Walter Sterling and the Ocotillo crew’s latest restaurant channels Mexican influences as far north as Sonora (a Sonoran rib-eye) and as far south as Yucatan (cochinita pibil). That cochinita sears the brain, and not just with chiles. An order brings a pile of richly spiced pork that retains the animal’s full charm, roasted in a […]
Contemporary in Phoenix
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Featuring the hard-to-find cuisine of Chettinad, a dry, remote region of the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, this decidedly grand restaurant on the city’s west side offers many of the region’s meat-centric, highly fragrant, and abundantly spiced food (even to the southern Indian palate) as well as around 200 dishes from both northern […]
State Senator Ken Cheuvront’s entry into the great Phoenix restaurant sweepstakes is a wine and cheese bar with plenty of vino and fromage to choose from. If you go, try the lamb roulade and one of the cheese plates with nuts and dried fruit. For dessert, the pumpkin bread pudding is delish. Like we said, […]
At its heart, Cork is a neighborhood wine bar that just happens to serve inventive, beautifully presented food. Owned by three alumni of Lon’s at the Hermosa – sommelier Robert Morris, his wife Danielle (who’s the pastry chef), and executive chef Brian Peterson – the restaurant features tasting-menu-style small plates served
This Arcadia eatery, found at the north end of 40th Street’s restaurant row, is a rare dinner-only taco type of place (or close to that; it doesn’t open until 4 p.m.). CRUjiente Tacos Chef Richard Hinojosa likes to get regional with his menu — dishes might be inspired by Maine, Korean, or Polynesian cuisine. Tacos […]
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Chef Tom Harvey, late of Eddie V’s in Scottsdale, has brought cuisine to downtown Glendale. Harvey’s a Georgia native, and his menu is crammed with Southern influences and ingredients. Meat is often smoked or pulled; grits and po-boys are featured. He’s partnered with chef Matteo Cataldo, whose Italian touches are apparent in the eggplant Parmesan […]
Star chef Douglas Rodriguez has made an international name for himself with his Nuevo Latin American cuisine, and now he’s in our humble town. Everything is stunning here, such as ceviche with Spanish and Asian influences, arepas (griddled corn cakes) with caviar and quail egg, and plantain-crusted halibut with sliced banana, sautéed spinach, bacon and […]
This cozy, contemporary Indian restaurant, specializing in cuisine of the Punjab region of Northern India, is named after India’s roadside pit stops, where truck drivers go for a cheap, filling meal. And true to its namesake, The Dhaba is an affordable place to relax and indulge in awesome homemade breads, tandoori meats, deep-fried treats and […]
That old saw about good things coming in small packages is especially true at The Dressing Room. This itsy-bitsy Roosevelt Row eatery serves food that comes from “streets, beaches, carts, and trucks from around the world,” including Korean galbi lettuce cups, Baja shrimp tacos, a German schnitzel salad, a crispy fried chicken sandwich – even […]
Chef Eddie Matney has had a namesake place before, but with his latest enterprise, he’s amping up his own star power and playing off longtime strengths. The vibe here is expectedly homey but upscale, and somewhere in bustling dining room, you’ll probably spot Matney himself, mingling with guests. Fans of Matney’s Mediterranean-influenced New American cuisine […]
In the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, this new restaurant opened with big aspirations. The Ends was inspired by, and designed to pay homage to, the late chef, television personality and world traveler Anthony Bourdain. His influence guided the decor, where warm lighting and cozy tables are arranged to foster conversation. And, of course, it […]
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When an eatery feels more like a well-loved home than a restaurant, there’s a good chance some excellent food is about to land on your table. At Fàme Caffe, that table is wooden, adorned with fresh rosemary, and topped with a small bottle of house-made hot sauce. Glance around, and you’ll see basketed fruits, liquor […]
Opened in spring 2019 on the offshores of Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix, The Farish House is a self-proclaimed neighborhood bistro, ideal for a date night or a quiet family dinner. Seated inside this 1899 brick home, you often feel as though you’re dining behind the velvet ropes of a historic museum. Farish is operated […]
Farm & Craft is an ultra-stylish Scottsdale restaurant with a sprawling menu focused on health-centric food and drink, including whole-grain bowls, salads, and wraps. The menu mostly fails to live up to the restaurant’s name, though – while most dishes feature ostensibly farm-fresh veggies, evidence of craft mostly runs short. Wraps and salads are straightforward […]
What a terrific concept – a full dinner (with drinks) served during a movie. This 1940s Art Deco movie-palace-style theater parks patrons in cushy velvet armchairs, and wines and dines them while playing second-run, classic and independent films. While gourmet entrees like salmon and artichoke chicken are available, appetizers and sandwiches shine. Baked Brie
Chances are you will have to make reservations to get a spot at Fat Ox. This fine dining experience is curated with special attention to the drinks, appetizers and, of course, entrees. The cocktail (or “oxtail”) menu includes creations such as the Desert Rain, made with mezcal, sotol, blood orange, fig leaf and lime, and […]
In a cavernous room where the sound seems to vanish overhead, blond wood accents a sea of white and daylight pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows. They reveal the edifices of Arizona State University’s SkySong campus, curling around Fellow’s posh patio, and the strip of garden where begonias grow. Italy couldn’t feel more remote. Fellow’s best […]
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Don’t let the small space at First & Last fool you. This charming eatery has a rotating menu that includes steak, quail, fish, and pasta. A highlight is the kale pesto pasta with pine nuts and goat cheese. The bar has the feel of a specialty craft cocktail bar where drinks such as The Scenic […]
We probably don’t need to tell you about FnB, the Scottsdale kitchen helmed by culinary sage Charleen Badman. You probably already know she scours local markets for common and arcane ingredients from our state’s popular and marginal family farms, about how she plates food braiding gastronomic threads from the Sonoran Desert to South America to the […]
The Art Deco vibe in the Biltmore’s Frank & Albert’s restaurant might make you feel nostalgic for a bygone era, and indeed it’s a beautiful space. Tourists will be particularly pleased with Southwestern dishes like nachos, queso fundido, and tortilla soup, but we recommend you skip the front of the menu, including offerings like pizza […]
Found at The Mercado at Scottsdale Ranch, Gabriella’s Contemporary American Cuisine is owned and operated by husband-and-wife Anthony and Anna Barr. The restaurant offers upscale comfort food, like the short rib grilled cheese, stuffed cheese and bacon tater tots, sweet corn and wild mushroom tamale, and more.