Beginning Nov. 28, the holiday shopping season officially begins. Most likely, you'll work up an appetite while searching for the perfect gift or best deal. The following are a sampling of restaurants near shopping districts or malls where you can grab a bite, or a stiff drink.
Take a break while shopping along Mill Avenue and treat yourself to a traditional Turkish meal. Try the beef, chicken or lamb kebobs with sides such as hummus, rice and pita bread. The tabouleh salad and falafel plate other choices.
Carbo load before hitting Scottsdale Fashion Square at this flapjack heaven. The house specialty, the apple pancake, is a marvel: homemade batter poured over sauteed apples, baked partway through and flipped over. Then it's glazed with cinnamon sugar and baked a bit more. Batter up!
Plop you Biltmore Fashion Parkstores shopping bags down at one of the lounge's outdoor banquettes. Sip a glass of wine and munch on one of chef Christopher Gross's charcuterie and cheese platters or have a cup of roasted red bell pepper soup to re-energize yourself.
For nearly 22 years, this signature Thai bistro has fed Scottsdale shoppers with Thai dishes with fresh ingredients and unusual recipes for lunch and dinner. Try the white fish with cabbage and mushrooms steamed in Tom Yum or the spicy crispy pla.
Share a three-cheese cheese board or have a Ahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee with macaroons as an afternoon pick-me-up in between shopping at Kierland Commons.
Pasta salads, soups (fire roasted garlic tomato soup is a house specialty) along with the house chicken and tuna salads, sandwiches, wraps and homemade cookies are quick meals for harried shoppers.
Order an appetizer plate of fish tacos, one of seven quesadillas, a hamburger, salad or heartier fare from this neighborhood bar and grill that is near stores at 67th Avenue and the 101 or Arrowhead Towne Centre at 75th Avenue and Bell Road.
True Food Kitchen
Another of restauranteur Sam Fox's inspirations developed with best-selling author and health guru, Dr. Andrew Weil. This vegetarian and health-food inspired restaurant offers vegan dishes as well as burgers and brick-oven pizzas, corn-stuffed chile rellenos and a house energy drink, organic beer, wine, sake and tea and coffee.
Located on the lower level of Arrowhead Town Centre, this is where you can get a five-inch tall deli sandwich complete with French fries, homemade cole slaw, potato salad or macaroni salad. Finish it off with a slice of pie or a homemade cookie.
Power up before or after shopping at Fiesta Mall with a hearty breakfast or lunch. The French toast is as good as it gets. Well-crafted omelets are another breakfast delight. For lunch, check out the homemade soups and sandwiches. Try the smoked bacon and turkey sandwich with sliced apples, caramelized onion and cheddar cheese on 12-grain bread slathered with sun-dried tomato mayo.
This Chandler Fashion Center eatery is a mix of Colorado and the Carolinas. Highlights include aged, hand-cut steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood, rotisserie chicken, homemade pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads.
