Bloom

I used to go there twice a month on Sundays simply for lunch/brunch with friends but stopped cold turkey about 8 months ago. Although the Sunday lunch/brunch menu had been limited and a bit pricey, their Angus burgers, pulled pork sandwiches and salads were exceptional. Service was okay as some of their wait staff could have used an attitude adjustment but they were tolerable, especially when completely ignored. Then, the chef or manager apparently decided to take a really good thing and, in my opinion, wreck it wholesale by turning the menu into his or her personal experiment or culinary statement by eliminating most of what many patrons had found great favor with and replacing them with ho-hum creations that were short on taste and pizazz but long on hoity-toity descriptions. That sudden and dramatic change, coupled with their high prices and occasionally acerbic wait staff sent me and my friends packing, off to find a suitable replacement. Fortunately, that's absolutely no problem in a city like Scottsdale as terrific eateries abound. Now, maybe in the months since I stopped going there, they've revisited their menu offerings and improved upon the service. So, to those ends I cannot now speak. I don't mind paying more to get more but paying more at the time to enjoy it less seemed pointless. Pros: spacious and comfortable seating; conversation-friendly Cons: lunch/brunch menu is uninspired; wait staff can be sarcastic more

Both times I've been to the bar at Bloom for Happy Hour as a solo diner, the food and service have been fast and friendly, and the prices very inexpensive. Great value for a gourment dining experience! Pros: Great Happy Hour Cons: I wish it were closer to my home! more

The food here is great, although more innovative in its preparation than its invention. Bloom serves comfort food ramped up to a sophisticated level. The servers are wonderful, and wonderfully attractive. The only reason I wouldn't rank this as one of the best of the best in Phoenix is that the space is MUCH too large to provide the sort of relaxed and clever ambience that the decor is trying to convince you you are experiencing. On a recent Friday night trip here, it was filled to bursting with the sorts of wealthy, elderly and complaining types that Scottsdale is altogether too overrun with -- a fact that conflicted with all the things that were so right with this place. So I'll try it again on an off time, and perhaps enjoy that special kind of casual, stylish hipness that Bloom wants to be about. On the other hand, it is a perfect spot for a large party -- just wish I'd been there when the large parties were having fun and not shrieking about everything that was wrong with their pampered lives (but that has nothing to do with this restaurant, of course....). Pros: Food, staff, and it is a beautiful space Cons: It's enormous size, so when it's busy, the ambience is drowned out by the noise level more

A wonderful restaurant. The food was fresh, and teh service was wonderful. Just be sure to reserve a booth. more

I dont know why the other 2 reviewers had a bad experience. I happened to not mind the calamari salad. I agree it could have been a little less greasier. As far as service, I thought the server was pleasant. The Lobster salad was incredible. I think with Bloom, a lot of people go there to hang out and talk, and if the server came every 5 seconds to check and ask how it was, it would get annoying. The server new we were there to talk, as were almost everyone else their and she left us alone. I can see why if this is not the expectation of the customer, then it would feel like bad service. You should try them for lunch. Its a perfect place to have a cool salad (and very unique salads) when its 117 outside. Pros: Unique American Food more

We got seated right away. We got our water, bread, menus right away but as the meal wore on the service got slower and slower and slower. We ate at 9pm so it wasn't because it was busy. By the end of the meal, we didin't see our waitperson but two others came by to help us. Someone else brought our dessert. Then a third person brought our check. And yet again, someone returned our credit card. The ambiance is good. Not too crowded and the food was good. I would return. Pros: Good food, decent portions, good bread Cons: slow service more

In one meal, Bloom dropped from a perennial favorite to quite ordinary (table's common feeling). -Previously excellent lobster bisque is now watery and without lobster :( -Calamari in calamari salad now comes in an oily beer batter instead of the old light, lunch perfect delicate one. Maybe great with a beer in a sports bar but please... -The previously unbelievable prime rib sandwich now comes with a hint of brie ... what happened to the thick slab that made the sandwich? -We pre-ordered a birthday desert (full order of the excellent bars of sin) but the birthday girl got nothing until we reminded the waiter after he'd delivered our check. He then brought the customary birthday half order - lovely. -Also had an order error & forgot one latte until reminded - also arrived post-check. If Bloom has changed hands or chefs, it's definitely not for the better. Pros: Great decor, Great menu Cons: Reduced food quality more