What an incredible experience Sel was. Will 100% be back. Best food taste we have had in AZ. Excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lynsey Mouer
Went in for Valentine's Day. The food was ok - I ordered all the vegetarian options and found it to be not very much food, especially for the price point.This restaurant is priced at a "fine dining" price point, but I would not consider the experience as "fine dining." We waited at least 30 minutes between each course and had zero communication as to why there was a delay. Why management wouldn't want to have your staff communicate to your guests that the kitchen is behind and we're sorry is very confusing to me. I would have been very understanding if we were just informed of what was going on. Also, consider having bread at the table to give us something to help pass the time between these very small courses.The server assistant was very friendly, I appreciated that, but I think she lacks proper training - again, especially for a fine dining restaurant. She had a plate from another table in her hand and placed that plate on our table to stack our plates with that plate. Normally, I wouldn't care, but this is supposed to be a high end dining experience.With that though, Moses, our server, was great. Very pleasant and knew the menu very well. Thank you, Moses!Lastly, management did come by at the end of the night to ask how it all was and we did tell them how we felt and she did comp a portion of our bill, so I appreciate their willingness to do so, but so many other things could have been done beforehand to avoid any sort of comp or complaint.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Christina C
That was the most beautiful culinary experience that I’ve had for a long time. The steak tartare was chefs kiss! The tiramisu was perfection! I highly recommend that you run and experience this spot. I’
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nikki
We went to Sel to celebrate my husband's birthday with out-of-town family and although the food was incredible, the overall food and service will cause us never to go back.Despite having a reservation, we did not get sat at our table until 30 minutes later. Even then, it took 15 MINUTES for our server to come by. Which means that at that point, it had taken 45 minutes to get water. When the server did appear, there was no apology bust a brisk, "Do you know what you want?" We almost left then and there but decided to stay since we weren't sure any place else would have an opening on a Saturday night.The food was truly excellent. The amuse bouche was a perfect introduction and the dessert was among the best we've ever had.But even at the end and being the last table there, it still took over 10 minutes to get our check after finishing our desserts. No final apology, no comp of any kind, just a "Thanks, have a good night!"All in all, I would recommend going somewhere else if you want an all-around experience that will match the price tag, not just the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Alex P.
Worst service, food was cold not worth the money! Charged 20% gratitude and wasn't indicated any where! Go here if you have 3 hrs to waste!
Paolo V.
Food was great: we had the three course dinner and we enjoyed everything. For the main course I had the sea bass and it was cooked perfectly, my date had the fillet and was delicious. Wine selection is adequate with great quality. Service was attentive and courteous. The ambiance was quiet, clean maybe a tad "colorless"
Beth S.
Some of our friends recommended this restaurant to us. So my husband booked a surprise date night. Ambience - The ambience is very intimate and romantic. Service - The service was very good. Our server was knowledgeable and helped us decide if we should go with an appetizer or dessert. Food - Both of our entrées were fantastic! I had the herb roasted venison loin rack. It was encrusted in a pinenut black truffle brioche and served with smoked caramelized onions and celery root purée. It was absolutely delicious and I wish I could have picked my plate up and licked it clean. My husband had the 12 ounce grilled New York strip served with caramelized onions and truffle fries. His steak was also delicious and cooked perfectly. For dessert we had the strawberry marzipan shortcake. It too, was scrumptious. I enjoyed the reduced balsamic glaze. I felt it brought the dessert together nicely. Next time I will save my appetite and try their tasting menu. You can view it in my attached photos.
Joseph Martin
Sel is a hidden culinary gem in Scottsdale. Their creative fusion dishes and great service have never failed to impress me. I particularly enjoy their Prix Fixe menu for special occasions.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
E Z.
Spectacular food, service, and ambience. An amazing experience!! Highly recommended! The sweet and polite hostess added a lovely touch. Would definitely go back."
Danielle Davidson
Should you have yet to savor the art of a meticulously crafted tasting menu complemented by carefully curated wine pairings, or even if you have, I regret to convey that Sel may not meet your discerning expectations. Regrettably, the dining experience at Sel proved to be rather underwhelming. While the staff exuded warmth and our server displayed impeccable courtesy, the ambience seemed to be trapped in a bygone era, reminiscent of the early 90s. Given Sel's price point, one would anticipate a more harmonious and refined aesthetic.The cuisine, regrettably, leaned towards an antiquated and weighty style, and the wine pairings failed to inspire. Adding to the disappointment, the red wine was presented at a temperature colder than the white wines, a misstep that did not go unnoticed. While the Amuse Bouche delivered a delicate and refreshing ensemble with intriguing textures, it regrettably stood alone in its distinction. Each subsequent course proved to be burdensome and perpetuated the sense of letdown. The majority of the dishes on my table remained only partially consumed, and upon reaching the main course, the duck presented itself as fatty, excessively salty, excessively chewy, and undercooked. This was especially disheartening given a recent exemplary experience with duck at Cafe Monarch.In summation, it is with reluctance that I conclude that Sel falls short of delivering the superlative standards one anticipates from a true fine dining establishment.
