MARCH 2018 26 | A native New Yorker, my husband likes to tell the story of getting mugged as a boy on two consecutive days for a pizza. “Why go to the same place two days in a row if you got mugged?” I asked. “Because the pizza was that good ,” he replied. So it’s no surprise that when we passed Isa’s Pizza, a nondescript pizza joint not far from Moon Valley Country Club, we quickly pulled over the car. Opened by Manhattanites Joe and Myrah Aiello, Isa’s has won accolades such as “Top Ten Pizzerias in Phoenix” from the Arizona Republic and “Best Slice in the Valley” from Phoenix Magazine . It’s no wonder why. Both the Neapolitan and Sicilian styles boast a crispy-bottomed crust, flavorful sauce and just the right amount of cheese. After enjoying a few slices — including the not-to-be- missed Nana’s Pie, a billowy crust topped with sweet plum tomatoes, fresh garlic and basil — my husband deemed it “mug-worthy pizza.” — Karen Werner ISA’S PIZZA Phoenix I recently visited S & V Urban Italian, formerly Stone & Vine. Executive chef Al Fonseca has incorporated a fresh approach into the menu and I loved that entrées included a generous fusion of fresh veggies and lighter sauces. My favorite entrée was Milan’s Chicken, named after the chef’s daughter. It was piled high with red onion, avocado, tomato, basil and lemon juice resting atop a bed of asparagus. The mix-and-match variety bruschetta using S & V’s own fresh bread was outstanding, especially the whipped ricotta and black mission fig. The signature fresh fruit martinis were also refreshing. — Lynette Carrington S & V URBAN ITALIAN Scottsdale Writing about La Grande Orange is like writing about our own kitchen — the palatial Frontdoors Magazine world headquarters is directly across the street, so between all of us, we probably hit LGO somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 times per week. But the reason isn’t proximity. We genuinely dig the extremely flavorful coffees and pastries that fuel our mornings. Whenever I decide, “Screw it, I’m eating a full breakfast this morning,” I usually end up there. I’m actually eating their Thai chicken salad as I type this, and it’s yummy. Even my kids — one of whom is an extremely picky eater — love to get pizza and PBJs “where the orange kisses the lemon.” If we took the money we spend on LGO and turned it into an investment, we might own the place. But at least we’re getting lots of great food and coffee out of it. — Tom Evans LA GRANDE ORANGE Arcadia Photo: S & V Urban Italian Photo: Karen Werner Photo: La Grande Orange {where we ate this month} KITCHEN DOORS

MARCH 2018 | 27 Scottsdale Dorian Dorian, an Old Town Scottsdale restaurant themed like Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray , is winning over fans with its creative fare, imaginative decor and lighting that transforms before guests’ eyes. Wilde would be proud of the homage and surely approve that his once scandalous words visually spring to life again in Scottsdale. We asked Frontdoors writers Lynette Carrington and Jamie Killin to check out the scene and they surreptitiously shared their thoughts by text. Here is their "Wilde" exchange.