We have many casinos for people living in Phoenix these days but Talking Stick is still one of my favorites! 😁 First off, real quick, as I feel this is a very important factor that isn't discussed enough, our casinos (8 in Maricopa county now I believe) are all owned and operated by beautiful Native American tribes. The casinos often display stunning pottery and artifacts from their heritage and it is SUCH a cool feature of the decor. I encourage all who visit to take a moment to appreciate and respect the historic and unique history of the land they are standing on. That being said, I was here for 3 days for my brokerage’s yearly real estate conference and the resort was just as beautiful as the first time I was there a decade ago for Phoenix Fashion Week. 🙃 The staff is helpful and pleasant, the bathrooms, public spaces, rooms and casino are clean and well cared for, and the pool area was relaxing with its beautiful mountain views. (summer pool parties here are wild and I would not use the word ‘relaxing’ for those times though LOL). I especially love the stairway to the lower level bar! I don’t really gamble so I can’t speak for the dealers or machines but it was decently busy at all times of day and night when I walked through, and consumers appeared happy and content. The location of the resort is phenomenal, too as it is located only a hop, skip, and jump away from the very best parts of Central Scottsdale. You can quickly Uber or Waymo or bring your own car, but everything is just a quick ride away. Overall I had a very enjoyable experience and would recommend staying here for anyone wanting a great, casino experience in greater Phoenix. I have a lot of homebuyers from out of state who relocate to Arizona and they often talk about how Scottsdale has been dubbed “mini las vegas”. This place certainly helps us fit that mold! 🎰

The place in itself is pretty but nothing out of this world. What makes it so special though is the service. My gosh! Everyone was so kind and nice and helpful. The people skills experienced here makes me want to come back and bring family and friends with me.

We recently celebrated our anniversary here and we had a great time. Wish we would of went home winners of course, but we had hours of entertainment and the stay was great. We had a bit of a mix up when booking a second night and they really helped us out and made the trip much better. Thank you and we will be coming back to stay again.

I reserved a dinner at Orange Sky for my wedding anniversary. The dinner experience was amazing. The entrees were fantastic. The portions were big so be conservative on the ordering. The food was so good me and the wife filled up before the main course got there and the steak was amazing. Yes this is a pricey place to eat, but what you're paying for definitely meets the expense with tip and all I put down $400 (I do not regret a single penny). The brussel sprouts dish I have been bragging about to everyone I pass. "Yes I said brussel sprouts" 5/5 stars 10/10 rating recommend for high important events in your life.

The hotel and casino are nice. Although, I've never been to successful as far as gambling on the slot machines. FAR, FAR too many 10 line penny/nickle machines. They need more single line pay machines at 25 cents to $5 machines. You're spending that much anyway on the current machines and winning doesn't seem to be any more successful.

Staff in the casino cannot keep their heads on straight, and same with the hotel. Consistent mix-ups, constantly berating me about my ID, and not being able to accomplish the simplest of tasks (like telling people not to berate me while I'm trying to relax). Thank you for not only ruining my weekend, but wasting my money in the process. Will never be coming back again, was NOT relaxing at ALL.

For not being Vegas, its pretty good. Easy to find, good amount of parking even on weekends, good bar and casino. Attended a concert by the pool. It was cramped and the seats were crappy. Will come back to the bar/casino but not for comcert.

Awesome experience extremely nice and helpful staff. Nate in particular helped us over the phone and then checking us in and figuring out our ride schedule. It was awesome. Great entertainment for a seven-year-old boy!

Really fun experience for the price!! The track is well designed and the karts have both adult and junior speeds for the whole family! Very friendly workers and an arcade for the wait time. Highly recommended

I surprised my husband for a date at this place and we had a fantastic time!! The go karts are super fun and go fairly fast!! Definitely get your heart pumping and your competitive streak revving!! There were a couple self absorbed jerks who take it too seriously with their racing gloves and their better than everyone attitudes. But whatever, we didn’t let it get our panties in a twist, it was still a great time! We will definitely be back!

Our family had an excellent time - kids had a blast racing and running from game to game. Food came out quick & was good quality. Hospitality was also excellent. Manager Brandon was great with work with and very accommodating to our large party. We’ll definitely be back when visiting the Scottsdale area.

We had an absolute blast at Octane in Scottsdale! Our whole management team came out for a little team bonding, and it couldn’t have been more fun. From start to finish, the energy, the staff, and the experience were top-tier. It was the perfect mix of adrenaline and laughter—definitely a memory-maker. Highly recommend for any team outing or just a fun day with friends!

It was fun, however expensive. $146 for two people to have two races and one hour of ax throwing.

