(Scottsdale, AZ Restaurant Recommendations are in a separate post)
I only post exceptionally positive dining-out experiences here...no negative reviews.
BREAKFAST
Matt's Big Breakfast
downtown
Hearty and SO yummy!
LaGrande Orange
40th/Camelback area
All the breakfast choicesare phenomenal...delicious!
Lux Coffee Central
Central
We love this hip and fun spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert/drinks. The food is amazing, fresh and homemade. Vibe is "alternative-not-just-80's", upbeat & fun.
LUNCH
Blanco
downtown
We love the nachos and bowls, and this is super convenient if you're going to the Phoenix Convention Center.
Gallo Blanco
downtown
amazing tacos!
Pizzeria Bianco
downtown
Click hre to go to restaurant website (no reservations)
phenomenal pizza...see on Netflix's Chef's Table, Pizza season
Welcome Diner
downtown
Click hre to go to restaurant website (no reservations)
super casual, retro, amazing food!
DINNER
(The) Arrogant Butcher
downtown
We've dined here on multiple occasions,beforegoing to Suns games. It's right across the street,so super convenient. And there's ap arking garage directlybeneath the restaurant. The atmosphere and service are wonderful, and everything we've ordered has been super yummy!
Barrio Cafe
Central Phoenix
September 2022
Barrio Cafe has a friendly, upbeat and down-to-earth vibe. It's a great spotfor a casual delicious lunch or dinner with friends. Phenomenal service. I ordered the mole enchiladas with Tojo sauce. The time and building of flavors that went into the dish are evident. Smoky, rich, decadent. A hardy, satisfying meal that transports you to grandma’s kitchen tucked into the hills of Mexico. Beautiful dish as well. Thank you, #chefsilvanasalcido and well done!
Buck & Rider,
central phoenix, camelback
September 2022
Hamachi Crudo - Charmed a smile out of me at first bite. Delightfully fresh and light with just enough Thai chili spice. Along with a briny Alaskan Buck & Rider oyster from the raw bar, this was a delicious lunch that wasn’t overly filling. I resisted ordering a salad to balance out my lunch, in order to save “room” for a big bowl of greens later in the day. Thank you, chef…and well done!
Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails
downtown
February 28, 2018 (dined here every year on 2/28...from 2014-2018)
Delicious and a wonderful pre-Suns game (a block away) dining experience. The food is beautiful and delicious. Nice date spot, and our go-to for our anniversary,many years in a row!
Chico Malo
downtown
click here for restaurant website
We've dined here on multiple occasions, but mainly in groups for birthdays or work dinners. There's a fun and fairly casual vibe and everything we've ordered, from margaritas to the mexican appetizers and entrees, have been delicious! Note: After dinner, you may want to head upstairs to Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen. It's located directly above Chico Mayo. We've really enjoyed the live music, as well as the drinks and appetizers we've ordered. I'm not posting Copper Blues as a separate review only because we have not yet ordered entrees. This is a super fun spot to listen to some great live music!
Cibo
downtown
First time I dined here was in 2009, and the most recent, and appx. 5th time was in December 2022. The front patio is lovely, but inside is a welcoming atmosphere as well...very cozy and quaint. For a fun and fairly casual evening out, you can't go wrong with any o f the pizzas or appetizers. Everything is delicious!
(The) Dressing Room
downtown
various dates 2018-2019
Unfortunatel they closed during Covid and have not yet re-opened. I'm keeping this here though,because there is ruor that they WILL re-open. This is a great small spot with excellent food at a reasonable price. Downtown...great choice of dining location before a Suns game...you can take a (long) walk to the game afterward!
(The) Farish House
downtown
December 2021
The restaurant is located in a quaint historic older home in downtown Phoenix. Cozy, quaint, and absolutely excellent food. There's also live music on specific nights. This is a perfect spot for a special date night, with either your partner or parent. Loved it!
Flint by Baltaire
south phoenix
January 14, 2023
The warmth and playful touches of color carries through from the restaurant design to its wood-fire inspired menu. Most of the items we ordered contained that distinctive deep flavor of food cooked over a real fire. The food served on portable table-top habachi grills, glimpses of the Santa Maria grill in the exposed kitchen, and the combination of a lively bar and relaxed dining room, are some of the elements that sets Flint apart. I had tastes of the oysters, caesar salad, fries, and fried chicken...and every bite made me want another. My own entree was the pork chop and it had a flavorful crunchy exterior, and super tender and juicy interior. I'm already thinking about when I might be able to return!
Quiessence, at South Mountain Farm
south phoenix
June 2018
After celebrating my 50th in NYC in June 2017 at the River Cafe, the following year was a close runner up for best birthday meal ever. Located at The Farm, South Mountain, the multi-coursed meal was phenomenal. I can't wait to go back, maybe in the fall or spring, when we can sit outdoors and take in the charming setting. We sat todard the back of the restaurant, and the view above was from our table-side window. Each course of our meal was creative and absolutely mouth-watering delicious!
Tratto
downtown
September 20, 2022
Chris Bianco serves up some fabulous Italian entrees and appetizers in a renovated historic Phoenix building. The dining room is semi-casual and chic, and wide open. It's a great place for group dining at the front, but if you're headed out for a romantic dinner for two, you may want to request a table at the back, where the atmosphere is more intimate and cozy.
Vogue Bistro
Surprise, AZ (West Valley)
September 16, 2023
This gem of a place has always been packed, both inside and outside, when I have dined here. The charm of the place and quality of food and service makes up for the location in a strip mall, which may initially not sound enticing. Every part of the restaurant is welcoming, and the menu is excellent.
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