BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT 2007 | Tasty Kabob | Food & Drink | Phoenix
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BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT

Tasty Kabob

We're in heaven every time we head down Apache, from Rural to McClintock — as far as we can tell, there's nowhere else in the Valley with such an incredible variety of Middle Eastern restaurants in such close proximity. Really, they ought to rename it Shawarma Street. And planted right in the middle of it all is a lovely bistro of the Persian persuasion, Tasty Kabob. Along with solid Mediterranean standards like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh, and juicy, charbroiled kebabs (they have eight kinds, including a marinated filet mignon version), there are plenty of specialty dishes you won't find anywhere else. Eggplant borany bears a superficial resemblance to baba gannouj, but here, the pita-perfect dip combines creamy puréed eggplant with onions, garlic, mint, and a drizzle of yogurt sauce. Fesenjan is a meatball dish with cooked walnuts and pomegranate sauce, and ghormeh sabzi is an aromatic concoction of beef, herbs, and beans. Even dessert is unusual: rosewater-saffron ice cream. Sure, Tasty Kabob lives up to its name, but there's so much more to love about this place beyond meat on a stick.

BEST ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT

Blue Nile Café

Ethiopian dishes may not be household words yet — zegeney, anyone? — but no matter. All you need to know is that the food at Blue Nile Café is as homey and satisfying as any meat-and-potatoes meal, with way better seasonings. And thanks to moist injera (a kind of thin, spongy sourdough bread), you don't even need to eat with utensils. The above-mentioned beef dish is cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger, while tender yedor watt, a chicken entree, dazzles with spicy berbere sauce. Hearty vegetarian dishes get the same slow-simmered treatment, and appetizers are just as intriguing; we're partial to the kay seer salad (a tangy mix of beets, potatoes, chilies and lime juice) and the addicting, deep-fried sambussas (crisp golden pockets of meat or vegetables). If you can, snag a table in the back room, where colorful woven basket-tables add to the authentic experience. Blue Nile Café has style and substance — and did we mention it's cheap?

BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

Green

Courtesy of Green
Even card-carrying carnivores won't miss their beloved animal protein at Green, where seemingly hardcore vegan cuisine — which leaves out dairy as well as meat — gets an American comfort-food spin. Whether you prefer mock meats, tofu, or just a whole lot of vegetables, Green's preparations are fresh and flavorful, with exotic seasonings and sometimes a gutsy degree of spiciness. Bland rabbit food this ain't. Irresistible starters include curry and vegetable-filled samosas with tamarind sauce, and garlicky, chipotle-flavored hummus with pieces of crisp fried pita. There's plenty in the way of Asian-style rice bowls and pan-fried noodles, but the kitchen also cranks out some excellent flatbread pizzas (yes, there is such a thing as vegan cheese), salads, and sandwiches. After a few bites of Green's Argentine po' boy, stuffed with fake steak, caramelized onions and peppers, and zingy chimichurri sauce, we feel like we'll never need to eat real meat again. But what about dairy? Oh, yeah, they even have homemade soy ice cream. What will they think of next?

BEST BYOB

Coup des Tartes

Jamie Peachey
Oh, so you're finally gonna dust off that nice bottle of wine you've been hoarding for so long? It's about time. And, boy, do we know just the place for you to drink it: Coup des Tartes, a wonderful but almost too well-hidden bistro located just south of Highland, in a quaint, historic house.

With wood floors, coved ceilings, and candles everywhere, the atmosphere is special-occasion cozy, completely worthy of that fine vintage you're ready to sip. The menu's outstanding, too, with dishes that change with the seasons to showcase natural meats, wild fish, and lots of local, organic produce. There are a few old favorites you always count on, like spicy, Moroccan-style lamb shank, juicy filet mignon, and luxuriously creamy risotto, dressed up with whatever's fresh. And no matter what entrée they come with, the Yukon mashed potatoes here are incredible — so buttery you'll want to lick the plate.

Come dessert time, there are usually about a half-dozen freshly baked tarts to choose from. Your bottle will probably be kicked by then, but in case you need consolation, the sweet banana brûlée will definitely do the trick.

BEST DINER

Welcome Diner

Jackie Mercandetti Photo
Whether you're a nostalgia buff or just a burger lover, head to Welcome Diner for some old-fashioned flavor. Situated on a quiet corner in the historic Garfield District, just a few blocks east of all the art galleries on Roosevelt Row, this adorable Depression-era diner, done up in bright white paint with cheerful red trim, is a true vintage treasure. Inside, there are only nine seats at the compact counter, where it's easy to get acquainted with your fellow diners, and there's always a good view of owner Pete Hearn manning the minuscule kitchen. (And there's more seating outdoors, for the milder months of the year.) The menu is as simple as diner food should be, with an emphasis on premium ingredients, from juicy, organic burgers to freshly made, hand-cut french fries. Living in this fast-food nation — where we couldn't be less connected to where our hot dogs are made or who's cooking our lunch — a trip to Welcome Diner is a refreshing blast from a more personable past.

