atmosphere and food are fresh as can be, laid back but sophisticated at the same time.
The Compound: Live Music + Grill: The creators of the McDowell Mountain Music Festival have set up shop - err, restaurant - at the Scottsdale & 101. But this is no ordinary grill, of course there's live music to be had nearly every night. Great place to go to relax after the Open.
El Encanto: You're already up north, so head a few more miles up and visit El Encanto, one of Phoenix's oldest (and most delicious) Mexican restaurants. You'll be surprised, too, by the lake surrounded by trees, with swans floating around -it's what they're known for. That, and the year-after-year award-winning margaritas.
White Chocolate Grill: Oddly, not every dish is made with white chocolate. A disappointment to some chocoholics like me, until I tasted the oh-so-fresh American fare. It's reminiscent of a Houston's-type restaurant, with the classy dark wood, really expertly cooked food, but the WCG as we call it has a killer bar and atmosphere. Get there early.
NIGHTLIFE
You've seen some golf, now you're full from one of the restaurants above, and you want to go out. Here's where to do it:
Devil's Martini North: The sister to the original location in Old Town Scottsdale, Devil's North - as it's called - is the primary dance club/bar/lounge in North Scottsdale. It always has the best DJs (before you go, you can even request music on their web site), stiff drinks, and what's widely known as the best looking crowd in town. Don't be fashionably late this weekend - go early to save yourself time in line.
Stone Rose Lounge: This swanky place is at the swanky Fairmont Scottsdale, literally right behind the Open, which means you won't have to find a DD to get there. There will be live music and drinks with a bite, but this isn't the place to go to dance. This is the place to go if you want to relax on the patio or watch the action around the bar.
Armitage: Just a couple miles north of the Open is DC Ranch, and Armitage is the oh-so-popular wine bar you've gotta try. There's a long wine list for the sophisticated type, and a spirit list for the rest of us that really is full of spirit with creative concoctions. It's really cozy with oversized chairs and couches, but it's quaint so don't wait too long to get your spot.
25 Degrees
It's like a bourgeois burger bar.
When CityNorth opened about a year ago in north Phoenix, it had upscale shopping, hip cutting-edge people moving into the loft spaces, and the anticipation of larger shops. But the most exciting things were all the new restaurants. One of the most exciting was 25 Degrees, an ultra-glam-vintage-modern burger bistro that mixes gourmet techniques into the best comfort food around.
They have four burgers that they've crafted brilliantly, ranging from their "number one" (caramelized onion, gorgonzola, crescenza, bacon), to the "number three" (mezzo secco jack, green chili, chipotle, avocado), and their "number four" with yellowfin tuna has sent people swooning.
But those daring to create their own are rewarded with the best-of-the-best choices in meat (sirloin, turkey, veggie), and their cheese selection is more extensive than most wine bars, and is from all over the world. Paired with one of their 14 homemade sauces, you really can't go wrong.
I will mandate you to get their onion rings, though, which are hand battered and dipped and yes, there is a difference. My main problem when I go is deciding burger or non-burger, since their grilled three cheese sandwich or their fried egg sandwich really rocks my world.
For the beverages, a man from Chicago said it was the best Guinness milkshake he's ever had anywhere. I was too glued to my chocolate malt to pull myself away. Another option is their PBR on-tap, a patron's favorite.
All-in-all, it's a must-go. (And a must-stuff-your-face.)
5415 E High Street, #127
Phoenix, AZ 85054
(480) 502-1125
Scramble
One of Phoenix's newest breakfast spots (or breakfast joint, as they call it) is Scramble, located in the north, central part of the city. I highly recommend giving this one a try. Despite its name, Scramble offers up much more than just eggs. I'm completely smitten with their Biscuits which make a great side to any breakfast meal. The menu is quite helpful by pointing out which items are a "healthy choice," "spicy" and even which ones "travel well." Note: naturally, the biscuits are not labeled as "healthy" but a side of low fat yogurt or fruit should help balance that out.
You have to try the biscuits
On my first visit, I checked out the Mulitgrain Pancakes which were yummy, and BIG. They took up the entire plate! My husband is a fan of the Gringo Breakfast Burrito. And we're both huge fans of their Cinnamon Rolls. These alone are well worth the visit. They're baked every day and according to the menu, "When they're gone, they're gone." Now, that's fresh.
Multigrain Pancakes
Gringo Breakfast Burrito
Scramble also offers a light lunch menu, but I doubt I'll ever try it because the breakfast is just too good to pass up!
9832 N. 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Via Delosantos Mexican Food and Lounge
In Phoenix, everyone seems to have their favorite spot for Mexican food. For us, it's Via Delosantos. We discovered it several years ago and ever since, it's been our "go to" place when we're craving some good ol' Mexican eats. I tend to be a creature of habit with my food, so it's a numero 15 for me every time -- that's 2 cheese enchiladas with rice and beans. For Mike, it's a carne asada burrito made the way he likes it, with all of the ingredients inside the tortilla. It's so refreshing when a restaurant makes your food the way you like it. Of course, we always manage to fill up on chips and salsa. Maybe that's why I'm always getting my second enchilada to go. It's just as yummy the second time around!
As you can tell, Delosantos is very casual and laid back. Other than the food, it's why we really love it here. There's nothing better than being able to relax with some good food, good drink and good company. (And these days, it helps with the bottom line since their prices are more than reasonable). The next time you're in the mood for some Mexican food, give it a try.
9120 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85020
