Scottsdale Happy Hour

Scottsdale Happy Hour at Grand Lux Cafe

Well, here we are again with the latest and greatest Scottsdale Happy Hour posting. Last night Scottsdale Happy Hour stopped at Grand Lux Cafe. Their website states that the idea for this restaurant came to life when The Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas asked David Overton (founder of The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants) to create an upscale casual restaurant concept for their property. So, if you have ever wondered why the two restaurants look similar you now are aware of the reason why. With this proposal and the "Venetian Theme", Overton traveled to Europe to study Italian trattorias, French bistros, and the grand cafes and pastry shops of Vienna. The end result - Grand Lux Cafe. Grand Lux Cafe proudly boasts locations in numerous cities throughout the United States.

The only Grand Lux Cafe in Arizona is located at 7014 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 102, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 at the Fashion Square Mall. Tel: 480-949-7800.

Happy Hour Details: 
Everyday 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Only in the bar area (bar seating, booths and high tables)

MENU

All appetizers are discounted by 50% and the portions are plentiful. My one main complaint is that the menu online does not match the menu you receive in the restaurant. The Crispy Ahi Sushi Roll, Crabcakes, Fried Calamari, Seared Rare Ahi and The Grand Appetizer Platter were not listed. This was somewhat frustrating because I had my mind already set on trying the sushi and calamari, but I settled with the Chicken Lettuce Wraps....

As you can see the portions are quite substantial and the server even made sure I got bibb lettuce. I do have to admit I was somewhat surprised at the size for some reason I was just expecting a smaller serving. I also saw and tasted the Buffalo Chicken Rolls and the Cheese Steak Spring Rolls. The servings were quite large and the food was tasty as well. The overall quality of food has always been excellent and I was unaware that Grand Lux Cafe even had Happy Hour until it was mentioned to me just the other day (I normally visit for dessert and order the creme brulee). In summary, you can expect to get above average food at a great price and ultimately that meets the goal of our wallet here at Scottsdale Happy Hour.

The Happy Hour drink specials are priced as follows: 

Selected Well Drinks - $5.00
Selected Wine by the Glass - $5.00
Selected Draft Beer (16oz) - $5.00 

Grand Lux Cafe also has a Happy Hour "Special of the Day" drink. They are $5.00 each and listed as follows:

Monday -  Blood Orange Margarita
Tuesday - Mango Sling
Wednesday - Raspberry Cosmopolitan
Thursday - Passion Fruit Margarita
Friday - Typhoon
Saturday - Ginger Margarita
Sunday - Scarlet Orange

The atmosphere is going to place you in a dimly lit and well decorated setting. The bar has only two televisions and they're not that great, but it does fit the setting because this is not a sports bar - we're talking upscale casual here. If you like Smooth Jazz then you'll love the music they play in the background. Perhaps 95.5 KYOT should take lessons from Grand Lux Cafe because the selection of music they play puts them to shame. It's not the so-called watered down Kenny "G" - Dave Koz junk you typically hear...trust me on this one! It's very obvious that Grand Lux Cafe has put quite a sum of money into making the ambiance different from many other establishments and yes it does have the "Scottsdale" crowd and feel.

Grand Lux Cafe is another restaurant that I give my recommendation to try. If you're familiar with The Cheesecake Factory it won't surprise you and it won't disappoint you. If you're new to this style of restaurant I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Have you visited Grand Lux Cafe recently? Feel free to comment and share your experience....

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Scottsdale Happy Hour on Applebee's Veteran's Day Freebie

 

This posting is not about Happy Hour at Applebee's, but the deal is just too good not to mention and it's free (and that's even better than a cheap Happy Hour). After all, Scottsdale Happy Hour is about getting the best deal for your spending and going easy on the wallet at the same time.

Here's the deal....Veteran's and Active Duty Military EAT FREE on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2009. At any participating location during all hours of operation you can choose the Oriental Chicken Salad, Fiesta Lime Chicken, 7 oz. House Sirloin, Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, Chicken Tenders Platter, or the Fire Pit Bacon Burger. Valid Veteran and Active Duty Identification is required to obtain the free entree and tax and gratuity are not included.

This offer is valid only on November 11, 2009.

Applebee's location in Scottsdale, AZ:

10460 N. 90th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Tel: 480-391-3535

Do you have a comments about Applebee's? Please feel free to share them....

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Scottsdale Happy Hour at Yard House

The Yard House found its roots in an earlier rendition named the Boiler Room in Denver, Colorado and opened their doors in 1996 in Long Beach, California. This was a result of the operation founder Steele Platt selling the Boiler Room and heading west. Here, along with a collaborative effort he expanded upon the Boiler Room concept and hence the Yard House. Yard House derives the name from a 3-foot tall glass originally designed in England to hand to stagecoach drivers. The Yard House refers to itself as an upscale-casual eatery with locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois and Kansas. They have an extensive menu of what they call American cuisine and 100-250 (depending on location) beers on tap.

The location I visited for Happy Hour review can be found at 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 at the Fashion Square Mall. Tel: 480-675-9273.

photo courtesy of http://www.yardhouse.com

Happy Hour Details:
Monday-Friday 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Daily 10:00 p.m. - Close

SPECIAL NOTE: MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL - HAPPY HOUR OFFERED FROM KICKOFF TO FINAL PLAY
Available September 14 - December 18

Well, I finally have made the trip to Yard House. I've seen the restaurant in a few locations across the country, but I've never had the opportunity to dine at one. The menu states select half-priced appetizers, sliders and half-priced pizzas so that means no item costs more than $6.50 (not bad at all). I really don't know where to begin, but let me say that Yard House is just AWESOME when it comes to the quality and quantity of food for the price. I can already tell that this restaurant is going to be very very tough to beat. After going here two nights in a row I've had a chance to try and see a variety of things. To sum it up, the appetizers are so large they should state they have select half-priced entrees for Happy Hour. I've tried the California Roll (and it has REAL crab!), the Chinese Garlic Noodles, the Grilled Jamaican Wings, the Chilled Edamame and the Sliders. Everything I have ordered has been presented in a professional manner and the taste has been immaculate. My only complaint is the rice on the California Roll is a little harder than the norm, but after having it two nights in a row at the same consistency it is probably just how the Yard House prepares it. Another point to be mentioned is that they don't prepare the sushi rolls in the traditional fashion, but the way they do tastes just the same if not even better. Also, I did make a note to walk around and glance at other tables to see how their food appeared and it was consistent everywhere...professional and plentiful. Below are a few pictures I have taken of the food showing the presentation and the quantity I've seen the past couple of days.

 

Happy Hour drink prices are as follows: Domestic Pints $3.50, Import Pints $4.00, $2 off Wine by the glass, Goblets $4.50, Well Drinks $4.25 and House Martinis $5.75.

This particular location has an outdoor patio (with heaters for cooler temperatures) and always appears to have a relatively decent amount of people. It's right near the Fashion Square Mall valet parking so car exhaust may present somewhat of a breathing challenge to some. Indoors is a large bar area (113 out of 130 taps of beer) with table and booth dining surrounding the entire restaurant. The lights are somewhat dim with over 20 overhead flat screen televisions dispersed everywhere as well as Yard House classic rock music playing in the background.

What's my take on Yard House? This place deserves serious consideration and I give a full recommendation to stop here for Happy Hour in Scottsdale, Arizona, whether you live here or just passing through.

Have you visited Yard House lately? Please comment and share your experience.....

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