Sadly, after 27 years, this restaurant is closing for good. Per social media posts, Chef Robinson, a James Beard winner, hopefully will be back in 2023.
Sadly, after 27 years, this restaurant is closing for good. Per social media posts, Chef Robinson, a James Beard winner, hopefully will be back in 2023.
Good service but food was disappointingly bland. We had read about it and tried it on a visit to Scottsdale. Kind of a letdown. Expected better.
A Very Nice Diner with a Nephew We had the good fortune to dine with a nephew, who was in Phoenix for some advanced aviation training, and certification on some new aircraft in February. As he was staying in Scottsdale, we decided to pick Rancho...Pinot Grill in the Lincoln Village Shopping Center at 6208 N Scottsdale Rd, and not too far from his hotel. Now, we go back a long way with Rancho Pinot. When we first moved to Phoenix, we sat down with a local Sommelier, who gave us many restaurant recommendations, and mostly ones with an emphasis on wines. Rancho Pinot was high on his list of suggestions, so we were quick to dine there, and were impressed. Though not immediately easy to locate, in the corner of the Lincoln Village Shopping Center, once you find it, you will memorize that location. It’s an interesting restaurant, and from both the décor and the culinary standpoints. Being in Scottsdale, it exemplifies the “Old West” aspect of that town, though it is north of the famed Old Town Scottsdale. Then, the cuisine is basically “comfort food,” with both a Western, and a Southwestern theme. Chef Chrysa Robertson does a great job, taking rather simple dishes, to a whole new level. Then, their wine program is fun too! We had arrived early, but were seated at a nice, spacious, well-spaced 4-top, and I went over the wine list, while awaiting our nephew. Just as I remembered, the wine list was fun, and while not that deep, or broad, had plenty of interesting wines. I settled on the Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet ‘16 (Chardonnay). While Latour is not my favorite Montrachet producer/negotiant, he does make nice wines, and this is one. I appreciate seeing some nice, big French whites on a wine list. I also took this time to look around a bit. Much I remembered, but some things were either new, or I had just not picked up on them before? My wife and I recounted, when we had last dined at Rancho Pinot, and realized that it had been quite a long time. However, over the last 15 years, we have probably dined more in San Francisco, Chicago and London, due to our travel schedules - not nearly often enough in Phoenix/Scottsdale. The venue is attractive and is basically a large square, with a small bar to the left of the entrance, and then an open dining room for the rest of the restaurant. As per our table, all seemed well-spaced, giving an open feel. Lighting is just about perfect, with enough illumination to appreciate the food, but not glaringly bright. After our nephew had arrived, and we had all sipped a bit of the wine, our server was back to explain the menu, and to make suggestions. She had given us time to get caught up with our guest, and that was greatly appreciated. Now, the menu is short, but with a little something for everyone. It is very seasonal, and changes. While we did recognize a couple of dishes from our previous visit, most were totally new to us. Time to decide. We ordered: Citrus-Beet Salad - excellent, and why I added a bottle of the Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ‘14 Grape, Welsh Cheddar & Prosciutto Salad - also excellent Endive, Apple, Walnut & Point Reyes Blue Cheese Salad - the best of the lot! Duck Breast - very good, but could probably have been seared a moment longer - not the ultimate for me, but still, very good Ricotta Gnocchi - nearly perfect Pan-roasted Sea Bass - the winner! Now, I am not a big dessert person, but my table mates decided on the Toasted Olive Oil Cake, and the Mom’s Pecan Square - I tasted both, and was impressed with each. Throughout the meal, service was perfect. Though the restaurant filled (we were dining early), the noise level never reached moderate. I think that the table spacing helps in that regard. Since Rancho Pinot Grill is in a largish shopping center, there is more than adequate parking. We will return, and not after such a long absence this time.More
This is the 2nd time I've dined here and both time the food and service were amazing. Neighborhood gem for me, being around the corner. We've had 2 amazing servers, first time: Sabrina, second time: Lisa. Both times we were a party of 3. Upon...arrival for our reservation, we were greeted and seated right away. The atmosphere has a Western motif, open and airy. Both visits, my friend and I discovered the Elderita, frankly I would just come hang out at the bar and have a couple of these. Both times we were hooked on the Grilled Seafood Salad (grilled shrimp & squid, celery, fennel, parsley, preserved lemon). Dishes that we've had here: Ricotta Gnocchi (rustic lamb Bolognese sauce, parmesan), Nonni's Sunday Chicken (braised thighs, mushrooms, onion, white wine, herbs, crispy polenta, italian cheese mix), Pan Roasted Fish (roasted multi colored cauliflower, meyer lemon-calabrian chile butter sauce, pinenuts), Grilled Lamb Chops (flageolet beans, roasted garlic, preserved lemon, mint pesto) and Duck Breast (grilled house-cured duck breast, winter squash & duck confit cake, turnip, pomegranate sauce). All the dishes I've had so far tasted fantastic. To note the last time we were there, I had the Strawberry Shortcake which is my favorite dessert and it was an OMG best shortcake I've ever had. Atmosphere: open, airy Western motif, Service: excellent, Food: excellentMore
The food and service was good. It’s not a good idea to promote your political views in your restaurant.
