Phoenix Restaurants

Whether your taste is for festive Mexican food in Phoenix served to you in the area south of Buckeye Road with it's great family style restaurants, a quick lunch dining near Hance Park or in a downtown Phoenix hotel, a business lucheon in one of the many Downtown Phoenix restaurants, or even a hot dog at the Phoenix Zoo .. you'll find restaurant menu variety for any taste!

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Whether your taste is for festive Mexican food served to you at one of the best Phoenix Mission restaurants, a quick lunch dining near the convention center or in a Phoenix hotel, or even a hot dog at the Mustards Last Stand .. you'll find restaurant menu variety for any taste!

WALLY'S AMERICAN PUB 'N GRILLE (under $25) 5029 N. 44TH ST. Phoenix, AZ
602-954-2040   Great neighborhood Gastropub with fabulous food.

MacAlpine's Restaurant and Soda Fountain (under $10) 2303 N 7th Street and Oak (just north of McDowell) . Phoenix, AZ
(602) 262-5545   Phoenix's best kept secret, MacAlpine's Restaurant and Soda Fountain, will be celebrating 70 years in 2007. This timeless treasure is located just north of downtown Phoenix. MacAlpine's serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Entrees include delicious sandwiches, gigantic burgers and gourmet salads. MacAlpine's offers 60+ choices of soda. The House ice cream specialty is the dreamsicle ice cream soda. Enjoy a shake or malt made on a 1930's Hamilton Beach mixer. After eating, take some time to browse in the antique and retro store located next door to MacAlpine's View Map

Durant's Fine Foods (under $25) 2611 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ
(602) 264-5967   Durant's is a fine dining steakhouse in central Phoenix. View Map

Convivo Bistro ($15 and under) 7000 N.16th St., Phoenix, AZ
(602) 997-7676   Contemporary american cuisine with an international influence such as Southwest onion soup,bistro caesar salad a l'orange,sea scallops red Thai curry sauce, Grilled Hawaiian Walu plum vinaigrette, lamb ragu fettuccine pasta,1st rate dessert, offering tasting menus ,cozy and intimate ambiance dining room, international wine list. View Map

Zest Spirited Dining ($15 and under) 4117 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ (602) 274-7442   A funky neighborhood spot, with a cool vibe and cool fare. Start with eggplant cheesecake and move on to the killer entree, panko-breaded pork chop View Map

Simple Chef Cafe ($10 and under) 2910 N Hayden Rd Scottsdale, AZ 75254 480-941-7200 Fax: 480-941-7201   South Scottsdale neighborhood restaurant owned by Chef Eric Guerin, a local fine dining veteran transplanted to the Scottsdale culinary scene from New York. The Simple Chef Cafe menu includes fresh, simple foods made with fresh, simple ingredients. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday thru Saturday, and Chef Guerin also caters local events. View Map

Quiznos ($10 and under) 102 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85004 480-777-0300   Quiznos stands above the ordinary sub sandwich restaurant because the Quiznos sub is toasted on special, proprietary breads. These artisan breads are made from the finest quality ingredients and are carefully designed not only to add extraordinary flavor to the sandwich, but to make the perfect recipe for toasting. But Quiznos great taste doesn't come only from its special breads. the same quality ingredients go into signature sauces, such as Quiznos classic Red Wine Vinaigrette, Honey-Bourbon Mustard and Roasted Bell Pepper Sauces. View Map

Korean BBQ ($10 and under) 2711 S. Alma School Road. Suite 14 Mesa, AZ 85210 480-777-0300   THE TABLE TOP GRILLS ARE FIRED UP IN MESA Korean BBQ announces it's grand opening of the finest Korean restaurant in the Phoenix Metro area. This unique and authentic Korean restaurant serves an array of marinated meat entrees ready for you to broil to your taste on built in table top grills or, if your not in the mood to "cook", have the chef prepare your entree for you. Included with each meal is an ever changing assortment of Korean style salads and side dishes and, of course, all the rice you can eat. Beyond the barbecue there are Korean soups, stews, rice dishes and special recipes prepared by the cook daily. Korean BBQ also offers a full service bar, private karaoke rooms and free wireless internet access. View Map

Big City BBQ & Grill ($10 and under) 1425 S Alma School Rd #105 Mesa, AZ 85210 480-844-1010 fax: 480- 844-1919   Big City's BBQ & Grill features soul food, barbecue, and grilled meats prepared by Executive Chef, Rasshad Brown. The menu includes Arizona's largest selection of grilled and barbequed meats plus traditional side dishes from the old South. All barbecue selections are delightfully spiced and rubbed for up to 48 hours, then smoked for up to 12 hours. View Map