Chef tasting menu is amazing.It's a concert of flavors in the mouth ...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniela Zelaya Raudales
Sel in Scottsdale is a culinary gem with a warm vibe, complemented by a genuinely attentive staff. Meeting the owners, May and Branden, added a personal touch, reflecting the passion behind the restaurant. The freshly baked sour bread was a delicious start. The Tempura Shiso Leaf with Chanterelle mushrooms was a delightful burst of flavours. The crab in a silky, buttery sauce with herbs was exquisite, and the hazelnut praline tiramisu perfectly ended an extraordinary meal. A must-visit in Scottsdale for an unforgettable dining experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrea Parsons
We had the 7 course meal! Fantastic! Everything was delicious!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jodi J.
We spent New Years here and had the prefix menu. I have to say it was undoubtedly one of the best meals I have ever. The chef certainly out did himself. The meals was beautifully prepared and the combination of flavors were sublime. The drink service was tad slow so perhaps they needed a 2nd bartender. I've been here multiple times. Every meal has been wonderful. I would love to see some upgrades in the interior ambiance like a few other readers commented so I tend to sit on the patio which is well-equipped with heaters. Three cheers to the chef! Most impressed!
We had a reservation on New Years Eve for 7:30pm. When we arrived on time, we were told we would have to wait 10-15 minutes for our table. We weren’t thrilled about having to wait for a table that we had reserved, but the complimentary drink would make up for the inconvenience. However, after 30 minutes passed and we still didn’t have a table, so we decided to leave. The restaurant manager said reservations aren’t guaranteed, meanwhile we are still trying to get our reservation fee refunded, that they were successfully able to charge us for. Didn’t get to try the food, but the service was abysmal.
What an incredible experience Sel was. Will 100% be back. Best food taste we have had in AZ. Excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went in for Valentine's Day. The food was ok - I ordered all the vegetarian options and found it to be not very much food, especially for the price point.This restaurant is priced at a "fine dining" price point, but I would not consider the experience as "fine dining." We waited at least 30 minutes between each course and had zero communication as to why there was a delay. Why management wouldn't want to have your staff communicate to your guests that the kitchen is behind and we're sorry is very confusing to me. I would have been very understanding if we were just informed of what was going on. Also, consider having bread at the table to give us something to help pass the time between these very small courses.The server assistant was very friendly, I appreciated that, but I think she lacks proper training - again, especially for a fine dining restaurant. She had a plate from another table in her hand and placed that plate on our table to stack our plates with that plate. Normally, I wouldn't care, but this is supposed to be a high end dining experience.With that though, Moses, our server, was great. Very pleasant and knew the menu very well. Thank you, Moses!Lastly, management did come by at the end of the night to ask how it all was and we did tell them how we felt and she did comp a portion of our bill, so I appreciate their willingness to do so, but so many other things could have been done beforehand to avoid any sort of comp or complaint.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
That was the most beautiful culinary experience that I’ve had for a long time. The steak tartare was chefs kiss! The tiramisu was perfection! I highly recommend that you run and experience this spot. I’
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went to Sel to celebrate my husband's birthday with out-of-town family and although the food was incredible, the overall food and service will cause us never to go back.Despite having a reservation, we did not get sat at our table until 30 minutes later. Even then, it took 15 MINUTES for our server to come by. Which means that at that point, it had taken 45 minutes to get water. When the server did appear, there was no apology bust a brisk, "Do you know what you want?" We almost left then and there but decided to stay since we weren't sure any place else would have an opening on a Saturday night.The food was truly excellent. The amuse bouche was a perfect introduction and the dessert was among the best we've ever had.But even at the end and being the last table there, it still took over 10 minutes to get our check after finishing our desserts. No final apology, no comp of any kind, just a "Thanks, have a good night!"All in all, I would recommend going somewhere else if you want an all-around experience that will match the price tag, not just the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Worst service, food was cold not worth the money! Charged 20% gratitude and wasn't indicated any where! Go here if you have 3 hrs to waste!
