This month we head back to the United States to visit another great city, Scottsdale, Arizona. One of my favorite memories from Scottsdale is sitting at thePhoenician overlooking the city and admiring Camelback Mountain while smoking a cigar on the terrace. Scottsdale is distinguished by the magnificent mountains that rise up over the desert. It’s also a very hip and highly cultured city with some of the finest dining, nightlife, and resorts in the world, not to mention the women are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Hop-on and let’s ride cowboys!
The Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain
5700 East McDonald Drive ‘ Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253
Reservations: 855.245.2051
http://www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com/index.html
Surrounded by some of the most picturesque views of Paradise Valley, The Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain is one of Scottsdale’s best luxury resorts. Also known for attracting Hollywood celebs, The Sanctuary offers spacious rooms and every type of service and amenity.
They have a full-service spa offering Asian-inspired treatments for the mind and body from massage therapy, to fitness classes, to a Zen meditation garden.
For cocktails or wine from their impressive list of vintages, visit The Jade Bar. They have a secluded outdoor patio where you can smoke a cigar as you listen to live music and enjoy breathtaking views of the desert.
The Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North
10600 East Crescent Moon Drive ‘ Scottsdale, Arizona 85262-8342
Reservations: 480-515-5700
http://www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale/
Located in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, this luxury retreat blends-in seamlessly with the beauty of the Arizona desert through architectural design, custom furnishings, and artwork created by regional artists and craftsmen, including pieces handmade by Mexican artists and the Huichol Indians. The resort also offers a choice of accommodations from spacious guest rooms, to luxury suites, and adobe casitas.
Canyon Suites at the Phoenician
6000 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale, Az. USA. 85251
Reservations: 480-941-8200
If you want to experience everything the Arizona desert has to offer, try the spacious Canyon Suites situated at the base of Camelback Mountain. Like the Sanctuary and The Four Seasons, this Forbes 5 star-rated resort has it all, from their world-class spa, to the hypoallergenic rooms, to fine dining, plus their daily “Hour of Joy” wine tasting from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Speaking of wine, The Canyon Suites has an award-winning collection that will turn the most sophisticated wine lover into a kid in a candy store. And, as I noted above, their terrace provides a magnificent view while you smoke one of your favorite cigars.
Mastro’s Steakhouse
Address: 8852 Pinnacle Peak Road ‘ Scottsdale, AZ 85255
World-class service, highly-acclaimed cuisine, and live entertainment.
Reservations: 480-585-9500
http://www.mastrosrestaurants.com/Locations/AZ/01-Scottsdale-Steakhouse-Main/Default.aspx
I like to call Mastro’s “Nirvana for steak lovers.” Even the Gayot “guide to the good life” has claimed it as “one of the top 10 steakhouses in the U.S.”
Founded in 1999, Mastro’s was originally a family-owned restaurant. Now under new management, their commitment to excellent service, distinctive atmosphere and serving the finest quality food hasn’t changed. Mastro’s also offers a number of elegantly furnished dining rooms, including a piano lounge.
In addition to their world-class steaks, Mastro’s menu features fish delicacies like Chilean Sea Bass, Ahi Tuna served sashimi style, and Scottish Salmon Fillet, plus a sushi menu. Try the 18 oz. Kansas City Bone-in Strip, 33 oz. Prime, Prime Rib, or go for it all with their 48 oz. Double Cut Porterhouse. To see their entire menu, click here.
The prices are upscale, but well worth it. Mastro’s has also become a hot spot for celebrities, so you never know who might be sitting near you.
Elements (at The Sanctuary)
5700 East McDonald Drive ‘ Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253
Reservations: 480-607-2300
http://www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com/food/elements.html
Located in The Sanctuary, Elements offers award-winning American cuisine with Asian accents prepared by Executive Chef and Food Network star, Beau MacMillan. Elements serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, all prepared with farm-fresh ingredients, the best local, organic produce, and hormone-free meats. In addition to the smoked meats (all done in-house), shellfish, a raw bar, and sashimi, they offer vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. One of the other highlights of dining at Elements is watching the colorful sunsets on Camelback Mountain. If you’re visiting Scottsdale with your significant other, dinner at Elements is the ideal prelude to a romantic evening.
The Capital Grille
16489 North Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Information & Reservations: 480-348-1700
https://www.thecapitalgrille.com/pages/locations/?id=8024
Located in a building inspired by famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, The Capital Grille offers relaxed elegance and classic steakhouse fare prepared with the highest quality dry-aged beef. Wine lovers will fall for their award-winning wine list with over 350 vintages in stock. If you can’t decide which wine goes best with your meal, there are a number of selections chosen by their Sommelier, George Miliotes.
