The Arcadia Burger at The Stand
3538 E. Indian School Road The Stand is nothing new, and it's often easy to overlook spots that have been staples in the Valley for years. But let this be your reminder. The next time you're in the neighborhood, stop by this tried and true burger spot for some melty, cheesy, satisfying goodness. Our order always includes a milkshake blended with banana and salted dulce de leche, and a side of fries. On a recent visit, we got The Arcadia burger, which comes with two patties of medium thickness, somewhere between a smashburger and a thick restaurant-style patty, plus cheese, grilled onions, fresh guacamole, lettuce, tomato, pickles and Stand sauce. It's a big, hearty, juicy mess of a burger that will leave you stuffed and planning your next visit at the same time. The biggest challenge? Eating one of these suckers in the car. The Stand is drive-thru only. 
Thai Tea soft serve at Onyx Ice Cream
5813 N. Seventh St., #102 Soft serve is often reserved for fast food spots and fairs. But Onyx Ice Cream set out to change that. This new uptown Phoenix shop asks why can't soft, swirly ice cream be just as gourmet and delicious as its fully frozen counterparts? And with its snazzy shop and weekly rotating flavors, Onyx proves it's up to the task. Expect bright colors here, from the murals painted on the walls to the ice creams themselves. The bright purple ube, almost neon matcha and hot pink saguaro frequently make appearances on the menu. One of the more subtly colored, but equally flavorful options is the Thai Tea. The soft, yellow hue hints at the creamy, sweet, earthy flavors of this tea-based treat. Pair it with the store's signature black cone and a rim of toasted marshmallow for what we're willing to bet is the most decadent soft serve you've ever tried. 
Shrimp a la Plancha is reminescent of New Orleans-style barbecued shrimp - buttery, bold and a little spicy.
Sara Crocker
Shrimp a la Plancha at Warren’s Supper Club
1040 N. 54th St., Chandler These sweet, briny shrimp from Chandler’s newest luxe steakhouse are served head-on and bathed in a barbecue sauce. But it isn’t the thick smokehouse staple you may be expecting. At Warren’s Supper Club, whose menu was designed by rising celebrity chef and pitmaster Erica Barrett, the sauce is reminiscent of the New Orleans style – thinner, buttery, bold and a little spicy. The shrimp are served with garlicky toast points that perfectly soak up that decadent sauce. Enjoy this delicious dish as live jazz fills the room.
Kheema Dosa at Indibar
6208 N. Scottsdale Road, Paradise ValleyIndibar, Paradise Valley’s hot new Indian-inspired restaurant, is putting out seriously tasty, fun food in a gorgeous resort-like dining room. Located in the Lincoln Village Shops, just southwest of Lincoln Drive and Scottsdale Road, Indibar offers whimsical cocktails and a food menu built for sharing, spanning classic to innovative takes on Indian cuisine. Anything from our recent visit could have been a contender for this list, but the Kheema Dosa stood out for its bold flavors and crisp-yet-tender crepe. That massive pancake arrived on a platter, tightly rolled and placed next to bowls of richly spiced ground lamb and thakkali thokku, a roasty, sweet-and-spicy tomato condiment. This is a hands-on starter. Rip off a bit of crepe, top it with a bit of the tender lamb and thakkali thokku and dig in. It's a great preview of the meal to come and shows off how Indibar applies precision and care to every dish.
Dessert at a recent pop-up by Mas Amable and chef Devan Cunningham was a rosé-poached peach with taleggio ice cream and sweet croutons.
Sara Crocker
