When you decide to go to Veneto’s you surely know in advance that you are going to be dropping some pretty big bucks on dinner that night. So it does help in knowing that while you may be spending a chunk of your hard earned loot, it will be well worth both your time and your money. Perhaps that fact that they have a world famous chef in the kitchen whipping up the most traditional and authentic dishes. Or perhaps the fact that they have some of the best trained waiting staff in the state are other notions as to why they garner such a high price tag for their meals. Of course, all of their foods are organic and locally grown and their meats are shipped in from the best butchers in town.

Veneto’s stands firmly alone at the head of the pack for the very best Italian restaurants in Arizona and for a number of good reasons. First of all they only feature standard Southern Italian dishes, their menu is in Italian and quite frequently you will have to have a server interpret it or ask for an English menu. Also, they have the best wine selection I have ever seen at an Italian restaurant and their bartender knows his stuff. He can tell you what side of the hill the grapes were grown on, how much water and sun they got and the temperature, merely by sniffing a cork. So it goes without saying that they have some of the best, if not most expensive, wines to be drank.

Now on to the inside. Veneto’s sits in a very nice complex in Scottsdale and while the outside is nothing special, once inside you are treated to a dimly lit and very romantic atmosphere where traditional Italian music plays in the background. Their menu is short and sweet and features a little bit of everything. Although their chef will happily concoct anything that you can contrive. I happen to fancy their crusted filet of beef—a choice eight ounce filet mignon topped with a mustard parmesan sauce and served with tossed veggies and dinner salad. Rating based upon personal experience: ** six stars for amazing eats, the best service, the most inclusive wine selection you have ever seen and of course a menu that stands alone.

Imagine if there was only a restaurant that offered some of the finest Italian fare and flare but at some of the most reasonable prices that were possible. A place that knew that there was a clear difference between decadence and price. Imagine this and you will have imagined the main theme behind Basilico—bring great Italian eats to hungry patrons with excellent service and presentation, and at prices that they will happily pay. When you dine at Basilico, you can expect the best food, the best service, the best experience but also the best damn prices.

The outside is in par with the complex that this bistro sits; an uppity Scottsdale-look which clearly states “We are refined.” Once inside you will notice very quickly take note that the tables and the interior décor are as “Little Italy” as it gets. Their dishes are extravagant and well priced. My favorite is the spinach linguini in white sauce—a delicate and light dish that sits very well with a glass of house red wine. Rating based upon personal experience: ** four stars for cleanliness, service, presentation, beer and wine selection, location, and most importantly, really great prices.

Other Great Italian Restaurants in AZ:

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the Scottsdale area, and do not fret, I fully intend to divulge to as to why this one ranks easily in my top two. First of all when you frequent a restaurant, the good food and wine and beer selection aside, you go there for several reasons. Some things that come immediately to mind are ambiance, presentation, service and overall experience. To blatantly say it so, this place is an experience and has been in the Valley for more than twenty-five years, and it is not just because their food is so damned good and so reasonably priced.

On many a weekend night that I have been in this place stuffing their delicious Italian food into my mouth, and I have noticed that many local celebrities were also following suit. To say it plainly, this place presents an originality, flavor and a vibe that is unlike no other place you can go to in the state. You will hear many a server conversing fluently in Italian with each other, their drinks are perfectly mixed and they even bring you a chalk board with the nightly specials written on them, and a sit-up menu to each table once you are seated; make reservations this place is very popular.

They have a number of excellent dishes and appetizers and they are so good that I actually have to tell you about three dishes here. The chicken rigatoni in vodka sauce is by far the best in the lands. Their cheese dumplings feature three cheeses in a noodle shell, dazzled in vodka sauce that will make your heart skip a beat. And finally, they have the best veal that you will ever get to try—Italian style! Rating based upon personal experience: * five stars—if the Brioni Boys (waiting staff) do not win you over right away, the politeness of the hosts, the service, the very authentic dishes and most importantly the great prices will.

Quite possibly one of the finest Italian restaurants that is tucked away and hidden in the North Scottsdale area bordering Pinnacle Peak, is Gian Francos. This Italian restaurant is simply put, one-of-a-kind. Owned and operated by a local Sicilian family who prides themselves on customer service, authentic recipes and an overall eating experience that is assuredly second-to-none. Expect the best and then add a dash of salt to it and you will have the recipe for amazing Italian food, a romantic atmosphere and food that will leave a lasting impression in your mouth and your mind.

Both the exterior and the interior are very new and very well decorated. It plays off a romantic and intimate home-like feeling portrayed by fine leather, nail head seating, and tables that are intricately decorated; all complimented by exquisite service and attention to detail. Their foods spar from the all of the famous classics that have made Italian food popular in the US—elaborate pasta dishes, fine sauces, meats and wines. While there make sure that you try the brochette di focacia calda—it is the best damn brochette that you will ever taste. Rating based upon personal experience: * five stars for elegance, presentation, service, and wine and beer selection. Although they do charge handsomely for it, one would expect nothing less.

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