Pie in the Sky ($20 - $30) 7609 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 480/419-4021 Artisan pies and pastries. Sweet and Savory pie selections, coffees, chicken pot pies, morning pies and fresh juices. Gourmet Daily Selections. North Scottsdale Location. Gift Deliveries. --A Slice of Heaven!-- View Map

Rawsome! Café($10 and under) 234 W. University Drive Tempe, AZ 480-496-5959 Rawsome! Café features restaurant-style living, organic, vegan meals served with love on Monday through Friday evenings at Gentle Strength Health Food Cooperative in Tempe from 4:00 to 8:00p.m and 4:00 (9:00pm on Fridays). Workshops, retreats, private instruction, consultations, information, kitchen appliances, books, etc. are also available. View Map

Quiznos ($10 and under) 2828 W Thunderbird Rd Phoenix, AZ 602-938-2033 Quiznos stands above the ordinary sub sandwich restaurant because the Quiznos sub is toasted on special, proprietary breads. These artisan breads are made from the finest quality ingredients and are carefully designed not only to add extraordinary flavor to the sandwich, but to make the perfect recipe for toasting. But Quiznos great taste doesn't come only from its special breads. the same quality ingredients go into signature sauces, such as Quiznos classic Red Wine Vinaigrette, Honey-Bourbon Mustard and Roasted Bell Pepper Sauces. View Map

Acacia ($20 - $30) 10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr. Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North Scottsdale, AZ 85262-8342 480/515-5700 The menu includes a grill section, from which you choose your protein (Guaymas shrimp, salmon, steak), sauce, and vegetable side dish. The cold seafood platter for two is a wonderful starter. An elaborate champagne brunch with live piano music on Sunday is a recent addition. View Map

Acqua E Sale ($10 - $20) 4225 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018-8309 602/952-1522 This popular restaurant serves consistently good Italian food. In particular, the veal dishes -- like scalopini with white truffle and porcini mushroom sauce -- are wonderful. The kitchen also does a good job with sea bass. Appetizers include all the dishes that have come to be favorites of Americans: fried calamari, duck prosciutto, and buffalo milk mozzarella and tomato salad. View Map

Al Amir ($10 - $20) 8989 E. Via Linda Scottsdale, AZ 85258-5406 480/661-1137 Along with traditional appetizer favorites such as baba ghanouj, hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh, this spot serves ma'anek, juicy Lebanese sausages zinged with cloves, and safiha, canape-size pockets of dough stuffed with ground lamb. Most of the main courses are kabobs, but it pays to explore the less familiar ones. The kebbe bil sanyeh is sensational with layers of heavily seasoned ground beef baked with bulgur wheat and pine nuts. Don't leave without ordering knafeh, a warm cheese pastry smothered in syrup. View Map

Altos ($10 - $30) 5029 N. 44th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018-1622 602/808-0890 This spot attracts sophisticated locals who bask in the scents of Iberia -- garlic, sherry, olive oil, and saffron. Calamari de Pedro (tender squid dipped in a saffron batter and sizzled in olive oil) is a good appetizer for sharing. Main dishes include the filet pelon, a buttery filet mignon topped with cabrales, a creamy Spanish blue cheese. Lomo en adobo -- pork loin smothered in a chili, sesame seed, sugar, and peanut sauce -- is reminiscent of mole dishes. The sugar-glazed chocolate espresso crème brûlee is deservedly popular. View Map

Bandera ($10 - $20) 3821 N. Scottsdale Rd. 480/994-3524 If you're looking for a quick, tasty dinner before a night out on the town, try this casual, high-volume spot. The weekly menu includes wonderfully moist and meaty rotisserie chicken; you'll see the birds spinning in the big window before you even walk through the door. If you're not a poultry fan, salads, fresh fish, prime rib, and meat loaf usually make it on the menu. View Map

Bistro 24 ($10 - $20) 2401 E. Camelback Rd. Ritz-Carlton Hotel Phoenix, AZ 85016-4201 602/468-0700 Smart and stylish, Bistro 24 beckons diners with its parquet floor, colorful murals, and snazzy bar. Stop here for a break from shopping and enjoy a healthful feast: the cobb salad is the biggest in town. For dinner, the main dishes tilt toward seafood. Grilled salmon, bouillabaisse, and crispy-skin whitefish are deftly done, as is the steak au poivre, served with French-style frites. Finish up with a souffle of tart Tatin and rich French-press coffee. Sunday brunch is outstanding. View Map

Bloom ($20 - $30) 8877 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253-2331 480/922-5666 Signature dishes include a warm Maine lobster salad with creamy artichoke sauce and grilled ahi served with sesame ponzu sauce and baby bok choy. Seasonal specials include mushroom ravioli with leek confit and pan-roasted halibut with roasted root vegetables. The interior is spare and calming, despite the perpetual buzz of people. View Map