Octane Raceway is an absolute blast! This place is awesome. There is so much to do here - from go-kart racing, axe throwing, a virtual reality arena, an arcade, plus a full bar and kitchen as well. Seriously, something for everyone! Came here for a work event, and everyone had a great time. We played the Virtual Reality and had so much fun! If you're into zombies, you have to play Outbreak! I definitely recommend trying the VR if you've never done it before, it's intense, and so life like. Plus, you get a video of everyone running around screaming at the end to laugh at! There is truly something for everyone here at Octane Raceway! Even if you're just grabbing a drink and watching the indoor go-kart racing, this place is a ton of fun. Whether it's date night or family night, 10/10 would recommend!

For anyone that loves butterflies and other insects, this is the place for you. An awesome video at the beginning that talks about stages of the butterfly, thought was very interesting. Once in the butterfly area, it was awesome, had a few land on me, that was cool. Go here early, when its cooler, but definitely a must see!

Butterfly Wonderland is awesome, let me start with that before getting into the few downsides. The whole concept is brilliant and beautiful. Not only are they helping preserve butterfly species and supporting conservation efforts, but they’re also giving the public a chance to experience these incredible creatures up close. That’s amazing! My only real complaint is the price. For two people, it’s about $75 for an experience that lasts roughly an hour or two at most. It’s a bit steep, but it feels better knowing the money goes toward something meaningful rather than just another theme park. Overall, I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in the area. Be sure to spend enough time in the sanctuary, you’ll want to slow down, take it all in, and hopefully have a few butterflies land on you!

You cant go wrong walking through a tropical jungle with butterflies flying all around you! It was so soothing and calming! The staff were super helpful answering all our questions and giving us directions! Be warned, it's humid so dress accordingly! You won't regret stopping here in your visit to Phoenix!

Awesome attraction especially if you have kids, my 2 small toddlers really enjoyed themselves, and it was a fun mixture of entertainment and education. Staff are all very friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to share info on the butterflies. They have some small indoor exhibits with fish and reptiles as well. They also have inclusive options for children with processing difficulties or other challenges. Definitely a worthwhile place to visit when at the boardwalk

10/10 would recommend this place to anyone in the area! They had a short video on the monarch butterfly migration. They also have a near area where they show the life of a butterfly and the stages there before they release them with the others. There were so many and they were so gorgeous and perfect! Their snack area was clean and tidy. The staff was super friendly. There was so much to look at and I wanted to take pictures of everything. It’s def worth every penny!

Love bringing my daughter here! We have so much fun. Beautiful butterflies and fun experience. We go first thing when they open because they get pretty busy! Worth the money in my opinion.

Fascinating world of butterflies. From their birth to their death, and everything in between. Neat facts to learn about migration, and other things about butterflies. 3-D movie explains it, then you can walk in a huge garden with lots of butterflies. They also have some reptiles, sea life, and bees.

This was an Amazing experience.!! My parents and I went for my birthday bc I wanted to try something new and im truly glad we went. Our server Jason was amazing.!! The show was really good. The staff and performers were great.!! Def a must experience to check out.

As a family who went in with no expectations and only a word of mouth review, this experience was ASTOUNDING. The food was delicious, the seats were stupendous, the souvenirs, the drinks, and the costumes were outstanding, and the best part was definitely the people. Our waitress Rylee was by far the highlight of the experience! She was extremely kind, kept us well fed, was immersed in her role and was just a genuinely incredible person! Two other notable people of the show were the Red and Blue knights! They were so sweet and chatted with us a bit after the show! Overall, this experience was by far the most amazing show we have ever gotten to experience! We will definitely be back!

This is definitely something everyone should do at least once! There is a lot to look at and a lot to do before the show starts I loved the food was amazing and they had a lot of people coming around selling different items throughout the game! Justin was our server and he had such a great spirit! I don't think this place takes cash so just bring your card. It was such a great time by the end of the night weve already talked about doing it again soon! The meal I believe was worth the price!

Spent about $200 for two of us. The food was cold and mediocre at best. The King and queen must've had their lips directly on the microphone as it was very hard to hear them. The horses and the tournament were fun to watch. Drinks were good but weak considering what we paid for them. The service was good. It was 1 server for the whole section. So the food was lukewarm when delivered. Overall, the experience was just ok. Ill wait for the Renaissance fair to come back.

So much fun. We went to the educational show with our homeschool group and got a lower rate. I would definitely recommend that as it costs a pretty penny. It does feel worth it at that price however at full price I don't think so. The kids really enjoyed it and I thought the food was pretty good, well seasoned and hot meal of chicken, potato, and corn. The bread was like a Texas toast but while we thought there was a GF option, the GF people just didn't get bread at all. Then there was a packages cookie for dessert GF people got Italian ice. Overall great show and fun experience. Memories made!

Absolutely outstanding experience. The service, the food, the fun, all top notch. Great fun for the whole family. Good beer with cheap refills. One of the folks in my party had the vegetarian meal and loved it. Its definitely worth every penny!

