CARTWRIGHT'S SONORAN RANCH

Honoring Arizona’s Ranching History

Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House is not only one of the best steakhouses in town, it’s also a tribute to the hard-working ranchers who settled Arizona. It preserves this legacy by offering only the finest all-natural meats as well as sustainable seafood and local, seasonal produce whenever possible. The restaurant was named after the Cartwright family, local ranchers who were integral in improving the quality of beef in Arizona.

“Best of the Valley” Honors Cartwright’s

Yippee ki-yay, and thank you to Phoenix Magazinefor voting Cartwright’s “Best Gussied-Up Cowboy Grub.” We’re darn pleased to be recognized for our mesquite flame-licked steaks and game and our hearty sides of chiles, corn and beans. Shucks, we’re beaming with so much Western pride, we’re afraid we’ll have to buy bigger hats soon!

Awards

Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House is proud to be recognized for our accomplishments.

The DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Award uses extensive criteria and an impartial inspection to find restaurants of the highest distinction.

The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is bestowed on restaurants with a well-chosen selection of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.

When you dine at Cartwright’s, you are guaranteed to enjoy a level of service and sophistication rarely equaled in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

http://www.cartwrightssonoranranchhouse.com/

Tonto Bar & Grill and Cartwright's Sonoran Ranch House

Tonto and Cartwright's

Two of my favorite local restaurants are The Tonto Bar and Grill located in Ranch Manana Golf Club in Cave Creek and it's higher end sister restaurant, Cartwright's Sonoran Ranch House, also located in the town of Cave Creek.

Tonto Bar and Grill

Uniquely Arizona Dining

Tonto Bar & Grill will tempt you with its Native American and Southwestern-inspired eclectic menu featuring salads, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, mesquite-grilled steaks and chops, and house-made breads and desserts. We offer the freshest, highest-quality food available, including all-natural meats with no hormones or antibiotics; organic, grass-fed Arizona beef; and desert-harvested ingredients.

Top Ten Happy Hour

Tonto has one of the best happy hours in town, says the Arizona Republic. Click here for details.

Have a Happy Easter

Tonto Bar & Grill invites you to have a happy Easter this year with an enticing four-course plated brunch that the whole family will enjoy. View the menu here. Cost is $44; $16 for age 10 and younger, plus 18 percent tax and gratuity. Please call 480-488-0698 to book your table.

Sharing the Love

The media lately has been sharing the love for Tonto, and we love them right back!

Tonto was named one of the Top 5 Southwestern Restaurants in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Experience AZ. It also took the honors for Best Southwestern food in Phoenix Magazine’s Best of the Valley recently, praised for its fusion of American Indian and New West cuisines. We respect our desert surroundings and carry on the culinary traditions of the West, and we’re glad to be appreciated for it.

http://www.tontobarandgrill.com/

Harold's Corral

Harold's Corral

As Cave Creek’s original “Wild West Saloon and Restaurant,” Harold’s is a landmark and popular stomping ground for both locals and tourists. Celebrating over 70 years of history and good times.

If it happens in Cave Creek, it happens at Harold’s. Johnny Walker opened the Corral Bar in 1935 to serve the workers who were building Bartlett Dam. It became Harold’s Cave Creek Corral in 1950 when local character Harold Gavagan purchased it. It has spawned a million crazy stories – from lions and tigers caged in the back to Harold himself along with his flamboyant friends, movie stars, (real) cowboys and other colorful characters. Gavagan’s flamboyant ways helped to turn it into the local landmark that it is today.

Harold’s features seating for 600 inside, 200 on outside patio, 2 bars, a large stage and dance floor, free Country Dance Lesson on Friday’s from 7:30pm to 8:30pm and Live Entertainment by some of the BEST bands in the valley Wednesday through Sunday.

Harold’s features the finest Choice hand carved steaks and daily delivered fresh seafood. All our BBQ meats are smoked on premise using mesquite wood to provide a traditional southwest flavor. Our wide variety menu features everything from Salads, Steaks, Seafood, Italian & Mexican dishes, to the best Hamburgers in Arizona.
Harold’s Corral is the official home of Heinz Field West a Pittsburgh Steelers Club. It is the place for all faithful of the Black & Gold to meet on Sunday, watch their beloved Steelers and down a couple of Iron City beers.

