Tommy V's Urban Kitchen & Bar Scottsdale

I grew up in a NJ town with amazing Italian-American chefs, so admittedly I am a bit picky when trying new Italian places in our adopted home of AZ. 18 years in AZ, we've found several every bit as good as those I recall in the east. Tommy V's attracted us from its menu, reviews, and location when we were looking for a place to have a special dinner with good (Italian-American) friends who were visiting and staying in the vicinity. I would say food, service, atmosphere were all average/good. But that's also where my concerns lie, because as one of the better rated Italian restaurants in Old Town area, our party of 6 found nothing great. As the host, I was disappointed that we chose Tommy V's when perhaps if I wasn't so location focused I could have brought them to a better alternative 15-20 mins away. I hope we caught them on an off night and other's rosy reviews are founded. In the mean time, a 4* review, and we’ll likely be looking elsewhere for our next special dinner.

I spent a week in Scottsdale for vacation and my dinner here was the highlight of my trip. The staff were a pleasure to talk with, and my food was phenomenal. I had a Manhattan, a house salad, shrimp risotto, and lemon cake for dessert. I normally don't care for olives, but the ones on this salad weren't too salty. For the shrimp risotto, I was dragging the fork out of my mouth in slow motion because I didn't want it to be over. Definitely worth a trip if you're in Old Town.

Had the wonderful strawberry salad with an entrée of scallops. The 5 small scallops served were tasty and presented as well as 5 small ( not jumbo) scallops can be presented to resemble an entrée. I feel the potion had a lot of risotto and not enough scallops for the price charged. Parking is great, and the indoor seating is not elbow to elbow, so very comfortable for conversations at the table. Bright with lots of windows. The waiter was very attentive. Additionally, because the manager knew my companion, we were treated to an apple bread pudding desert to share, which was tasty but not over the top. Unsure if I will return and chance ordering another entrée.