Distrito at The Saguaro Scottsdale

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Address:
4000 Drinkwater Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Neighborhood:
Scottsdale

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Cuisine:
Mexican

Price: $31 to $50

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Distrito at The Saguaro Scottsdale Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.jdvhotels.com/restaurants/arizona/distrito
Phone: (480) 970-4444
Hours of Operation: Breakfast
Mon-Sun: 7am-11am

Lunch
Mon-Fri: 11am-3pm

Dinner
Mon-Sun: 5pm-11pm

Happy Hour
Mon-Sun: 3pm-6pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern, Latin American
Executive Chef: Jose Garces
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Entertainment, Fireplace, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access
Catering: Please call for details.
Special Events & Promotions: Taco Tuesday - Every Tuesday 6pm-9pm

Getting there

Cross Street: Indian School Rd./ Buckboard
Public Transit: Valley Metro bus Route 41- Indian School arriving every half hour, Scottsdale Trolley, Ollie the Trolley.
Parking: Hotel Parking
Parking Details: COMPLIMENTARY Valet Parking

A word from Distrito at The Saguaro Scottsdale

A cool celebration of the culture and cuisine of Mexico City, serving shareable plates and contemporary interpretations of regional Mexican favorites, the restaurant goes beyond classics to offer the full range of exciting and flavorful cuisine served in the Distrito Federal, as it is known by… residents.

With over 100 varieties of tequila, our margarita bar offers an exciting array of fresh fruit margaritas and featuring classic cocktails with a twist. Try our Mezcal Mule!Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Diner Reviews

