7135 E. Camelback Rd.

We can't really take anything away from the restaurant for this, but being non-Scottsdale natives we had a hard time finding the front door.  Our driving directions were specific enough to include doing a u-turn, but at the completion of the drive we couldn't see the restaurant.  Ultimately we just parked and headed off in the direction we thought it should be - thanks big sign.

We sort of chose Olive & Ivy due to it's proximity to the Canal, but really, there's not much value in it - nothing evil, just nothing special.  It was a warm enough day so we gladly took the option to sit outside, and it's really nice to have the outside part of the restaurant not be pushed right up against the street.  I suspect that had we not been having a relatively late lunch this option would not always present itself.

The Host was perky and chatty (and possibly too nice to be a Host).  Our Server was polite and able to answer all our questions but didn't really offer anything up that wasn't asked for - not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination.  The Menu was easy to figure out and had just about the right number of options for a Lunch (although we struggled over which Flatbread to start with).  And a pretty good selection of wines by the glass for quaffing in the sun.

Our meal went something like this:

• Glass of Chasing Venus Pinot Gris - just what I needed for sitting in the sun.
• Red Raspberry Mojito - perhaps a little more appropriate for the sun.
• Asparagus & Wild Mushroom Flatbread - yummy yummy crust.  Probably would have selected another variety given a less full tummy.
• Sweet Potato Cannelloni - we had to get extra bread for the sauce (which probably contributed to the decision not to go with the 2nd Flatbread).
• Cavatelli with House Made Sausage / Mushroom / Broccoli - great sausage, and more bread needed.
• Selection of Gelatos - straight from their 'Market Counter'.

Probably our late(ish) arrival facilitated this, but we were not rushed at all, even ordering one course at a time.  We had a sort of schedule to keep, so we didn't make full use of this allowance.

We were happy we persevered in finding the front door...

Stay JOLLY!
D

3915 N Scottsdale Rd

After our pre-planned Dinner plans for this evening had just fallen through it was perhaps the very easy to see red facade that caught our attention as we searched downtown Scottsdale for Plan B.  Plan B turned out to be just what we were looking for. 

At the tail end of the Dinner 'hour' Italian Grotto was still busy but we were seated by a Window with no waiting - catch is, not much to see out on the street.  Relatively quiet for the number of people finishing up with music that was pleasant and appropriate enough, but until we were just about the only people left, a little hard to hear.  A couple of TVs over the bar perhaps the reason for having the lights down quite low?

Our server wasn't particularly talkative but he did answer all the questions we asked.  We had a pretty tough time deciding on an appetizer but he confidently recommented the Mussels which we accepted and it turned out they were great and just what we wanted.  Drinks and meals arrived promptly and accurately.  Even as it was towards the end of the evening for him he didn't show any bother at us ordering one course at a time.

Our meal went something along the lines of:

• A couple of fu-fu drinks
• Crispy Bread - perfect for dipping into the Mussel Sauce.
• Mussels Portifino - an excellent recomendation by our Server.
• An Italian Riesling - at the drier end of the scale possibly more suited for sitting out on the patio with a salad during the afternoon, but no reason to cry over our choice.
• Veal Cutlet Milanese - nicely breaded, not to heavy on the sauce.
• Salmon Oreganata - not too heavy on the lemon or the breading.
• Chocolate Tartufo - crunchy on the outside, nice and rich on the inside.

For a Plan B that was only developed from a look at the building we had a very enjoyable Meal, perhaps more appropriate for how we were feeling and what we had been up to than what was developed as Plan A.  Someday we'll try revist Plan A, but now we know we have a very acceptable Plan B already tried & tested.

Stay JOLLY!
D