If there’s one thing they don’t have enough of in Old Town Scottsdale, it’s restaurants. It’s just so hard to go down there and get a decent meal, are we right? Forgive our facetiousness as the area is just littered with amazing places to dine, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a few more to join the party. Ready or not, Kelly’s at SouthBridge has just opened up across from Cowboy Ciao on 6th Ave. and the pub and grill offers plenty of space and choice for its patrons in a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere. Local Chef, Steve ‘Chops’ Smith (recently named one of the top five up-and-coming chefs in the Valley by the Arizona Republic), created a menu of pub classics with a modern twist and takes pride in the high quality ingredients as well as originality of the cuisine. They also offer a full bar and entertainment to satisfy the late night crowd. A new place to eat and hang? Sounds like something we’re just crazy enough to try.

Like Kelly’s on Facebook and visit at 7117 E. 6th Ave in Scottsdale

photo via Kelly’s at SouthBridge

A 1924 historic bungalow with a modern addition that was designed by [merz]project and built to be timeless in its innovation, materiality, and simplicity. Named “Home of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects, this sleeper situated in the Ashland Historic District, blends with the fabric of the neighborhood but comes alive with an incredible modern, yet warm and inviting space unlike any other. Materials like walnut cabinetry & drs, thousands of s.f. of blue sandstone, polished conc. flrs, a 24′ moveable wall of glass, plus green features; sprayed foam insul., low flow fixtures, low VOC paint, high velocity HVAC system, & commercial grade glass. The Mstr Suite and Kitchen are outfitted with the highest-end finishes.

[Historic Phx Modern Architecture]

This is one strange bird.

10 Things To Do This Weekend:  From the ballet, a baseball game, Cirque de la Symphonie, and more.  [Arizona Foothills Magazine]

Say what you will about Bill Clinton, but the man knows how to be a retired president.

Porn star Brooklyn Lee, winner of an AVN award for “Best New Starlet,” happened to be present at a Monte Carlo gala also attended by the former First Gentleman. Lee and two of her porn pals, Tasha Reign and Jennifer Taule, managed to snag themselves a cozy snapshot with Clinton, and uploaded the souvenir to Twitter.

No word from Lee on whether or not the blue dress with the “white stain” was intentional.

[Gawker]

It’s another addition to our catalog of the best places to have a drink in America. As always, the project is guided by David Wondrich: Esquire’s drinks correspondent, the world’s foremost cocktail historian, and the best drinking partner anyone has ever had. So, here’s the list.

Part 1 by Tarbell’s, The Nolet’s Gin Hipster
Part 2 by The Mint, The Life Savings Martini
Part 3 by Citizen Public House, The Persian

Click here now to get your tickets or head on out to venue. BBQ!

Watch Mark Zuckerberg’s Fortune Fluctuate Minute By Minute

5 tons. That’s how much meat the boys over at Affordable Food Festivals have arranged to be smoked this weekend at their 3rd Annual Arizona BBQ Fest. From that original party in the dirt three years ago, they’ve taken their event to greener pastures – literally.

Now at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the event is taking place on 8 acres of grass and 2 acres of pavement. Sprawled out across the grounds is a whiskey expo on Saturday, a SoCo Cherry party area on Sunday, Carrabba’s VIP tent all weekend, a SubZero/Wolf chef demo stage, huge kids zone, tchotchke expo, and main bar by Tilted Kilt. They’ve got over eight bands scheduled and tons of other fun stuff going on.

Free parking this year, too, and you don’t even have to bribe the Nordstrom parking guard or fight for a downtown Scottsdale space.  But most important to the expansion are those BBQ teams.

This year there’s over 80 of them, with over 50 prepared to serve more $2 BBQ samples than ever before, for both days, from 11a-7p. Sunday, the AZ Pork Council is apparently filling smokers with ribs from Farmer John. So if you love eating pig off the bone, Sunday’s your day! The festival producers (Affordable Food Festivals) are so confident that they have enough food this year, that they’ve even advertised “If we run out of food, your money back!”

Bold statement. But we’d expect nothing less from the two former magazine whores who’ve turned themselves into our town’s hottest festival planners.

Tickets are $12, $100 VIP.

More: www.azbbqfestival.com

If you feel like piloting your very own food truck/shuttle, this is your opportunity.

Buy It Here

It’s a slow Monday so let take a quick look back to EAZ Friday Table Talk.   And now the review:

If you’re asking yourself where to go for breakfast in Old Town, you’ve got two options: Breakfast Club and, well, Breakfast Club’s other half of the room – that is, unless you’ve heard about Dottie’s.

Dottie’s True Blue Café has been quietly open for about a little about two months and hasn’t really told anybody because the owners—Brent Abney and Joe Green—wanted to get their act together first.  Read full review after the break. »READ MORE

Turn up the volume.  If you love this band you will really appreciate this song played last night on Letterman.   This is one awesome eclectic group of musicians.  On sale May 29th.

