This desert oasis on the edge of
Phoenix has shed its lime green
golf togs image for a little Generation X flavor: contemporary art
galleries, world-class cuisines, spas to swoon in - even a jazzy
waterfront (yes, as in H2O) retail district.
-
Becca Hensley
Do
Traverse Camelback Mountain's Cholla Trail at sunrise and the vista
will awe you so much, you won't even notice the painful, nearly
two-mile trek uphill. Though relatively short, this difficult jaunt
has steep, rocky sections with drop-offs on both sides - and a view
worth the effort. (Less-fit hikers should plan to pace
themselves.)
Stay
Long a haunt of Hollywood greats, Scottsdale continues to attract
the
West Coast glitterati. Join them in the heart of Old Town at
the ultracool Mondrian Scottsdale ($300 to $500, 480-308-1100,
www.mondrianscottsdale.com). Recently
refurbished and now the hippest hangout in the desert, it reflects
the new, youthful spirit of the city with funky-colored stucco
interiors, a star location on the Scottsdale Mall, and a pool so
social that you won't want to leave.
Eat
Meander down to restaurant row to experience Cowboy Ciao
(480-946-3111,
www.cowboyciao.com), a gourmet
world that defies classification (Western baroque?). Try the
Stetson Chopped salad, a local favorite. Nearby Sea Saw
(480-481-9463,
www.seasaw.net), a "Tapanese"
eatery, offers the unique cuisine of Nobu Fukuda (think whitefish
carpaccio and miso-marinated foie gras). Go retro Polynesian at
Hotel Valley Ho's Trader Vic's (480-421-7799,
www.hotelvalleyho.com), or amble across town to the
Star Spangled Tavern (480-419-8729,
www.starspangledtavern.us) for some creative comfort
cuisine.
Shop Mahsa (480-443-0799,
www.mahsa.biz), a boutique at the Scottsdale Waterfront, the stylish mall alternative, offers one-of-a-kind merchandise with an artistic flair. Head to Bischoff’s Shades of the West (888-239-5872,
www.shadesofthewest.com) for moccasins and custom-made belts.
SeeTour
Taliesin West (480-860-2700,
www.franklloydwright.org), Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece, perched on the edge of the city. Built in the 1930s as Wright’s winter home, studio, and architectural school, the sanctuary still attracts apprentices who study and live on site.
DrinkA serious wine bar with a sense of humor, Kazimierz World Wine Bar (480-946-3004,
www.kazbar.net) urges wine geeks to sip fine wine without pretense. A back-door entrance evokes the speakeasy era, while inside, the hum of jazz pairs nicely with that glass of Pinot Noir.