Phoenix & the Valley of the Sun - American Southwest - page 460

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the terraced gardens offer plenty of dark spots for a bit of romance. 7500 E. Doubletree
Ranch Rd., Scottsdale. & 480/444-1234. www.scottsdale.hyatt.com.
Olive & Ivy With a huge patio right on the canal in the Scottsdale Waterfront, the
bar at this restaurant has become the place to see and be seen in Scottsdale. There are
more than 45 wines available by the glass, and the bartenders mix decent drinks, too. Be
sure to dress the part. 7135 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 195, Scottsdale. & 480/751-2200. www.
foxrestaurantconcepts.com.
T. Cook's Bar If you aren't planning on having dinner at this opulent Mediter-
ranean restaurant, at least stop by for a cocktail in the bar. With its mix of Spanish
colonial and 1950s tropical furnishings, this is as romantic a lounge as you'll find any-
where in the Valley. You can also snuggle with your sweetie out on the patio by the
fireplace. At the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, 5200 E. Camelback Rd. & 602/840-3610. www.
royalpalmshotel.com.
Wine Bars
Cave Creek Coffee Co. & Wine Bar Located way up north in the cow town of Cave
Creek, this hip coffeehouse doubles as a lively wine bar that also happens to book some
great music. Past performers have included Kelly Joe Phelps, Michelle Shocked, Richie
Havens, and Rickie Lee Jones. 6033 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek. & 480/488-0603. www.
cavecreekcoffee.com. Cover free to $60.
Kazimierz World Wine Bar Sort of a spacious speakeasy crossed with a wine
cellar, this place, which is associated with the nearby Cowboy Ciao restaurant (p. 420),
offers the same wide selection of wines available at the restaurant. There are dozens of
wines by the glass and live music several nights each week. The entrance is hard to find
(look around back for the big wood door with a sign that says the truth is inside), but
it's worth seeking out. 7137 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale. & 480/946-3004. www.kazbar.net. Cover
$5 (after 8pm).
Postino This immensely popular wine bar is in the heart of the Arcadia neigh-
borhood, south of Camelback Road, and is housed in a former post office. Casual yet
stylish, the bar has garage-style doors that roll up to open the restaurant to the outdoors.
Choose from a great selection of wines by the glass and a limited menu of European-
inspired appetizers. There's a second Postino at 5144 N. Central Ave. ( & 602/274-
5144 ). 3939 E. Campbell Ave. & 602/852-3939. www.postinowinecafe.com.
Cocktails with a View
The Valley of the Sun has more than its fair share of spectacular views. Unfortunately,
most of them are from expensive restaurants. All these restaurants have lounges, though,
where, for the price of a drink (and perhaps valet parking), you can sit back and ogle a
crimson sunset and the purple mountains' majesty. Among the best choices are the bar
at Different Pointe of View, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort; Rustler's
Rooste, at the Arizona Grand Resort; and both the cozy outdoors edge and the swanky
jade bar, at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain.
Thirsty Camel Whether you've already made your millions or are still working your
way up the corporate ladder, you owe it to yourself to spend a little time in the lap of
luxury. You may never drink in more ostentatious surroundings than here at Arizona's
most luxurious resort. The view is one of the best in the city. At the Phoenician, 6000 E.
Camelback Rd. & 480/941-8200. www.thephoenician.com.

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