Quiessence Restaurant

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, […]

Rainbow Donuts

The prices at Rainbow are so cheap, and the bar/café setup makes it feel like you’re in another era of doughnut-y goodness – a simpler time when you could munch on a few doughnuts while enjoying a cup of hot black coffee without any frills. But with several locations around the Valley, all of which […]

Ramen Kagawa

This downtown ramen shop keeps a tight menu — a few noodle soups prepared almost without fault, and a few other dishes like rice bowls, fried bites, and Japanese curries. Chef Yuji Iwasa, a Los Angeles native, brings a few European techniques to his largely traditional ramen; manager Shunji Tohada, from Hiroshima, brings deep Japanese […]

Ranch House Grille

With hearty eats, huge portions, and old-fashioned prices, Ranch House Grille has a small-town feel – no surprise, considering its roots in Page, Arizona, where the Cline family opened the first Ranch House Grille in 1999. Southwestern country fried steak, smothered in spicy pork chili verde, is clearly the star dish here, but anything with […]

Realeza Michoacana

At what is arguably the ice palace of Phoenix, there are frozen treats available in enough varieties and flavors to ensure that every child and adult will find a tasty way to beat the heat. The homemade paletas are made with fresh fruit, like the coconut packed with shavings, lime-infused mango chili, cantaloupe, strawberry, and […]

Reathrey Sekong

Reathrey Sekong isn’t Phoenix’s only Cambodian restaurant, but it is certainly the best. The cha kreunh, or lemongrass stir fry, is perfection — a heaping pile of beef, chicken, or tofu stir-fried with onions, green beans, bell peppers, and kreung spices, paired with a small bowl of jasmine rice. Also on the must-order list here […]

Recovery Room

Owner John Kunst and his daughter Shannon know there’s nothing like family when it comes to providing pub-style pick-me-ups to friends in need. For over 25 years, the duo has been serving up cold drinks and satisfying sustenance to loyal, old-school locals in the form of daily drink deals, 99-cent lunches, and John’s signature chili […]