Blue Burrito Grille ($10 and below ) 3118 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016-4502 Phone: 602/955-9596 "Healthful Mexican food" used to be an oxymoron, but not anymore. Here you can find... View Map

Cafe Blue ($10 - $30) 4175 N. Goldwater Blvd. Downtown Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3822 480/946-6555 This restaurant is cool, both visually and culinarily. The minimalist decor is principally white with blue neon lighting, while the food is Mediterranean fusion. Specialties include toasted ravioli with drawn butter and a broiled lobster kabob. Desserts, including the homemade cheesecake, are more traditionally American. View Map

Carolina's ($10 and below ) 1202 E. Mohave St. Phoenix, AZ 85034-5238 (602) 252-1503 People visiting from Phoenix wait in long lines to take Carolina's homemade tortillas... View Map

Christopher & Paola's Fermier Brasserie ($10 - $30) 2584 E. Camelback Rd. Biltmore Fashion Park Phoenix, AZ 85016-9232 602/522-2344 Even though this Phoenix restaurant no longer produces its own beer, the menu remains in the brasserie tradition. Salad with goat cheese, leek tart, steak au poivre, and bouillabaisse are comfort foods of the highest order. The lobster bisque is a decadent splurge. Christopher and Paola Gross have made this spot one of the most welcoming in town. Paola is the wine director, and her list reflects her interest in "ABC" wines (anything but chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon). View Map

Chompie's Deli ($10 and below ) 3202 E. Greenway Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85032-4548 602/971-8010 Run by Brooklyn refugees, this bustling deli with several Valley locations -- of which this is the best -- brings a bite of the Big Apple to Phoenix with its smoked fish, blintzes, homemade cream cheeses, and herring in cream sauce. The outstanding bagels will remind New York expats of home -- about 20 varieties are baked fresh daily. There's also a top-notch bakery on the premises, with rugalach, pies, and coffee cake. Bring a newspaper, or schmooze with your pals. Sometimes you have to stop and smell the bagels. View Map

Convivo ($20 - $30) 7000 N. 16th St. Phoenix, AZ 85020-5547 Phone: 602/997-7676 A surprisingly elegant restaurant in a strip mall, Convivo is a consistent local favorite, quite a feat in a town where new restaurants seem to open weekly. Signature dishes include a lobster tamale and a steak marinated in soy sauce and molasses. The wine list is small but well chosen and reasonable priced. View Map

Coup Des Tartes ($10 - $30) 4626 N. 16th St. Phoenix, AZ 85016-5109 602/212-1082 This casual, wonderfully homey BYOB spot -- it used to be an antiques store -- serves deftly crafted Mediterranean-accented fare. Start off with a charcuterie platter, and move on to such delightful main courses as fennel-tinged sea bass, ginger-spiked pork tenderloin, and the house specialty, braised lamb shank with couscous. The chef-proprietor trained as a pastry chef, and her signature dessert tarts show she's been well taught. The banana-brûlee tart is especially marvelous. View Map

Coronado Cafe ($10 - $20) 2201 N. 7th St. 602/258-5149 You might miss this hidden treasure if it weren't for the lines of customers waiting outside at lunchtime. This charming 1950s residence in the heart of Phoenix has merely 30 seats and immediate parking for three vehicles, but you'll be happy you stopped by for homemade favorites such as chicken corn chowder (with huge chunks of potato) or a chicken Caesar sandwich you'll need a fork to eat View Map

Cowboy Ciao ($10 - $30) 7133 E. Stetson Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3229 480/946-3111 Looking for a culinary kick? This kitchen weds southwestern fare and Italian flair, and it's no shotgun wedding, either. Main dishes, such as the Chianti-marinated filet mignon, fennel-seasoned meat loaf, and wild mushrooms in an ancho chili cream sauce heaped over polenta, are creative without going off the deep end. The chocolate lottery -- complete with an actual lottery ticket -- is a dessert hoot. You can also order one of several affordable flights of wine, which will give you a different glass with each course. View Map

Christo's Ristorante ($10 - $20) 6327 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85014-1551 602/264-1784 Small and unassuming in a Phoenix strip mall, Christo's keeps its tables filled with loyal customers for both lunch and dinner. Attentive servers ensure that your water glass never empties and that bread doesn't have enough time to cool. Entrees come with delicious soup and salad -- a meal in their own right -- and the flavorful wine sauces will make you wish for a recipe. For dessert, the light tiramisu truly melts in your mouth. View Map

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Don & Charlie's ($20 - $30) 7501 E. Camelback Rd. Camelback Corridor Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3510 480/990-0900 A favorite with major-leaguers in town for spring training, this venerable chophouse specializes in prime-grade steak and baseball memorabilia -- the walls are covered with pictures, autographs, and uniforms. The New York sirloin, prime rib, and double-thick lamb chops are a hit; sides include au gratin potatoes and creamed spinach. Serious carnivores will not strike out here. View Map

