The Bottom Line
Our bill at Sassi came to about $60 per person, not including beverages, tax or tip.
Pros
- Beautiful building and decor
- A variety of dining rooms offering different dining environments
- A fine dining experience that isn't in a hotel
- Order traditionally, or be adventurous
Cons
- Typically, you won't eat here for less than $50 per person
Description
- Sassi is located in north Scottsdale in the Pinnacle Peak area. It's a one-of-a-kind restaurant, not a chain.
- Open for dinner only, there are specials offered in the bar area on Tuesday through Thursday. Sassi is closed on Mondays.
- Four dining areas are relatively small and spacious. The Terrace or the Wine Cellar might be a good choice for larger groups.
- Sassi is suitable for a romantic dining experience as well as a business meeting. Leave young children with a sitter.
- A wedding or special reception at Sassi in the lovely outdoor garden can accommodate up to 150 people.
- There are less than ten main courses on the menu. One is fish, none are vegetarian.
- Try the chef's Dinner for Two with Wine for a romantic meal without all the decisions.
- Feeling adventurous? The Chef at Sassi will prepare a full array of courses in the form of a tasting menu.
- Wine by the glass starts at $12. The glasses here are a quarter liter, larger than your typical restaurant wine pour.
- Expect your meal at Sassi to be unrushed (read: slow) as the various courses are presented. Enjoy live jazz most nights.
Guide Review - Sassi
The menu at Sassi has a strong Italian influence, but you won't find the standard Italian offerings (à la Macaroni Grill) here. There are decisions to be made before ordering: diners may order only for themselves, but the menu lends itself, by virtue of six different courses, to sharing smaller plates. During this visit we shared the Frito Misto (deep fried local organic veggies, $9), the Insalata Caprese (buffalo mozzarella flown in from Italy, tomato assortment, $18), Orechietti con Salciccia (home made pasta with spicy sausage, $20). It would be difficult, on a next visit, not to order those last two again. Wonderful! Of our entrées -- veal chop ($38), wood grilled filet ($38) and Arizona lamb $35) the lamb was the most unusual. The filet wasn't as tender or flavorful as I had hoped it would be. Don't miss the side order of roasted butternut squash with walnuts ($7)!
Sassi's Tartufo (chocolate and cherry gelato in a chocolate shell, $9) and Crespelle con Gelato (crepes filed with gelato, $18) desserts provided a lovely finish to a satisfying and creative meal.
Step out of Arizona into the Italian countryside. Positioned right next door to one of Arizona's popular cowboy steak places, leaving Sassi and returning to our real world I appreciated the juxtaposition of the two.
As is common in the industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary meal for the purpose of the review. 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 prices and offering mentioned herein are subject to change without notice. 03/08
