Phoenix - Dining & Drinking

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As late as the mid-80s, the Valley of the Sun was considered more a culinary wasteland than a capital of cuisine. Outside of a few upscale resort eateries, dining options for desert dwellers were mainly of the steak-and-potatoes variety.

In 1986, a revolutionary restaurant, Vincent Guerithault on Camelback, started an evolution in eating in Greater Phoenix. The work of local chefs, including the classic techniques of Vincent Guerithault, Eddie Matney's Middle Eastern signature dishes and Lenard Rubin's medley of Mediterranean and Arizona flavors at Medizona, have transformed the city into a unique dining haven.

Downtown Phoenix

Arizona Center, in downtown's Copper Square , offers everything from a fast food court to sports bars and clubs to more upscale offerings at Lombardi's and A League Of Our Own. For a pint of porter, pop into downtown's original Irish pub, Seamus McCaffrey's , at the Hotel San Carlos. Phoenix Suns fans—and sometimes players—often frequent Majerle's Sports Grill, opened by former Suns star Dan Majerle. Alice Cooper'stown is a mind blowing mix of rock 'n' roll revelry and sports bar, and features regular live concerts.

Camelback Corridor

Centered at 24th Street and Camelback, this could be called the culinary vortex of the Valley. Many of the area's top restaurants are located here. Biltmore Fashion Park is home to the renowned Bamboo Club and Che Bella. As you head east, several standout steakhouses—Ruth's Chris, Omaha Steakhouse and Harris'—can be found. Marco Polo and Havana Café will take you on a whirl-wind world tour of upscale ethnic food.

Midtown Phoenix

Just to the north and the south of Camelback Road, from Central Avenue east to 44th Street, you'll find a super selection of comfortable neighborhood places to dine and drink. Among them are Norman's Arizona, Chef Norman Fierros' latest concept, Convivo, a contemporary American cafe with a super wine selection and Richardson's, both an award-winning New Mexican restaurant and a "whistle wetting" hot spot.

Scottsdale

Scattered amidst the tony galleries in the downtown arts district are some true dining treasures. Mr. C's Chinese fine dining has long been a neighborhood fixture, as have Pischke's Paradise, the Pink Pony and Don & Charlie's.

Some of the hottest clubs can be found here too, including the glitzy, high energy Axis/Radius, Madison's and Martini Ranch. Go back to the big band era at the Famous Door or catch a live musical act at Cajun House.

Along the main drag of Scottsdale Road you'll find a "parkway for the palate." Scottsdale Fashion Square offers several fine restaurants including P.F. Chang's popular Chinese. Cosmopolitan cowboys seek out Rancho Pinot Grill, hidden away in a plaza at Lincoln and Scottsdale Road. At the Bastille-like Borgata, award-winning Chef Donna Nordin serves up Arizona edibles at Cafe Terra Cotta. Right across the street is the ultimate upscale steakhouse, Fleming's Prime. La Locanda, touted as one of the best Italian restaurants in all of Scottsdale, and Seasons is a find for its ever-changing menu and super selection of Sonoma wines.

New restaurants springing up at Bell and Scottsdale roads include a second helping of Carlos O'Brien's popular Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine and Coyote Grill, an attractive and appetizing southwestern cafe. Ambling on, plan to spend a few hours at Rawhide Western Town and try the rattlesnake (yes, it's really rattlesnake) at the Golden Belle Steakhouse & Saloon. Further north, new and exciting eating establishments include Restaurant Oceana, which offers fresh fish to eager desert dwellers. Michael Monti's specializes in top quality steaks and seafood and the Cantina del Pedregal offers dramatic views and a lively atmosphere.

Downtown Tempe/Arizona State University Area

You can always count on a college town to have an active party scene and Tempe is no exception. Mill Avenue and University Drive are ground zero for the East Valley's nightlife. The subterranean Beeloe's is a combination cafe, gallery and concert venue with live music. Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, named the 1998 Valley's Best Brew Pub by the Phoenix New Times, is as popular for its people-watching as its microbrews. True to its name, The Bash on Ash is a warehouse-sized "animal house." Nutrition and environment conscious noshers will find a variety of eats available, including macrobiotic munchies at ,In Season Deli, Israeli at Sabuddy and Ethiopian at ,Cafe Lalibela.

East Valley

Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert form the "bedroom communities" of the East Valley, but in terms of dining they are by no means sleepy. A whole world of ethnic cuisines awaits visitors, including Arisoo Korean, Zur Kate German cuisine and more appetizing options. For fine dining, Mahogany Run in Gilbert has quickly become an acclaimed destination.

West Valley

This is the place where you'll find simple, satisfying food at bargain prices. Try triple-decker sandwiches at the New Yorker or aromatic dolmathes at the Golden Greek. Dillon's, one of the Valley's younger restaurants with an already huge following, serves up fine Iowa corn-fed pork.

