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Nikki's Restaurant Reviews BLOG |
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July 2009
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18914 E. San Tan Boulevard, Queen Creek Blake Mastyk and his wife Nicole seem to like extremes. The couple used to work up in Cave Creek -- Blake as chef at Cartwright's, Nicole as sommelier at Tonto Bar & Grill -- and now they own their own winsome little restaurant down in Queen Creek. In any case, they've brought their knowledge of and love for good food and wine to this out-of-the-way location, tucked within a s... 3118 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix Named for its north of Camelback location, Noca has become one of my favorite restaurants. The simple stylish decor is backdrop to Chef Chris Curtiss's modern American food, built around the very best ingredients he can source. The phrase "local, seasonal, organic" has been so over-used it's nearly devoid of meaning. But not here, where you can see and taste the difference pristine veg... 1301 NW Grand Avenue, Phoenix Housed in an airy, light-filled corner of the old Bragg's Pie Building down on Grand, Sapna is tiny, urban and utterly adorable. It's owned by Ana Borrajo, a globetrotter who brings global accents to her simple cooking, based on fresh, local ingredients. Her short but appealing menu offers a handful of breakfast dishes, salads, quesadillas, panini and daily specials. In Borrajo's hands, ... 6933 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix Owned by Sheldon Knapp of Phoenix City Grill, Sierra Bonita is its Mexican-inflected sib, taking the hearty campfire cooking of the Old West and giving it a modern, sophisticated spin. With its wood-beamed ceilings, polished concrete floors and photos of ranching life, this dimly lit, low slung place is casual and comfortable, the sort of neighborhood hangout people turn to often for a... 1524 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert Named for a quarterback's audible call, Blue 32 is all about sports. Boasting 28 high-def TVs, there's not a seat in this brick-walled, concrete floored place where you can't see the action. Given the focus, you might assume it's a haven for beer-drinking guys, but you'd be wrong. Because Blue 32 looks nice and offers a more extensive, sophisticated menu than your average sports b... 9832 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix Breakfast is back in fashion (for some of us, it never went out) and breakfast restaurants are popping up everywhere. This clever, clean-lined newcomer does so many things well, it's impossible not to like the place: TVs for catching news and sports scores, funny quotes on the walls, an orderliness and sense of efficiency that bodes well and (most importantly) darned good food. My favo... 13025 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd, Suite B103, Avondale I know, I know. A quick-serve operation housed in a strip mall doesn't sound like the sort of place that would crank out terrific Cajun food. But I'm hear to tell you, at Flavors of Louisiana, it's the real deal. Jennifer Goff (formerly of Baton Rouge) runs the place with the help of her daughters Holli and Amanda, and they couldn't be sweeter people. More important... 1935 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa Named for the anise-flavored liqueur that Parisians love to sip at after work, Pastis is a sleek deli/market/cafe with a relaxed vibe. That's because friends and partners Luka Muslin, Slaven Grubisha and Steve Djekic have lived and traveled throughout Europe playing soccer, and they hope to bring a bit of that stop-and-smell-the-roses sensibility to Mesa. The tiny market at the far end o... 4225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix Housed in the cute white hut that was formerly home to Kohnie's Coffee, Chestnut Lane has become a neighborhood favorite -- with lunchtime lines out the door -- seemingly overnight. There's good reason for that. Owner Polly Levine uses great ingredients: Niman Ranch corned beef, fluffy MJ Bread, juicy tomatoes and other produce from Bob McClendon. And her short menu, which offers homem... 2515 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Don't be scared off by the term "fusion." This friendly, well-appointed restaurant in South Scottsdale is more homey than trendy, combining authentic Jamaican dishes with American standards to keep the neighborhood happy. Although the steaks and barbecued ribs may be stellar, it's chef-owner Damian Muir's Jamaican specialties that make this restaurant such a gem. Humble ackee and s... |
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