Breakfast is more than a meal as OEB Breakfast Co. serves it up — it’s an experience. And that is exactly what Chef Mauro Martina intended when he launched his concept in Canada in 2009. This past holiday season, he ventured out of Canada to bring OEB to Scottsdale, having fallen in love with this area over the course of many visits to the annual Barrett-Jackson Car Auction in … [More]
Agave del Scottsdale Celebrates Southern Mexican
Mexico boasts a variety of cuisines that go farther “south of the border” than cheese-drenched enchiladas and fried street tacos. Delivering that broader culinary experience is the mission of the restaurateurs behind Agave del Scottsdale, where the dishes reflect flavor traditions of areas from Mexico City south. Several ceviche dishes offer many flavors “del mar” such as … [More]
Local Restaurateurs Put Meatballs on Top
Two of our Valley’s favorite restaurateurs have taken what used to be just an add-on to a spaghetti dish and made meatballs a culinary category of their own. The Sicilian Butcher From The Maggiore Group – which opened its first restaurant, Tomaso’s Italian Restaurant, in Phoenix in 1977 – is this build-your-own meal experience that puts an emphasis on craft meatballs. … [More]
Jazzin’ It Up at Voodoo Daddy’s
Laissez les bons temps rouler! That phrase (“Let the good times roll!”) is nearly synonymous with “New Orleans.” And while that city is geographically a ways away from us in Metro Phoenix, restaurateur Ron Lynch strove to give us a taste of its atmosphere through Voodoo Daddy’s Steam Kitchen’s décor and menu. A mural dominates the dining room, depicting vividly garbed jazz … [More]
Sushi Unbarred
There are a lot of sushi restaurants that declare themselves with the word a prominent part of their name. But there is good sushi to be found at other dining establishments. Here are three that offer great sushi as part of a broader menu. HILLSTONE Subdued dining room or friendly bar. 2650 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix (602) 957-9700 AJ’S FINE FOODS Hardly a … [More]
Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse: Carving a Tableside Experience
The brightly colored painting of a South American urban landscape of houses and rooftops — even more striking within the décor of dark woods and black slate tile floor — welcomes guests to the unique culinary experience created by Galeto founders to celebrate and share their cultural traditions. The bar area includes a peaceful brick-walled patio, but the main attraction is … [More]
In the Wake of Guy Fieri
“As seen on TV” is a phrase that often goes with a “wink, wink” and less than positive expectations. Not so with restaurants showcased on "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives," where the attraction is not just the celebrity of having been on TV, but is, first, the food that got them there. Here are three in Metro Phoenix that rated a visit from traveling gourmand Guy … [More]
OBON: Sushi and Serenity
Dozens of gilt-colored cat figurines wave a choreographed greeting to patrons at OBON Sushi + Bar + Ramen, which recently added another Scottsdale location in McCormick Ranch. The décor otherwise is the epitome of simplicity, geometric lines from the table arrangement to chairs, along with chromatic neutrality of dark grey tiles and light woods, creating a sense of calm. … [More]
Vintage Atmosphere
Food is only one part of the dining experience. The restaurant’s atmosphere enhances the menu. Here are three In Business Magazine favorites. BOBBY-Q Nationally recognized by barbecue aficionados, Bobby-Q offers a vintage countrified setting featuring reclaimed woodwork and antique gas lamp. The ribs are the star attraction here, slow cooked over almond and mesquite wood … [More]
Taco Guild – Where Past Is Present
The wonderful thing about the adaptive reuse project that produced the Taco Guild is, it left much more intact than just the structure. The building’s previous lives as a Methodist Church — institutionalized in the cornerstone dated 1893 (before Arizona was even a state) and another from its renewal in 1955 after a few decades of disuse following a fire in 1911 — are … [More]
Menu for Hot Times
Phoenix’s sizzling summers give us more than hot temperatures; they give us some cool new dishes at many of our favorite restaurants. Pita Jungle and Mora Italian are among those that have rolled out a selection of special summer offerings. Mora Italian Celebrity chef Scott Conant gives his Italian cuisine a modern touch throughout his full menu that goes well beyond pizza … [More]
Toro: Fiery Flavors in a Peaceful Setting
Toro’s easy access of the Loop 101 freeway, convenient ample parking and the freeing feeling of wide-open spaces would make this restaurant attractive even if the food were only so-so. But the food is superb, flavors wonderfully blended in dishes uniquely crafted to celebrate Latin — notably, Peruvian — cuisines. The restaurant describes its menu as a signature “Suviche” … [More]
Food with a Side of Fun
Who says you can’t have fun and games with your meal? No, we’re not suggesting a food fight à la the famous scene from Animal House; rather, to take advantage of amenities some restaurateurs are incorporating into the ambience of their establishments. Culinary Dropout Debuted at its location at The Yard, a standard offering at this restaurant now are backyard-style games such … [More]
Tomaso’s – for the Love of Italian
Tomaso’s on Camelback’s longevity in a prominent Phoenix corridor is well-deserved. Chef restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore imbues the experience — from entering the warm timelessness of the upscale establishment to the final forkful of dessert — with an obvious love for what he creates. This is not a place for a hurried lunch; rather, it is a perfect choice to savor conversation and … [More]
A Broad Spectrum of Flavors Abroad
The Valley is blessed with a plethora of great restaurants, including an international smorgasbord of choices. Here are a few of the standouts around the Valley that offer a change of pace, place and palate. Caribbean Queen Not strictly Caribbean, the menu also draws on European and American influences, with a significant portion being jerk dishes and vegan dishes. Opens at … [More]
Ghost Ranch: Spirited Southwest Fare
A Southwest menu may conjure up images of tacos and enchiladas, and, in that regard, Ghost Ranch doesn’t disappoint. But there are unique surprises as well. The grilled trout is a standout, the spice notes of its preparation more than honoring its Southwest setting. Served liberally covered with a salad of fresh greens and root veggies (with colorful varieties that add to the … [More]
Mad for March
Offices that expect March Madness to be disruptive may as well bite the bullet and do lunch where the games can be watched. Here are some favorites with a nice sports-bar menu and a great assortment of TV screens. All open at 11 a.m. during the week. Arcadia Tavern Arcadia Tavern takes viewing seriously. It’s not just that there are 34 TVs; eight are jumbo screens. Although … [More]
LemonShark Poké: Bowled and Bold
Colors. Flavors. Textures. Poké offers an amazing variety in all these aspects. And LemonShark Poké offers that amazing variety in its fresh, build-to-suit selection. Ahi tuna, spicy salmon, shrimp, tofu, ginger, edamame, red cabbage, corn, mango: These are just a few of the array of ingredients patrons can mix in their poké bowl atop a base that does not need to be the … [More]
