Maestro Steakhouse and Wildfish Seafood

On my second (or is it third?) trip to Phoenix this year, I went with my team to Maestro Steakhouse and Wildfish Seafood Grille.   Both in Scottsdale and pretty amazing food.  First up, Maestro Steakhouse

 Double-cut Porterhouse

Sides - cream spinach, brussel sprouts, and mac & cheese

We were so full from Maestro that we didn't have room for dessert.   The next day we went to Wildfish Seafood Grille to balance all the meat.  

Appetizer - Calamari and Hot-stone beef

I didn't get to take a pic of my main entree, Hong Kong style steamed chilean sea bass with crab fried rice

Dessert - Pineapple upside down cake



Zuni Cafe

As our date night yesterday, we went to Zuni Cafe to try the famous roasted chicken.  Waited almost 2 hours (reservation and another hour for chicken preparation), we got to try the dish.   It was amazing!!!  Not only was the herbs and seasoning just right, the chicken was incredibly moist, crispy skin, and just mere deliciousness!!



Blue Ribbon Cookbook - home cooking

Recently my hubby (best chef ever!) made the herb-roasted chicken from the Bromberg Bros. Blue Ribbon cookbook.  It was delicious - savory, moist, and great texture.   Potential competitor to Zuni Cafe (see next post)..



Vegas Baby!

I have to say the Vegas probably has the most celebrity chef restaurants per square feet.  Having eaten at a number of them, I have to say that the quality is sub-par.  Perhaps it's the desert environment or potentially that there's so much going on around you, it's hard to concentrate on only food.  
I stayed at the Mandalay Bay and ate at Strip House and Border Grill.  I was quite disappointed in Strip House - ordered the kobe filet and it was not as 'melt-in-your-mouth' steak.   Border Grill on the other hand was quite good.  Went there for lunch and I recommend the following (and some home-made sangria!)

White fish ceviche - on top of crispy rice



Spicy Shrimp Tacos - chipotle shrimp, guacamole, cucumer jicama slaw, and chipotle aioli