Steakhouses

It seems celebrity chefs can’t resist the temptation to put their stamp on the Arizona steakhouse, and Michael Mina’s chic-and-sleek Bourbon Steak (7575 E. Princess Dr., 480/513-6002, www.michaelmina.net [1], 5:30–10 p.m. Tues.–Sat., $30–72) at the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort [2] is as over-the-top as they come. Try the elegantly prepared Kobe steaks, spice-poached prawns, and crisp salads, which are almost overshadowed by the stunning Desert Modernist architecture. If you can pry yourself away from stone-and-glass design, survey the extensive list of side dishes, including brown-butter yam puree, truffled mac and cheese, and brussels sprouts with ham and apple. Order one of the classic, handcrafted cocktails for the perfect complement to the meaty experience. It’s pricy, but the ambience and re-imagined comfort food are exquisite.

The Horny Toad (6738 E. Cave Creek Rd., 480/488-9542, www.thehornytoad.com [3], 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $8–25) has been dishing out ribs and country fun long before tourists discovered Cave Creek [4]. The Horny Toad is one of the few restaurants within riding distance of North Scottsdale where cowboy boots aren’t for show. This is a meat lover’s dream, especially on Monday, when the barbecue beef ribs are all-you-can-eat. Come hungry for the juicy 16-ounce porterhouse or the half-pound Tijuana Torpedo Burger, which might require a cooling-off period. In addition to the full lineup of barbecue, you’ll find plenty of seafood. Polish your dancing boots Friday and Saturday night. Live country-western music goes from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Since its inception in the 1880s as a stagecoach stop, Reata Pass (27500 N. Alma School Pkwy., 480/585-7277, www.reatapass.com [5], 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Tues.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., noon–9 p.m. Sun., $8–18) has been serving meals to hungry travelers in one way or another for more than a century. The food isn’t fancy, but the cowboy steakhouse radiates real Western atmosphere, even attracting Hollywood’s attention as a frequent backdrop for movies. Grab a beer at the Branding Iron Saloon, and take your grub at one of the indoor or outdoor picnic tables. Afterward, head next door to Greasewood Flat for live country music and dancing under the stars.