by Claudia Bushee

Created on: May 29, 2008   Last Updated: June 05, 2008

All righty. It's about 110 degrees outside and the temp only slides to 100 in the evening. Where to eat? There are some happening spots under the smokin' hot canopy.

Cowboy Ciao (7133 E Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 946-3111) has great food, period. Some of the selections you may have never seen on a menu before. The "exotic mushroom pan fry" is one such dish. Another is their version of the chopped salad: The Stetson. Holy moly, the mixture of smoked salmon, greens and dried corn will set your spurs to jinglin' and janglin. And for dessert, don't miss the bread pudding. Young adults cluster around the bar, but the fun ambience will appeal to folks of all ages.

Got a special occasion to celebrate? Sassi's (10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (480) 502-9095) in North Scottsdale is tres elegant. The building is in the Tuscan style and sits on a hill overlooking the Valley of the Sun. The simpler fare is the best: the caprese salad and the pastas are terrific. Another excellent choice for Italian fare is Casa Mia (11675 N 136th St # 107,Scottsdale, AZ 85259
(480) 314-0365). A personal fave is the fruitti di mare, which has loads of seafood in a mildly spicy tomato sauce. If you want to watch the playoffs, there is a bar where you can mangia! mangia! and have a cocktail or glass of wine.

If you have the kids in tow, Pizza Picazzo (7325 E Frank Lloyd Wright #101, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 990-2212)
is a good choice. The pizzas feature fresh ingredients and there are a ton from which to choose. Also, the salads are more than ample and tasty, especially the Greek salad. There is a full bar for exhausted papa and mama.

So, all you want to do is watch the game and eat some good chow. Eli's American Grille (7000 E Shea Blvd # 140, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (480) 948-9800) is where to park your baseball cap. The steak bernaise sliders are worth what you spent on vacation. The beef is tender and the beer is frosty. Kids can join you as long as you don't sit at the bar. On Saturday nights, there is dancing for the Feeling Footloose at 40 set. If you like country-western serenading your meal, head on out to Greasewood Flats (27355 N Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 (480) 585-9430). You'll sit at a rustic picnic table under the cotton wood trees and twinkling stars, while listening to a band sing Willie and Johnny. Try the green pepper and cheese burger.

Cantina Laredo (7361 E Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 951-3807) serves southwestern food. The chips and salsa are exceptionally good. The chips are warm, but there is also a warm bean salsa served, in addition to the traditional rojo salsa. This restaurant is good for all occasions and is smack dab in the middle of a shopping area.

There are plenty of culinary resplendent spots in Scottsdale. So, stay cool and eat well!

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