BEST JEWISH DELI

Scott's Generations Deli

You've got to consider a lot of things, when looking for just the right Jewish deli. How are the knishes? Is the meat fresh? The bagels? What sort of horror will cross the waitress's face when you try to order ham and cheese with mayo on white bread? (Just kidding; we know we're in Phoenix, meaning deli staff has seen it all.) For us, the most important measure is the chopped liver. Is it creamy but substantial, flavored with onions, just like grandma used to make? Why, yes, at Scott's, it is. No generation gap here! Even better than we remember. And served with a heap of bagel chips, cucumber and sliced onions. Heaven on a plate. Or a heart attack, depending on your perspective — and cholesterol level — which is why we're glad this whole taste-test "best of" thing only comes around once a year.

BEST ITALIAN DELI

Andreoli's Italian Grocer

Jackie Mercandetti Photo
If you think Italian delis are defined by meatball subs and tortellini salad, boy, are you in for culture shock. A far cry from the old-school neighborhood deli standard, Andreoli's is way more Old Country, making it a rare find. Nowadays, how many delis are hangouts for honest-to-goodness Italians? Here, they're all around you, feasting on authentic dishes like grilled, marinated calamari, roasted peppers with garlic and anchovy sauce, bresaola with arugula and shaved Parmigiano, or perfect panini filled with prosciutto or homemade sausage. If you want a taste of la dolce vita, just follow their lead. Grab a San Pellegrino Limonada — or a glass of Chianti — and settle in for a leisurely lunch with friends. Then, instead of rushing home or back to work, finish off with a fresh pastry and a cappuccino. Take your time, and don't bother looking at your watch. When the food's this good, is there anywhere else you'd rather be?

BEST CAJUN RESTAURANT

Baby Kay's Cajun Kitchen

Who cares if Mardi Gras is months away? As long as we can get a mighty fine taste of Louisiana, we're always ready to let the good times roll — and Baby Kay's is the place to bring the party. Tucked into the Town & Country Shopping Center, this Big Easy-going eatery is the perfect place to share good conversation and a few drinks with friends who appreciate the finer things in life — like seafood gumbo, fried catfish, hush puppies and crab cakes. The jambalaya, studded with chunks of chicken and andouille sausage, is one of our favorite dishes here. But sometimes, we stop by just for an oyster po' boy with remoulade. And daily specials are worth planning ahead for, especially the Wednesday-night crawfish boils, when the critters are in season. Every time we eat here, we can't help thinking, "Baby, you're the greatest."

BEST SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

Mrs. White's Golden Rule Café

Jacob Tyler Dunn
When you're looking for a little Southern comfort, Mrs. White's Golden Rule Café will definitely do the trick. This modest downtown eatery, where the menu's written on the walls and customers use the honor system to pay the cashier, has been keeping locals fat and happy for 40-odd years, thanks to delicious fried catfish, golden hunks of fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, and thick, juicy pork chops. Swab up that luscious gravy with a crumbly piece of cornbread, and don't forget to load up on satisfying side dishes, from mouth-watering candied yams to black-eyed peas and perfect greens. You might do a double-take at the generous portions here, but you also may surprise yourself at the end of the meal, when you're slurping down the last of your lemonade, wondering how you packed it all away. Well, believe it. These eats are just what your soul food-lovin' soul is seeking.

BEST BARBECUE RESTAURANT

Joe's Real BBQ

Courtesy of Joe's Real BBQ
You never know when a good idea may strike. For Joe Johnston, inspiration struck on his frequent business trips to Texas, where he sampled the goods at every barbecue joint he stumbled upon. By the time he found the perfect spot to open a barbecue restaurant in his hometown — a 1929 brick building in downtown Gilbert — he'd already perfected his business plan. And now Joe's Real BBQ stands as a testament to all the good grub he had in the Lone Star State, hawking the best barbecue in the Valley. From smoky, slow-cooked brisket, served sliced or chopped, to chicken, hot links, and ham, the menu of pecan-smoked meats is a carnivore's dream.

Pulled pork is served relatively unadorned, a heap of moist, savory shreds that you can dress up with Joe's original recipe barbecue sauce, or the tangy, hot habanero version. And the pork ribs are as mouthwatering as candy — tender inside, with a thick, brown crust coated in sweet, sticky sauce. BBQ pit beans, old-fashioned cole slaw, and gooey mac 'n' cheese topped with buttery baked crumbs are just a few of the fabulous side dishes, and homemade root beer is a tasty way to wash it all down. When you make your way through Joe's cafeteria-style line, be sure to grab a few toothpicks and wet naps. Trust us, you'll put 'em to good use.

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