5:36 AM Fri, Jan 23, 2009 | Permalink Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
3554 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Scottsdale
480-946-4494
El Molino doesn't look like a typical Mexican restaurant because it isn't. With its big windows, pastel-colored mural and long bar for single diners, it looks more like a cafe and operates, more than anything else, as a take-out. But why quibble over terminology? The important thing here is that this cute little place turns out great AZ-Mex food, including tacos, tamales, burri...
5:15 AM Fri, Jan 09, 2009 | Permalink Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
2041 N. 7th Street, Phoenix
602-682-5627
In this instance, America refers to a person, not a country, a person who grew up in Mexico and makes a mean batch of carne asada. The meat is so good that America and her husband Terry Bortin decided to build a little taco shop around the concept. They found a cute little house on Seventh Street, painted the outside in bright colors and decorated the inside with whimsical pictures of Mex...
5:35 AM Fri, Jan 02, 2009 | Permalink Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic
230 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert
480-892-1900
Housed in the 30s-era building that was home to Liberty Market for 70 years, the new incarnation is still part market -- offering pastas, cheeses, olives and grab-and-go sandwiches. But most of the space has been transformed into a sleek, no frills, order-at-the-counter restaurant, complete with community table and espresso bar (the latter named for and built around the famous Italian esp...