There is always something happening at Harold’s. Whether you come here for one of our annual events such as Fiesta Days, 3rd of July Fireworks, Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction, Gong Show, Hawaiian Luau, Wild West Days, Harold’s Anniversary Party or one of our many charity events. Harold’s Corral is the place where the festivities begin and end.

Long time Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia says “We all end up at Harold’s at some point. Sedona may have it vortexes, but Cave Creek has Harold’s and it’s the center of the universe.”

JOIN the HAROLD’S NEWSLETTER, for the latest Specials & Upcoming Events.

HAROLD’S HISTORY

Since Harold started the place about 1935, Harold’s has always been the center of Cave Creek activity. It has spawned a million crazy stories… from lions and tigers caged in the back to Harold himself along his flamboyant friends, movie stars, (real) cowboys and other colorful characters.

Many celebrities have frequented Harold’s. Some to wine and dine on the fine food and some because it was their film location… Warner Bros. filmed Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins starring Mckensie Phillips, Alan Arkin and Sally Kellerman; other films were Electroglide in Blue starring Robert Blake and Jeannie Riley and Little Foss and Big Halsey with Robert Redford. Dick Van Dyke and Hugh Downs frequent Harold’s, but then, the locals always know the best spots.

We surely hope you will visit Harold’s. And when you do, take a minute to browse through the photographs on the walls of the wonderful characters that frequent Harold’s. Hope to see you real soon.

I am generally spotted at Harold's for breakfast on Saturdays as they open at 8:00am.  You can still ride your horse there and there is a corral to keep it.  Also it is a destination after spot for jeep tours.  This is the real Arizona....the wild west.  I will be doing much more on Cave Creek in the future!


http://haroldscorral.com/ 

http://www.carefreeadventures.com/

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The Royal Palms

THE ROYAL PALMS

Privacy remains the ultimate luxury at Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Enchanting stone walkways curve throughout the property, inviting hotel guests to indulge in a leisurely stroll amongst the fragrant citrus groves and exotic foliage. Set amidst lush courtyards and blooming gardens, our 119 beautifully appointed casitas, hotel rooms, and villas surround as an oasis for guests seeking tranquility and solitude. Each hotel room is resplendent in Old World charm, many appointed with a breathtaking collection of European antiques, tiles and artifacts. Set in the Valley of the Sun, the resort is located in the beautiful Phoenix-Scottsdale resort community, with the majestic Camelback Mountain providing a striking visual backdrop.

Entering the mansion through mahogany and iron double doors, the atmosphere is that of a lavish private residence. Mirroring the Old World charm of the estate, Royal Palms' Four-Star Alvadora Spa is tranquil, warm and intimate. Nationally acclaimed T. Cook's Restaurant boasts select seasonal dishes from the Mediterranean and exotic surrounding regions. This Scottsdale area resort also offers swimming, a fitness centre and full-service salon.

Acclaimed over and over as one of the country's most romantic resorts, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona is offering a host of new sensuous Romantication^™ experiences. Led by our Romance Team, including the Director of Romance and the Director of Guest Experiences, our entire resort staff is trained to provide a level of service that is boundless and yet discreet, giving you an intimate, luxurious, pampering and romantic hotel ambiance.

The Royal Palms Resort and Spa's new romantic experiences include packages and vacations tailored around everything from dining to spa and Phoenix and Scottsdale area activities. Our Languages of Love program fashions romantic getaways just for you, influenced by France, Italy, Spain and Greece, during different months throughout the year.

http://www.royalpalmshotel.com

Thunderbirds

THUNDERBIRDS

Native Americans often paid tribute to large predatory raptors. Most totem poles feature a likeness to a thunderbird perched high on top. The natives often held these mammoth birds in high regard. They believed these feathered creatures held supernatural powers, including the power to cause hazardous storms. It was believed that their flapping wings created thunder, while their dark ominous eyes were capable of causing lightning strikes. The natives passed these tales onto the early settlers, as well as stories of the monstrous birds swooping down to attack deer and even small children. They described the birds as having talons as large as human hands, glassy black beaded eyes, and heads larger than a yard long.

Desert Planters

Desert Planters

While I was at a Superbowl party, I noticed how beautiful the planters were outside!  Spring in the desert is the most beautiful time of the year....so here are a few pics!  More natural pics of the desert to come later....