Eddie Matney's ($20 - $30) 2398 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016-9001 602/957-3214 One of Phoenix's star chefs, Eddie Matney perennially delights diners with signature dishes that are, at turns, playful and homey. The traditional end of the spectrum includes a decadent lobster bisque, a tomato and mozzarella salad, and meat loaf with mushroom gravy. More creative are the spaghettini egg rolls, fried shrimp stuffed with mashed potatoes, and a shellfish potpie. The chocolate pecan tart with caramel bourbon sauce is a dessert masterpiece. View Map

El Bravo ($10 and below ) 8338 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85020-3441 602/943-9753 The only attempt at decor here consists of the collage of bad checks posted by the "Order Here" window. But cognoscenti of Mexican food won't care about the decorating lapses; they come for the town's best Sonoran fare. Burritos are edible works of art, such as the machaca (shredded beef) burrito. Enchiladas, chimichangas, and tacos are just as thrilling. If you've got a taste for chili zest, try the red beef popover -- it will leave your tongue tingling. Even the sweets are outstanding. Go for the chocolate chimichanga -- it's like a creamy Mexican s'more. View Map

Eliana's Restaurant ($10 and below ) 1627 N. 24th St. Phoenix, AZ 85008-3503 602/225-2925 This simple, family-run gem serves budget-priced, skillfully prepared El Salvadoran specialties. You can make a meal of the appetizers: pupusas (corn patties stuffed with pork, peppers, and cheese); pasteles (meat turnovers); and tamales (filled with chicken and vegetables). Main dishes will wipe out hunger pangs for about the price of a movie ticket. There's pollo encebollado (fried chicken with rice and beans) and mojarra frita, a whole fried tilapia, farm-raised in Arizona. You can wash your meal down with refreshing homemade fruit drinks. View Map

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Garduño's Margarita Factory ($10 - $30) 8787 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. A-102, Scottsdale, Arizona 85253 480/607-9222 VOTED BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT by the New Times Peoples' Choice 2002! VOTED BEST MARGARITA by the New Times Peoples' Choice 2002! VOTED BEST TEQUILA SELECTION by the New Times Peoples' Choice 2002! VOTED BEST MARGARITA STOP IN THE VALLEY by Valley Guide, 2002 - Concierge's choice! VOTED BEST MARGARITA IN THE VALLEY 2002! - Tribune! VOTED BEST RESTAURANT IN THE VALLEY 2001! - People's Choice Awards! VOTED BEST SALSA 2001! - Peoples's Choice Awards! View Map

Greekfest ($10 - $30) 1940 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016-4129 602/265-2990 This pretty place with whitewashed walls feels like an island taverna and brings the flavors of the Aegean to life. Among the appetizers, look for taramasalata (mullet roe blended with lemon and olive oil) and saganaki (kefalograviera cheese flamed with brandy and extinguished with a squirt of lemon). Entrees, many featuring lamb and shrimp, are equally hard-hitting. Try exohiko (chunks of lamb mixed with eggplant, peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms). For dessert, the galaktoboureko (warm custard pie baked in phyllo dough and scented with cloves and honey) is a triumph of Western civilization. View Map

Gregory's Grill ($10 - $30) 7049 E. McDowell Rd. Papago Plaza Shopping Center Scottsdale, AZ 85257-3313 480/946-8700 This charming bistro is tiny, with seating for maybe 40. The menu is equally small, but outstanding. Look for appetizers such as duck prosciutto, salmon ceviche, and a lovely tower fashioned from veggies and goat cheese. Entrees include beer-marinated beef tenderloin, apple-crusted salmon, and grilled pork chops with quinoa risotto. View Map

Gourmet House of Hong Kong ($10 - $20) 1438 E. McDowell Rd. Downtown Phoenix, AZ 85006-2937 602/253-4859 This popular Chinese restaurant draws customers who are interested in such genuine Chinatown specialties as chow fun (thick rice noodles). Try the assorted meat version, topped with chicken, shrimp, pork, and squid. Lobster with black bean sauce may be the world's messiest platter, but it's also one of the tastiest. Don't wear anything that needs to be dry-cleaned. Along with an extensive seafood list, such adventurous delights as five-flavor frogs' legs, duck feet with greens, and beef tripe casserole are offered View Map

Golden Swan ($30 and above ) 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd. 480/991-3388 This desert oasis is a great place for a leisurely Sunday champagne brunch. Sit outside under umbrellas or in a covered pavilion that juts into a koi-filled lagoon ringed by palms and hibiscus. The brunch concept here is unique: everything except dessert is laid out buffet-style in the kitchen under the watchful eyes of toque-clad chefs. Try the veal tortellini in lobster sauce, giant prawns, or filet mignon. View Map

