Hungry yet? We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order
Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.
Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all of us. We'll be posting the next 81 picks daily through the rest of the summer.
Number 82: Okonomiyaki at Hana Japanese Eatery
Excellent sushi at Hana is always a given, and there are far too many kinds of killer raw fish creations to choose just one as a favorite. No matter what chef Rick "Koji" Hashimoto slices up, it's as tasty as it is beautiful.
Still, Hana has more to offer than goodies from the sushi bar, with an extensive variety of cooked traditional dishes from chef Kazuto Kishino. Soups, tempura, grilled meats -- there's a lot to consider, but one of the best things at Hana still isn't printed on the menu.
It's called okonomiyaki, and it's a savory pancake typical of Japan's finest street vendors and hole-in-the-wall taverns -- pure comfort food, slathered in tangy sauce and mayo and scallions and pickled ginger. Good luck finding such a treat anywhere else in Phoenix.
The Favorite Dishes, so far: 83: Croissants at Essence Bakery Cafe 84: Coronado Coney at The Main Ingredient 85: Green Chili at Rito's Mexican Takeout 86: Soup Gyoza at Sens Asian Tapas & Sake Bar 87: Pop Cho and Sweet Ginger at The Breadfruit 88: La Jawab Kadahi Gosht at The Dhaba 89: Chicken & Waffles from Lo-Lo's 90: Burrata at Humble Pie 91: Bruleed Foie Gras Torchon at Posh 92: Moroccan Nomad Stew at Chakra 4 93: Peking Duck at Gourmet House of Hong Kong 94: Mozzarella Sandwich at Pane Bianco 95: Egg White Omelette at Fez 96: Machaca From Los Dos Molinos 97: Shish Taook from Baiz Market 98: Pasties From Cornish Pasty Co. 99: Clams in Black Bean Sauce From Asian Cafe Express 100: Bruschetta From Postino
