Best Bar Food 2009 | The Roosevelt | Food & Drink | Phoenix
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Best Bar Food

The Roosevelt

Wait, we know what you're thinking: bar food? Who goes out for that? Um, we do — at least when that bar is The Roosevelt. Since they serve only stellar craft brews, imports, and interesting wines here, it makes sense that the eats would be equally top-notch. And considering the impeccable taste of the owners (Matt and Erenia Pool, of Matt's Big Breakfast fame), we wouldn't expect anything less.

For their menu of snacks and sandwiches, they've sourced the best of the best — artisanal cheeses, gourmet hot dogs, delicious soft pretzels from MJ Bread, organic local greens for the salad (yep, there's a salad on the menu). Even the humble-sounding grilled cheese and homemade tomato soup are perfection. The Roosevelt may not technically be a restaurant, but it's still one of our favorite places to eat downtown.

Best Hangover Breakfast

Daily Dose

We knew Daily Dose was our kind of restaurant as soon as we saw something called the "Hangover Sandwich" on the menu. Because, honestly, we're usually too busy to indulge in a full breakfast during the workweek. But on our days off, we're all about the most important meal of the day, since it's the only thing that revives us after a wild night. And sure enough, the Hangover Sandwich always does the trick, thanks to applewood-smoked bacon, turkey sausage, a fried egg, caramelized jalapeño and onion, melted cheddar, and spicy harissa aioli on sourdough toast. So delish. We're also fond of Daily Dose's seven kinds of eggs Benedict, fluffy omelets, and the decadent banana split pancakes. The coffee's great, too — potent, flavorful, and generously refilled as much as we want. Indeed, this restaurant really lives up to its name.

Best Encore

Postino Central

Evie Carpenter

It's no wonder that the new Postino Central seems to be doing bang-up business every time we stop by. Just as the original Postino transformed the former Arcadia Post Office into a high-style wine bar, Postino Central breathes new life into the cool mid-century building that used to house Katz's Deli. The setting may be completely different, but the spirit is the same. Likewise, the food is just as good, a familiar, scrumptious menu of panini, salads, and the best bruschetta in town, with craveable toppings like white Tuscan bean with pancetta, and prosciutto with figs and mascarpone. We long suspected that the area around Camelback and Central would be the next hotspot for the Phoenix dining scene, and the instant success of Postino Central is all the confirmation we need.

Best Splurge

BLT Steak

Take our word for it, you won't want to rein yourself in at BLT Steak — nor should you. Glorious excess feels oh-so-right at this contemporary steakhouse, where the allure of sizzling prime beef and expertly prepared seafood is bolstered by French bistro touches, including chicken liver pâté and mouthwatering Gruyère popovers served gratis. It's the brainchild of acclaimed chef Laurent Tourondel (Bon Appetit's Restaurateur of the Year in '07), and it brings a relaxed urban energy to Camelback Inn's desert oasis. The view of Camelback Mountain from BLT's dining room is stunning, making this the perfect setting to celebrate an occasion. In our case, the occasion is usually just blowing our diet and our budget in one luxurious night of eating, drinking, and being merry. Over the top is the only way to go at BLT Steak.

Best Splurge on a Shoestring Budget

TeHaru Sushi

Timur Guseynov

Most of the time, being impulsive at restaurants — especially sushi restaurants — can have pricey consequences. But not at TeHaru Sushi. You can throw caution to the wind and eat yourself silly at this south Tempe spot, and when the bill comes, we promise your jaw will drop at how affordable it is. The setup at TeHaru is kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi), and it's no wonder the Japanese are so crazy for it. Pick a chair at the counter, and then grab whatever looks good from the constant parade of dishes coasting by. Yellowtail nigiri? Salmon avocado roll? Squid salad? Go for it. At the end of the meal, they'll determine your tab by tallying how many color-coded plates you've stacked up. We'd call TeHaru Sushi a true guilty pleasure, but considering how cheap it is, where's the guilt?