Havana Patio Cafe ($10 -$30) 6245 E. Bell Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254-6403 480/991-1496 Appetizers are marvelous at this Latin-fusion restaurant, particularly the shrimp pancakes, potato croquettes, and Cuban tamale. The best main courses are the ropa vieja, shredded braised beef served with moros y cristianos, Cuban black beans and rice; pollo Cubano, chicken breast marinated in lime, orange, and garlic; and mariscos con salsa verde, shellfish simmered in a traditional green sauce. Vegetarians will adore the causa azulada, a Peruvian platter featuring a blue mashed-potato cake layered with carrot and served on Swiss chard. View Map

Harris' Restaurant ($30 and above ) 3101 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016-4501 602/502-8888 This upscale steak house serves only prime beef aged on the premises for 21 days. The elegant supper-club interior evokes the original Phoenix restaurant. Start with Harris' famous martini, and then move on to the extensive wine list. All the steak cuts are marvelous, but the fresh fish is exquisite, too. Servers are gracious and attentive. View Map

Honey Bear's BBQ ($10 and below ) 5012 E. Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85008-7007 602/273-9148 Honey Bear's motto -- "You don't need no teeth to eat our meat" -- may fall short on grammar, but this place isn't packed with folks looking to improve their language skills. If you've got barbecue fever, the meaty pork ribs are the cure. This is Tennessee-style barbecue, which means smoky baby backs basted in thick, zippy, slightly sweet sauce with a wonderful orange tang. The sausage-enhanced "cowbro" beans and scallion-studded potato salad are great sides. If a slab of ribs still leaves you hungry, finish up with the homemade sweet potato pie. View Map

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L'Ecole ($10 - $20) 8100 E. Camelback Rd. Scottsdale Culinary Institute Scottsdale, AZ 85251-2729 480/990-7639 You'll have no regrets putting yourself in the talented hands of the student chefs at the Valley's premier cooking academy. You get a three-course dinner for about $20, a real bargain. Look for such inventive appetizers as ginger soy gravlax and main dishes such as fillet Rossini. Because the students also pull server duty, you can count on being pampered, too. View Map

La Fontanella ($10 - $20) 4231 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018-5343 Phone: 602/955-1213 This outstanding neighborhood Italian restaurant is a winning combination of quality and value. The mom-and-pop proprietors deliver all the hard-hitting flavors of their native land. For a starter, consider suppli, a Roman specialty, rice croquettes filled with cheese, or escargots bubbling in garlic and butter. All the entrees are first rate. Lamb shank agrassato, braised in wine with raisins, pine nuts, and potatoes; osso buco, gilded with pancetta; seafood reale, shrimp and scallops in a sherry cream sauce; and the herb-crusted rack of lamb top the list. For dessert, Berto's homemade gelato puts an exclamation mark on dinner. View Map

La Hacienda ($20 - $30) 7575 E. Princess Dr. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort Scottsdale, AZ 85255-5802 The refined cuisine here is nothing like the run-from-the-border fare you find at... View Map

Leccabaffi Ristorante ($30 and above) 9719 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85258-1837 Phone: 480/609-0429 The temptation begins just inside the entrance, where an antipasto table groans with grilled and roasted vegetables. The stars here are the lusty northern Italian meat, fish, and poultry dishes. The costoletta alla Valdostana (a bone-in veal chop with a pocket of fontina cheese) is a triumph. The wine-soaked quail, filet mignon in a Gorgonzola sauce, and Roman-style semolina gnocchi also shine. Finish up with a glass of sweet vin santo, Tuscany's classic dessert wine, and a house-made biscotti -- life is good. View Map

Los Dos Molinos ($10 - $20) 8646 S. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85042-7605 602/243-9113 Is this the place that launched a thousand chips? You bet it is. This restaurant's menu focuses on New Mexican-style Mexican food. For the uninitiated, that means hot! -- you'll know after one bite. Legions of heat seekers practically worship the Hatch, New Mexico, chilies that form the backbone of the dishes here. Adobada ribs, a specialty, are marinated in red chilies and are fall-off-the-bone tender; the green chili enchilada and beef taco are potentially lethal. But there's flavor in this fire. View Map

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Malee's on Main ($10 - $20) 7131 E. Main St. Downtown Scottsdale, AZ 85251-4315 480/947-6042 This fashionable eatery serves up sophisticated, Thai-inspired fare. The recommended ahoi phannee is a medley of seafood in a bamboo-leaf bowl moistened with red curry sauce redolent of coconut, lime leaf, and Thai basil. The Thai barbecued chicken, grilled to a sizzle and coated with rum, is outstanding. Beware: take Malee's spices seriously -- even the "mild" dishes have a bite. View Map