Food was great: we had the three course dinner and we enjoyed everything. For the main course I had the sea bass and it was cooked perfectly, my date had the fillet and was delicious. Wine selection is adequate with great quality. Service was attentive and courteous. The ambiance was quiet, clean maybe a tad "colorless"
Some of our friends recommended this restaurant to us. So my husband booked a surprise date night. Ambience - The ambience is very intimate and romantic. Service - The service was very good. Our server was knowledgeable and helped us decide if we should go with an appetizer or dessert. Food - Both of our entrées were fantastic! I had the herb roasted venison loin rack. It was encrusted in a pinenut black truffle brioche and served with smoked caramelized onions and celery root purée. It was absolutely delicious and I wish I could have picked my plate up and licked it clean. My husband had the 12 ounce grilled New York strip served with caramelized onions and truffle fries. His steak was also delicious and cooked perfectly. For dessert we had the strawberry marzipan shortcake. It too, was scrumptious. I enjoyed the reduced balsamic glaze. I felt it brought the dessert together nicely. Next time I will save my appetite and try their tasting menu. You can view it in my attached photos.
Sel is a hidden culinary gem in Scottsdale. Their creative fusion dishes and great service have never failed to impress me. I particularly enjoy their Prix Fixe menu for special occasions.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Spectacular food, service, and ambience. An amazing experience!! Highly recommended! The sweet and polite hostess added a lovely touch. Would definitely go back."
Should you have yet to savor the art of a meticulously crafted tasting menu complemented by carefully curated wine pairings, or even if you have, I regret to convey that Sel may not meet your discerning expectations. Regrettably, the dining experience at Sel proved to be rather underwhelming. While the staff exuded warmth and our server displayed impeccable courtesy, the ambience seemed to be trapped in a bygone era, reminiscent of the early 90s. Given Sel's price point, one would anticipate a more harmonious and refined aesthetic.The cuisine, regrettably, leaned towards an antiquated and weighty style, and the wine pairings failed to inspire. Adding to the disappointment, the red wine was presented at a temperature colder than the white wines, a misstep that did not go unnoticed. While the Amuse Bouche delivered a delicate and refreshing ensemble with intriguing textures, it regrettably stood alone in its distinction. Each subsequent course proved to be burdensome and perpetuated the sense of letdown. The majority of the dishes on my table remained only partially consumed, and upon reaching the main course, the duck presented itself as fatty, excessively salty, excessively chewy, and undercooked. This was especially disheartening given a recent exemplary experience with duck at Cafe Monarch.In summation, it is with reluctance that I conclude that Sel falls short of delivering the superlative standards one anticipates from a true fine dining establishment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Amuse Bouche
Restaurantji Recommends
Chef tasting menu is amazing.It's a concert of flavors in the mouth ...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sel in Scottsdale is a culinary gem with a warm vibe, complemented by a genuinely attentive staff. Meeting the owners, May and Branden, added a personal touch, reflecting the passion behind the restaurant. The freshly baked sour bread was a delicious start. The Tempura Shiso Leaf with Chanterelle mushrooms was a delightful burst of flavours. The crab in a silky, buttery sauce with herbs was exquisite, and the hazelnut praline tiramisu perfectly ended an extraordinary meal. A must-visit in Scottsdale for an unforgettable dining experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had the 7 course meal! Fantastic! Everything was delicious!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We spent New Years here and had the prefix menu. I have to say it was undoubtedly one of the best meals I have ever. The chef certainly out did himself. The meals was beautifully prepared and the combination of flavors were sublime. The drink service was tad slow so perhaps they needed a 2nd bartender. I've been here multiple times. Every meal has been wonderful. I would love to see some upgrades in the interior ambiance like a few other readers commented so I tend to sit on the patio which is well-equipped with heaters. Three cheers to the chef! Most impressed!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Seared Wild Striped Bass, Malpeque Oyster Stew, Strawberry Shortcake, Amuse Bouche
We had a reservation on New Years Eve for 7:30pm. When we arrived on time, we were told we would have to wait 10-15 minutes for our table. We weren’t thrilled about having to wait for a table that we had reserved, but the complimentary drink would make up for the inconvenience. However, after 30 minutes passed and we still didn’t have a table, so we decided to leave. The restaurant manager said reservations aren’t guaranteed, meanwhile we are still trying to get our reservation fee refunded, that they were successfully able to charge us for. Didn’t get to try the food, but the service was abysmal.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1