Nikki's Restaurant Reviews BLOG

July 2008
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Sugarbakers Cafe & Bakery

12:34 PM Fri, Jul 18, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

The Borgata
6166 N. Scottsdale Road,Suite 210, Scottsdale
480-991-2225

This sweet family-run operation -- decorated in pink and crammed with desserts -- has
"girlie girl" written all over it. But that doesn't keep the menfolk away, not when the multi-page menu offers so many simple, appealing selections. Breakfast and lunch possibilities include chilaquiles, pancakes, Bananas Foster french toast, hot roast beef sand...



Fate

6:03 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

905 N. Fourth Street, Phoenix
602-254-6424

Situated in an historic house in the Roosevelt District, Fate is funky, arty and just plain cool. At least that's the consensus among the legions of 20-somethings who keep this tiny restaurant and its outdoor bar busy into the wee hours. What's not to love about the community table, edgy local artwork, unisex bathrooms, and amazing outdoor sculpture of a head, complete with brain? Chef-o...



Plaza Grill

4:32 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

14620 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix
602-374-2483


Don't be surprised if the hot pink habanero salsa at Plaza Grill gives you deja vu. This unpretentious little restaurant belongs to Luis Mata, who worked for many years with Moises Treves -- the chef who brought regional Mexican cuisine (and that hot pink habanero salsa) to the Valley in the early 90s. Like the menus Treves created at Such Is Life and Coyoacan, Mata's menu fea...



Bombay Spice Grill & Wine

6:16 PM Thu, Jun 05, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

7000 N. 16th Street, Phoenix
602-371-0111

10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix
602-795-0020

With its chartreuse backlit wine bar, community table and modern artwork, this sleek space bears absolutely no resemblance to its traditional Indian restaurant counterparts. Bombay Spice offers fresh, healthy Indian-inspired fare which founder John Kapoor (a pharmacist from India) describes as "Indian food redefined." The menu offer...



Kabuki Japanese Restaurant

6:11 PM Thu, Jun 05, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

6770 N. Sunrise Boulevard, Suite G 211
Westgate City Center, Glendale
623-772-9832

Second Location: 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway
The District at Tempe Marketplace, Tempe
480-350-9160

These California-based corporate restaurants do a great job of creating a hip but comfortable Japanese restaurant experience. Each dramatic location (there are nine at the moment) captures essential elements of Japanese design...



Canal Restaurant

12:20 PM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

7144 E. Stetson Drive (SouthBridge), Scottsdale
480-949-9000

With its exposed brick, illuminated fashion runway and massive, high-def projection screen, Canal is Old Town's trendy restaurant du jour, appealing to the well-dressed 20-somethings who show up in droves. Both the great terrace (overlooking the canal) and Chef Justin Beckett's eclectic American menu are the main draws for boomers, who drop in for business lunc...



Palatte

9:36 AM Fri, Dec 28, 2007 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

606 N. Fourth Avenue, Phoenix
602-462-9400

...

Dish

8:51 AM Fri, Dec 28, 2007 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

8977 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480-584-6190

...

BeDillon's Restaurant

11:12 AM Tue, Dec 04, 2007 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

800 N. Park Avenue
Casa Grande
520-836-2045

...

Viny's Fine Pastries & Desserts

10:47 AM Tue, Dec 04, 2007 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

Desert Sky Mall, 7611 W. Thomas Road
Avondale
602-228-5352

...