In the heavy heat of summer, a smoothie can be a satisfying lunch as well as a refreshing drink. Here are some restaurants that allow patrons to increase the nutritional value with some whey protein or any of their own selection of add-ins. Juby True by True Food Kitchen Health-focused menu offers smoothies, juices, almond “mylks” along with a few salads and some snacks and … [More]
Flower Child – Farmhouse Sensibilities
Well-suiting its focus on healthy eating, Flower Child’s décor evokes a back-on-the-farm feeling. The newest location, recently opened in Desert Ridge Marketplace in North Phoenix, is especially open and airy in its farmer’s market styling – simple, homey designs; a lot of light; and the chain’s signature cheerful touch of a cut flower on every table. The open expo kitchen … [More]
Tacos Not Just for Tuesday
Attesting to the popularity of tacos, “Taco Tuesday” is now showing up on the menu of restaurants not usually offering South of the Border selections. For great tacos any time, In Business Magazine suggests these as among the best in the Valley. America’s Taco Shop The concept began with the hand-written recipes from her mother that founder America Corrales brought with … [More]
Farm & Craft: Community Eatery
Farm & Craft has a split personality — from the breakfast and lunch menu, it’s counter-order and table-delivery; off the dinner menu from 3 p.m. to closing, it’s table seating and waiter-order. What’s most important, however, shines through at all times — healthy food, locally sourced. “Local” is, in fact, so much a focus that the recently opened Phoenix location differs … [More]
Resort to Lunch
Summer is a good time for locals to take advantage of the multitude of exceptional resorts and hotels that, in the other seasons, draw crowds of out-of-towners. Here are In Business Magazine picks for some of the best on-property restaurants for getting-away for lunch. Hearth ´61 In the modern contemporary architecture of Mountain Shadows Resort for seasonal American fare, … [More]
Morning Squeeze: Relish the Retro
Some meetings call for a power breakfast, and Morning Squeeze has that covered as well as the lunch-time option — especially at the new location in Tempe, where tables can easily hold portfolios or notebooks along with the food. There is also plenty of solo dining at the indoor-outdoor bar. The patio wraps the south and west sides, and this time of year even the inside is … [More]
Fishing for a Compliment
Some days can make a businessperson just want to hit the bar. If that need means a sushi bar, here are some In Business Magazine picks: AJ’s Fine Foods AJ’s lunch café includes made-to-order sushi with either white or brown rice. Multiple locations Hillstone Hand-crafted sushi is available inside or on the patio. 2650 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix (602) … [More]
Gino’s East – from Chicago to Phoenix
Gino’s East of Chicago brought a little of its namesake city with it when the pizza parlor expanded into Phoenix. The walls are hung with pictures of the city’s iconic landmarks. But there’s still plenty of room for the brand’s signature décor element: guests’ signatures and personal messages scrawled on every visible wall surface — even such seemingly inaccessible spots as the … [More]
Celebrity Chefs Do Lunch, Too
The Valley is known for many celebrity chefs — too many to mention, in fact. Here are a few of their lunch hot spots to tempt the palate and likely allow patrons to engage with the on-property celeb chef himself. (They are also all longtime community supporters who work with hundreds of local nonprofits to help raise money.) Geordie’s Restaurant and Lounge Gourmet lunchtime … [More]
Hearth ’61 – A View Forward and Back
The Valley’s celebrated Chef Charles Wiley has brought his creative touch to Hearth ’61 at the newly reopened Mountain Shadows resort. The Paradise Valley property first welcomed guests in the mid-1950s, and retains its boutique nature. Guests entering from the valet station to the lobby make a quick left to reach the restaurant just past the bar. But it’s worth a short detour … [More]
Soak Up That History
Metropolitan Phoenix is home to some famed dining spots that are popular at lunch for their history and their food. Geordie’s Restaurant & Lounge — Phoenix Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch, Geordie’s is located in the historic Biltmore-area Wrigley Mansion. Views and an Arizona landmark make this a must for lunch. 2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix (602) 955-4079 Lon’s … [More]
Southern Rail: Creative Comfort
A friendly neighborhood destination resurrected just a few years ago from Phoenix landmark Beef Eaters as part of Phoenix’s revitalization project, The Newton shopping center is anchored by Southern Rail. “Friendly,” in fact, suffuses the restaurant, helping give the wide-open dining room a cozy atmosphere. Décor combines industrial concrete floors with the warmth of wood, … [More]
Tastes of Fame
The Food Network’s Guy Fieri likes our Valley of the Sun. Nearly 30 of our restaurants have his signature on the premises. He’s been bringing “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” here for 10 years; here are three of his more recent stops. Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse The long menu here is long on BBQ and smoked — including the vegetable sides. From appetizers to desserts, … [More]
Original Chop Shop: Focus on Fresh
After the excesses of the holidays, it’s good to find a place focused on healthy eating. The Original Chop Shop is built on a simple concept, executed simply, and summed up succinctly in the restaurant’s tagline, “Just Feel Good Food.” Fresh, whole ingredients go into the scratch-made menu, from “between bread” (sandwiches) to protein shakes to the name-sake “chops” (salads). … [More]
Feast for the Eyes: Framing that Meaningful Business Dinner
From the beginning of time, man has looked to climb higher and higher heights to show off a sense of success. The Rainbow Room at 30 Rockefeller Center in Manhattan is home to celebration every time GE makes that next big deal. It is also the best view of New York City. Here are some of our own great “sights” for that meaningful meeting. Orange Sky – Talking Stick … [More]
Over Easy: Breakfast for Lunch and Vice Versa
At Over Easy’s recently opened site in the Biltmore Business Park, eye-catchingly yellow umbrellas set the mood for cheery, and the interior brightens it even further with yellow chairs and banquettes set off by brilliantly white tile in a spacious '50s diner style. The patio’s attraction is its location, affording a view of the commanding office skyline rising around it … [More]
Soup’s On
Soup has become a prominent menu item at popular fast-casual eateries. Some even lead with it in their name. Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup Enchiladas and soup is what the storefront lettering promises. The soups nicely complement the variety available for create-your-own enchiladas. 3313 N. 7th St., Phoenix (602) 279-5080 Panera Bread There are always several flavors of … [More]
Bobby-Q: Hot for Barbecue
The Valley of the Sun is known for saguaros, golf courses and … barbecue. Bobby-Q is nationally recognized by barbecue aficionados, and offers its ribs in a vintage countrified setting featuring reclaimed woodwork and antique gas lamps that enhances the dining experience. Owner Bob Sikora’s first expansion from the original location at Dunlap and the I-17 was this Mesa … [More]