Great show! All staff was friendly and in character! From the greeter to our servers to the actors - everyone was amazing! Food is ok. Would go back again!

We ordered a pizza, garlic bread, and a side salad for dine in. We got the salad pretty quick. Our friends got their vegan pizza, then we got our garlic bread. Waited a bit. I checked on our pizza. They said they got backed up and it'd be right out. We saw a couple other tables get their food, all of which arrived after us. We were all done and decided to just ask for it to go. When we when up to ask about that, they had no idea what we were talking about! They 100% gave us someone else's to go order. What on earth.

Barros is awesome. It has a bit of an old school family vibe, to me any way. This is the families favorite pizza place. It has plenty of room, a very open layout and good privacy with all the booths. We always have a good time here. The kids leave happy and full and you can't ask for much more. Love this place! Thanks guys!

My husband and I live in SD and are visiting Scottsdale. We asked three different people where to go for pizza, and all three people recommended Barros. This was not by chance. Barros pizza is amazing. I very rarely order pizza, and when I do, I'm a bit of a pizza snob. This pizza is top notch, from the cheese to the crust. My husband also got the wings and said they were delicious. We' d highly recommend for anyone looking to eat great pizza (and wings)!

Phenomenal pizza! Very friendly staff! Extra large thick crust pepperoni is to die for! Fed a family of four and still had a slice left! Sauce is absolutely perfert with a slight kick yet not spicy and definitely not sweet! 18 bucks and one satisfied family! Will be getting another extra large pizza before we grab our flight home! I couldn't recommend this establishment enough!

Look I very rarely post negative reviews. Because I understand things happen and mistakes happen However. This requires a post. 1 service after experience was great. Management stepped up and handled it professionally. However, when Wings are delivered to the table and both baskets were frozen there’s a problem. When approached the staff the young lady was very rude and acted as if it wasn’t an issue. With an attitude and disrespect. This wasn’t the first time she was rude or disrespectful due to a previous experience. However, pizza was amazing when delivered and we paid the full bill. Managers, please take note that rude service doesn’t help a business in anyway!

I don't know how they do it, but always have great people on the other side of the counter. Laid back, workers like me spread around the tables. Service is simple and effective. Order, get service and get your spot. Leave your plate, there are no trash cans to take anything to. Would suggest tipping ahead for that. But .... they dont ask you to tip when you pay. Bring a few dollars on paper. They deserve it.

Not sure why I’m bothering to even write a rvw. Went on Sunday 2:00 in btwn errands. We got 2 (different) slices 1 beer 1 wine. We each took 1 bite & that was it. Dry. Gross. Bland. No flavor. Left my done & pizza behind. He drank his beer. WHY do ppl go here⁉️ terrible. Inedible . Awful depressing atmosphere

Grass Roots – 2nd Visit This Week! Came back to Grass Roots for the second time this week- I'm sucker for any restaurant over a 4.5 on Maps. The menu delivers comfort food with a fresh, creative twist that keeps things interesting without trying too hard. We dined in, and while the food hit the spot, the temperature inside was a bit of a challenge. It was 81 degrees indoors, the patio doors where finally shut because it was already 88 outside—at 11am. It's definitely something to consider on warm days. Now, onto the good stuff: The Blackened Ahi Tuna Salad was beautifully done—fresh greens, well-seasoned tuna, and just the right balance of bold flavor and lightness. Loved the dressing! $28 The Farmer’s Vegetable Chopped Salad with blackened shrimp was hearty but not heavy, with perfectly cooked shrimp and a great mix of textures. Dressing is on the creamier side rather that a light vinaigrette. $28 The Green Chili Stew was rich, cozy, and full of flavor—definitely a highlight if you're craving something warm and comforting. BUT we each had two bites and could not finish due to the temperature inside the restaurant. $9 The service was great!

The restaurant's upscale prices and ambiance did not quite match the quality of the food. While the ribs were a large portion, the meat was not particularly tender. The sauce was delicious, but overall, the food was only satisfactory. At that price point, one would expect a higher standard of quality. The pork belly appetizer, however, was excellent and highly recommended. The bread service was unusual; a large sourdough loaf, cut into four thick slices, with very hard crusts.

Yum, yum, yum! Excellent BBQ with Carolina sauce! Those jalapeño cheddar grits and pork belly baked beans were FIRE!!!! Short Rib was fork tender and so flavorful. Ribs were melt in your mouth and the brisket was excellent! Service was on point up to and including the manager and the ambiance was fun and low key! Highly, highly recommend this place 👍👍

Nice patio with misters and lots of plants! The service was attentive and helpful, they do have a variety that made it hard to choose. Not pictured was the tuna poke which was amazing! Just eaten too quickly to photograph haha.

