In Arizona, It's All About Scottsdale!

DROP THE LEATHER-BOUND BOOK, GRAB A SCOTCH While reading is important, Scottsdale resorts are building libraries without books. Instead, they’re filling the shelves with rare and exclusive alcohols.         Much like everyone’s favorite anchorman Ron Burgundy, we love Scotch. The Westin Kierland loves it too, so much so that the resort is now offering more than 130 labels of the smooth libation. The newly unveiled Scotch Library houses 100 single malts and 25 blends imported from the six whisky regions of Scotland, continuing the resort’s homage to Scotsmen and women who immigrated to early Arizona. If you’re a Scotch novice, asks the librarians— dubbed “Scotch Library Ambassadors”—for their expert advice on how to select your two-ounce pour. The Scotch Library is open from 5-7 p.m. nightly in the lobby. Prices range from $10 to $475 per serving.         You don’t need the Dewey Decimal System to navigate the wide selection of tequilas at The Phoenician’s Relish Burger Bistro. But with more than 250 labels of tequila, you may need a menu. Relish hosts one of the largest tequila collections in Arizona. The Phoenician also has its own private label of tequila available, El Tesoro. If tequila isn’t your poison of choice, perhaps the restaurant’s 70-plus beers will tempt you instead.        If you haven’t had your fill of tequila, stop by the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Tequila Bar at La Hacienda. The bar offers nightly artisan tastings with selections from more than 200 varieties of tequila on the weekends. A Tequila God or Goddess will present the 36 different labels.  TAKE ME OUT… AFTER THE BALL GAME Think spring break is just for college kids? Think again. There are more than 15 teams in the Valley of the Sun, three of which call Scottsdale and the nearby Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community home, during the month of March for Cactus League Spring Training.        Celebrate the opening weekend of the season at the Spring Training Festival. From noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 22, Scottsdale Civic Center Park in downtown will host baseball greats, Cactus League merchandise and memorabilia. Care to enjoy a stadium hotdog or two? Or maybe three? Then you may want to partake in this year’s stadium hot dog tasting. Rock out to tunes performed by Rock ‘n’ Roll High School students, and witness the “Science of Baseball” through demonstrations from Arizona SciTech Fest.         Get an intimate look at the history and characters of Cactus League Spring Training with a self-guided tour of downtown Scottsdale’s legendary baseball hangouts on the Cactus League Legacy Trail. Throw one back at Karsen’s Grill, where umpires tend to gather. Admire the jerseys, shoes, baseballs and autographs signed by Hall of Famers at Don and Charlie’s restaurant. Then, chow down on the Baseball Winner Parfait— marshmallow topping, strawberry and mint chocolate chip ice cream, hot fudge, whip cream, and a maraschino cherry— at Sugar Bowl, a hangout for rookie players since the 1950s. Your stomach and your inner fan will thank you. Or stop by the newly renovated Pink Pony, which opens in February. Despite new ownership, the restaurant will continue to display the original restaurant’s historic Cactus League memorabilia.         After all that, you may want to run off some of those calories. Sign up for The Scottsdale Giant Race, sponsored by the Scottsdale Charros. This inaugural event on March 8 takes participants on 9K or 3-miles runs around Scottsdale Stadium. Slide into the finish line to the sound of cheering spectators in the stands as you end the race on the Scottsdale Stadium field.  BOOTS, CHAPS AND COWBOY HATS Some may challenge Scottsdale’s claim of the title, “The West’s Most Western Town,” but every year Scottsdale proves those naysayers wrong as it shuts down the city’s main corridor for the world's largest horse drawn parade, the Parada del Sol Rodeo and Parade.The 61-year-old tradition has seen some upgrades, but it continues to stay true to its roots. And this year is no different.         Jumpstart your day and get your heart racing before the big parade on Feb. 8, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. by participating in the Fun Run, a brand new event. People of all ages are invited to walk, run or bike along the parade route before the horses come marching. Afterward, stick around for the inaugural Cattle Drive before directing your attention to the Parada Del Sol Parade. Once the horses have moved on, keep the festivities going at the Trails End Celebration with live music, food and drinks, a kids’ zone, and an accompanying car show featuring more than 100 cars on display. The parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Scottsdale.          The parade leads up to the big event— the Feb. 27 through March 2, 2014, Parada Del Sol Rodeo at WestWorld of Scottsdale. This year the rodeo will be extended an extra day to accommodate the Champions Challenge, a part of the National Finals Rodeo. In the Champions Challenge, some of the country’s best rodeo cowboys compete for victory in eight different challenges. Throughout the weekend enjoy family days and a free rodeo dance. Tickets cost $15 for people over the age of 13.           After the dust settles and the cowboys have hung up their hats, stop by a cowboy hangout for some county music and brews, such as The Western Bar and Restaurant, the Rusty Spur Saloon and Handlebar J.   CULINARY LEGENDS OPEN DOORS AT NEW CONCEPTS With more than 600 restaurants in the city, it can be hard to choose where to head for dinner. This winter, the decision got even harder when two of the area’s leading chefs opened the doors of their new restaurants.        Executive Chef Michael Dei Maggi joined forces with Joey Maggiore, son of Tomaso Maggiore of Phoenix’s Tomaso’s, at Cuttlefish Ocean Kitchen to provide Scottsdale with ocean-inspired Italian cuisine. Dei Maggi has international experience as a chef from places such as France, New York and California and has always practiced sustainable cooking, which he continues at Cuttlefish with Maggiore’s help. Even in this landlocked city, the menu features coastal Italian dishes such as Octopus Sopressata and Live Catalina Sea Urchin made with environmentally-conscious seafood flown in daily.         For years, foodies have been begging beloved local chef Kevin Binkley to open a restaurant in Scottsdale. In December, Bink’s Scottsdale finally became a reality. It’s Binkley’s fourth venture to open in the Phoenix area, two of which opened last year. He’s been busy. Bink’s Scottsdale will incorporate many familiar favorites from his other concepts, while still maintaining a distinct identity.         If you’re familiar with Dave Andrea and Payton Curry’s Brat Haüs, then you’ll be chomping at the bit to try their newest endeavor, Taco Haus. Instead of bratwurst and beers, you’ll be reveling in handcrafted margaritas and tasty tacos at this sister restaurant. Taste Chef Curry’s Latin cuisine, stop by the Ceviche Bar and pair your meal with the House Horchata. LATE NIGHT EATS Hear that sound? After a long night of drinking and dancing in Scottsdale’s entertainment district, your stomach is starting to growl. Despite the late hour, you don’t need to settle for greasy fast food; some of Scottsdale’s top eateries are open into the wee hours of the morning to alleviate those hunger pangs.        At 1 a.m., nothing sounds quite as appetizing as a burrito made with pork green chile, quesillo cheese and crema fresca imported from Mexico— except for maybe a carne asada burrito or Sonoran-style hot dog, served street-style. Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza knows those party-goers are hungry, and that’s why Barrio Queen is serving that and more on its new late-night menu until 3 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.            Before the witching hour, walk over to FnB to taste some of Chef Charleen Badman’s flavorful creations. The restaurant set in the heart of downtown Scottsdale is open until from 10 p.m. to midnight for “Late Night Love” on Saturdays. FnB’s seasonally changing menu features meals made with fresh ingredients.         You can satisfy those late night cravings Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 1:30 a.m. at Citizen Public House, perhaps after a few drinks at the restaurant’s speakeasy upstairs, R+D. Snack on beer-infused fondue made with Four Peaks Brewery’s Kiltlifter— a favorite amongst locals— or the pork belly pastrami.