This year, the spring rendition of the event runs from May 16 through 25 and features more than 200 restaurants located in all corners of the Valley, with a few in Tucson and Sedona. Most menus feature three courses and range in price from $33-$55 per person or, in some cases, per couple. Some span four courses or include extras like a side dish or a beverage.
Typically, spring is local restaurants’ last big push before the summer lull. However, with the current roller coaster of economic uncertainty, the thought of dining out may not be as appealing or feasible as in previous years. Restaurant Week helps customers support Valley establishments without breaking the bank.
The Arizona Restaurant Week website lists every menu for the mountain of restaurants involved. Reservations are a wise move to ensure a seat at your favorites.
With so many options on the table, we've scoured the spring menus so you don't have to. Here are the best deals this spring, either because of their extensive and creative courses, extras or high-end options that come with a bargain price tag. Dig in.
Saint Urban
8260 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale$55/couple
5 shared courses
Dine-in and takeout A fun spin on the typical ARW menu, Saint Urban’s shared spread runs five courses strong. So as long as you pick a dining companion whose preferences align with yours, you’re in good shape. Each course will serve two people and a total of 14 dishes are up for the choosing, making for options aplenty.
For the opener, decide between golden beets, tempura green beans and a creative chopped salad boasting manchego, pickled vegetables and candied almonds. Korean-inspired beef tacos with kimchi and thick-cut bacon finished with a bourbon glaze are highlights of the next course.
This is followed by your choice of fresh shucked oysters, shrimp cocktail or sweet sesame rice served with salmon, yellowfin or hamachi. For the main attraction, ponder Santa Maria tri-tip with chimichurri, orange-ginger chicken thighs with chorizo-whipped potatoes, or plancha-grilled shrimp with orzo and pine nut pesto. For dessert, decide between a sweet ricotta berry trifle or flourless chocolate torte adorned with espresso cream and salted caramel.
Ajo Al’s
Multiple locations $55/couple
3 courses, beverage included
Dine-in only Ajo Al’s menu is tailor-made for date night, making it easy to dine out while leaving enough cash for a movie. And it comes with a drink so you say cheers with a margarita, Mexican Mule or a Mexican beer.
Start by splitting a chile con queso or guacamole. Each of you gets to choose your own main course among Pollo con Queso topped with cream cheese and melted cheddar served with rice and beans, Ajo Al’s Burrito Bowl with steak or chicken, Quesabirria Street Tacos with slow cooked shredded beef and consomme dipping sauce on the side or Blanco Enchiladas filled with spinach or mushrooms and served with rice and beans. Share flan or tres leches cake for dessert.
The Ensalada Fresca salad features seasonal fruit, queso and aji lemon vinaigrette and is one of the options on The Mexicano’s Spring Arizona Restaurant Week menu.
The Mexicano
The Mexicano
Multiple locations $33/person
4 courses
Dine-in only From start to finish, The Mexicano’s menu screams comfort. Open with your choice of braised beef empanadas or shrimp cocktail. Next, choose between a Tijuana Caesar salad tossed with a cilantro Caesar dressing or the Ensalada Fresca salad with seasonal fruit, queso and aji lemon vinaigrette. A taco trio plate featuring carne asada, al pastor and birria vies for main dish honors against the Enchilada Divorciada with birria and chicken tinga or Pollo Asado Fajitas. Last but not least, end with a tour of the hot churro cart with fried-to-order churros accompanied by chocolate, caramel and tres leches dipping sauces.
Patricia’s Pizza
32607 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale$33/person
4 courses
Dine-in or takeout Earlier this year, Melissa Maggiore opened Patricia’s Pizza in honor of her mother Patricia’s legacy. Known for her elegant eatery The Italian Daughter, Maggiore serves traditional plates based on family recipes, giving this menu a home-cooked feel.
Start with your choice of meatballs, eggplant milanese or shrimp that gets a kick from Calabrian chile and a cooling side of blue cheese aioli. The salad course also offers Caesar and mixed green salads, but we suggest the Melissa’s Chopped which comes with a cornucopia of accoutrements including artichokes, salami, garbanzo beans and petite mozzarella balls in an oregano vinaigrette.
For the main course, there’s Sausage Cacciatore and The Italian Daughter’s signature lasagna with San Marzano red sauce, bechamel and bolognese. You can also choose from any of the 12-inch wood fired pizzas or sandwiches, which come with fries. Go with a classic dessert like tiramisu or chocolate cannoli for a sweet ending.
Jacy & Dakota’s
333 N. Central Ave.$33/person
3 courses
Dine-in onlyThere’s something for nearly everyone on Jacy & Dakota’s simple yet satisfying lineup that features thoughtful touches.
For the opening, choose from a salad of greens, fennel, poached beets, citrus and goat cheese; blueberry-glazed pork belly bites with Cholula barbecue sauce and jicama slaw; or crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon, parmesan and balsamic reduction.
For the second course, choose from tequila lime shrimp with Spanish rice and Mexican street corn; chicken taquitos with salsa verde, rice and borracho beans; or mesquite barbecue jackfruit tacos with jicama slaw and calabacitas. End on a sweet note with strawberry tres leches cake or passion fruit pineapple sorbet.
