One of the things I loved about Germany was its alt stadt or old town. Every large city you went to would have one of varying sizes, such as Munich's massive one, or Aachen's smaller one. It was great. They were paved and pedestrian friendly; had hotels on their perimeter, and contained plenty of pubs and restaurants inside them.

Scottsdale, a suburb of Phoenix, has an old town as well. It stretches to the Fashion Center and Waterfront, but is a small labyrinth of road and shops that are pedestrian friendly with plenty of tourist traps, restaurants and bars. We go there a lot.

The Waste Water Treatment plant on Hayden and McDonald contains parks and public areas around it. The building is done in a modern style with rusted metal, rocks in rusted mesh and blood red canvas sails for shade.

You wouldn't know it is a waste water treatment plant other than a back entrance has card access and a warning that only authorized personnel are allowed in. Immediately infront of the facility is a water feature and dog parks. There is a shaded amplitheatre of sorts behind the structure and then it blends into baseball parks.

It is possible that disguising it in the modern structure was a requirement or a means to fend of any NIMBY attacks so that it could go through council. It is quite a stunning building and well integrated into the surrounding public space.

Update: The maps.google satellite view is before the park was finished. The water treatment plant is done though.

Go here when it is a special occasion and you feel like sushi or Japanese in a high end modernist environment.

Roka Akor is a relatively expensive Japanese restaurant located on Scottsdale Road just north of Indian Bend. The food is fantastic and the presentation excellent.

Also consider Sushi Roku at the W Hotel on Camelback.

Experience The restaurant environment is consistent with Pheonix's modernist and contemporary streak. It is exceptionally well done with strong lines and broad brushes of color. The environment is very relaxed, clean and comfortable.

Patio Roka Akor has a patio with about six tables that are relatively quiet and aren't intruded on by the Scottsdale Road traffic.

Parking There is a valet service for those that want it. There appears to be parking further back in the parking lot, but who knows in those situations.

Go here when you feel like sitting out on a large patio and eating strong tasting pizza with wine.

Grazie Pizzeria and Wine bar is a restaurant with a big patio in Old Town Scottsdale. It is located on Main Street near the Valley Ho.

Also consider Humble Pie, Parlor, or La Grande Orange Pizzeria.

Experience Grazie is a contemporary styled restaurant that uses the Phoenix style of rusted steel and minimalist structures. It is a very nice environment.

Patio This is probably Grazie's strongest feature. The patio is large, encompassing the side and front of the restaurant. They do not have an issue taking in large groups on the patio.

Parking It is typical of Old Town and can be difficult at peak times. There is more parking further in if you don't mind walking. No valet service however.

Website Grazie Pizzeria and Winebar

Map 6953 E Main St, Scottsdale AZ. Goldwater and Main St, just south of Indian Bend and to the east of the Valley Ho.

The misters at Grazie throwing their moisture into the air.

Go here when you want a modernist meal with good wine in contemporary settings. Avalon is a good change from the normal Scottsdale restaurants and an ideal place for a birthday, or for taking someone from out of town to a Phoenix style restaurant.

Avalon is located on McDowell Rd and 77th just in-front of the 3 Palms Resort. The setting inside is dark, contemporary with lots of mood lighting. The food is heavy on taste but not so filling that it feels like you will burst.

Also consider The Tuckshop, Furio, Roka Akor

Experience Avalon has a Prix Menu which is very competitively priced and gives a chance to try an appetizer, entree and desert under the one bill. There is also a large wine selection. The mood of the restaurant is nice with lots of accent lighting which is sparsely administered.

Patio Avalon does not have a patio.

Parking There is a culd de sac type parking area in front of the restaurant. When we were there a couple of hot rods had parked there. There is ample parking behind the restaurant with the parking lot that is shared with 3 Palms.

Website Avalon Scottsdale

Map Corner of McDowell Rd and 77th in Scottsdale

Go here when you want to catch an early dinner. It is also a good 'pre-place' to go to on the weekends before heading out for the night.

The crowd at AZ88 goes in phases, moving from the gray hairs to the hipsters as the evening goes on. It draws an eclectic crowd of gays and straights. AZ88's food is light and it has a very good patio. There can be a long wait on weekends though as it is quite popular.

Also consider Stingray, Furio or Postino's.

