Drift

After a mediocre experience in the beginning of the year, my friends and I decided to start our night off with some Tiki drinks and food at Drift. As soon as I walked in, it felt like a totally different restaurant from the last time we were there. There was a chill vibe, friendly staff, great music and the menu looked like it had also been re-vamped, which was a great move on their part. My party and I each ordered something different because we wanted to order everything on the menu and we figured it was the best way to get a taste of the improved food. We started with the Pupu platter, calamari, and spinach /artichoke dip while we sipped on our Evil Bastards and mojitos and were nothing less than happy with everything. For entrees we ordered the steak sandwich, the fresh fish of the day and a chicken noodle bowl and let's just say, we didn't need any boxes for leftovers! Everything was delicious and tasted better than before. Our server was super cute, super friendly and prompt. They have even re-vamped the patio with lounge-like couches in one part and tables for dining in the other. Although it was about 60 degrees outside they had a fireplace burning and what looked like a state-of-the-art heating system that made us forget it was even cold outside. Needless to say we had planned on heading elsewhere after dinner but ended up staying all night to mingle and lounge with the rest of the Friday night crowd. If you have ever had a bad experience, I suggest giving Drift another try because I did and it is one of my favorite places to be. Pros: Great music, chill vibe, great food, great tiki drinks Cons: Off the beaten path of other bars and restaurants more

Drift offers decent beer and wine selections in a pleasant atmosphere. Inside decor is a bit like being at Disneyland, but it works well. The food is interesting and enjoyable. Food and drinks can get pricey, but they have to pay for the atmosphere in one way or another. Pros: Atmosphere, Concept and Design Cons: Poor Wait Service more

Great Concept....Terrible Staff...Stopped in with friends. Took 30 minutes to get drinks. Never offered a menu had to ask. Waitress had to be flagged for refills. We weren't brave enough to try and order food. Pros: Looks like Trader Vics Cons: Isn't more

Large birthday gathering. Drinks were good. Otherwise: - Drift lost the twice-confirmed reservations - Rather than an entree, a friend and I decided to share eggrolls and crab cakes. 20+ minutes later after ordering, waitress says kitchens out of crab. Offers instead crab & artichoke dip. Different crab apparently. - An hour later, food came sans 2nd app. Waited 45 minutes then asked to cancel as the group was heading out dancing. As we were leaving, 2nd app appears. They offered it to go. I didnt want to carry around crab dip all night. Manager took it off the bill and offered a drink even though the group was heading out the door. No common sense. Dont send two people out hungry and irked with 20+ observers. Better idea: Offer a certificate. Offer a biz card with a promise to remedy the experience on a future visit. Cons: lost reservations, food not delivered, blah management more

If you cant afford to go to the tropical islands, you may want to check out this Polynesian Tike Bar where Chef Jake will blow you away with his special creations and the bartenders will serve you a stiff one. The staff is great looking and ready to fill your every need. You have to check out the huge fish tank that this place has. WOW!!! Some things that you have to try are the filet, ribs, fish specials, and the Evil Bastard. These will make you Drift away to another world. This place is great to party on the the weekends or to be a little more intimate during the week. The Happy Hour Mon-Fri from 4-7pm is awesome as well(cheep drinks and food). Pros: good looking staff, great tunes, fun drinks Cons: great food, inexpensive, fun lounge more

We had a reservation for 12 people for 6:30. It took 30 minutes for our appetizers to arrive after it took 20 minutes to even get our order taken, and we didn't get our entrees until 8:30. The owner told me the kitchen is small and backed up and when you come in at a busy time (Friday at 6:30) you have to expect to wait. It took 25 minutes for my drink order to arrive and if you wanted another drink or your water refilled, you pretty much had to get up and find the waitress. more

We had a reservation made several weeks in advance for a bachlorette party to be seated outside on the patio. Once our whole party was there they told us that the table outside(which had been there for 2.5 hours) and was only drinking was not done and they wouldn't honor our reservations, and that we had to eat inside. If this was a restaurant in NYC they would have asked the table politely to leave. To add insult to injury the manager not only offered no compensation(a round of drinks, etc) he offered no apology and was quite rude. In the end someone in our party went to the table and told them the situation, the people were more than accomadating. Honestly it was not worth the whole ordeal, our service was very slow and the food was mediocre at best. I would never return to this restaurant. Cons: Rude mgt, Mediocre Food, Slow Service more

Just discovered the place after seeing the chef on the news. What a pleasant suprise. It is a laid back atmosphere and completely takes you out of your normal element. My wife and I had dinner during the week and had such a blast that the server suggested we come back on the weekend. I now know I can come to old town scottsdale again....what a great crowd and great atmosphere. We will be regulars now. Pros: parking, atmosphere, food more

The atmosphere is really nice, and the patio fireplace is romantic on cool nights - that's about the best thing I can say. They food is so-so at best. The service is always slow - even when the place is empty. The drinks are usually weak and the bartenders aren't very friendly. There are MUCH better places to spend your money at in Scottsdale. Pros: nice patio, relaxed atmosphere Cons: slow service, food isn't very good more

I use to come to Drift, for the past 2 years, for the awesome ambience and good food. Now they overcharge and the food quality is very poor. The meat on the ribs are very fatty, appetizer portions keep shrinking, keeping the steep prices. Presentation of the food lacks for such a great theme. Rude and lazy bartenders/waiters with the ""I don't care"" attitude, obviously trickles down from upper management. The place is almost always empty during happy hour, which is odd since most Scottsdale venues are packed during this time. Most alarming was the manager's reaction to our disappointment. They truly don't care about their customers. I will never return and hope you NEVER GO to experience the same disappointment as we have. Pros: ambiance, cool theme Cons: food, service, poor management more

This place delivers everything unexpected!!! It is about as laid back and stylish as it can get. The food is great and so is the patio. Don't miss it if you are in Scottsdale!!! Pros: Great food, laid back, tropical drinks more

The most unique and memorable place I have been to in a long time. Great food and dinner atmosphere and then a great after dinner crowd until it closes. Mellow early in the week and buisy on the weekends. I definitly will be back! AAA+++++ more

Good food, good drinks, and everything (especially the food) is very reasonably priced. I highly recommend it. Pros: Food, Drinks, Atmosphere more