Liberty Market
230 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert$44/person
3 courses, beverage included
Dine-in or takeout Both starter choices on Liberty Market’s menu give European vibes. The Antipasto Plate is loaded with hearty salami, artisan cheese, olives, nuts and mini gougeres. In the second starter option, Blueberry Agrodolce teams up with creamy burrata that’s sprinkled with pistachios, drizzled with balsamic reduction and accompanied by a side of ciabatta.
Big appetites will gravitate to the Chicken Cordon Bleu stuffed with ham and swiss and served with creamy orzo and grilled asparagus. Pan-seared sea bass with roasted red potatoes, olives and a basil butter sauce presents a lighter alternative. For the final course, decide between lemon olive oil cake or chocolate mousse. A glass of select white or red wine, a fountain drink or drip coffee is part of the deal.
The Markey by Jennifer's is offering a three-course prix fixe menu this Arizona Restaurant Week.
The Market by Jennifer's
The Market by Jennifer’s
3603 E. Indian School Road$44/person
3 courses
Dine-in or takeout Chef Jennifer Russo is known for incorporating Arizona-grown and produced ingredients into her menus and this springtime special at The Market by Jennifer’s is no exception.
Start with salmon crudo from Chula Seafood in a tamari-citrus vinaigrette accompanied by spring onions, microgreens and crispy rice paper chips. Noble Bread is the heart of the Tuscan panzanella salad topped with burrata.
On the main course list, Bedford scallops are joined by Hayden Flour Mills polenta, grilled sweet corn and a poblano relish; beef short ribs adorned with a crust of ancho chile-cocoa rub are served with flour or corn tortillas; pan-seared organic airline chicken gets a light bath in coconut-lime cream, with bok choy and jasmine rice on the side; and spaghetti tossed with extra virgin olive oil, elephant garlic, castelvetrano olives, Parmigiano Reggiano and toasted hazelnuts takes advantage of simple yet flavorful components.
Russo relies on Tracy Dempsey Originals for her two dessert options. Pick between key lime pie tart and the layered Black & Tan, composed of dark chocolate and caramel pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
The Mission - Kierland
7122 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale.$55/person
4 courses
Dine-in or takeout Savor Southwest eats with a hint of fusion flair at The Mission - Kierland. Hamachi and burrata with charred tomatillo, smoked pasilla pepper and arugula, and crispy pork belly with cola lime glaze are the opening act options. After smoked some lamb pozole or a Caesar salad, consider these third course dishes, all of which come with handmade corn tortillas: Corona Jidori chicken thighs with saffron paella; roasted cauliflower in a spicy Peruvian green sauce with zucchini and squash; or brown butter grits made from ground popcorn with pork tenderloin. The promise of espresso churros with a mini Ibarra chocolate milkshake for dipping will motivate you to save room for dessert.
Quiessence at the Farm
6106 S. 32nd St.$55/person
3 courses
Dine-in only This South Phoenix spot is known for its extravagant seasonal tasting menus served in an idyllic setting. This spring, Quiessence at the Farm makes its Arizona Restaurant Week debut with a succinct farm-to-table lineup that promises to be just impeccable at a fraction of the regular cost of $119 per person.
Start with a chef’s spread of local cheese, cured meats, brick-oven baked artisan loaves and seasonal jam. Or, feel splurgy with a pair of oysters served with Meyer lemon mignonette, mascarpone and Italian caviar.
Main course options include gnocchi topped with a hearty beef and short rib bolognese served with beets, turnips and parmesan; wood-fired grilled salmon with sunchoke puree, fried quinoa and tempura cauliflower; and braised pork served with red lentils, radish puree, sugar snap peas and grilled cauliflower.
For dessert, ponder elegant takes on tradition. There's a bread pudding with cranberries, tart cherries, almonds, bourbon Anglaise and vanilla ice cream; apple mascarpone cannoli joined by apple sorbet and house caramel; or Opera Cake with strawberry caramel, strawberry chips, poached kumquats, Meyer lemon sorbet and a strawberry macaron.
Asparagus salad with pickled fennel, candied bacon, snap peas, mint, charred green garlic and truffle aioli is one of the dishes on The Larder & The Delta's Spring Arizona Restaurant Week menu.
The Larder & The Delta
The Larder & The Delta
2320 E. Osborn Road$55/person
3 courses
Dine-in only If having a multiple James Beard Award semifinalist cook you dinner is on your bucket list, you're in for a treat. Chef Stephen Jones' regular menus at The Larder & The Delta run eight to 12 courses, at $110 or $185 per person, respectively. Arizona Restaurant Week offers a streamlined version that brings all the creativity and fine-dining finesse but with a more approachable tab.
You could start with an asparagus salad with pickled fennel, candied bacon, charred green garlic and truffle aioli. But if you’re seeking one of Jones’ signature dishes, the Hoppin John with Carolina gold rice, Sea Island field peas, onions, celery and bell peppers is the way to go.
For the main course, choose between Ora King salmon served with crayfish, English peas, country ham and new potatoes; or Iberico pork skirt steak joined by a summer farro verde salad and zhug for freshness and a touch of heat. For the finale, Captain Crunch ice cream brings nostalgia as the side to citrus pound cake finished with a ginger crème Anglaise.
