Scottsdale Dining: Wally's Pub and Grill

I recently had dinner with a large group at Wally's Pub and Grill. They have two locations; the Scottsdale location is closest to home and very convenient when staying in Scottsdale -it's located in a high end strip center, but don't be fooled by all the glitz that surrounds it.  Wally's has a very causal atmosphere and has a lot of regulars at the bar.  It's mostly a 'mature' crowd (nice way of saying older folks), but keep in mind it's in Gainey Ranch and there's a lot of money in 'dem thar parts!

They have a very extensive menu, burgers, sandwiches, pasta's, etc and serve an excellent calamari, nice and crispy. It's served with the traditional marinara sauce, but ask for the mayo sauce, excellent! I've had several dishes, my favorite is the Chicken Vesuvius. My better half always has burgers and sandwiches and he has never been disappointed.  Prices are very reasonable and the service is good.

Wally's Happy Hour is from 4-6 PM with $1 off cocktails & beer. $2 off all appetizers!

Bon Appetit!

Why Off-Resort Dining is Usually the Better Option

Golf Odyssey readers know that my editors and I work hard to identify the best places to dine at each golf vacation destination we visit. Before you roll your eyes, know that we have to endure plenty of bad restaurants in order to find the standouts, and we have the Pepto supply to prove it.

What we've found is that, save for a few exceptions (the Tap Room at Pebble Beach immediately comes to mind), the best dining choices are almost always located off resort grounds. As I recently learned from the CEO of a major hospitality company, the reason for this is pretty simple.

If you run a restaurant (and it doesn't matter if you are a single proprietor or part of a chain), you come to work every day focused on one thing: the restaurant business.

Now, contrast that mindset with that of the hotel manager. He or she needs to worry about filling hotel rooms and booking meetings and events. The accompanying food and beverage operation may consist of several restaurants, plus banquets and room service. And we haven't even touched upon other aspects at larger resorts, such as the golf courses, spas and other amenities that take care, feeding and attention.

So, if you find yourself on a golf vacation and have to make a choice between dining on- or off a resort property, the rule-of-thumb above should prove useful. There are exceptions, of course, and we applaud the recent trend of established restaurateurs setting up shop inside hotels. Continued...

By David Baum of golfvacationinsider.com.

Market Common Rocks!!!

The Market Common opened in April 2008. It has stylish shops and fabulous eateries, such as PF Changs and Tommy Bahama with outdoor seating - great for people watching.  With luxury apartments above all the shops, it's like an Urban Wonderland right here in Myrtle Beach! 

On my most recent visit, I dined at Travinia Italian Kitchen.  As soon as you walk through the door, the aroma knocks your socks off.  All the walls are lined with wine racks, so naturally they have a very extensive wine list. We started with the Prince Edward Island Mussels, and I have to tell you, being a mussel snob, they were the best I have had here. I had the Vesuvio Marsala, and the veal was so tender it melts in your mouth.  Oh and I have to mention the bread - awesome.  

I grew up in New York and was taught at a very young age, if the bread is good the meal will be as well. The desserts looked amazing too, I just did not have any room left. I will try again next time. So please, on your next visit to the beach, check out this fabulous eatery so you can savor the fare.

Ciao,
Linda

New Restaurant - Metro West/Orlando, Florida

Blazing its way onto Orlando's restaurant scene, the new Dan Marino's Tavern on the Lake in Veranda Park achieves the ultimate upscale casual dining experience in a true neighborhood restaurant setting. Dan Marino's already has established itself as THE place where people are connecting - on the waterfront patio, in the stylish bar, in the elegant dining area.
At Dan Marino's, Chef Patrick Steele brings an imaginative approach to the menu that is remarkable in casual dining. His menu elevates traditional American dishes - steaks, pork chops, roast chicken, meat loaf - with innovative twists and the freshest ingredients to create the restaurant's hallmark American Contemporary Fare.
For wine enthusiasts, the wine list offers familiar favorites and exciting alternatives by the bottle and glass. Beer lovers have plenty of reasons to love Dan Marino's - nearly 100 beers in many styles, from ales and pilsners to stouts and porters, including several hand craft selections.
The stylish and welcoming bar area at Dan Marino's is a destination in itself. Friendly and attentive bartenders make every patron feel like a regular. And true to its namesake, Dan Marino's provides deluxe sports viewing with seven flat screen, high definition televisions spaced throughout the indoor and outdoor bar area.
With a menu that elevates traditional American cuisine and an inviting environment for lakefront dining, Dan Marino's had created a neighborhood tradition that is anything but traditional.
So when planning you next golf package to Orlando, visit us at http://www.golfzoo.com/ or call me at 888.333.6103 (glen@golfzoo.com). I will make sure to set up a round of golf near Dan Marino's, so you can enjoy 18 holes of golf - followed by a great meal.