3 1/2 Stars

As is the case with most artistic endeavors, improvisational cooking can be incredibly challenging, and wildly rewarding. Chef and Owner Joshua Hebert knows firsthand how involved the task is to create a unique daily menu for his restaurant, Posh, and gladly accepts the challenge. The availability of seasonal local produce and meat largely dictate what ends up on the plate, and Chef Hebert crafts intriguing flavor combinations from every ingredient he touches to infuse each dish with a “one-of-a-kind” touch. Past favorites have included the Mushroom Braised Veal and the Red Wine Poached Salmon.

Caffe Boa, founded by Scott Rennard in 1995, has been a long-time Valley favorite with numerous positive reviews and awards. We offer only the highest quality of food with an emphasis on fresh, organic, and locally grown produce. Caffe ‘Boa’ in Portuguese means ‘Good.’ We strive to give you the best possible dining experience with exceptional food and service. We provide a full-service menu along with a wide selection of wines, beer on tap, specialty martinis, great bar happy hour Monday through Fridays 3:00-6:00 pm at our bar and much more.

Bask over the breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain as you sip on your favorite vintage, all while swooning over a dish of fine Italian fare at Prado, in the InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa. This signature restaurant presents guests with lavish surroundings by which to enjoy a decadent menu of Andalusian-inspired cuisine painstakingly prepared in wood-fired brick ovens. Sweeping arches, vibrant mosaic tiles, and sun-steeped elegance provide a fitting backdrop for an array of rustic Italian specialties that embody Chef Urciuoli’s passion for the Slow Food Movement. Appropriately enough, time may just slow down for you as you savor every …

At Brio Tuscan Grille, “La Dolce Vita,” or “living the good life” is a priority! Specializing in steaks, house-made pastas and flatbreads, this restaurant offers generous portions served family-style, making it an excellent choice for large groups and private parties. The spacious dining room with large column archways represents the open Tuscan country, where villas were built purposefully to avoid the stresses of busy city life. Upon entering Brio Tuscan Grille, guests are encouraged to escape from the pressures of the day and celebrate with delicious flavors, fresh ingredients, and the company of friends and family.

Nellie Cashman’s Monday Club, named for Arizona’s oldest club for women, is a star within the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. With an open-style kitchen, Executive Chef Jason Christie creates flavorful, healthy dishes. From gourmet salads boasting local organic ingredients to the nostalgic dinner entrees such as Roasted Half Chicken Provencal with fingerling potatoes, Nellie Cashman’s Monday Club offers a wide variety of options for its diners. The outdoor patios offer an incredible view of the McDowell Mountains, which complement the delicious cuisine. Situated in one of Arizona’s most luxurious spas, this eatery is ideal for a quick bite before …

BLT Steak is a contemporary American steakhouse that focuses on simple, fresh ingredients specifically prepared to enhance the most natural of flavors. From traditional Beef Filets and Braised Swordfish to the American Wagyu Rib Eye, the menu at BLT Steak spares no expense to provide excellent quality for its diners. The restaurant offers an impressive wine selection, which has won the coveted “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator, and boasts a drink menu with diverse selections from scotch-blended after dinner drinks to absinthe. The BLT Steak restaurant is a must-try for seafood and steakhouse enthusiasts, alike.

Classic mahogany furnishings and refined touches in the Capital Grille’s décor complement the equally refined and welcoming menu of rich dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and a proud array of side dishes. Located in Baltimore Fashion Park, this meat-centric eatery boasts a club-like atmosphere in the main dining room and a patio by which to savor balmy Phoenix nights. The Wagyu Beef Carpaccio is seductive, the Bone-In Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin is captivating, and the Seared Citrus Glazed Salmon is simply invigorating. And while dishes like these demand attention, the thoughtful selection of side offerings has earned its own fan …

1130: The Restaurant, named for the suite it occupies in the Downtown Arizona Center, offers casual elegance at affordable prices. Owned and operated by the same group as longtime favorite Sam’s Café, the restaurant seeks to provide diners with diversity coupled with health conscious preparation. 1130 boasts Downtown Phoenix’s largest private dining room as well as contemporary patio dining, complete with outdoor sofas. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, 1130’s menu offers an assortment of menu options. Whether you’re enjoying a mouthwatering burger or a juicy Ribeye with one of 1130’s complimentary Phoenix Style rubs, the staff at 1130: The …

Named for its north of Camelback location, NOCA is owner Eliot Wexler and Chef Chris Curtiss’ adventurous brainchild. Serving unpretentious American fare with flair, they are steadily building a reputation among foodies and non-foodies alike as innovators in creative cuisine. Meals commence with a crafty amuse bouche, and a puff of cotton candy serves to cleanse the palate between entrees and dessert. Curtiss is an expert at using the freshest ingredients on the market in a harmonious fusion of the senses. Coupled with a sparse yet comfortable dining room and impeccable service, this experience is not to be missed.

There’s no need to cross The Pond for authentic Irish fare and hospitality when The Turf Restaurant serves up hearty helpings of both each day. The rich pub culture is preserved through fitting artifacts of watering holes of old, and sport enthusiasts are rewarded with The Turf’s steadfast commitment to Ireland’s love of horse racing and golf. Old friends unite and new friendships form around the welcoming menu that warms the tummy and soul. The Traditional Irish Breakfast starts the day off right, while the Bangers and Mash keeps one fueled for good times. And the Guinness keeps smiles wide.

