Avalon

Avalon is a new Scottsdale restaurant with the typical polished Scottsdale decor in an atypical South Scottsdale location.  The biggest plus - you don't have to sift through a pulsing heap of humanity to get to a table and enjoy the food.  Try and hit Avalon for Sunday brunch.  They have phenomenal live music, AM cocktails and THE BEST toast (pre-treated with vanilla butter).

 

For dinner, the Duck-Duck-'Goose' was a bit underdone, and the Seared Maine Diver Scallops were a smaller than expected - (but still delicious).  We were really impressed with 'Provimi Farms' Lamb and the Aged Prime Rib-eye Steak. Oh, and for desert, the Roasted Banana Bread Pudding (peppered with salted caramel) was very very good.

 

I was hesitant to post this because it's nice to keep a good thing to yourself.  Many Scottsdale restaurants just like this start out as relaxing hangouts only to mature into PACKED houses where people watching is the main sport -spot the cougars/divorcees, $30,000/yr millionaires and prostitutes.  I'm hoping Avalon doesn't succumb to the same fate.  When/if it does, I'll stop visiting.  For now, I'll be hitting it occasionally for a relaxing brunch or dinner.

Try and visit when the band is playing on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.  Check out restaurant.com for coupons.  Avalon is at http://www.avalon-scottsdale.com/.