Harry & Izzyâs | Paradise Valley, Arizona
Some Wednesday dinners deserve a little extra attention, and this one definitely earned its own Foodie Friday spotlight! Mom and I headed to Harry & Izzyâs for dinner, a little quality time, and some seriously good food. And yes, there was a bonus walking component, courtesy of the parking situation. đ
âš The Atmosphere
Harry & Izzyâs has that upscale, swanky steakhouse feel, with gorgeous gold accents, arches, dark cabinetry, and walls decorated with celebrity and pop-culture photos. There was plenty to look at while we settled in, including some familiar faces from entertainment and sports.
The whole area has a fun, almost Old Town-style feel, with restaurants and shops arranged around a little square. The only catch? Parking! We ended up parking over by Whole Foods and Flower Child and walking about a block and a half to the restaurant.
So, naturally, dinner came with a few bonus steps. We take those wins where we can get them!
đ„© The Star of the Show: St. Elmo Prime Rib Sandwich
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
Harry & Izzyâs is the sister restaurant to the legendary St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis, and the sandwich I ordered is actually called the St. Elmo Prime Rib Sandwich. It’s made with prime rib, white cheddar, au jus, and creamy horseradish, with fries on the side.
And that sandwich was FANTASTIC.
The prime rib was delicious, but the sauces really made the experience. I dipped the sandwich into the au jus, then added that creamy horseradish sauce.
The horseradish wasn’t overpowering. It started out gentle, then became a little more noticeable with each bite. The creaminess cooled the kick, while the cracked pepper left a lovely earthy finish.
White cheddar, savory beef, au jus, and that peppery horseradish cream? That’s a very happy combination.
I’ve had a steak sandwich at Morton’s that I absolutely love, too. Here’s my verdict: Harry & Izzyâs wins the steak sandwich, but Morton’s wins the sauce.
Morton’s serves that beautiful BĂ©arnaise sauce with a little tarragon that I could practically drink, wear as cologne, or find some other completely unreasonable use for. đ
And then there’s Hurley, the bartender at Morton’s in Scottsdale, who is an absolute keeper. He’s elegant, polite, hilarious, and has a wicked sense of humor. Great food matters, but great people make a restaurant memorable.
Harry & Izzyâs delivered an outstanding sandwich. Morton’s still has the BĂ©arnaise and Hurley in its corner. It’s good to have options!
đź Dessert: Bourbon CrĂšme BrĂ»lĂ©e
Of course, we needed dessert.
I ordered the bourbon crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e, and let me tell you: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CRACK.
The caramelized sugar layer was nice and thick. It took a little effort to break through that golden top, which is half the fun of crÚme brûlée anyway.
Underneath was a soft custard with a lovely bourbon flavor that reminded me of butterscotch. It came topped with whipped cream, mint, and pecan crumbles.
My only little critique? I would’ve liked the custard to have a bit more body. But the flavor was lovely, and that satisfying crack through the sugar crust made it a very enjoyable dessert.
The pecans did, however, create a post-dessert activity: a date with a dental pick. Apparently, the evening wasn’t quite finished with me yet. đ€Ł
â€ïž Dinner with Mama
The best part of the evening was getting to enjoy a meal with Mom. Good food, a beautiful setting, plenty to talk about, and a chance to try somewhere new together.
Harry & Izzyâs is definitely on the upscale side, and the staff felt a little more formal than the fun, familiar atmosphere we enjoy at some of our longtime favorites. Still, the prime rib sandwich alone made a very good impression.
And I got my steps in walking to and from the car, so I can count that as a little movement bonus.
â The Foodie Friday Verdict
Would I go back? That prime rib sandwich makes a very persuasive argument!
Favorite bite: The St. Elmo Prime Rib Sandwich dipped in au jus and creamy horseradish.
Favorite dessert detail: That thick, crackable bourbon crÚme brûlée sugar crust.
Best bonus: Dinner and quality time with Mama.
Parking report: Could use some improvement, but at least I got some steps out of it.
Sometimes a good restaurant visit is about more than a meal. It’s the atmosphere, the company, the flavors you keep thinking about afterward, and the funny little details that become part of the story.
This one gave me all of thatâand a few pecans to remember it by.
Foodie Friday lesson: When the sandwich is that good, even the parking adventure and the dental-pick aftermath are worth it. đđ„©đź
Wellness without perfection. Movement in real life still counts. And apparently, so does walking for prime rib. đ
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