Cholla Prime Steakhouse

524 N 92nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85256

Companion and I had reservations for dinner at 5:30. Upon our arrival our waitress tried to seat us at a small table for two. Upon asking for a regular four top she quipped that we would have to leave by 7:00 because the table had a reservation for that time. We assured her that we would leave by then. Foodnote: When we left more than half the tables were still empty!

Our busser quickly brought out a nice basket of assorted breads including a wonderful whole grain cranberry walnut? bread along with sweet butter and pesto. We were off to a good start.

We shared a starter of Maple and Honey Glazed Pork Belly which was wonderful.

House Caesar Salads were next and were ice cold and served with shaved Parmesan cheese on top. Very good.

We were next brought a strawberry sherbet palate cleanser, which was delicious and reminded me of dining at Jean-Georges in New York by MOMA.

For the main course, we shared a huge (32 oz) Porterhouse Steak which was perfectly medium rare and came with a cup of Demi and a cup of Bearnaise Sauce. The Bearnaise was one of the few dings in the meal, as it had little flavor and nary a tarragon flavor to be found. The Demi was a nice touch and graced the top of the steak nicely.

We opted to purchase the Prime Sides, one of which was Lobster Mashed Potatoes which had nice chunks of lobster along with (I think) parmesan cheese. It was excellent.

The other Prime Side was the Sweet Corn Casserole which I could have eaten all night and into the next day. It was fresh and devine!

Desserts were a weak area with a limited menu. Companion ordered the Chocolate Caramel Bar, and left most of it on the plate.

I ordered the Crème Brulee which was properly made and literally covered in assorted fresh berries which I shared with companion.

A glass of Grahams finished off the dinner.

The table was bussed as needed and everything was immaculately clean.

5 stars for excellent food, reasonable prices, and a good busser that deserves a raise.

Andreoli's Italian Grocer

8880 E Via Linda 
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

We went to Andreoli's for lunch today and as far as I am concerned, I had lunch in Calabria! Only thing missing was a bocce ball court.
The place is small, but it is made up for with the food and wonderful service.
I ordered a Porchetta Sandwich and companion ordered an Antipasto Plate. We were given a nice table in the middle of the room, and shortly after sitting down next to a large party all speaking Italian, we were brought a small but exceedingly delicious basket of bread and some nice olive oil to dip it in. Mind you that I have eaten in Italian restaurants all around the world, and a lot of them don't even think of giving you a bread basket.
The Porchetta was perfect, and came on a homemade Italian Bread petite loaf that was divine. Also on the plate as a lovely fresh green salad which had  oak leaf, red leaf, arugula, and other greens with a very homemade oil and vinegar dressing that was perfect.
Companions plate was a beautiful combination of several assorted meats and cheeses as well as a number of other items and was pronounced delicious.
The restaurant is stocked with true Italian products, as they are just about all written with Italian instructions! Hard to find items such as small buckets of Lupini beans and Anchovies in hot spices as well as many types of pastas adorn the shelves. They also carry a number of fresh made and frozen pastas which are made on the premises. Among items in the cold cases were homemade Coppa as well as homemade Pancetta. Among the dessert case are wonderful cakes including a magnificent Pistachio cake like no other that I have ever seen.
While the decor is not the most romantic, it is more than made up for with the wonderful food and the excellent service. Sanitation was excellent with tables being bussed as soon as the diners left.
I want to go back as soon as tomorrow to try some of the other items they make such as their Pasta dishes with homemade sauces, and their legendary Pizza. I'd also like to try their Carpaccio as well as their fresh made Burrata.
The easiest 5 stars I have ever given out!

I'm almost afraid to post this review because I'd love to keep this place quiet and all to myself.