November 2008 Archives
8:10 AM Fri, Nov 21, 2008 | Permalink
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
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2502 E. Camelback Road (Biltmore Fashion Park), Phoenix
602-522-2344
Chris Gross has always been one of the Valley's most talented chefs, but when he moved to a new location in the same mall -- now, he's just east of Macy's -- he essentially created a whole new restaurant with a whole new feeling. It was a much-needed change and the results, with regard to both setting and menu, are really pretty spectacular. The new streamlined ...
2:42 PM Mon, Nov 17, 2008 | Permalink
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
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The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32nd Street, Phoenix
602-276-0601
Situated on a calming 12-acre oasis of shady lawn, flowers, pecan grove and organic farm, Quiessence is as bucolic as Valley restaurants ever get. The converted farmhouse still feels more like a home than a restaurant, boasting a long sun room, a back patio furnished with fire pits and a special al fresco chef's table in front of the outdoor hearth, where ...
2:20 PM Mon, Nov 17, 2008 | Permalink
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
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10 W. Main Street, Mesa
480-258-6942
Oscar and Silda de la Cruz -- who made Mangos one of Mesa's most popular restaurants -- are the brains behind this Contemporary American restaurant and wine bar, situated catty-cornered from Mesa's Center for the Arts. In the East Valley, the de la Cruz name is synonymous with Mexican food, but the couple knew they'd have to do something a little different (and perhaps more upscale) if they ho...
3:23 PM Thu, Nov 06, 2008 | Permalink
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
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118 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park
623-535-4935
This terrific-looking restaurant breaks the sushi bar mold in more ways than one. For starters, although Japanese design elements are put to good use, the space feels more cool and contemporary than your typical sushi bar, thanks to a rugged looking brick wall, a silver-topped community table and a semi-enclosed lounge area, furnished with sleek banquettes, pillows and retr...
3:07 PM Thu, Nov 06, 2008 | Permalink
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
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Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Shops B, Suite B5 (Gray), Tempe
480-557-9087
Yes, it's a corporate restaurant, and Holy Toledo! it hails from Canada, which I've never thought of as a refuge for shamrock-loving, Guinness-swigging Irishmen. But whatever its background, this local link in a small, carefully-run chain does a bang-up job of turning out tasty Irish dishes as well as good old American pub grub. Dark ...
2:41 PM Thu, Nov 06, 2008 | Permalink
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
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3937 E. Anne Street, Phoenix
602-437-4434
Located south of Sky Harbor and north of the I-10, smack dab in the middle of an industrial wasteland, the Peppersauce is cute, cozy and a little feminine -- which seems odd when you learn that it's frequented almost exclusively by men. It all makes sense, though, when you realize that a trip to this friendly, out-of-the-way spot is probably a lot like a visit to Mom's house. The menu is ...
