Chick Rotisserie & Wine Bar

From the owners of The Grind, the upscale burger joint next door in this Arcadia strip mall, comes this attractive, comfortable bistro specializing in rotisserie chicken. And the chicken, available as a whole, half, or quarter bird, is excellent, with juicy and fresh-tasting white meat and wonderfully crispy skin. Also available is a small selection […]

China Village Restaurant

Pleasant, upscale Chinese restaurant featuring Cantonese, Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan food and better-than-average menu. The moo shu and Bo-Bo platter are both outstanding.

Chopper John’s

Chopper John’s is primarily known as a biker bar, thanks to owner John McCormack’s taste for steel steeds and the open road. It’s also one of central Phoenix’s best small venues – a rip-roaring dive, neighborhood hang and low-key sports bar. Music fans have known about the place for years, as the former residence was […]

Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge

Decorated with plush, chocolate-colored suede and embossed leather, James Beard Award-winning chef Christopher Gross’ bistro at Biltmore Fashion Park is a chic place to enjoy top-notch cuisine. From your first taste of curried duck fries to your last juicy bite of smoked truffle-infused filet mignon, you’ll find lots to love, along with an extensive wine […]

CJ’s Talley’s Pub

The folks at Cj’s Talley’s Pub tend to be a close-knit bunch. The banter between the patrons and the barkeeps is priceless, with everyone cracking jokes about the latest happenings in the social circle, ordering up rounds of Bud Light and Fat Tire, and sharing belly laughs. The hostess is happy to switch channels between […]

Cold Stone Creamery

Phoenix diners who have never managed to master Starbucks’ sizing system will find Cold Stone Creamery’s similarly challenging; the ice-cream chain eschews small, medium, and large in favor of “Like It,” “Love It,” and “Gotta Have It” sizes. Once the portion is picked, patrons can concoct their own creations from super-premium ice cream flavors like […]

Coup Des Tartes

Coup des Tartes may be in a new location, but the French-styled neighborhood bistro retains much of the spirit of the original. Now located in a historic 1922 brick bungalow, the restaurant has retained much of its cozy appeal. The menu specializes in old-school bistro classics, including a fine take on filet mignon served with […]

Creamistry

We’ll admit that the whole liquid nitrogen ice cream thing is probably a gimmick. If so, count us in on all the gimmicks, because Creamistry ice cream tastes fresh, sweet, and rich. There are many flavor options and mix-ins, and you can even get it dairy-free. This is something we can get used to, so […]

Crudo

Hidden away in the back of the Gaslight Square Plaza at 36th Street and Indian School, chef Cullen Campbell’s contemporary, upscale home of inventive raw seafood, handmade pasta dishes, signature mozzarellas, and wood-grilled fare satisfies on several levels. Featuring a warm and inviting space with intimate bay-window nooks and a main dining area swathed in […]

CRUjiente Tacos

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 […]