Local bistro in Scottsdale was a nice welcoming change to your franchise Italian Restuarant. It is $$ on the prices but you get good service and wonderful meals.
My wife ordered the French Onion soup. It had a wonderful balance of broth and onions as well as a heaping layer of gruyere cheese which toppled over edges of the bowl. Great way to enjoy some cheesy goodness. Croutons were a nice addition. - -4 stars
Also, if you don't a want the large portion of the steak and salad, get the side salad and add the sirloin steak (additional cost) and you have a balance meal and full filling meal with the French Onion Soup. - Steak comes made to order so make sure the server knows how you like your steak. 3 1/2 stars.
I had the TAGLIATELLE Bolognese sauce (beef, veal and pork). It was wonderful. The three meats had a nice balance. You can taste the meat but it's not over powering the other meats. The deep red tomato sauce was perfect and the hand made noodles were wide and al dente. Perfectly cooked and the noodles soaked up the sauce. - 5 stars
Dessert was the "espresso". Homemade Tiramisu layered in dish that can shared by two people or if you are "glutton" for punishment, eaten by one. Dessert was more custard like and we expected a more traditional tiramisu. It was little too sweet and almost too creamy custard like. Yummy but only 3 1/2 stars.
Note: Noodles are gluten free
Service - 4 stars
Our server was attentive but at times we had to wait a little bit longer to ask for something. Not his fault because we went on a Thursday and the NBA Finals were on at the bar - so it was really busy. He did tell us the kitchen was "backed up" so it might take a little bit longer for our food. Server was knowledgeable about the menu and the drinks (nice wine and liquor selection).
Not all wines are single servings so the selection was limited. Glass servings are marked as "red". Whiskey selections were nice.
Beer selection, not so much.
Environment:
We thought 7:30 was a good time but it was not due to NBA Finals. The inside of the Restuarant was loud and sound echoed so we opted to sit outside. I would definitely recommend that option. Water misters were on and it felt cooler and quiet. A better environment to enjoy the company and meal. Ambience was a little bit dark with the lighting but the talks trees and plants felt like you were in a secluded garden. - 5 stars for the outside garden area and 3 stars for inside area (has an echo effect).
No pictures this time but check their menu. http://localbistroaz.com/
Overall - 4 stars -