"A 60's vibe scene that seemed overpriced for a couple of small plates and margaritas. The bar area was packed but the restaurant sparse. Modern Mexican means small plates for typically a higher price. The tuna capriccio was very good and the margaritas packed a punch. The FISH tacos were well-prepared and yummy. But with so much Mexican and/or gourmet food competition in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area, for the price, we expected and wanted more. Good food but nothing memorable."
Dined on 6/28/2014
"I enjoyed the food and experience. Our waiter/bartender, Lucky was very friendly and helpful. I loved the Naranja Roja Margrita. It had a little spice to it and you never know if it will be to one's liking. Lucky mentioned that if I did not like it he'd be happy to make me something else or add additional agave to tone down the spice. I always like to hear that so if it's not drinkable your not on the hook for $12.00. I know most places will accommodate you when it comes to something you don't like but it's refreshing to be told that up front and makes the decision easier to make. The drink was awesome! I did taste some spice so it was not a drink to drink fast. We also had the Pescado which was had a great flavor."
Dined on 6/22/2014
"We could not believe the originality involved in each of the small plates we tasted. The waitstaff were enjoying our reactions , and presented the last plate with a flourish , saying-the best for last. The desserts surpassed the promise of the main courses. We will return. Try the tuna cerviche , and the variation of tres leches cake for dessert. Three small plates is equivalent to one large plate for those who keep track. P.S. Experience a tequila flight."
Dined on 6/22/2014
"Made reservations here for breakfast. Limited menu choices however, the food was excellent. Nice, quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Had a very nice intimate breakfast with my wife sitting at one of the window tables looking out to the patio and park. Service was good. There were only two other couples in the restaurant at the time and we had to ask several times for drink refills. The server could have been more attentive and that is why I gave the service 4 stars instead of 5. Staff is very nice. Over all the experience was great and we will return."
Dined on 6/14/2014
"We have been looking forward to dining at Distrito for some time now. Based on other reviews we thought we were in for a treat. Not the case at all. Food was nothing special and over priced. Started off with a very plain guacamole and soggy carne asada tacos (also the meat was very chewy) . We ordered re-fried and black beans as a side and both were extremely salty. When we mentioned it to the server he spoke to the chef about it. They offered a dessert on the house. In all fairness the desserts were really good. We had a flourless chocolate cake with coffee ice cream and a chocolate and coffee topping. Also the service was good."
Dined on 6/12/2014
"The food was outstanding and the wait staff was very informative and detailed with the menu. Presentation of the food was on point - will definitely return and highly recommend."
Dined on 6/7/2014
"Really enjoyed every aspect of our meal - surroundings, service and food all hit all the right notes!"
Dined on 5/28/2014
"Every small plate we tried here exceeded our expectations. Service was fabulous and remodeled restuarant had a fun upbeat feel. "
Dined on 5/27/2014
"Unfortunately, it was Arizona Restaurant Week when we visited. The menu was EXTREMELY limited with no other options. The wait staff was, however, outstanding. We had an overpriced cocktail and left."
Dined on 5/26/2014
"It was restaurant week and they forced a pre-fix menu on everyone without telling them before being seated. We went to the restaurant to try the regular menu and were very disappointed with the options that night."
Dined on 5/24/2014
"Found this on travel zoo, while looking for places in Phoenix. Nice blurb on it. Great food and service, they couldn't do enough for us. It was restaurant week so a limited menu. I would love to have seen the entire menu. Destiny our server was fabulous"
Dined on 5/22/2014
"For us the queso and dulce de leche were incredible...but the red enchiladas had an unexpected sweet sauce and we did not care for their signature margarita."
Dined on 5/19/2014
"Did dinner and breakfast while staying at the hotel. While the food is descent it in no way lives up to the hype this place produces. "
Dined on 12/28/2013
"Food was similar to what we encountered at upscale restaurants in Mexico City 2 years ago. We sat outside, and at the tables, it was a little too dark to read the menu and bar list. Of course, that's why we have phones that can light up for us! Also, they seem to have captured the architectural gist of Mexico at this restaurant. The food was really outstanding, the staff very helpful. The overall experience was like having a meal in Mexico City. We would happily go back again."
Dined on 5/5/2014
"I find the food slightly above adequate but had a good time."
Dined on 4/10/2014
"Recently had luch with 2 friends. While the decor did not trip my trigger, the food looked like artwork with a taste to match. Definately recommend and I will be back."
Dined on 4/29/2014
"Can't say enough about the innovative food at Distrito. We had some obvious dishes like guacamole and some creative ones as well. We were very impressed on all fronts. Distrito also has some of the best margaritas of my experience and a solid list of Mexican beers. Well worth a visit."
Dined on 4/27/2014
"expensive for what you get, but the food overall was decent. The guacamole was fresh but at $10 a pop, overpriced, although i understand the price of avocados is a factor. Margaritas were too sweet for my taste, i wouldn't order the house again. our waitress was preoccupied, not sure with what. but the patio is a great place to sit and enjoy the scottsdale evening. I would potentially go again, maybe for happy hour. "
Dined on 4/19/2014
"Chef Garces has created some fun and inspirational dishes on the menu. Such a shame that the overall ambience and lack of service delivery ruin the overall experience. When we arrived and came down the stairs one of the greeters was texting on her phone and the other had her back to us and was drinking a cup of tea. They looked at me after I started the conversation. They only spoke to each other and one deftly walked us to a table with no additional interaction. The server was friendly enough and professional. However; his timing was a bit off and he was not very visible (I may not have noticed this had I not been annoyed by the initial greeting). Food was decent. Octopus was a standout. Salmon ceviche way too sweet and salty. "
Dined on 4/26/2014
"We ate here twice during a 6-day visit to the area. Once for lunch and then returned for dinner. Our tween and teen boys enjoyed it as much as we did. Awesome location; vibe and service. Definitely recommend."
Dined on 4/18/2014
"Both times I have been here most of the tables were empty. However, you have a better chance of getting one if you make a reservation. We were not asked if we wanted to sit inside or out and were seated inside with no view, while a number of tables outside with a great view went empty."