Marquesa ($30 and above) 7575 E. Princess Dr. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort Scottsdale, AZ 85255-5802 480/585-4848 This gem of a restaurant pays homage to Catalonia, the region around Barcelona. Everything here is right on target, from the setting to the service. Appetizers are extraordinary, including anec d'Napoleon, phyllo dough pouches stuffed with a heady blend of duck, foie gras, and mushrooms; and pebrots del piquillo, crab and fontina cheese baked into sweet red peppers. Main dishes include monkfish-veal loin duo; a pan-roasted rack of lamb; and a first-class paella crammed with lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams, chicken, and chistora (a sharp Spanish sausage). For dessert, the Gran Torres cheesecake and flan are equally wonderful. View Map

Maria's When in Naples ($10 - $30) 7000 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254-5261 480/991-6887 In a town teeming with Italian restaurants, this is a standout. The antipasto spread laid out just inside the entrance is sure to grab your attention, and it tastes as good as it looks. The homemade pasta is another winner. Check out the salsiccia Pugliese (fettuccine topped with homemade sausage, leeks, porcini mushrooms, and white wine sauce) or the orecchiette Barese (ear-shape pasta tossed with cauliflower, pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and cheese). View Map

Mary Elaine's ($30 and above) 6000 E. Camelback Rd. The Phoenician, Camelback Corridor Scottsdale, AZ 85251-1949 480/941-8200 Swanky, formal, and austerely elegant, this is the Phoenician's showcase restaurant, with big picture windows commanding a sweeping view of the city. The French/Mediterranean menu leads with starters such as calamari and cuttlefish gazpacho and foie gras with caramelized kumquats, then reveals the chef's way with fish. Entrees include monkfish medallions in orange-burgundy sauce, turbot with fresh hearts of palm, and John Dory accented with fennel. A superb wine list enhances the meal, which might close with nougat glace with candied grapefruit and Tahitian vanilla sauce. View Map

Michael's at the Citadel ($10 - $30) 8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85255-3540 480/515-2575 One of best-looking restaurants in Phoenix (check out the brick-lined waterfall at the entrance), Michael's has contemporary American fare that is as simple and elegant as the golden-hued dining room. The entrees are the real stars here: pan-seared duck paired with foie gras and pearl couscous; sesame-crusted swordfish with green coconut curry; venison with a dried-cherry demiglace; grilled lamb with a goat-cheese potato tart. If you're celebrating a special occasion, Michael's is the spot. View Map

Miracle Mile Deli ($10 and below ) 9 Park Central Mall Downtown Phoenix, AZ 602/277-4783 If only cafeteria food were this good in elementary school. This Valley haunt has been a favorite of downtown workers for decades, and the brisket sandwich, piled high, is worth the wait at lunch. Servings are so hefty that table manners sometimes take a backseat. View Map

Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe ($10 and below ) 808 E. Jefferson St. 602/262-9256 This downtown lunch spot is open only until 5 PM on weekdays, but it's the best place in town for true southern cooking. The fried chicken is crispy and almost greaseless, and the peach cobbler is legendary. You'll also find catfish, black-eyed peas, and collard greens on the menu. View Map

Nonni's Kitchen ($10 - $30) 4410 N. 40th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018-4145 602/977-1800 You'll be served mesquite-grilled flatbread brushed with olive oil as you peruse the menu. The antipasti include organic produce from Victory Farms, and the chilled seafood salad will make you forget you're in the middle of the desert. Delicious main courses include "Nonni's Sunday Chicken," braised in white wine with herbs, onions, and mushrooms and served with fried polenta, and rigatoni with homey meat sauce. Don't miss the doughnuts for dessert. View Map

Original Pancake House ($10 and below ) 6840 E. Camelback Rd. 480/946-4902 This breakfast landmark does one thing -- pancakes -- and does it extremely well. These flapjacks inspire worship from local admirers who wait patiently for a table on weekends. Chief among the griddled glories is the signature apple pancake: homemade batter is poured over sauteed apples and partially baked. Then the concoction is flipped over, glazed with cinnamon sugar, and baked some more. It's creamy, sweet, bubbly… and huge. Other varieties, such as the German pancake, are also exceptional. View Map

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Pepe's Taco Villa ($10 and below ) 2108 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85015-3443 602/242-0379 The neighborhood's not fancy, and neither is this restaurant. But in a town filled with gringoized, south-of-the-border fare, this is the real deal. Tacos rancheros -- spicy, shredded pork pungently lathered with adobo paste -- are a dream. So are the green corn tamales, machacado (air-dried beef), and chiles rellenos. But don't leave here without trying the sensational mole, a rich, exotic sauce fashioned from chilies and chocolate. View Map

