Wait: My mom — my date for lunch — and I walked in about 12:15 p.m. on a Wednesday. A perky, young hostess greeted us with a “hello girls,” which irked both of us, but my mom in particular who noted — after we settled into our booth — that she hasn’t been a “girl” for some time now. (By the way, this was only the first of three times the hostess referred to us as “girls.”)

Service: Our server was about as cold and unfriendly as they come. I don’t expect someone to be sugary sweet or engage me in a five-minute conversation; but does it hurt to smile every now and again? We truly felt like we were inconveniencing this woman and moreover, that our business wasn’t appreciated. What we liked: We enjoyed our appetizer, spinach croquettes — spinach and cheese rolled in bread crumbs, fried and served over marina sauce. Essentially, it was nothing more than a spinach-friendly take on the traditional mozzarella stick, but it was tasty, nonetheless. Of our two entrées, we preferred the Sonoran chicken pasta with peppers and a zesty cream sauce. My honey balsamic salmon — which I ordered off the lunch menu, featuring smaller portions and prices — would’ve been a bargain at $7, had it not been dry and its accompanying vegetables and rice pilaf lukewarm.

Scene: Much like our server, the dining room — albeit clean and airy — didn’t exactly feel welcoming. The white walls (which were extra high) felt very sterile, though I did enjoy the funky, blue light fixtures and exposed duct work.

Bathroom break: No complaints in this department. The spacious ladies room — which features stone-tiled walls and a full-length mirror — was clean and well stocked.

Tab for two: $32 with tax and tip for spinach croquettes ($5), Sonoran chicken pasta ($10), salmon ($7) and two iced teas ($1.90 each).
If work weren’t buying: If work weren’t buying, I probably wouldn’t have left our brooding server a tip, as rude service is just unforgiveable. Needless to say, this “girl” won’t be back for seconds.

By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out

Wait: There was no wait at 8:15 p.m. on a Friday but there was also no “Hi” or “How many?” — just an unfriendly “Follow me.”

Service: No one seemed happy to be working at Copperpeak, from the hostesses to our server. When my husband ordered for us, our waitress was spacing out and didn’t hear a word he said even though the restaurant was relatively quiet. Instead of apologizing for not paying attention, she leaned in closer to my husband and, with a little attitude, said “I can't hear you.” When she dropped off our check, she looked off into the distance rather than at one of us as she said a faint thanks.

What we liked: My cup of creole potato soup was piping hot and brimming with bacon, spicy andouille sausage and plenty of spuds and spices. The bistro tender, a large serving of grilled tenderloin served over a dark, red wine demi-glaze with sauteed portobello mushrooms, was flavorful and filling.

Scene: The fairly new and very blue Copperpeak Bar & Grill is spacious to the point of losing ambience. Tables were so spread out in our lonely wing of the restaurant that it looked weird. The walls are covered with a variety of styles of for-sale art courtesy of Scottsdale Artists League.
Bathroom break: Nicer looking than the restaurant, with slate floors and walls.

Tab for two: $39 with tax and tip for a cup of soup ($3), side salad ($2), Hawaiian pork filet ($12) and bistro tenderloin ($14).
If work weren’t buying: I'd never spend my own cash at a place where the staff makes you feel like a burden.