Best Historic Restaurants in Waterfront

We had a fabulous time at El Chorro --- attentive and friendly service, spectacular meals and we also bought a few more sticky buns to take home with us. Love this place for special occasions - or really any time - because the surroundings are beautiful and the people always take such good care of us. Always look forward to going back.

Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale provides an unforgettable dining experience, even though we had a small hiccup at the start. We arrived for our reservation and had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated, which was a bit frustrating given that I was dressed in “dinner” heels. IYKYK. However, once we were seated, everything more than made up for the delay. We opted for the prix fixe menu, which was an absolute delight. The blood orange salmon aguachile, braised lamb, venison, shrimp, and ahi tuna were all bursting with flavor. I had the filet mignon, while my boyfriend enjoyed the Japanese Wagyu, which was truly exceptional—unbelievably tender and flavorful, cooked to absolute perfection. The sauces and sides were perfectly balanced, and my picky eater boyfriend couldn’t get enough of everything! We also added oysters and caviar to start, which were so fresh and crisp, and charred octopus, which was cooked to perfection with a lovely char but still wonderfully tender. For dessert, the chocolate strawberry cake was a showstopper—beautifully presented and delicious, with the Valentine's theme executed flawlessly. The cocktails were beautifully crafted, each with a perfect balance of flavors and a nice kick. If you enjoy wine, the pairings were spot on, and I was also impressed by their unique selection of zero-proof drinks, which my boyfriend really enjoyed. The service was impeccable throughout the meal. Even with the minor seating delay at the beginning, the staff’s attention to detail and hospitality made the experience one to remember. Highly recommend Cafe Monarch for a special evening out—it’s truly a Scottsdale gem!

The steaks were very good. The garlic maahed potatoes were light and fluffy with a good flavor. The squash was not fancy but perfectly cooked. The citrus burt cream was a very nice creme Brule with a wonderfully carmelized sugar top. Eric was an outstanding server. Service was outstanding. Only thing is that it can get a bit loud at times. Overall a great steakhouse with lots of history.

This restaurant is a real gym! They have a beautiful patio with lots of flowers, umbrellas, and space heaters for the chilly nights. We ate indoors in the adobe main building because of the morning rain storm that passed through earlier. It reminded me of many of the buildings in New Mexico, where I’m from. The furnishings and artwork inside were gorgeous. We ordered off the brunch menu and found some very creative selections. The service was outstanding and we are planning to return in about three weeks. :-)

Wonderful experience. We sat outside with space heater. Welcoming staff. Delicious food. Beautiful patio setting. They were decorated for Christmas, so that was wonderful, too. They make their tortillas right there, and the food is exceptional.