Fat Ox

"Fat Ox is a chic Italian restaurant where you’ll come for the excellent Happy Hour—which has the essence of an invitation-only club—and stay well past dinner. The Negronis and Amalfi Spritzes are the kind of drinks that make you feel like you’re at an exclusive Sicilian resort à la The White Lotus. Order them with the veal meatballs and Castelvetrano olives—it’s the closest you’ll get to aperitivo in Scottsdale. Like the stylish atmosphere, the regional Italian menu balances traditional and trendy. Grilled octopus with sherried garlic purée, pillowy kabocha squash-stuffed agnolotti dusted with 24-month-aged Vacche Rosse cheese, and wagyu beef cheek gnocchi lean into luxury, while the 25-layer lasagna is a comforting classic that reminds you why you came to this Italian restaurant in the first place." - Lauren Topor

"Named for an Italian food and wine festival honoring Piedmont’s cattle, Fat Ox specializes in hand-pulled cheeses, homemade pastas, and a variety of meats, slow-roasted over local mesquite and pecan wood. Two party options are the private dining room, which includes a private terrace and full-service bar, as well as a semi-private room which can be divided from the main dining room by sound-absorbing curtains. Family-style menus are also available for parties of eight or more." - Nikki Buchanan

"Now that Bar Chef author and mixologist Christiaan Rollich has become bar director at Matt Carter’s sleek, high-end Italian enclave, the bar has taken a giant leap forward. Rollich, who thinks like a chef, is inspired by ingredients in Carter’s kitchen, and the delicious result is balanced, creative cocktails with ingredients such as turmeric and harissa." - Nikki Buchanan, Jamie Killin

"Fat Ox is the place to go for modern Italian food and the sort of see-and-be-seen crowd associated with Scottsdale. When it’s crowded (and that’s often), the Ox is noisy, but most customers pay no mind to the din once the riveting, beautifully plated food arrives. Pastas, one of the menu’s highlights, are made in-house daily, while premium proteins (think: Berkshire pork, branzino, Ora king salmon, and Linz Reserve steaks) are cooked over wood and charcoal in a custom-made hearth. This is light years from spaghetti and meatballs on a checkered tablecloth. For an affordable, fly-by experience, head to the glitzy bar for good cocktails and appetizers." - Nikki Buchanan

"At Fat Ox, renowned chef Matt Carter puts a one-of-a-kind spin on Italian food that seems to transcend culinary labels. For the ultimate dining experience, enjoy a family-style meal with a generous portion of steak, a serving (or two!) of the pasta, plenty of cheese-heavy starters (like the whipped ricotta), and a bit of perfectly prepared veggies, such as the roasted mushrooms." - Jamie Killin