A native of the Sonoran Desert, the brittlebush looks like a humble, gray-leafed scrub for most of the year. In late winter and early spring, however, it blossoms with bright yellow petals that evoke its cousin, the sunflower. It's a local treasure that changes with the seasons—much like the foods at Brittlebush Bar & Grill, located on Kierland Resort.

The chefs here draw from locally-sourced ingredients, pushing the bounds of gastropub creativity with each new recipe. Dishes such as salmon sliders and scotch onion soup—made with single malt scotch whiskey—match well with the drink list, which includes a nice selection of locally crafted beers on tap. The eatery's decor is likewise warm and welcoming, combining copper accessories and exposed wood beams with views of the beautifully landscaped golf course and herds of wild golf carts.