Another day, another Texas restaurant comes to Scottsdale

🍝 At this point, Arizona should probably just become a Texas suburb and get it over with.

The latest in a seemingly endless wave of Lone Star imports to plant its flag in the Valley is il Bracco, a Dallas restaurant that apparently holds the title of #1 most-booked spot on OpenTable in that city.

It officially opened Monday on the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Rose Lane (about halfway between Lincoln and McDonald) in central Scottsdale.

So what’s all the fuss about?

• House-made pastas, breads, and desserts;
• Prime meats and fresh seafood butchered in-house daily;
• A frozen Aperol-grapefruit cocktail called the Bracco that sounds dangerously easy to over-order;
• A 5,000-square-foot room dripping in leather, travertine, and more than $100,000 worth of original artwork.

You know, casual.

The menu looks promising. Start with the Crispy Artichokes (pictured) – fresh baby artichokes peeled by hand daily and served with olive aioli, because apparently shortcuts are not welcome here.

The fan-favorite Spicy Gemelli tosses house-made noodles in a vibrant vodka sauce that’s earned a devoted following back in Texas.

For something more substantial, the pan-roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass with mint gremolata or the USDA Prime NY Strip broiled medium rare with salsa verde and whipped ricotta are calling your name.

To its credit, il Bracco does nod to its new home – Queen Creek Olive Mill olive oil and Cartel espresso make appearances on the menu, so at least someone did their Arizona homework.

Open for lunch and dinner daily. Business casual attire requested.