I visited Grassroots Kitchen tonight for my birthday dinner, and while I would love to give this restaurant a glowing review based on the food and our server alone, the way our evening ended was unacceptable and completely overshadowed what should have been a special experience. To start: the food was genuinely very good, and our waitress was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome. Unfortunately, the management’s handling of our table turned the night sour. Midway through my birthday dessert—literally halfway through the plate—we were approached and told we needed to get up because a reservation for our table was arriving in five minutes. My wife hadn’t even finished her drink. We had been seated for less than an hour, with no indication whatsoever that our table had a pending reservation or that our dining time would be cut short. There was no advance notice, no courtesy warning, and no tact. We had even informed the hostess ahead of time that we were fine sitting wherever, open bar included. They proceeded to sit us at this table. Instead, it felt like we were being rushed out the door to make room for the next party. For a restaurant that appears to pride itself on atmosphere and hospitality, this was a surprisingly unprofessional and dismissive move. I cannot in good faith recommend Grassroots Kitchen to anyone looking to relax, celebrate, or simply enjoy a full meal without being hurried out. The quality of the food and the kindness of our server were simply not enough to outweigh the discomfort and disrespect of being essentially pushed out in the middle of dessert on a special occasion. Until management reconsiders how they handle reservations and table turnover, this is not the place to go for a celebration—or for any dining experience where you expect to enjoy your meal at a normal pace.

Grassroots is one of our top spots, and their Friday Omega Burger special is unbeatable smoked salmon, arugula and homemade aioli on fresh bread. My wife swears by the Sea Smoke salad with salmon, orzo, veggies and green goddess dressing. The food, service and attention to detail always make every visit a great experience.

This place has the best burger that I have found in Scottsdale/Phoenix after 12 years. They also have a good wine selection. The cocktails aren’t great but everything is fantastic.

I had the most wonderful solo dinner experience thanks to Gina during my stay at The Scottsdale Resort and Spa by Hilton Curio. From start to finish, her service was truly exceptional—attentive, thoughtful, and engaging. She made me feel genuinely special, offering perfect wine recommendations and even garnishing my glass with a strawberry carved into a beautiful flower. As if that weren’t enough, I enjoyed it all while watching a spectacular sunset. Every detail elevated the evening. It was a 10/10 experience, and I can’t thank Gina enough for making it so memorable!

Food was amazing!!! The customer service is wonderful! Met Jayme the Restaurant & Cafe Manager who was very welcoming all the way to services. Thank you all so much! From Nicolette (Marketing/Photography) & Ally ( @louadores_mom with @louadore_ )

been waiting to finally make it out here, we had very high hopes with this place but were left feeling confused and underwhelmed. we came on a wednesday night, the place maybe had 3 other couples max. we were sat by 7:50pm and didn’t receive our appetizer until 8:35…. followed by the main course by 9:10pm. for the amount of people inside, i’ve never had such slow service. the waitress was nice, atmosphere is good, but it couldn’t make up for the lack of urgency considering how expensive the dishes were. we drove pretty far to find this place so it’s very confusing on what happened tonight.

Ate here a couple of times during my stay, and while I enjoyed the food, the service was quite inconsistent. On the first night, we ate a pepperoni pizza and it was great. It was very crispy and flavorful without being oily. The waiter we had was also very attentive. On the 2nd night, we went for the wagyu short ribs. We'd never had wagyu before, but I would definitely order it again because it was really tasty and tender. I would return to the hotel for the wagyu alone. What let them down on the 2nd night was the service. We had a waitress this time, and she would only speak to my husband, and she barely acknowledged me. I asked her about the sides that came with the dish, and she gave me a dismissive answer (that turned out to be wrong). We asked for a chocolate mouse dessert, she brought the wrong one in a box and dumped it on the table saying "They put it in a to-go box, sorry"'. She handed my husband the bill with the biggest smile on her face, but it's actually me who paid for dinner. I normally don't make a fuss with service because everybody has a bad day, etc. but something about it felt personal to me.

The chilaquiles and French toast were both amazing!! Lynnae was our server and she was so attentive and kind. 10/10! Thanks La Fogata!

Awesome outdoor seating, watch out for the birds tho. Restaurant quality and it won't disappoint you. The price is reasonable as well. Even if you don't stay at the resort, you should definitely try the brunch here.

I had the pleasure of attending La Fogata’s Alpine Indulgence Chef-themed dinner, and it was truly a wonderful experience. The food was good, with beautifully plated presentations that added an elegant touch to the evening. The drinks were creative, refreshing, and perfectly paired with the atmosphere. What stood out the most, though, was the incredible staff—they were warm, attentive, and so genuinely kind. It’s rare to find a place in Scottsdale where the people make you feel so welcomed. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience with great food, thoughtful drinks, and impeccable service, La Fogata is an absolute hidden gem.