Lady-like and ultra sweet, the peplum is an added flare of fabric attached to a skirt, jacket, dress or shirt that instantly adds the illusion of a waist and hides any kind undesired pooch that may be hiding underneath. In short, it’s fashion’s old school answer to spanx, but far more comfortable. Seen on everyone from Kate Middleton to Michelle Williams (in that amazing Louis Vuitton Oscar gown pictured to the left), this is one of those cyclical trends  you’ll be happy to try this time around. »READ MORE

If you want to make your mom happy just hop on the phone now and book your table for this year’s Mother’s Day Brunch at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa inside the resort’s prestigious Trailblazer’s Ballroom.  

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to treat Mom to an elegant Champagne Brunch with the added benefits of an upscale resort location.  Enjoy sweeping views of Kierland Golf Course and the McDowell Mountain range from the ballroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows and live piano entertainment until 2 pm.  The Westin Kierland offers the perfect setting to take a stroll around the grounds before or after brunch, go shopping across the street at Kierland Commons and the Scottsdale Quarter (with a free “shopping shuttle”) or take advantage of the Resort’s amenities and treat mom to relaxation at Agave, the Arizona Spa or a round of golf at Kierland Golf Club.

While the flowing Champagne might be one of the reasons to make your reservations, the food should definitely be your first – be prepared to fill your plate with everything from made-to-order omelets and a selection of salads to delectable seafood, pastas and a carving station.  The menu is extensive, but save room for dessert including a white and dark chocolate fountain! It’s a Champagne Brunch experience sure to make any mom feel appreciated.

Sunday, May 13^th

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa Trailblazer’s Ballroom
Two seatings – 10am and 12pm
$ 79+ per Adult, $ 25+ per Child 5 – 12
Children 4 and under eat free

Visit www.ilovekierlandresort.com to view the Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch menu.  Reservations required at 480-624-1202.

Beet and Arugula Salad with La Tur Cheese, Squash Blossoms and Honey.   To get full recipe go to Tasting Table Sous Chef, and if your not already a member, be sure to sign up today, membership definitely has its privileges.

Welcome to the first installment of our St-Germain Cocktail Challenge.   In the coming few weeks we will bring you a collection of amazing cocktails created by some of the top bartenders using one of their favorite ingredients, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur.  Be sure to make a trip the bar and request these drinks starting today.  Now, to the cocktail:

The Cocktail:  The Nolet’s Gin Hipster

The Venue:  Tarbell’s

The Recipe

2 oz Nolets Silver Gin

1 oz St-Germain

1 oz fresh lemon juice

1.5 oz Creme de Violetter

Shake and serve straight up in martini glass.

Tarbell’s is located at 3213 East Camelback Road, for reservations call 602 955 8100. 

[Official website Tarbell's]

This week the EAZ crew brings to the table their latest review, a report on Praying Monk. To the highlights:

Praying Monk is as casual as can be. Lay back in shorts and flip flops on the couches by the bar, or dress up in the dining room. Or better yet, don the flip flops and tees in the dining room, or wear a suit while martini-ing in the bar.

The pig ears are a must, as we guarantee you’ve never had them this snacky and, well, this okay-to-eat anywhere else in town. The corndogs were a little short on the dog and heavy on the breading, but the breading was sweet and airy and amazingly delicious. You could add chunks of it to the club, the burger, anything really, and it would only enhance. We knew fries were coming with the sandwiches, but our server talked us into an order of the crispy potatoes (halves and quarters and random pieces) covered in shaved Parmesan and chives with an cloud-like truffle aioli ($9). Thank you, server, those potatoes are a must for future visits. And the aioli is good enough to bottle.

Another must: the first beer on the list of about 50 (15-ish on tap)–Blanche de Bruxelles, $6. It’s like a cloudy Hef mixed with a little sandy beach vacation and easy summer sippin’. Honestly, what a discovery. We highly recommend you give it a try. Betcha order two.

Praying Monk
7217 E. 1st St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-398-3020

[via EaterAZ]

For decades, Arizonans have migrated the city of San Diego in the cruelest Summer months like it’s in our DNA. Why? Because out there when the sun shines, it doesn’t melt your skin off and the average temperature is a cool and breezy 70 degrees. There is also the promise of all of San Diego’s popular family attractions, dynamic downtown, historic parks, museums, dining and nightlife. Since this trek has become such a tradition, Starwood Hotels is offering a special rate for Arizona residents now through June 30th. Simply book your stay with at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, The Westin Gaslamp, The US Grant or the W San Diego to take full advantage of rates starting at just $119 per night.  Seems like quite a steal for such a welcome escape.

Check out this PSA from Belgium that cleverly illustrates how hard it is to actually drive and text properly.

Calling all single men and women your time has come to step up to the plate and meet your match.   Desert Living is here to help you make that connection with How About We.   So how about you sign up and get started.   DESERT LIVING DATING click here

Our very own Scottsdale original P.F. Chang’s has been sold and will be back to operating privately.

“We are confident that being a private company will provide us with greater flexibility to focus on our long-term strategic plan of elevating our guest experience, enhancing our value proposition, growing traffic and improving the performance of our brands,” Richard L. Federico, the chief executive of P.F. Chang’s, said in a statement.

1.1 billion is a lot of Lemon Chicken.

Read full story HERE