With the 100-plus temperatures in full swing, we are all looking for the best ways to beat the heat. Salads tend to be the perfect summer fare; light, cool and refreshing. Summer in Arizona is the prime harvest season for many fruits and vegetables and with so many restaurants promoting local sourcing and farm to table menus, you are bound to find a local grower’s bounty on your plate. Feast your eyes and taste buds on the best that Scottsdale has to offer in the way of refreshing, original and cool summer salads.
9 Hot Spots for Cool Summer Salads
Cowboy Ciao
7133 E. Stetson Drive| Scottsdale| 480.WINE.111
Stetson Chopped Salad $13.00
elements
5700 E. McDowell Road| Paradise Valley| 800.245.2051
Shaved Vegetables & Roasted Beets $13.00
Grassroots Kitchen and Tap
8120 N. Hayden Road| Scottsdale| 480.699.03699
Cardiff Salad $13.00
The Herb Box
7134 E. Stetson Drive| Scottsdale| 480.289.6160
Serrano-Avocado Shrimp Salad $15.00
Humble Pie
6501 E Greenway Pkwy.| Scottsdale| 480.998.2199
Veggie Salad $12.50
When you’re too heated to choose one of Humble Pie’s 25 pizza pies, be sure to treat yourself to their gratifying Veggie Salad. Comprised of avocado, jicama, white beans, green beans, tomatoes and house mozzarella with a herb vinaigrette, this salad is anything but humble. Crunchy, creamy with the slightest bit of sweetness from the jicama creates the perfect alternative or complement to pizza.
Original ChopShop Co.
7158 E. 5th Ave.| Scottsdale| 480.794.1536
BBQ Chicken Salad $9.00
Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen
7325 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.| Scottsdale| 480.990.2212
The Berry-licious $12.00
While Picazzo’s may be known for their creative, organic, and allergy sensitive pizzas, they also have extensive salad offerings. If you like a little sweetness and tang to your salad, then the Berry-licious is right up your alley. Mixed with organic greens, spinach, strawberry, orange, feta, sweet walnuts and a berry balsamic dressing, this salad hits all the marks. The crunch of the sweet walnuts paired with the crisp greens and the smoothness of the feta provide a great textural contrast and the fresh fruit and tang of the dressing scream summer.
Rancho Pinot
6208 N. Scottsdale Road| Scottsdale| 480.367.8030
Shaved Summer Squash $12.00
Chef Chrysa Roberson is renowned for using only the freshest and best available ingredients, organic and local when available, and she’s looking to change your mind about fava beans. Fava beans have received a bad rap based on their connection to a certain Dr. Lecter. These nutty little legumes when matched up with creamy burrata, mint, crunchy Marcona almonds, dry cured olives and tossed with lemon and olive oil result in a light and elegant salad perfect for a summer day and deserving of a nice chianti.
True Food Kitchen
15191 N. Scottsdale Road| Scottsdale| 480.265.4500
Knowing that all items on the menu here are based on Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid, you’d be sure to feel great with any dish out of the open kitchen. The Farmer’s Market Salad is a perfect choice for summer. This gluten free and vegetarian salad features peas, asparagus, artichokes, avocado, mint, fava bean, manchego and a champagne vinaigrette. The salad exhibits some bold, but not overpowering, flavors while the vinaigrette is light and bright. This salad will give you a new appreciation for kale!
This article was originally featured in the August 2013 issue of So Scottsdale Magazine, where Taryn Jeffries is a monthly contributor.