Dining Guide | 7 Scottsdale Romantic Restaurants and their most romantic dishes

I was once told by a chef that, “food is the ultimate representation of love.” I among the believers that there is nothing more romantic than a meal shared by two people in an intimate setting where you quickly are so entranced with one another that the rest of the room melts away.

With February being the most romantic of months, here are a few suggestions on our selection of seven romantic restaurants to wine and dine your Valentine along with a few tips on the right menu items complete with ingredients thought to keep the romance going. (Keep a look out for dish ingredients thought to be aphrodisiacs in parenthesis.)

7 Scottsdale Romantic Restaurants

Alchemy
13225 N. Eagle Ridge Drive| Fountain Hills| 480.333.1880
Alchemy is located in the Copperwynd Resort which is just East of Scottsdale and boasts superb views of the Sonoran Desert and surrounding mountains. Opt for a romantically lit spot on the patio and cuddle up to your companion. Inhale the desert air and the subtle smells from the kitchen which can prove to be more intoxicating than your glass of bubbly. The menu and atmosphere here embrace the spirit of romance. To ensure the romance lasts through the night opt for the Iceberg Wedge salad (avocado) to share and then the Pan Seared Scallops (Marcona almonds) and the Barramundi (avocado).

Atlas Bistro
2515 N. Scottsdale Road| Scottsdale| 480.990.2433
At first glance, this tiny restaurant may seem as though it would be impossible to disappear into the background. There are only a small number of tables in the dining room and you would think that you would hear everyone else’s conversations over your own. Amazingly enough, as the lusty jazz music wafts through the air, it’s just you and your dining companion. The other patrons are in their own worlds and you and your date can settle in and enjoy each other’s company and the intimate backdrop of Atlas Bistro. Their menu is ever evolving with the seasons, but you can bet there are always romantic options. Start with the Smoked Salmon Crostini’s (egg and avocado) to share. Dine on their Branzino Seabass (asparagus and chile pepper) and finish up with their decadent Nutella Cake (chocolate.) While Atlas is a bring-your-own-beverage restaurant, you have a wide selection at your fingertips just next door.

elements
5700 E. McDonald Drive| Paradise Valley| 480.607.2300

When you pair tried and true amazingly crafted food with breathtaking mountain views it’s hard to have a bad experience. Add to that, the impressive staff and luxurious feel of the restaurant and you have the beginnings of a night to remember. Whether you enjoy a seat on the gorgeous patio with a front row seat to a jaw-dropping sunset or inside the dining room with the rich fabrics and textures, you won’t find the atmosphere to be loud or intrusive. Be lost in each other’s eye as you start with the Iced Shellfish Platter (oysters) and then move on to Mexican Wild Shrimp (egg and chile pepper) or the Kurobuta Pork Chop (honey) making sure to share a few bites of your dates plate. Enjoy a glass of wine from their extensive list and reminisce about the day you first met.

Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn
5532 N. Palo Cristi Road| Paradise Valley| 602.955.8614
Imagine you and your sweetheart seated in an intimate wine cellar, surrounded by stone walls and hundreds of exquisite bottles of wine. Underground at Lon’s you can experience this, the ultimate in luxury. To ensure that you are able to focus all of your attention on your date, you can order the Chef Inspired Menu and leave all the decisions up to the Chef James Ducas and prepare to be more and more enamored with each dish. Perhaps you’ll enjoy the Chili Rubbed Arizona Cowboy Ribeye (chile peppers) or Lon’s Cellar Cured Prosciutto (figs). Cuddle in closer and share the Pumpkin Grand Marnier Sabayon (chocolate) and see where the night takes you.

Sassi
10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway| Scottsdale| 480.502.9095

Sassi has long been known as one of the most romantic restaurants in the Valley. Located at the base of the Pinnacle Peak Mountains, once inside its hard to believe you are still in Arizona. You’ll feel as though you have been transported to a quaint trattoria in Southern Italy. Immerse yourself in the ambiance and relaxed charm of Sassi with your partner. Add a little spice to your night by starting with the Cucumber Panzanella Salad (chile) and opt for either the Spaghetti Carbonara (farm egg) or their pan Seared Sea Scallops (almonds). Finish your evening by sharing the Cannoi della Casa (chocolate and almonds) to ensure a “Sassi” night!

Shin Bay
7001 N. Scottsdale Road| Scottsdale| 480.664.0180
A meal at Shin Bay is often referred to as a culinary adventure and with the extremely high quality of the ingredients paired with the mastery of the Itamae makes this spot a sushi lover’s dream come true. You and your date can linger over the Chef’s Course which can last up to two hours. While the menu for this option changes frequently as it revolves around what ingredients are the freshest and of the highest quality you’ll find your experience to be decadent, stimulation and aesthetically pleasing.

Tesoro Ristorante Italiano
11219 E. Via Linda| Scottsdale| 480.767.1990
Tesoro offers up an intimate and romantic setting, perfect for an enchanted evening with your love. Dim lighting, approachable and attentive wait staff ensures that you will want for nothing during your visit. The location, a non-descript strip mall, may not scream romance, but didn’t Mom tell you not to judge a book by its cover? Savor the exquisite flavors of the Veal Saltimbocca (wine) or order a plate of linguine and recreate all the sweet romance from Lady and the Tramp.

This article was originally featured in the February 2014 issue of So Scottsdale Magazine.