If you’re anything like me, once in a while you get a craving for a big juicy steak. There is only one spot in town I head to and that spot is usually saved for special occasions such a anniversaries, work celebrations, and birthdays and this year was no different. I rang in 36 years on earth at my absolute favorite steakhouse in town, Mastro’s City Hall and had to share the details with ya’ll!
If you’ve never been to Mastro’s City Hall before, let me paint the picture for you. There is bound to be a Bentley or Porsche parked near the valet stand, and the bar will likely be a display of dazzling jewelry and expensive timepieces, along with bodies that have been nipped, tucked, enhanced or injected by the latest that modern science has to offer then impeccably dressed. But hey, City Hall is located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and would you really expect anything less? It’s all part of the grand experience so embrace the fabulous people watching and let’s talk about the best part….the food!
When we visited the lounge area was in full swing thanks to live music and the dining room was bustling. I ordered a very dirty martini that arrived with an overflow of yumminess in a shaker that kept me happy all the way through the main course. Our waiter was kind enough to bring me extra blue cheese stuffed olives because that’s what turning 36 gets you these days! For appetizers we had the biggest shrimp cocktail I’ve ever seen and as basic as shrimp cocktail sounds, the quality of shrimp at City Hall is top notch and the homemade cocktail sauce puts this appetizer on the map as one of the best in town.
For entrees, the Mastro’s brand is known for high-quality steaks and seafood and on this given night, we went with juicy filet mignon. Of course I got mine topped with truffle butter and seared to a perfect medium rare. Let me mention here that the service is so on par that our waiter confirmed exactly what medium rare is defined as at Mastro’s City Hall– it’s all about unsurpassed service and a paramount dining experience here.
The side dishes are big enough to share and we opted for the signature lobster mashed potatoes (to die for!), and pristine steamed broccoli, with hollandaise of course. I always like to order hollandaise when I’m splurging because it’s something I simply cannot master at home. The truffle mushrooms were luscious and had just the right amount of truffle.
Now let’s talk about the sweet stuff. The signature warm butter cake is my go to but the GM insisted we try a few other desserts so out came a platter that could feed an army…yes, it was one of every dessert on the menu! You should have seen the looks we got! It was a fun exercise in excess but my favorite was still the good old butter cake- a mound of crunchy, crumbly yellow cake topped with a scoop of high-butterfat, vanilla Ice Cream, drizzled with raspberry sauce and a scattering of strawberries and accompanied by a separate plate of fresh in house whipped cream. This has become the restaurant’s post popular dessert and you really cannot visit Mastro’s City Hall without ordering it. To the GM’s point, the hubby liked the cherry crumble the best and we brought a doggy bag home and my mom preferred the cheesecake so moral of the story…order one of every dessert.
Now let’s be real, will you dine at Mastro’s weekly? Maybe if you’re lucky but more likely it will be reserved for special occasions and this is at the top of my list. The Mastro’s brand may have a reputation as being reserved for people “who like the finer things in life,” but it’s also for people who want one of the best all around dining experiences in town!
To learn more about Mastro”s City Hall, drool over the menu, or make a reservation- click HERE