Country cooking and country music go hand in hand. Kick up yer heels and "Electric Slide" on over to Mr. Lucky's, one of the Valley's authentic cowboy dance clubs. Mr. Lucky's even has live bull riding in an outdoor rodeo arena.

Northwest Valley/Arrowhead

Recently the Arrowhead section of Bell Road (roughly 59th to 87th avenues) surpassed Orlando as the "chain restaurant capital" of the country. In addition to fast food, a few independent operators are holding their own in the corporate sea. Cucina Tagliani promises freshly prepared, home-style Italian in a family atmosphere.

So, whether you have an appetite for sizzling Southwestern, exotic Asian, innovative Italian, or home-style All-American, there's a place that will please every palate in the Valley of the Sun.







Copyright 1999-2009 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Wcities

Madison's


American bar and grill
 7108 East Stetson Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 949 8453
Madison's
Hotel San Carlos


Historic Hollywood hideaway
 202 North Central Ave
(northwest corner of Central and Monroe)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
+1 602 253 4121 / +1 866 253 4121
http://www.hotelsancarlos.com
Hotel San Carlos
Copper Square


Square mile of downtown action!
 502 East Monroe
(Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Inc)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
+1 602 254 8696
http://www.coppersquare.com/
Copper Square
Dillon's Restaurant


Smoking barbecue!
 8706 West Thunderbird Road
(Just off Loop 101)
Phoenix, AZ 85381
+1 623 979 5353
http://www.dillonsrestaurant.com
Dillon's Restaurant
Rawhide Steakhouse & Saloon


Old West themed steakhouse
 23023 North Scottsdale Road
Phoenix, AZ 85255
+1 480 502 5600 / +1 800 527 1880
http://www.rawhide.com
Rawhide Steakhouse & Saloon
Seamus McCaffrey's Irish Pub


Authentic Irish pub
 18 West Monroe Street
(Central Avenue & Monroe Street)
Phoenix, AZ 85003
+1 602 253 6081
http://www.seamusmccaffreys.com/
Seamus McCaffrey's Irish Pub
Coyote Grill


Chic southwestern cafe
 7077 East Bell Road
Southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Bell
Phoenix, AZ 85254
+1 480 922 8424
Coyote Grill
Cafe Lalibela


Authentic Ethiopian cuisine
 849 West University Drive
(southeast of Hardy & University Drives)
Phoenix, AZ 85281
+1 480 829 1939
http://www.cafelalibela.com/
Cafe Lalibela
Monti's La Casa Vieja


Sizzling steaks and seafood
 1 West Rio Salado Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85281
+1 480 967 7594
http://www.montis.com/
Monti's La Casa Vieja
Beeloe's Cafe & Underground Bar


Eclectic cafe & bar
 501 South Mill Avenue
(Southeast of Fifth Street & Mill Avenue)
Phoenix, AZ 85281
+1 480 894 1230
Beeloe's Cafe & Underground Bar
Carlos O'Brien's


Sensational Sonoran-style Mexican
 1133 East Northern Ave
(at the corner of 12th Street and Northern Avenue)
Phoenix, AZ 85020
+1 602 274 5881
Carlos O'Brien's
Eddie Matney's


Upscale bistro with live jazz
 2398 East Camelback Road
(Northwest corner of Camelback Road & 24th Street)
Phoenix, AZ 85016
+1 602 957 3214
http://www.eddiematneys.com
Eddie Matney's
Omaha Steakhouse


Best steak in Arizona
 2630 East Camelback Road
(northeast of 24th Street & Camelback Road)
Phoenix, AZ 85016
+1 602 553 8970
http://www.omahasteakhouse.com/
Omaha Steakhouse
Marco Polo Supper Club


Upscale dining and dancing
 8608 East Shea Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85260
+1 480 483 1900
http://www.marcopolosupperclub.com/
Marco Polo Supper Club
Harris'


Upscale, Biltmore-area restaurant with Prime meat
 3101 East Camelback Road
(Southwest of 32nd Street & Camelback Road)
Phoenix, AZ 85016
+1 602 508 8888
Harris'
Richardson's


New Mexican bar and grill
 1582 East Bethany Home Road
(north side of Bethany Home Road at 16th Street)
Phoenix, AZ 85014
+1 602 265 5886
Richardson's
Bamboo Club


Posh Pan Pacific
 2596 East Camelback Road
(at the corner of 24th Street and Camelback Road at the Biltmore Fashion Park)
Phoenix, AZ 85016
+1 602 955 1288
Bamboo Club
Pischke's Paradise


Island-themed family eatery
 7217 East 1st Street
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 481 0067
Pischke's Paradise
Cajun House


Concerts and Cajun cuisine
 7117 East 3rd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 945 5150
http://www.cajunhouse.com/
Cajun House
Convivo Bistro


