Mastro's Steakhouse - Scottsdale

Mastro's is quite expensive and not really a family-friendly restaurant. Our bill for two quickly surpassed the $150 mark. For the price and the hype surrounding the restaurant, I expected a complete dining experience. This includes exceptional dishes, attention to detail, and professionalism. Unfortunately, we didn't quite get that. First off, the location of Mastro's is not ideal. It's situated in a shopping plaza that's quite far from everything and feels like it's in the middle of nowhere. It was a 50-mile drive from our house, along dark two-lane roads. In my opinion, a restaurant of this caliber should have a prime, standalone location like in Paradise Valley. When we arrived, the entrance didn't feel very fancy. The doorman was dressed in jeans and a sport jacket, and the three young girls who greeted us inside seemed more interested in checking the reservation book than attending to us. Once we were seated next to a window in the non-smoking area, we realized how crowded and cramped the space was. They had to shuffle things around to accommodate us, and my chair was practically touching the one next to it. Our server, an older lady, did her best to make up for the initial impression by telling us about the special food and preparation methods at Mastro's. The food itself was delicious – the best steak I've ever had. However, the drinks were a bit of a letdown. I asked for a specific vodka and was served a martini instead, and when I requested a chilled shot of vodka, it came in a large glass filled with ice and water. Despite the missteps, we enjoyed the ambiance and the live music at Mastro's. The decor was elegant, the lighting was perfect, and the crowd was not too loud. Overall, Mastro's is a great spot for steaks and upscale drinks at the bar. However, there were several questionable elements that prevented it from being the top upscale restaurant in town. I left with a desire to try out other highly rated restaurants for our next special occasion.

I had a great experience at Mastros, from the delicious martinis to the fantastic music and the amazing bone-in filet which I had never tried before. I loved it so much that I am already planning to eat at Mastros at least twice during my upcoming 5-day trip in March 2008.

I had a fantastic dining experience at this restaurant. Our servers, Monica and Cece Borunda, were amazing and knew all the best dishes on the menu. They went above and beyond to make my birthday celebration with friends special. My lobster was cooked perfectly and my husband's Porterhouse steak was tender and delicious. Everyone in our group loved their meals. I would highly recommend this restaurant!

This restaurant is a top-notch steakhouse with an impressive and diverse menu and wine selection. We spent $3,000 on dinner for six, mostly on wine. While I still prefer Durants for its charm (and the delicious Oysters Rockefeller) and Steak 44 for its trendy atmosphere and huge shrimp, Mastros is the real deal and doesn't disappoint. The menu is more upscale than my favorites, but so is the price.

The restaurant always serves delicious food, and I appreciate their attention to gluten-free options. They have a separate menu section, which is great news for me and my friends. I enjoyed the chopped wedge salad and smoked salmon plate, both of which were divine! The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was lovely. I will definitely be returning.