The Capital Grille offers lunch and dinner served by a highly-experienced staff that provides first-class service. Steak lovers should try one of their signature steaks like the Porcini rubbed Delmonico with 15 year-aged balsamic, or the dry-aged Porterhouse. Seafood fans will love the Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Roasted Tomatoes, Shitakes and Mushroom Broth, or the Citrus Glazed Salmon.
BARS & LOUNGES
21° Cigars & Accessories
9375 E Shea Blvd #175, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Information: 480-551-2121
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm / Sunday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
In February of 2009, 21 Degrees opened the one and only Rocky Patel Cigar Lounge in Arizona. It’s also one of the only places in Scottsdale where you can smoke cigars. The business is family owned, and because they treat their customers like family, it’s extremely customer-friendly.
Inside you’ll find everything that makes a cigar lounge great: a spacious walk-in humidor with a big selection of premium handmade cigars, comfy leather club chairs, six big screen TV’s, Wi-Fi, a 9 ft. pool table and a Golden Tee Golf arcade. Have a glass of wine, or try one of their many craft beers as you relax with your favorite cigar.
Fox Cigar Bar
1464 E. Williams Field Rd. #105 Gilbert, AZ 85296
Information: 480-917-3117
http://foxtobacco.com/#!gilbert-cigar-bar/
Located in nearby Gilbert, AZ, the Fox Cigar Bar is a classic cigar bar teeming with sophisticated ambiance. It’s a great place for a date, relaxing with an after dinner drink, and perfect for enjoying good conversation without a lot of background noise. The bartenders are a throwback to the days when bartenders were bartenders; easy to talk to, extremely considerate, and masters at mixing practically any drink from their fully-stocked bar of 70 whiskeys and bourbons, 80 Scotches, 20 cognacs, and more.
Beer fanatics will love their selection of 50 bottled beers, plus craft beers including small batch, specialty, and limited release brews from all over the country. The Fox has 14 taps that rotate every two days, so you’re sure to find something appealing.
For relaxing with a cigar they have a 500 sq. ft. humidor that spans the entire range of premium brands and rare boutique cigars.
The Casablanca Lounge
7134 E. Stetson Dr. ‘ Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Information & Reservations: 480-970-7888
http://www.thecasablancalounge.com/
“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” as Humphrey Bogart says in the final scene of Casablanca. That’s how you’ll feel after a visit to the Casablanca Lounge, an elegant cocktail lounge that mixes old-world style with a modern touch. The Lounge features a number of barrel-aged beverages and specialty cocktails that you can take out on their patio with its covered cabana, comfy lounge furniture, a fire pit, and stunning views of Old Town Scottsdale and Camelback Mountain. Casablanca also has live music, and for private parties they have a hidden “Speakeasy” Room complete with a balcony, a 42-inch plasma TV, and Wi-Fi.
Armitage Bistro
20751 North Pima Road – Suite 120,’ Scottsdale AZ 85255
Information & Reservations: 480-502-1641
http://www.armitagewine.com/scottsdale/index.html
Located in North Scottsdale, the Armitage Bistro offers Old World ambiance with an eclectic selection of fine wines, premium spirits, specialty martinis, and imported beers. The Armitage also has an outdoor lounge that’s ideal for enjoying a glass of one of their numerous wine selections and a cigar. You’ll also find intimate conversation areas for winding down after a busy day of sightseeing or partaking in a pre-dinner drink before enjoying a dish from their affordably-priced menu. As evening approaches, the lights dim and the music tempo picks up, converting it into a lively nightclub.
If you’re planning a trip to Arizona, make sure you include Scottsdale on your itinerary. It’s one of the most enchanting and unforgettable places on earth.
Born in New Delhi, India in 1961, Rakesh " "Rocky" " Patel, began his professional career as an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, where he was introduced to cigars on the back lots of Hollywood studios. One of the original founding members of L.A.'s famed Grand Havana Club, he sold his firm and spent five years in Honduras working and learning the cigar trade, including field and barn work. From his first Indian Tabac cigars in the 1990's to his current Rocky Patel Cigars releases, Rocky has insisted on using only the highest quality tobaccos, and the proof is in the numerous accolades and high scores his cigars have received. Often heralded as " "the hardest working man in the cigar business," " Rocky logs more than 300 days on the road a year - an extension of his enthusiasm for his award-winning cigars and his commitment to his customers.
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