Convivial & Contemporary
 7000 N 16th Street
(at Glendale Avenue)
Phoenix, AZ 85020
+1 602 997 7676
http://www.convivobistro.com/
Convivo Bistro
Don & Charlie's


Known for tasty ribs
 7501 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 990 0900
http://www.donandcharlies.com/
Don & Charlie's
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar


Big city, big beef
 6333 North Scottsdale Road
Phoenix, AZ 85250
+1 480 596 8265
http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
In Season Deli


Veggie deli
 414 South Mill Avenue
(northwest of Fifth & Mill)
Phoenix, AZ 85281
+1 480 966 0334
In Season Deli
Lombardi's


Arizona Center Italian
 455 North Third Steet
(northwest of Van Buren & Third Streets; in the Arizona Center)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
+1 602 257 8323
Lombardi's
Majerle's Sports Grill


Downtown Sports Spot
 24 North Second Street
(Second Street & Washington)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
+1 602 253 0118
http://www.majerles.com
Majerle's Sports Grill
P.F. Chang's China Bistro


Stunning setting for superb Chinese
 7014 East Camelback Road, Suite 1039
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 949 2610
http://www.pfchangs.com
P.F. Chang's China Bistro
Pink Pony Steak House


A Scottsdale legend
 3831 North Scottsdale Road
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 945 6697
Pink Pony Steak House
Rancho Pinot Grill


Worldly western cuisine
 6208 North Scottsdale Road
Phoenix, AZ 85253
+1 480 367 8030
Rancho Pinot Grill
Ruth's Chris Steak House


High-end, high quality
 7001 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 290
Phoenix, AZ 85253
+1 480 991 5988
http://www.ruthschris.com/
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Golden Greek


Delightful dolmathes
 7126 North 35th Ave
(just northwest of Glendale and 35th Avenues)
Phoenix, AZ 85051
+1 602 841 7849
Golden Greek
Arizona Center


Pride of Downtown Phoenix
 455 N 3rd Street
Suite 272
Phoenix, AZ 85004
+1 602 271 4000
http://www.arizonacenter.com/
Arizona Center
Alice Cooper'stown


School's Out!
 101 E Jackson Street
(at 1st Street)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
+1 602 253 7337
http://www.alicecooperstown.com/
Alice Cooper'stown
Borgata of Scottsdale


Renaissance romance revisited
 6166 North Scottsdale Road
Phoenix, AZ 85253
+1 602 953 6311
http://www.borgata.com
Borgata of Scottsdale
Scottsdale Fashion Square


Southwestern power shopping
 7014 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 990 7800
http://www.fashionsquare.com/
Scottsdale Fashion Square
La Locanda


Nifty Northern Italian
 10201 North Scottsdale Road
Phoenix, AZ 85253
+1 480 998 2822
La Locanda
Gordon Biersch Brewing Company


Bustling brew pub
 420 South Mill Avenue
(Suite 201)
Phoenix, AZ 85281
+1 480 736 0033
http://www.gordonbiersch.com/
Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
Havana Café


Taste the Tropics
 4225 E. Camelback Road
(at 40th Street)
Phoenix, AZ 85018
+1 602 952 1991
http://www.havanacafe-az.com
Havana Café
Vincent's on Camelback


James Beard Award Winner
 3930 E Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
+1 602 224 0225
http://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/
Vincent's on Camelback
Medizona


Athens meets Arizona
 7217 East Fourth Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 947 9500
Medizona
Mr. C's


Elegant Asian eating
 4302 North Scottsdale Road
(Between Camelback & Indian School Roads)
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 941 4460
Mr. C's
Biltmore Fashion Park


Premier Shopping Experience
 2502 E Camelback Road
(at 24th Street)
Phoenix, AZ 85016
+1 602 955 8400
http://www.shopbiltmore.com
Biltmore Fashion Park
Cucina Tagliani


Arrowhead pasta place
 17045 North 59th Avenue
(east side of 59th Avenue; just north of Bell Road)
Phoenix, AZ 85308
+1 602 547 2782
http://www.cucinatagliani.com/
Cucina Tagliani
Zur Kate


German Gast Haus
 4815 East Main Street
Phoenix, AZ 85205
+1 480 830 4244
Zur Kate
Mahogany Run


Gilbert gourmet fare
 302 North Gilbert Road
Phoenix, AZ 85234
+1 480 545 5000
Mahogany Run
New Yorker Family Restaurant


Cheap Westside Chow
 8002 North 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85051
+1 602 995 8787
New Yorker Family Restaurant
Axis/Radius


Glitzy dance destination
 7340 East Indian School Road
(South side of Indian School Road)
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 970 1112
http://www.axis-radius.com/
Axis/Radius
Martini Ranch


Martinis & music
 7295 East Stetson Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85251
+1 480 970 0500
Martini Ranch
Phoenix
Phoenix - Art & Entertainment
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