Il Terrazzo Sunday Brunch - Restaurant Review

Il Terrazzo Sunday Brunch- What I Liked

• Choose how you like to brunch, prix fixe or a la carte or both.
• Beverages included, mimosas included with prix-fixe menu
• Patio dining with garden, pool and mountain views
• Reasonable value compared to other luxury brunches

Sunday Brunch at Il Terrazzo - Be Aware

• The breakfast buffet is limited if ordered alone
• Skipping the buffet? The prix fixe menu is offers a choice of five starters and eight entrees
• No soups or green salads, few vegetables
• Dessert consists of six small assorted pastries (for two people)

Il Terrazzo is one of the upscale dining choices at The Phoenician Resort. Normally specializing in Italian/American cuisine, I didn't notice much of an Italian influence on the menu at Sunday brunch. The dining room is arranged in sections, with nicely sized, comfortable tables and chairs that are suitably spaced. There is a large, lovely outdoor seating area which is covered and overlooks gardens and the pools, with mountain views. An outdoor misting system is installed, although it was about 90°F outside while we were there and the misting system was not in use.

Resort attire is appropriate here, but shorts and casual wear are also permitted. Families are welcome. Free valet parking is available (gratuity not included).

Several options are offered at the Il Terrazzo Sunday Brunch. You may enjoy the breakfast buffet alone for $25 per person, a three-course prix fixe menu for $35 per person, or both for $45 per person. Coffee, tea and juice included. Mimosas are included with the prix-fixe option. Tax and tip extra. (prices as of April 2012.)

I very much like the fact that one may order buffet only, a three-course meal only, or both. That affords all diners the option of either being served or serving themselves, and eating a large amount or not. The price is reasonable compared to other local Sunday brunches at upscale resorts, and includes beverages and mimosas.

The breakfast buffet is adequate but not large and is intended to be breakfast only, so you won't find salads, cheeses, shrimp or meaty entrees here. Eggs and omelettes made-to-order, breakfast meats, potatoes (with a nice little spicy zing), french toast, fruit, cereals, breads and smoked salmon are available at the buffet.

After visiting the buffet, we were in the mood for some lunch or dinner items, so we also ordered the three-course meal. The Smoked Salmon and the Seared Ahi appetizers were both very good and I would certainly recommend them. For our entrees it was recommended that we try the Shrimp Mac and Cheese and the Steak Frites. Thumbs up on the Shrimp Mac and Cheese -- not too gooey but a great flavor and texture with large tender shrimp. The steak with fries was flavorful and one of only a couple of items on the menu for a meat lover.

There are no dessert items on the breakfast buffet, although there are danish pastries there. Everyone who orders the three-course meal receives the same dessert, a tower of pastries. Each of the small pastries incorporates a different flavor - chocolate, cheesecake, lemon, strawberry, apple and tiramisu. It is an elegant presentation, but I was disappointed. I ended my brunch wishing for a full portion of real chocolate cake or gelato or bread pudding.

There is also a noticeable void here in the salad and vegetables department. A caprese (tomato) appetizer is offered, and each of the two appetizers we shared had a small vegetable portion. Our entrees did not and, of course, there were no vegetables on the breakfast buffet. Blueberry pancakes are the only vegetarian choice on the menu.

Thanks for the black cloth napkin, since I was wearing black slacks today!

Il Terrazzo is located inside The Phoenician Resort which is right near the border of Phoenix and Scottsdale on Camelback Road. Take the elevator or the stairs down from the lobby to get to Il Terrazzo.

The Phoenician Address:
6000 E. Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Il Terrazzo Phone:
480-423-2530

Feel like doing some shopping after brunch? Scottsdale Fashion Square is less than a mile east on Camelback at Scottsdale Road.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary meal for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy. All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.