We loved the western vibe of this restaurant with the framed art, posters, photographs, etc. The colors were a pleasant sandy brown, tan, off white. The staff is friendly and accomodating. Tables are not crowded so there is a more open feel to the space....The menu is interesting with fish, meat, and pasta. We shared the endive salad with apples, walnut and goat cheese; a nice start to accompany our wine (good selection). We had a pinot gris and a rose. For the entree, we split the ricotta gnocchi with lamb bolognese. They did not split the entree in the back but rather presented each of us with a plate and serving utensils; that's fine. The gnocchi was pillowy soft, the lamb bolognese delicate. Since we shared everything we were able to also share a dessert, a bittersweet chocolate cake. It tasted like a luscious brownie. We also took home the Arizona Date Cake dessert with toffee sauce and mascarpone which was packaged nicely for us. We had it an hour later at home. It was moist and light and melted away in your mouth.More
This is a little hidden gem of a restaurant. The place was packed on the night we dined there and for good reason, the staff are very welcoming and once seated they are very quick to get you settled and bring you up to speed...on the daily specials. The selection of dishes is very impressive as is the knowledgeable staff who can almost tell you every ingredient in the dish. The wine selection is very good and our server was spot on with her suggestions. The food was perfectly prepared and presented and the tastes were excellent. You can tell that the chef and her entire staff really knows what they are doing and it shows. Great meal and we look forward to going again soon.More
Chef owned with a seasonal menu. The food selections are very straightforward a couple fish, a pasta, chops or steak.and a vegetarian dish. The preparations are fantastic, one of the best grillled fish I have ever had. Definite char on the outside but still tender...on the inside. Great choices of starter we loved the country style Pate. The desserts are housemade, Wine choices by the glasses were unfamiliar but wonderful. The interior is casual and rustic. Service is pleasant without being excessive. THere is no rushing the guests. If you love a high end steak house, with premium scotch and hovering staff... this is not your place. If you want a perfect meal in a quiet setting with pleasant service, save this one for your special night out.... or your everyday... but at ~150-$200 a couple maybe not?More
And it is filling! No little tiny "sample" plates. This is really one of my favorite places to eat in Phoenix. Consistently good. The quail is my favorite and you can order it as a starter or a main course.
Our sister-in-laws brought us to the restaurant for a great taste of what Scottsdale has to offer. It was all of that and more, from the service to the food. Definitely try the Sunday Chicken
Excellent food. Friendly service and comfortable dining room. One of the best places to eat in Scottsdale.
Nothing to say except it is the one place you find everything perfect ! After enjoying many places in Scottsdale for 10 days ... this is the place where we feel the better, the best ...
It’s worth the price because the food was creative and well prepared. Our waitress Gina was excellent!
this is a wonderful artisan restaurant ..IT has history and warmth and fine food ....IT has a large bar which is fun to have dinner at and near the chefs ..THe service is so gracious and this is a unique restuarant which takes great pride...in its work.More
Hello, I had planned to take my boyfriend here for his birthday. We went on the website several times and there was nothing about being closed. When we pulled up at 7:30 there was a note on the door saying they are closed for vacation....I just think that is very unprofessional and disrespectful to customers.More