Pho Bang ($10 - $20) 1702 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85015-3347 602/433-9440 Pho Bang delivers top-notch Vietnamese fare such as catfish soup, an outstanding broth zipped up with lemon, pineapple, and fennel. Naturally there's pho, noodle soup laden with various cuts of beef. Splurge on the house specialty, shrimp and beef, and the server returns with three plates: one with transparently thin slices of marinated beef and raw shrimp; one with piles of mint, lettuce, cilantro, pickled leeks, cucumber, and carrot; and one with rice paper. You fire up the portable grill and cook the beef and shrimp. When they're done, combine with the veggies, roll in rice paper, and dip into the national condiment, fish sauce. View Map

Pizzeria Bianco ($10 - $20) 623 E. Adams St. Downtown Phoenix, AZ 85004-2334 602/258-8300 Bronx native Chris Bianco makes pizza good enough to inspire memories of Naples, even if you've never been there. The secret? A wood-fired brick oven and a passion for quality. Bianco's pizza crust is a work of art: not too bready, not too light, and just chewy enough to keep your jaws happy. Toppings include imported cheeses, homemade fennel sausage, wood-roasted cremini mushrooms, and the freshest herbs and spices. There are also antipasti and sandwiches on fresh-baked bread. The wine bar next door is a good place to wait for your table, as the restaurant doesn't take reservations. Reservations not accepted. MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch weekends. View Map

Rancho Pinot Grill ($20 - $30) 6208 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250-5414 480/367-8030 The attention to quality paid by the husband-and-wife proprietors here -- he manages, she cooks -- has made this one of the town's top eating spots. The inventive menu changes daily, depending on what's fresh. If you're lucky, you might come on a day when the kitchen has made posole, a mouthwatering broth with hominy, salt pork, and cabbage. Entrees include quail with soba noodles, rosemary-infused chicken with Italian sausage, and grilled sea bass atop basmati rice. View Map

Restaurant Hapa ($20 - $30) 6204 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250-5414 480/998-8220 Although the original sushi chef has left to open his own restaurant, the food here still excites with appetizers such as skillet-roasted mussels coated in a Thai-inspired broth, scented with lemongrass, mint, basil, ginger, and coconut, as well as the signature entree of beef tenderloin, lined with hot Chinese mustard and caramelized brown sugar. Desserts are just as inspired as the other courses: look for the skillet of Asian pears with a macadamia-nut crust and Saigon cinnamon ice cream, or the coconut crème brûlee tart. View Map

Restaurant Oceana ($20 - $30) 8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85255-3644 480/515-2277 When you're 400 mi from the nearest ocean, you can expect to pay for your seafood thrills, and you do here, but you get plenty of thrills for your money. Everything here was swimming in the sea 24 hours ago. The daily-changing menu may include scallops the size of hockey pucks, Casco Bay cod, Belon oysters from Washington, and mahimahi. Bing cherry shortcake with honey whipped cream, jasmine rice pudding with pineapple soup, and chocolate cake with a molten chocolate center are just three of the can't-miss desserts View Map

Roy's ($20 - $30) 7001 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253-3658 Phone: 480/905-1155 Roy Yamaguchi, one of the pioneers of Pacific Rim cooking, has restaurants scattered all over the globe. Look for inventive dishes such as steamed pork and crab buns with a spicy Maui onion black bean sauce; lemongrass tempura chicken breast; tiger prawns on a lobster Alfredo sauce; and nori-crusted ono with a hot-and-sour red pepper sauce. It's sophisticated food for sophisticated palates. View Map

San Carlos Bay Seafood Restaurant ($10 - $20) 1901 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85006-3054 602/340-0892 From the street, the restaurant doesn't look like much, but the best Mexican seafood in town is served inside. Start off with a seafood cocktail teeming with octopus or shrimp, in a riveting tomato-based liquid spiked with onions, cilantro, lime, and pepper. Among the main dishes, the Veracruz-style filleted snapper is coated with olives, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. The delicious, meaty crustaceans come soaked in a devilishly hot sauce. For seafood that doesn't make your nostrils flare, try the well-stocked "Seven Seas Stew." View Map

Shinbay ($10 - $20) 15410 S. Mountain Pkwy. Phoenix, AZ 85044-6691 602/704-1422 This small, serene spot is the perfect place to have a relaxing sushi meal, complete with flights of premium sake. The raw fish is the freshest in town, and the cooked dishes are also lovely. Three-course dinner specials change nightly. The bento box at lunch is a good value. View Map

Silver Dragon ($10 - $20) 8946 N. 19th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021-4207 Phone: 602/674-0151 This is one of the best Chinese restaurants in town -- if you know what you're doing. Non-Asian customers are routinely seated in a small room on the right and are handed a snoozy, one-from-column-A, one-from-column-B menu. Insist on sitting in the big room to the left, and ask for the Chinese menu (it has brief English descriptions). Your boldness will be rewarded with some of the best Hong Kong-style Chinese fare between the two coasts. "Crispy Hong Kong-Style Chicken" is a dream, a plump whole bird steamed, flash-fried, and hacked into bite-size pieces. The tender, juicy meat and crunchy skin are what yin and yang are all about. Hot-pot dishes, noodles, fish, and vegetarian dishes -- the "Buddhist Style Rolls" are riveting -- make it hard to eat Chinese food anyplace else in the Valley. View Map

