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10 great spots with heated patios

December 9, 2008

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Sanctuary (Credit: David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com)

It's a magical time in the Valley. While most of the country is sealing up window cracks, laying in supplies of heating oil and putting on snow tires, we're dealing with winter our own way. Instead of huddling around the furnace vents, we're enjoying the great outdoors.

Part of that enjoyment is eating outside. Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 restaurant patios where you hit the Arizona trifecta: top-notch food, splendid views and heaters to take the chilly edge off a moonlit desert night.

Asia de Cuba

Mondrian Scottsdale Hotel - Scottsdale

480-308-1131

If you're into people watching, you won't get a better perspective than this patio overlooking Scottsdale's Civic Center mall. If you're into Asian-Latin fusion cuisine served family-style, the view is just as appealing. Look for the great calamari salad with bananas and cashews, char siu short ribs with fried plantains and lobster mai tai in rum coconut curry.

Bourbon Steak

Fairmont Scottsdale - Scottsdale

480-513-6002

Forget the McDowell Mountains looming in the distance. Another wonder is even closer: perhaps the best steaks you will ever eat, slow-poached in butter and finished over a wood grill. You may have buyer's remorse tomorrow morning after blowing a mortgage payment on the dry-aged porterhouse, American Kobe filet or imported Japanese wagyu rib eye. But you'll have no regrets tonight.

Cafe Bink

Carefree Court Shopping Center - Carefree

480-488-9796

The "Bink" is Kevin Binkley, whose fine-dining Binkley's gets national acclaim. At this casual sibling, you can alternate between gazing at craggy Black Mountain and digging into lusty dishes like wild mushroom soup, bacon and blue cheese quiche, and corned beef coated with brown sugar mustard butter. Make sure you get a cone of homemade fries, too.

Elements

5700 East McDonald Drive - Paradise Valley

480-948-2100

It's hard to compete with the stunning view of mountains, lush grounds and palatial homes. But chef Beau MacMilllan—in 2006, he vanquished Bobby Flay on Iron Chef—keeps you focused with his globally inspired fare. You might encounter foie gras teriyaki, calamari with Chinese long beans, chile-rubbed swordfish or Asian short ribs with grits and tempura broccoli.

Kai Restaurant and Bar

5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd - Chandler

602-225-0100

It's almost impossible to tear your eyes from the stunning Gila River Reservation desert and mountain backdrop. But the exquisite fare, much of it tribally grown and sourced, is just as breathtaking. Two main-dish stars are Chippewa walleye with posole stew and buffalo tenderloin with saguaro blossom syrup. Finish up with fry bread topped with Mexican chocolate, coffee ice cream, macerated berries and candied hazelnuts.

Lon's at the Hermosa

Hermosa Inn - Paradise Valley

602-955-7878

Pretend you're a grandee, sitting in a hacienda courtyard with a burbling fountain and fireplace, looking up at nearby Camelback Mountain. Chef Michael Rusconi's Southwestern-accented fare sustains the illusion, from the duck breast with poblano honey glaze to the pan-roasted halibut with smoked pepper and cilantro spaetzle.

The Painted Horse Cafe

10989 E. Dynamite Blvd., Suite 103 - Scottsdale

480-585-8499

You can almost touch Four Peaks from this far north Scottsdale spot. But Chef Bryan Elliott offers several peaks of his own. Among them are calamari sautéed in brown butter with caper berries and tomato, mustard- and lavender-crusted rack of lamb and the signature chicken Galliano, a bacon-wrapped breast and thigh stuffed with spinach and cheese in a liqueur-tinged mushroom sauce.

Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar

The Farm at South Mountain - Tempe

602-276-0601

Whether you sit at the front patio with heaters or the back patio with fire pits, you'll feel bucolic warmth from the surrounding pecan groves and vegetable gardens. Chef Greg LaPrad will fire you up, too, with his homemade charcuterie, from-scratch pastas and close-to-home meat and fish, like Sea of Cortés spiny lobsters, Arizona beef and lamb raised right in the neighborhood.

Sassi

10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway - Scottsdale

480-502-9095

From Sassi's heights, you can marvel over the twinkling Valley spread out below. You can also marvel over authentic Italian dishes like Roman-style meatballs cooked in white wine and lemon, homemade orechiette with sweet-spicy sausage and rapini and grilled lamb chops with artichokes and olive vinaigrette. On extra-chilly nights, ask for a blanket and get cozy.

Talavera

10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive - Scottsdale

480-515-5700

From its Pinnacle Peak perch, Talavera gives you an up-close and personal encounter with some of Arizona's most magnificent high-desert vistas. So how does the kitchen compete? By offering an array of prime beef—Australian wagyu, Arizona grass-fed and Nebraska corn-fed—as well as top-quality fish like John Dory in a saffron shellfish broth or big eye tuna with quinoa.