We LOVE to eat. Whether I am grabbing a bagel in the morning or sitting down for a three course meal for dinner, food is such a glorious part of life. Just the other day I had lunch at Carly’s Bistro in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. While looking at the menu, I couldn’t decide what I wanted. Everything sounded good. Then I read the ingredients on a sandwich that had prosciutto and fig paste. I couldn’t see past the fig paste, and ordered that. It as on freshly baked bread, loaded with flavor, and while it almost too salty for my palate, was delicious and I ate the whole thing. We had hummus, too. It was a memorable lunch.
Carly’s Bistro is actually a really cool place. It is within walking distance of my old office, and I would eat there every few weeks. I’ve met friends there and dined there alone just to see what new menu items they had to offer. They have a really good happy hour, too. It is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. There are a lot of great restaurants near my new office, and I can’t wait to check them out.
On a recent trip to Hawaii, I as reading an issue of PHOENIX Magazine. The cover story was “AZ’s 50 Best Restaurants.” I’m sure we have been to a few of them, but decided to write this blog post before I even looked at the list. I will include the list below, and will highlight the restaurants I have been to. I also make it a mission to eat at some of these in the new year. Are you hungry? Below are the top 50 restaurants in Arizona.
(Before we get started, I would say my favorite restaurants in Arizona are Citizen Public House, Mastro’s Steakhouse, Olive & Ivy Restaurant + Marketplace and True Food Kitchen.)
Northern Arizona
Cottage Place (Flagstaff)
Brix Restaurant & Bar (Flagstaff)
Coppa Cafe (Flagstaff)
Tinderbox Kitchen and Annex (Flagstaff)
Pizzicletta (Flagstaff)
The Turquoise Room Restaurant (Winslow)
Elote Cafe (Sedona)
Che-Ah-Chi (Sedona)
L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek (Sedona)
SchoolHouse Restaurant (Cottonwood)
Pizzeria BOCCE Patio Bar (Cottonwood)
The Asylum Restaurant (Jerome)
The Valley
Amuse Bouche (Surprise)
Barrio Café (Phoenix)
Beckett’s Table (Phoenix)
Binkley’s Restaurant (Cave Creek)
Bink’s Midtown (Phoenix)
Bourbon Steak (Scottsdale)
Christopher’s Crush (Phoenix)
Citizen Public House (Scottsdale) I’m SO glad this made the list. I love this place. This is home of The Original Chopped Salad and they mix up some of the best drinks in Arizona. After dinner head upstairs and visit Citizen R + D. You won’t be sorry.
Cork Restaurant (Chandler)
Crudo Restaurant (Phoenix)
FnB (Scottsdale)
Fry Bread House (Phoenix)
Richardson’s/The Rokerij (Phoenix)
Kai Restaurant (Chandler)
Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles (Phoenix and Scottsdale) I have only been to the Scottsdale location, but I LOVE this place. It’s a dump, but that is part of the charm. The food is incredible and I never leave hungry. This is just an awesome experience and a place to take people when visiting the Valley.
Los Dos Molinos (Phoenix)
Nobuo At Teeter House (Phoenix)
POSH (Scottsdale)
Roka Akor (Scottsdale)
Shinbay (Scottsdale)
Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix)
Tarbell’s (Phoenix)
Tacos Atoyac (Phoenix)
Vincent on Camelback (Phoenix)
Virtù (Scottsdale)
There are several on this list I’ve never heard of. I bet my buddy Gina has heard of most of these. She is a totally foodie and I have been bugging her for months to start a food blog. She knows her way around the latest and greatest places to eat. I hope to see her blogging sooner than later.
Southern Arizona
The Abbey Eat + Drink (Tucson)
Cafe Poca Cosa Mexican Restaurant (Tucson)
Cafe Roka (Bisbee)
Downtown Kitchen (Tucson)
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol (Tuson)
Maynards Market & Kitchen (Tucson)
Proper (Tucson)
PY Steakhouse (Tuscon)
Vivance (Tucson)
Wildflower American Cuisine (Tucson)
El Guero Canelo (Tucson)
Elvira’s Restaurant (Tubac)
Overland Trout (Sonita)
I’m ashamed I’ve only been to two of these restaurants. I’m also shocked more Fox Restaurant Concepts weren’t listed. Mastro’s is one of the best steakhouses I have even been… How does a place like that NOT make the list? I guess I will spend 2014 eating my way around the Grand Canyon State. Challenge accepted!
Connect with PHOENIX Magazine:
Website: http://www.phoenixmag.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixMagazine
Twitter: https://twitter.com/phoenixmagazine
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/phxmag
good post,thank yuo