Best Place to Take a First Date

Cibo

Jacob Tyler Dunn

It's easy to fall in love with the charms of Cibo. And who knows? Maybe some of that magic will rub off on your date, too. The building itself is a lovingly restored historic bungalow, with wood floors, a brick fireplace, pretty windows throughout, and an inviting front patio, which twinkles with white lights after sundown. Proprietors Tony and Karen Martingiglio and their son, Michael Krassner, run the restaurant with the kind of passion and personal service that makes first-timers feel as welcome as regulars, while Italian chef Guido Saccone creates scrumptious pizzas and lovely antipasti that will certainly help your cause to win someone's heart — through his or her stomach, of course. It's a classy but affordable menu. And if all that isn't enough to nurture a budding romance, well, there's always the Chianti.

Best Place to Take a Wine Geek

Caffe Boa

Lauren Saria

Caffe Boa is an unexpected delight amid the college-town bustle of Mill Avenue. It's a stylish bistro with a grown-up atmosphere, a Mediterranean-inspired menu that celebrates seasonal, organic ingredients, and a serious attitude about wine. Owners Jay and Christine Wisniewski, both certified sommeliers, have created a Wine Spectator Award-winning program that features a few dozen wines by the glass, intriguing flights, and a huge selection of bottles from around the world, including a number of biodynamic and organic wines. Just as impressive, many of the staffers at Caffe Boa have passed an introductory sommelier certification program, so their recommendations are substantial. It's a refreshing alternative to the beer-chugging coed scene in these parts. Cheers!

Best Place to Meet the Chef

Café Monarch

Cafe Monarch

When you visit Café Monarch, you're entering Christopher Van Arsdale's domain. He's the chef-owner of this super-stylish, tucked-away spot, and he's often a one-man show, waiting on tables, chatting up customers, and cooking up a storm in the 558-square-foot space that he single-handedly designed. After spending years as a personal chef, Van Arsdale realized his dream of opening his own place, and he's created an atmosphere that's so friendly and intimate that it's almost like dining at a friend's house. The scrumptious menu of starters, salads, and sandwiches is merely a launching point for Van Arsdale's cooking, which often spins off into original creations inspired by customers' cravings, seasonal finds at the farmers market, and whatever else strikes his fancy. One of the appetizers is simply titled "chef's whim." For a leisurely, fun meal, you're in good hands at Café Monarch.

Best Place to Go When You're Feeling Sad

Organ Stop Pizza

It's impossible to feel sorry for yourself in the presence of Organ Stop Pizza's Mighty Wurlitzer. The food at the two-story pizza parlor is an afterthought because the main draw is the 6,000-pipe theater organ, with its orchestra pit of instruments, bells, and whistles. Organists like Charlie Balogh dazzle the crowds with boisterous renditions of cheesy but happy songs like "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Flight of the Bumblebee."

Senior citizens come by the busload, and Organ Stop also is popular with toddlers. When you go, ask the organist to play "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid. As the lights dim, a glimmering disco ball rotates, shooting shimmering sparkles across the dining hall. Just when you think life can't get much better, Balogh flips a switch, and bubbles float down from the ceiling. We cry from happiness every time.

Best Psychic Night

Lisa G Café and Wine Bar

What are you hungry for? Where should we go to dinner tonight? If it's a Wednesday, the answers should be pizza and Lisa G Café and Wine Bar. Beyond that, we're pretty fuzzy about the future, but that's the best reason to come here for Wednesday Psychic Night, a fun weekly event that's all about peering into the great unknown. Psychic astrologer Joseph Anthony does the readings (10 minutes for 20 bucks), and you never know what he might reveal. From impending relationship drama to a big achievement at work, there's a lot to consider. And, of course, we like to do it while noshing on pizza (the night's special, not on the regular menu), working on a nice bottle of wine, and hanging with a few pals. Not like we're in need of stuff to chat about, but Anthony's insights sure make for fun conversations.

Best Of Phoenix®

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