BEST SANGRIA 2007 | La Grande Orange Pizzeria | Bars & Clubs | Phoenix
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BEST SANGRIA

La Grande Orange Pizzeria

Courtesy of La Grande Orange
If you like your sangria white and crisp, we cannot possibly recommend a better cup of quaff than at this popular Arcadia pizzeria. The fruit has been soaking just long enough to make it intoxicating without crossing the line to overwhelming — and the drink itself is so light, it'll leave you floating.

Only problem: Everyone else in town loves this place, too, so you may need to add one of the to-die-for pizzas to your order to get a table. Life is so hard.

BEST MARTINI

Durant's

Tom Carlson
No point in serving us a dainty dash of vodka with a silly lemon twist. When we want a martini, we want it old-school: gin, olives, the tiniest touch of vermouth, and a giant icy glass.

Durant's delivers on every level. Even better, the drinks aren't poured by some silly college girl who thinks cleavage compensates for bad service. In the dark, clubby bar of this Phoenix institution, you'll get a crash course in what the good old days had to offer: All the classics, done simply and perfectly.

BEST COSMOPOLITAN

Café ZuZu

Heather Hoch
When we're drinking a cosmo, we want to feel girly, giddy, and a little retro. The bar at Café ZuZu, the bright restaurant at the Hotel Valley Ho that specializes in stylin' '50s-era comfort food, has just the right vibe. And the bartenders, thank God, know how to do this pink lady to perfection. Tart and sweet at the same time, it's the perfect drink for spring evenings by the pool, fall nights by the fireside, and just about every time in between.

BEST LOCAL BEER

The Roosevelt House Beer at The Roosevelt Tavern

Thank you, Matt Pool, for establishing yet another kickass downtown hang. The owner/chef of Matt's Big Breakfast opened the smashing Roosevelt Tavern in late December 2006 to better serve the downtown eatin' and drinkin' crowd. Among the 20 selections of wines and 45 beer choices is the Roosevelt House Beer, a perfect concoction exclusively created for the tavern by Tempe's famed Four Peaks Brewery.

The irresistible pale ale contains delicate fruit flavors such as grapefruit and an über-light aftertaste that appeals to both recreational boozers and more sophisticated social drinkers. Don't be surprised to gulp down some ice bits along with the liquid goodness served in a tall, Arctic-cold pint glass (ooh, so good) because each draft beer is chilled with a glycol cooling system and poured directly from the glass-encased keg room. You can also enjoy a menu of comfort food like Campfire Beans and Franks and hot, doughy pretzels, all while bathed in the intimate atmosphere of the red-brick 1900 Farish House.

BEST DESIGNER DRINK

Blanche Davidian's "Orange Sunshine" shot

Veteran Valley bartender and mini-music-mogul Vil Vodka is known for his potent custom shots, usually created for the purpose of promoting or paying homage to local bands. Vodka's "Robitussin" shot, introduced in 2004, smells and tastes like its cough syrup namesake, but taking one shot is probably the equivalent of downing two bottles of the real stuff. Vodka's latest concoction, the "Orange Sunshine" shot — which he calls "a ghetto variant of the vodka bomber commonly known as Tic-Tac or Sunkist" — is named after the new album by local psych-punks Blanche Davidian, and it's stronger than shit, too. The recipe for destruction is as follows: Place one shot of cheap orange vodka (the creator says, "save your Stoli and Grey Goose for your martinis") inside three ounces of the juicy Kronik Entourage energy drink, and chug. Sounds slight enough if you make it at home, but if you order one at Hollywood Alley, be prepared for a head spin.

BEST PLACE TO FUEL UP FOR THE NIGHT

Paisley Violin

Molly Smith
Located in the heart of the Grand Avenue arts district, Paisley continues to bless red-eyed customers with caffeinated godsends. The cute cafe with a European flair features a stacked coffee bar chock full of espresso drinks, mochas, and the completely delicious maple latte, a concoction with two shots of Italian espresso, a healthy pour of 100 percent maple syrup, and steamed milk. Enjoy the best meal of the day (coffee) during select eves showcasing ambient jazz by acts like Try Me Bicycle and acoustic singer/songwriter specialities by out-of-towners such as Tiff Jimber.

BEST PRE-PARTY RENDEZVOUS

Zen 32

You live in downtown Phoenix, your friend hangs in Scottsdale, and you need a meeting point before you hit a house party in Tempe. It's 9 p.m., and you and your crew want to start boozing ASAP, but God forbid you're the first ones at the party. Meet up at a bar, but beware and choose wisely, because the wrong decision could easily bust up the night's agenda. If you go to a club that's really bumpin', you're not going to want to leave. Hit a dive bar, and you'll be overdressed and uncomfortable — no way to gear up for a night of debauchery. Zen 32 has saved our social asses on a number of occasions. With its teeny but super-swanky bar, this sushi and drinking bar is the perfect rendezvous. Reasonable drink prices and a decent, well-dressed crowd offer just enough to hold you over for that crucial hour and a half before you have to move on. See you there.

BEST HAPPY HOUR

Tradiciones

Jackie Mercandetti
The folks at Tradiciones could coast on their great location: a nice, new restaurant smack northeast of downtown, just far enough away not to be mired in Metro construction, convenient and close enough to lure customers from several busy areas. But they've stepped up and made a little Eden of drinking and munching, whether you choose the charming patio (separated from abundant parking by a flowery courtyard, splashy fountain, and several stalls of colorful merchandise) or the cavernous-yet-welcoming interior, with elevated booths, large and small tables, and a full bar. No matter where you sit, you're likely to be serenaded by live musicians. You'll want to take advantage of Tradiciones' specialties, like a premium margarita, a gem-toned sangria, or a pitcher of something to share with your amigos. On the appetizer tip, one solid sopecito topped with beans, cheese, and/or meat is one dolla. Have a cilantro marg for us.

BEST PLACE FOR A TWILIGHT DRINK

Postino

Okay, so it's the worst-kept secret in the history of Phoenix. And, yeah, the parking is a pain in the neck by Valley car-centric standards. (Any time we have to park more than a few spaces away or — gasp! — pay a valet, we tend to feel put upon.) But when it comes to classy places to hang with a bottle of red and watch the night fall, there is no place we'd rather be than this Arcadia hot spot. The lighting is intimate, the crowd smart, and we'd just about kill for the bruschetta. Heck, we'll even pay that damn valet!

BEST WINE BAR

Epicurean Wine

Greg Brickey and Jeff Davis take their wine seriously. They stock thousands of bottles of domestic and imported wines in their lovely, low-key spot, tucked away in a strip mall just off Scottsdale Road. Come by for a tasting on a Friday night, and they'll take you to New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa, via some carefully chosen bottles. Or stop by for a half bottle (never a cork fee!) and a cheese board or hummus and pita chips, off the "bites" menu.

You can get as serious as these self-described Wine Guys, and they'll help you plan your own wine cellar. Or take a class in wine/food pairing, offered at the wine bar by an instructor at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. They'll even arrange a private tasting for you and a group of friends, and tailor the selection to fit your desires. Brickey and Davis better watch out: At this rate, you'll get so into wine you'll want to toss your day job — like these two did — and open up your own wine bar. We're betting they're up to the competition.

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