Scottsdale, Arizona is a culinary destination that offers a unique blend of flavors from American Indian, Mexican, and cowboy cultures. From McClendon's Select asparagus and Arizona Microgreens herbs to Crow's Dairy goat cheese and grits from Hayden Flour Mill, the city's restaurants are incorporating locally made ingredients into their dishes. The city is also home to the Whiskey Del Bac Distillery, which produces an intense Southwestern flavor and aroma in its grain-to-glass American malt whiskey. At Gertrude's, diners can enjoy seasonally inspired cuisine that combines American favorites with classic cooking techniques and flavors from Native Americans and around the world.
The restaurant is also renowned for its outdoor dining spaces. Meanwhile, AIF, a branch of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, was established in 1998 to create a platform for American Indian products and protect Native American businesses and customers. Arizona cuisine has a long history that dates back more than 4,000 years. To bring research, development, and refinement to native cuisine, Craig founded the Native American Culinary Association.
Ingredients such as pumpkin, beans, corn, lamb, cholla buds, and fried bread are used in dishes served in many of the state's tribal lands as well as on restaurant tables. The flavors of Arizona have changed over time due to westward expansion in the 19th century and the introduction of cowboy culture. Nowadays, tuna is used in barbecue sauces and syrups to drink at some of the best restaurants in the state. Visitors can also find desert flower honey and cereals and vegetables that Native American tribes in the area have been using for centuries. Scottsdale is an ideal place to explore unique flavors from around the world.
With five great growing seasons and farmers markets open all year round, visitors can sample locally made ingredients used by American cuisine restaurants in Scottsdale.
