Restaurants in Phoenix
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Mandala Tearoom
An organic vegan cafe in cheerful minimalist surroundings, it serves up rockin' baked ziti, dozens of organic teas, and a weekend brunch with filling tofu scrambles. In addition to the creative international-inspired menu, treats include vegan truffles from Cosmic Cacao, herbal elixirs (around US$7) and free wi-fi.
reviewed
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Chelsea's Kitchen
Set in a converted mid-Century Modern home alongside a canal in Phoenix' quietly upscale Arcadia district. Get a platter of tacos or some ribs and you won't be disappointed; it's comfort food (yes, in the Southwest tacos are comfort food) gone gourmet.
reviewed
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MacAlpine's
The oldest diner in Phoenix serves basic salads and sandwiches, but it's the old-timey soda fountain that's the real attraction - nothing like a malted milk to chase those blues away.
reviewed
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Vincent on Camelback
You may never have heard of chef Vincent Guerithault, but in Phoenix he’s a household name. His secret? Ingenious French spins on Southwestern cuisine. Try such flavor-packed creations as corn ravioli with truffle oil or thyme-infused rack of lamb, and definitely leave room for a signature soufflé (try the one with Grand Marnier). For more casual gourmets, Vincent recently opened the Market Bistro behind the original restaurant. It’s especially buzzy on Saturday mornings from fall to spring when a tiny but immensely popular gourmet and farmers market takes over the parking lot.
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Cheuvront Restaurant & Wine Bar
It’s a sophisticated spot, but don’t worry if you can’t tell your pinot noir from your pinot grigio. Each dish, including such menu stars as red-wine-smothered short ribs and orange-glazed salmon, comes with its own wine recommendation. Or just pair an entire flight of wines with a sampling of exquisite cheeses and pâtés. Ken Cheuvront, Arizona’s first openly gay politician (currently a state senator), owns the place.
reviewed
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Asia de Cuba
At this fusion of Cuban heat, Asian spice and the preeningly hip Mondrian Scottsdale hotel scene, you'll be licking your lips, gyrating those salsa-loving hips and puzzling about how they keep that white dining room so damn clean. Loaded with plates meant to be shared, the fun fusion menu includes dishes such as miso-glazed butterfish and Cuban-spiced chicken with Thai coconut sticky rice.
reviewed
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Barrio Café
Barrio’s T-shirts are emblazoned with ‘comida chingona, ’ which translates as ‘f…ing good food.’ Crude, maybe. To the point, definitely. Barrio makes Mexican food at its most creative; how many menus featuring guacamole spiked with pomegranate seeds or goat-milk-caramel-filled churros (stick-shaped doughnuts) have you seen?
reviewed
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Delux
The mirrored walls, communal table and unisex bathrooms may scream ‘trendy, ’ but deep down this is just a postmodern patty-and-bun joint. The panini and salads are also good, but we’re partial to the two-fisted Delux Burger made with Niman Ranch beef and piled high with Gruyère and blue cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onion and arugula.
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Lisa G Café Wine Bar
Lisa Giungo wanted to have her own restaurant since she was little, and when she opened her café, she hung her childhood portraits on the walls. It adds a fun touch to this sleek and contemporary space serving primarily salads and sandwiches. Even quirkier is the name of her meatball extravaganza - 'Lisa's Bowl of Balls.'
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Cibo
The wooden floors creak in this restored 1913 house and the exposed-brick interiors seem to ooze history. The chef hails from just outside Naples, and his gourmet pizzas - with two sauce options, rosse and bianche - fire over a wood oven. The Italian wine selection is broad and the patio seating delightful.
reviewed
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Landmark
If you worship at the culinary altar of steaks and prime rib, you’ll want to make the pilgrimage to this converted 1908 Mormon church that’s been a family-owned local mainstay for decades. Lighter eaters, meanwhile, have an entire ‘Salad Room’ with over 100 items to graze on ($14).
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Los Dos Molinos
Near the foot of South Mountain in a Spanish Mission-style house, this is the mecca of New Mexican cuisine in Phoenix. The menu sticks to the basics - tacos, enchiladas, fajitas - with plenty of green chili. There's also a location downtown (1010 E Washington St; same menu and hours).
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Kai
One of the most highly rated restaurants in Arizona, where simple ingredients from mainly Native American farms and ranches are turned into something extraordinary. The grilled buffalo from the Cheyenne River tribe is a must-try. The restaurant closes for one month from early August.
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Matt’s Big Breakfast
Lines are usually out the door at this honest-to-goodness greasy spoon souped up with orange retro tables and swingin’ classic chairs. The name is the game here. The hungry-man breakfast –omelettes to waffles to griddlecakes – could well last you through supper.
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Havana Café
The fragrant black bean soup, juicy roast pork sandwich and aromatic pollo cubano (Cuban chicken) are all testament to the authenticity of this colorful and contemporary Cuban kitchen that also makes a mean minty mojito. Grazers can pick from a couple of dozen small plates.
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Bourbon Steak
Along came celebrity chef Michael Mina to raise the culinary bar in Scottsdale even further with the 2008 opening of this aptly named steak and bourbon joint. The meat is prepared in more delicious ways than an avid carnivore stuck on a meat-free deserted island could ever dream of.
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Digestif
A blend of Italian and California cuisine in the happening Southbridge area of Scottsdale - think freshly made ravioli stuffed with farm-fresh pureed pumpkin. Grab a porch seat to people-watch and be sure to check out the listening booth stocked with local bands, near the restroom.
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Fry Bread House
The Native American treat known as an elephant ear or Navajo taco is a flat piece of fried dough topped with meat, beans and veggies, or, for dessert, smeared with honey. This small place gets packed to the gills with nearby office workers at lunchtime, so try to avoid the rush.
reviewed
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Arcadia Farms Café
One of the nicest museum cafés for our money, the Arcadia at the Phoenix Art Museum uses only seasonal organic ingredients for its light yet satisfying lunches. Palate pleasers include any of the gourmet sandwiches, the creative crepes or the crispy crab cakes.
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Durant's
If the vibe of the red leather dining room is more Rat Pack Vegas than downtown Phoenix, that's because the original owner was friends with mobsters who made their fame and fortune in the Nevada gambling mecca. The martinis and steaks here are heaven.
reviewed
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Pane Bianco
A café from the Pizzeria Bianco group, here you taste the same goodness being served at the flagship location for a fraction of the price. Savor the flavor with a salad or sandwich, or just nibble on pastries while sipping java.
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Mary Elaine
's Posh and very elegant, this restaurant inside the Phoenician Resort has a well-deserved stellar reputation for delicious and creative modern-French cuisine. New tasting menus appear every season. Jackets are recommended for men.
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5 & Diner
A visit here really is lots of fun, featuring inexpensive food, friendly service and a 1950s setting. The menu is the predictable pre-nouvelle American cuisine - burgers, fries, tuna melts, shakes, etc.
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Caffe Boa
Caffe Boa was serving bistro-style food with fresh ingredients long before that became the hip thing to do; the wine menu and jazz nights cement its status as an oasis of cool on Tempe's Mill Ave.
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Downtown Phoenix Public Market
It's hard to beat this farmers market for quality and price. Specialty gourmet foods and local bands are just one more reason to stop by. Market happens rain or shine.
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