Dined on 4/11/2014
"The menu is not the same that opentable has in its record. It is so little."
Dined on 4/6/2014
"What an inspired dining experience. There were four of us and we all loved our entrees. Our waitress was very energetic and helpful. I plan on introducing this gem to my girlfriends! I only wish the chef would include the wonderful, small cornmeal samples on the menu."
Dined on 3/30/2014
"Excellent food. Amazing tequila menu. Reasonable prices. Had fun and will go back!"
Dined on 3/29/2014
"Food was very flavorful and complex compared to most good restaurants. Salmon ceviche and small tacos were great. Only complaint is that the duck dish had too much cheese and not enough duck. Prices were reasonable."
Dined on 3/27/2014
"Excellent Food. Excellent Service. Outdoor dining was perfect -- great view and great weather."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"The Naranja Roja might be the best cocktail I've ever had."
Dined on 3/13/2014
"It was supposed to be a special occasion. Certainly disappointing. Way too loud. Way too dark. The guacamole was good as was the confit duck, but the other "small plate" - crab claws was tasteless. Main course pork belly was extremely fatty and over-spiced; the prawns were tough and chewy. Two of us had the branzino which was quite good, but the vera cruz sauce wasn't up to most similar sauces we've had in Mexico. The single birthday candle on the dessert was a nice touch. Young servers need training. They can't be heard over the music and aren't skillful at delivering plates to the right patrons. Jose Garces may have designed the menu and hired the chef, but both the food and the untrained servers will hurt his reputation."
Dined on 3/15/2014
"We don't live in Scottsdale but once a month my husband and I go to a restaurant we have never been to. He is a foodie and I pleasantly follow along. The food is great. The lighting is romantic and aside from the table of 8 30 something's that were getting drunker and louder as the night went on, it was a perfect dining experience. We will go back."
Dined on 3/15/2014
"Food was very good. Ordered guacamole, assortment of tacos (both seafood and the carnitas were our favorites), rellano not tradtional but we enjoyed it. We had a pticher of the Distrito margarita---good but didn't knock our socks off. The service from our waiter, unfortunately, was horrible. It was a long time between him coming over to first greet us, get our drink order, and then food order. He never checked in with us throughout the night. We kept asking the bus boys if we could order a drink or order dinner. The bus boys were attentive but they obviously were not empowered to help the guests because they all kept saying, "I'll get your waiter". Due to the poor service and all the other great restaurants in Scottsdale, we won't return."
Dined on 3/13/2014
"I was so excited to go back to Distrito but was so very disappointed. we started with the guacamole which took 15 minutes to get to our table and it was just as good as last time. After that we had a bunch of small plates including the pork carnitas tacos. they were not flavorful. We had the barbacoa Duck queso fundido and it was horrible very greasy and way too sweet.the albondigas were okay and the tuna ceviche was very tasty. the red sangria was not very good. Our server left a lot to be desired. the last time we were in Phoenix we liked Distrito so much we went twice but we won't be doing that again."
Dined on 3/11/2014
"Dined with my husband and was seated right on top of two adjacent couples though the restaurant was half empty. Server took forever to show her face. Drinks were poor quality & very watered down when they finally arrived. Small plates were more aptly described as minuscule. Food was fair overall. Some creativity exhibited by the chef. On balance, though, this place was a huge rip off. I left feeling hungry and annoyed and would never go back based on this experience."
Dined on 3/8/2014
"We ate here, as it turned out, three times out of four days we were in Scottsdale. The first time we had the lunch special - guacamole (outstanding), salmon ceviche (excellent), and two orders of tacos. My favorite were the fish tacos crusted with ground plantain chips. The second meal we had was a nice dinner with six people. We got the tasting menu and there were too many things to list, but I think my favorite of all was the branzino with a tomato-ey sauce. It was delicious. Dessert assortments were outstanding, and the pitchers of top shelf margaritas were wonderful too. The third time we came was on a tour with Arizona Food Tours. We had the guacamole (again, delicious) and a chicken taco. The taco was good, but I prefer the fish taco."
Dined on 3/8/2014
"We had reservations at the spa so we decided to grab a bite to eat beforehand. I had the chorizo breakfast burrito, best breakfast burrito I've ever eaten! Extremely flavorful and really enjoyed the fresh avocado. My friend had the pescado tacos which also looked delicious. The decor and ambiance was awesome!"
Dined on 3/1/2014
"Awesome and delicious food! Great service as well."
Dined on 2/24/2014
"I wanted to share a memorable dining experience with my wife for our first Valentine's Day being married. We were so pleased with the selection at Distrito. Every dish was prepared with care and precision by cooks that definitely knew what they were doing. The balance of flavor in every single dish was amazing. I will dream of this meal for a lifetime!"
Dined on 2/14/2014
"The service however was laughable it was so sub-par. I would have thought he was just having a bad day, but every time he waits on us he is horribly inept. A nice enough guy just clueless!!! Disappointing for a restaurant of this caliber."
Dined on 2/12/2014
"Distrito has a very nice atmosphere with live music in the bar. The band was great but, because the bar is completely open to the dining room, the music was too loud for easy conversation. In fact, our server had a hard time hearing our order. We ordered several small plates and a couple of drinks all of which were excellent. The servers paced the delivery of our meal nicely although initially getting our drinks and order taken was a bit slow. Distrito is a Mexican restaurant but it's not the typical Sonoran food that we've come to expect in this area. It's more like what you might find in Mexico City. Everything was nicely seasoned and presented very well. On a warmer evening the patio would have been a nice option and quieter."
Dined on 2/1/2014
"Won't go back even though it's so conveniently situated for dinner pre or post performance. Food mediocre, ambiance non-existent, service ok. Pity, that this location just never seems to get it right."
Dined on 1/25/2014
"Very good dishes with a very nice presentation, and incredible taste!. Try de corn soup, you will be surprised. The restaurant have very nice live music (at list on Fridays), with a quiet ambience. All the Restaurant and the Hotel are decorated with lots of Contemporary Art pieces, which is a plus. We really loved it."
Dined on 1/24/2014

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Distrito at The Saguaro Scottsdale Details

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