We started coming here for the strawberry and goat cheese salad, and before you could say “Modern Italian Cuisine!” we were headed straight into a plateful of Margherita pizza (crushed tomato, fresh mozzarella and chopped basil). From there it was only minutes before we were calling for shrimp fettuccine, served with broccolini and a spicy […]
Contemporary in Phoenix
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The name means “Italian Farmhouse,” but with its high-ceilinged industrial-farmhouse décor and black-and-white gingham napkins, this appealing Sam Fox restaurant looks more American than Italian. But never mind. The bring-the-outdoors-in ambiance is fantastic and nowhere more so than at the indoor-outdoor bar, situated at the front corner and bordered by fruit trees, herbs and veggies […]
Talk about sensory overload. At this Scottsdale Waterfront hot spot, you’ll find a crowded bar and lounge area, an airy main dining room, a lush outdoor patio, and smaller dining rooms as well. At lunch, menu options range from a cool Greek salad to a rich pulled-pork sandwich. For a casual weekend brunch, try the […]
Otro Cafe, an early staple of Seventh Street’s restaurant row in uptown Phoenix, serves New American dishes with heavy Mexican accents. The all-day spot is owned and operated by treasured local chef and all-around nice guy Doug Robson, also of Gallo Blanco in the Garfield District. The place has plenty going for it: a formidable […]
Temporarily closed: Gina and Derrick Suarez’s quirky bohemian bistro is a comfortably cool spot that contains creative endeavors of every shape and size. Situated along Grand Avenue, it’s a mecca of Mediterranean and Euro-style edibles served up in an ultra-arty atmosphere accented by a constantly revolving collection of photos, paintings, and sculptures. Boutique wines such […]
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Pa’La has long been recognized as a destination for exceptional food. But in the last few years, the small restaurant has undergone an evolution, with a new team taking over the kitchen. Thankfully, the commitment to quality food remains. Pa’La is a date night destination now, where customers can splurge on a special occasion. The […]
Stunning Southwestern-accented fare served up in this gorgeous resort’s “casual” dining room. The appetizer gold medal goes to the mixed greens topped with cornmeal-crusted pheasant. Wonderful rack of lamb, gilded with cashew mashed potatoes. Save room for the fallen chocolate brownie soufflé. A wonderful place for a special night out – and the ride through […]
After building a following at the Uptown Farmers Market, Jason and Katherine Dwight, a married chef-butcher and baker, opened a restaurant in late 2019 that is intimately driven by local farms and ranches. Reclaimed wood slabs gleam in the Central Avenue restaurant. Fitting the rustic dining room, much of the small plates and a few […]
If you can stomach the Disney-esque lifestyle of this manicured master plan on the edge of New River, you’ll find some perfectly good, all-American food served in a country-club setting. Lunch or the all-day bar menu are your best choices; dinner tends to be expensive, with little value returned.
For a longtime Valley restaurant made in the American bar-and-grill mold, Sheldon Knapp’s Phoenix City Grille manages to go its own way. How can you tell? The menu has a full-on glossary to define ingredients so that, though the dining room is a bit dim, you aren’t wholly flying in the dark. With your short […]
Somehow, Phoenix is a pizza town, known far and wide for its innovative pies. Actually, we know how, and why: It’s because of Chris Bianco, the passionate Bronx-born proprietor of his eponymous pizzeria. Bianco’s pizzas date back to 1988, but since 1996 he’s been in his Heritage Square location, serving Neapolitan-style pies to ever-longer lines […]
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Dining at this compact eatery occupying the easternmost suite of the historic Wagon Wheel building in the Melrose District is a real treat. Inside, plants and greenery mingle with natural wood and light, creating an earthy experience. Out on the back patio, twinkle lights and cozy two-seater tables couldn’t be any more romantic. In June 2022, […]
Occasionally, Phoenix diners may find themselves seeking a little break from the desert. In such times, Quiessence, found among the 10-acre pecan groves at the Farm at South Mountain, is a wonderful option. Thanks to the lush foothills and farmland of southern Phoenix, as well as the scenic patio attached to this historic home restaurant, […]
Mesa’s Main Street has seen considerable growth these last few years. The Nile Theater is back, the antique shops never left, and the dining options have exploded. One of the heavier hitters is República Empanada. This hip Latin restaurant is set a block east from Mesa Arts Center in Southside Heights and specializes, as its […]
Tucked into the basement of the Ten-0-One Building, this downtown Phoenix speakeasy lives up to its classification. Those in the know head to the elevators and take the middle one down to the basement. When the doors open, you swear something magical is about to happen in Rough Rider’s dark and brooding space where the […]
The term “organic” is more than a buzzword at Scottsdale’s Santé. The ethos centers on ethical food sourcing and a keen focus on being green from start to finish. Drinks are the way in with selections such as the Watermelon Mambo, which features elderflower liqueur, basil, and vodka, or the classic prickly pear margarita. Mocktails […]
Originally, Nadia Holguin and Armando Hernandez were known for their super-casual taco joint where they served delicious Chihuahuan food from an old Dairy Queen drive-thru. But this culinary power duo has come a long way from then. This is perhaps best exemplified in their recently James Beard-recognized restaurant Santo Arcadia. Floral wallpaper, hanging greenery and […]
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A place to see and be seen, and suck down some topnotch sushi while doing so. This glitzy palace is packed with fine young professionals crowding a hip watering hole, but the chefs take their mission seriously. The concept is split into three themes: teppanyaki, Pacific Rim and sushi. With a special chef for each […]
Sel brings the old-fashioned pleasures of white-tablecloth dining to a quiet section of Old Town Scottsdale. The centerpiece of chef Branden Levine’s small yet sophisticated restaurant is a prix-fixe menu replete with classical French technique and standard-bearer dishes like filet mignon served with Bordelaise sauce. The menu changes every two weeks, but you are likely […]