Steamed Blues ($10 - $30) 4843 N. 8th Pl. Phoenix, AZ 85014-3609 480/966-2722 Crabs in the desert? No, it's not a mirage. This restaurant specializes in blue crabs that are still swimming when you order them. Prepare for the din of pounding mallets as diners attack their dinner -- you might think you're in the middle of the "Anvil Chorus" scene in Il Trovatore. If you prefer not to hammer your meal, there are soft-shell crabs, as well as crab cakes and steamed shrimp. The "Boardwalk" fries -- fresh-cut, seasoned, sizzling potatoes -- are a worthy accompaniment. View Map

Such Is Life ($10 - $30) 3602 N. 24th St. Phoenix, AZ 85016-6509 602/955-7822 No gringo touches here: authentic, Yucatán-inspired Mexican fare keeps the place packed. For starters, try the nopal polanco, a prickly-pear cactus pad topped with Chihuahua cheese and chorizo. The lusty, lemon-tinged chicken soup is also thick with poultry, avocado, and hard-boiled egg. Entrees include chicken mole and adobo pork, simmered in a fragrant ancho chili, sesame-orange sauce. If the kitchen has Gulf shrimp, get them grilled in garlic. Reservations essential. View Map

Sushi on Shea ($10 - $20) 7000 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254-5261 480/483-7799 You may be in the middle of the desert, but the sushi here will make you think you're at the ocean's edge. Yellowtail, toro, shrimp, scallops, freshwater eel, and even monkfish liver pâte are among the long list of delights here. Check out the nabemono (hot pot or meals-in-a-bowl) prepared at your table. The best dish? Maybe it's the una-ju (broiled freshwater eel with a sublime smoky scent), served over sweet rice. The fact that some people believe eel is an aphrodisiac only adds to its charm. View Map

Sylvia's La Canasta Mexican Restaurant ($10 - $30) 3824 West Indian School Road Phoenix, Arizona 602-269-2101 A Valley Tradition for Over 10 Years. Serving delicious, traditional Mexican cuisine amidst one of a kind, imported furniture and decorative accessories. View Map

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Taste of India ($10 - $20) 1609 E. Bell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85022-2898 602/788-3190 Bread is one of the tests of an Indian kitchen, and the models here -- bhatura,naan,paratha,poori -- are superb. Just about every spice in the rack is used for such dishes as lamb kashmiry and tandoori chicken. Vegetarians will enjoy this spot's wonderful meatless specialties, including benghan bhartha, fashioned from eggplant, or bhindi masala, a tempting okra dish. Indian desserts include fragrant ras malai, a Bengali treat of sweet milk and cheese, with bits of pistachio. Be prepared to guzzle extra water if your server says an item is spicy. View Map

Terrace Dining Room ($30 and above ) 6000 E. Camelback Rd. 480/423-2530 The most lavish (and expensive) Sunday brunch in town attention is paid every detail, from the wheel of costly Parmesan-Reggiano cheese to the fresh artichoke hearts in the salad. First, wander around the sushi section, the jumbo shrimp table, the homemade pastas, the pâtes, the crepes, the blintzes, and waffles. Then stroll to the main dishes: salmon and lamb chops are fired up on the grill, and filet mignon and pork tenderloin in port sauce are warmed in trays. Save room for such desserts as homemade ice cream, elegant chocolate truffles, or a pear-rhubarb tart. Champagne keeps the meal bubbling, so don't plan anything more strenuous than a nap for the afternoon. View Map

Thaifoon ($10 - $20) 8777 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253-2330 480/998-0011 This trendy restaurant serves Thai food for the meek at heart. Servers will gladly bring you a side of sambal to accompany any dish, but the focus here is on mild curries, stir-fries, and salads. Try the lemongrass chicken satay or the cool summer rolls to start; then move on to a fresh fish entree or the popular "drunken shrimp," flambeed tableside with citrus, sake, and rum. A combination of coconut and mango ice creams makes for a light dessert. View Map

The Grill at the TPC ($20 - $30) 7575 E. Princess Dr. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort Scottsdale, AZ 85255-5802 This is one clubhouse grill where everything is way over par, making it one of the... View Map

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Wright's ($20 - $30) 2400 E. Missouri Ave. Arizona Biltmore Phoenix, AZ 85016-3106 Named after the Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect who inspired the Arizona Biltmore... View Map

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