Experience AZ88 always has some kind of art display in the restaurant which periodically changes. The crowd is an interesting one and runs the gamut of Phoenix's social set; from the gray hairs and snowbirds, to hipsters and gays. It makes for an interesting people watching environment.

The food is light and many come with sides of fruit. There is a good beer and wine menu, the former being something missing from many Phoenix modernist restaurants which prefer to focus on wine instead. All in all AZ88 is arguably the best restaurant in Phoenix.

Patio AZ88 has a large patio with tables and a small lounge area. The patio is in the modernist style with a lit sculpture overhead and glass fencing. When the weather is good, the main seating area inside is opened up to the outside air as well.

Parking There is large parking structure off of 2nd Street and Wells Fargo St which is next door to the Old Town Scottsdale Mall, however it isn't obvious how to get to AZ88 from the parking structure. You have to travel east through some buildings to enter the mall side where AZ88, Orange Table and Pure are. Another issue is when there is an event occurring at the Civic Center or one of the other public buildings as the parking structure can fill up quickly.

Website AZ88. It does not have its own URL and has been on the mac URL for ages.

Map In Old Town Scottsdale's Mall. This can be confusing to get to as you have to enter the mall to see AZ88 and it, along with Pure and Orange Table are on the west side of the mall; making them kind of hidden. The best method is to park in the parking structure off 2nd Street, and then walk east into the mall.

AZ88 always has an art display at any one time. They are periodically rotated. The display below is of dead taxi drivers.

Art display for Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Christmas display for 2010.

Go here when you want a casual brunch, lunch or dinner. Orange table is also excellent for breakfast.

Orange Table has a very informal style, almost hippyish. The outdoor patio normally has several bicycles leaning up against the central pole. Dogs are welcomed on the patio as well. This is one of our favorite places in Phoenix.

Also consider Daily Dose, Cafe Zuzu or Pita Jungle

Experience Orange Table has a wonderfully casual aspect to it. It has a hippy feel without any pretension which makes it relaxing, comfortable and friendly place to hang out.

Many of the Phoenix restaurants have a wide selection of wines at the expense of a tiny beer selection. Not so Orange Table, which has a wide selection of beers. For an Australian, this is a good thing. In my opinion beer goes better with the larger and heavier sandwiches anyway.

There is very little cellular connection, the parking structure next door makes it a dead spot for cell phones, but there is wireless internet which is good for laptops and iPhones. While it isn't really the style of the restaurant, I have used Orange table for getting an extra hour or so of software development in while eating dinner.

Patio There is a large patio infront of the restaurant with about seven tables. There is usually a cluster of bicycles around the pillar in the center of the patio.

Parking There is large parking structure off of 2nd Street and Wells Fargo St which is next door to the Old Town Scottsdale Mall, however it isn't obvious how to get to Orange Table from the parking structure. You have to travel east through some buildings to enter the mall side where Orange Table, AZ88 and Pure are. Another issue is when there is an event occurring at the Civic Center or one of the other public buildings as the parking structure can fill up quickly.

Website Orange Table does not have its own URL or Website that is functioning, it it has a MySpace page.

Map In Old Town Scottsdale Mall.

Go here when for lunch when you are in the neighborhood, or to watch a game.

RnR is a modernist tavern in the same style as the Vig. It looks like a sports bar from the outside, but this does it a little of a dis-service. It fits with the Phoenix style of contemporary restaurant and bar.

Also consider The Vig, Daily Dose or Bungalow.

Experience RnR is a the modernist tavern and bar in the same style as the Vig. It has the pub side of things covered with beer, indoor and outdoor bars and plenty of screens showing sports. There is plenty of seating inside and on the patios for eating as well. Very nice contemporary feel and set up.

Patio There are two large patios; one upstairs and one downstairs. RnR is new architecture and well suited to Old Town Scottsdale and the climate. Probably the best patio in Old Town.

Parking There is some parking directly behind RnR. And about fifty yards further east of RnR is the public parking garage. Getting a spot in-front of the old Furio or in the parking lot of the medical center is dubious and probably to be avoided. Old Town Scottsdale is well known for cars getting towed.

Menu The RnR Menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a decent enough mix of sandwiches and plates to cover any hour of the day.

Website RnR Scottsdale.

Map RnR is on the corner of Scottsdale Rd and 2nd St in Old Town Scottsdale just north of Oreganos. RnR is on the right hand side of the road heading north. It is hard to miss as the sign is in bright orange on the side of the tavern.