Hoping to serve as the proverbial watering hole for locals and visitors alike, District offers a communal gathering place to indulge on good company, and great food and drink. Chef Nathan Crouser specially selects his produce from local farmers who care as much about what they grow as he cares about what goes on the plate. Small plates like the Steamed Mussels and Cheeseburger Sliders go down nicely with some fine conversation and a glass of wine from the thoughtful drink menu; and entrée dishes like the Chicken Pot Pie and the Organic Berkshire Pork Tenderloin beg to be selfishly …

Downtown Phoenix, once painfully devoid of personable eateries, is seeing a reemergence of fine and expressive dining options largely through the efforts of Chef Johnny Chu. Chef Chu is responsible for opening more than one Cinderella-story restaurant in the neighborhood, and continues to wow patrons with his latest endeavor, Sens. This chic Pan-Asian eatery serves up healthy helpings of style with a small plate menu that invites visitors to share and indulge alike. Home-style dishes like the Soup Gyoza and claypot favorites like the Lemongrass Clams keep diners’ appetites satisfied, while the extensive sake and shochu selection keeps our interest …

Sassi offers southern Italian fare at its best. The unique setting is reminiscent of a villa situated off the Tuscan coast of Italy. With multiple warmly decorated dining rooms, private rooms, and an ornate outdoor al fresco dining area, it offers a wonderful setting for a meal, party, wedding, or any gathering of up to 150 guests. The quality menu offerings, coupled with the extensive list of fine Italian wines, are sure to please even the most fickle Italian food connoisseur.

Regarded as a popular place to go see and be seen, this contemporary American chain does what so few restaurants of its kind manage: it keeps people coming back. With a strict philosophy of using the freshest ingredients from local farms and purveyors, they serve up gracefully presented dishes in a modern setting. Stained wood, burnished brass, dim lighting, and a trendy crowd reel people in, but it’s the friendly service and delicious meat, fish, and chicken that has people returning. And if you happen to chance into one of this location—don’t forget to try their famous shoestring fries!

Head south to the land of gauchos (Brazilian cowboys) and churrasco (barbeque) at Brazilian Bull Steakhouse, right here in Phoenix. This authentic churrascaria serves up a bounty of savory delights cooked over open flame and beaming with flavor. Boasting a carnival atmosphere, Brazilian Bull lets its customers orchestrate their own dining experience: Ready for the parade of skewered meats to begin? Simply flip your sign to green. Can’t possibly eat any more? Turn the sign to red and sit back. And laying it on its side signals for the staff to wheel out their 6-foot display of homemade treats.

Pappadeaux in Phoenix is a one stop destination for traditional and contemporary Cajun cuisine. Pappadeaux has a loud, fun, and fast-paced environment in a setting similar to a turn-of-the-century jazz bar, and the menu is complete with dishes seasoned in flavorful spices with unbeatable prices. Know for their seafood, Pappadeaux also has a variety of Cajun food that you don’t always find on your typical menu. Fried alligator? Yes indeed. Step inside the French Quarter of flavors and you might find what your taste buds have been looking for.

The mission of Caffe Boa on Mills is to satisfy guests with fresh, organic ingredients from local farms and bakeries. The food has an European-bistro style with a major influence from Italian cuisine. Their reduction sauces and demis are made without butter, flours, or cornstarch to convey the true flavor of the dish. On the menu, the Cape Cod Ravioli features handmade rosemary ravioli filled with rotisserie chicken, ricotta, and herbs served in a “Cape Cod” sauce of vodka, fresh cranberries, and light cream. Caffe Boa looks like a larger version of a rustic and sophisticated European café. On certain …

The flagship restaurant of the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino, the Ahnala Mesquite Room serves bold Native American cuisine in a modern setting. An array of mesquite-grilled dishes such as Mesquite Grilled Rib Eye Steak and Mesquite Smoked Chicken offer a tantalizing renditions of the familiar, while signature dishes such as Yavapai Pecan Trout and Pan-Seared Scallops with prickly pear jelly take diners on a bold and adventurous ride. A meal here is a showcase of the region’s native flavors, many of which, including pecans, citrus, and herbs, are picked straight from the adjacent Fort McDowell Yavapai Farm.

At Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace, the Mediterranean meets California, with a fresh and creative menu that showcases creativity and freshness. The Fox restaurant concept offers a chic bistro setting on the Scottsdale Waterfront, with a bright and colorful interior and an elegant outdoor setting. The menu pulls on the best from California and Mediterranean cuisine, with dishes that range from simple to stunning. Rich and luxurious desserts finish off the menu and an accompanying wine list boasts a whopping 45 choices by the glass, with a worldly array of wines from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and France along …

The Arizona of another era is captured in the architecture, art, and cuisine of this state’s last authentic hacienda. Named after the famed artist Alonzo (Lon) Megargee, and once his home and studio, this historic hand-built ranch house is now home to an American cuisine menu that plates similarly artful presentations. Chef Michael Rusconi skillfully wields bold flavors and intriguing combinations to showcase a multitude of dishes found throughout the region. Highlights include dishes like the Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach, the Grilled Beef Tenderloin, and the Alaskan Dungeness Crab Salad. And we mustn’t forget the award-winning wine list that …