3 Stars

Using California architecture, design and cuisine as the inspiration, The Greene House in Scottsdale will transform you to the coast without having ever left the comforts of Arizona. Driven by seasonal, artisan ingredients, the menu is ever-changing and always evolving. With a simple menu and a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere, diners can enjoy ample outdoor seating and an uncomplicated menu. Sip one of the Greene House’s signature drinks, while dining on Spicy grilled Chicken Sandwich or Pacific Cod Fish and Chips, and you will undoubtedly be swept away by the unmistakable California consciousness.

Inspired by Italy’s Tuscany region, Ristorante Tuscany presents Italian cuisine with elegance. The restaurant is a recipient of the AAA Four-Diamond award and features inventive dishes from Chef de Cuisine Brian Archibald. Unique dishes like Lobster Saltimbocca and Grilled Cedar River Beef Tenderloin can be found on the menu. Pastas can be ordered in half or full portions. With wine being a specialty at this restaurant, it has a large wine list including vintage wines from Tuscany. The restaurant has an open exhibition kitchen, wood-fired oven, an outdoor fireplace along with views of the resort’s Isle of Capri. With the …

Take a break from daily stress at Acacia Café, the no-hassle bakery, café, and coffee shop where fresh ingredients meet reasonable prices. Located in the Arcadia residence of Phoenix, Acacia Café is a great place to relax and grab breakfast, lunch, or a fresh cup of coffee. They offer fresh-baked rustic breads and morning pastries, breakfast scrambles, deli sandwiches, paninis, fresh salads, and in-house ground New England Coffee. Or, if you’re on the go, Acacia Café will make your order to-go, and even offer catering services for your next party or office meeting. By using local ingredients at innovative recipes, …

Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House presents eclectic Southwestern cuisine featuring steak, game, and seafood. The fresh seafood is offered with the choice of Asian, European, Southwestern, and Mediterranean preparations. The steak and game options are mesquite wood fired and come with a choice of sides, sauces, and starch. The restaurant also has ranch-style entrees like an Apple Chipotle BBQ Chicken Breast with spinach, crispy garlic, and caramelized onion home fries. The décor is inspired by the Old West and has an earthy feel to it. Guests can dine in the Wine Room or in the Main Dining Room by the fireplace. …

The stark beauty and natural elegance of the surrounding Sonoran desert is reflected in the Latilla at the Boulders Resort. With picture windows overlooking 12-million-year-old boulders, a ceiling constructed of Ocotillo branches (“latillas” in Spanish), and walls adorned with traditional Native American woven art, the Latilla seamlessly blends contemporary refinement with the rich cultural and natural history of the region. Chef Wendy Little’s Southwestern-influenced American cuisine reflects the environmental emphasis of the restaurant, featuring fresh and health-conscious dishes made from organic and seasonal ingredients. An outdoor patio with an inviting fireplace provides an opportunity for a more intense communion with …

Flourish at the Copperwynd Resort effortlessly infuses its sophisticated style with an almost mischievous whimsy. Classic New American dishes are transformed by cheeky culinary tinkering: The Spinach Salad is sprinkled with shaved heirloom tomatoes and “dried corn confetti” while paella is given a Sonoran twist with Corona-steamed clams, poblano chilies, chorizo, and a soffritto corn broth. The innovation displayed by its menu is mirrored in Flourish' dynamic design. Floor-to-ceiling windows slide open to reveal a breathtaking view of the Sonoran desert, allowing the natural landscape to blend seamlessly with the restaurant’s stone and metallic accented interior. An evening at Flourish …

Formerly called the Dirty Drummer, North 51 Grill is a great place for a simple burger and wings, but they have an outstanding breakfast menu to boot. Preferred by locals as a great place to beat the heat, this bar and grill can shut out the hot Arizona heat with ice cold beer and a selection of upscale bar food. With a friendly staff and great prices, North 51 Grill is a great place for a family dinner or a place to watch the game.

To truly wine and dine in style, visit Chandler Bistro at Kokopelli Winery. Wine tastings are offered daily, and weekends welcome the Kool Jamz Dinner events featuring live entertainment. Large private parties enjoy a unique degree of personal, and personable, service with several catering and hosting options presented through the winery. And while the fine selection of vino draws many guests to the Kokopelli grounds, Chandler Bistro is reason enough to visit. A few menu favorites include the Merlot Braised Pot Roast, the Pasta Roban, and the Chocolate Port Brownie.

A western-themed attraction and restaurant all in one can be found at Rustler’s Rooste, a kid-friendly, novelty steakhouse and brewery straight out of the Wild Wild West. Opened in 1971, Rustler’s Rooste is Arizona’s Legendary Cowboy Steakhouse, complete with 2 stories, live country music and a general store. They serve only the finest, choice-cut steaks as well as ribs, chicken, and seafood. With a large food and drink menu, this “beef and brew with a view” was named “Best Special-Occasion Restaurant” and “Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant” by Phoenix Magazine. Open every day from 5PM-10PM.

A relaxing, enjoyable eating experience can be found at Sophie’s French Bistro. The interior is reminiscent of a classic French countryside while the food is innovative and flavorful. Ideal for a romantic date, Sophie’s uses premium ingredients for their classic French dishes, presented elegantly and served on a simple white table cloth. Don’t expect a quick turnaround, though—Sophie’s cuisine is meant to be enjoyed and savored slowly, just as classic French meals are meant to be. If food is pleasure, then this is a place to appreciate.

For a taste of California with Arizona style, The Greene House is the place to go. Known for using farm-fresh, seasonal and premium ingredients, the menu options here are well priced and cleverly crafted for a taste that has elements of both Southwestern styles with contemporary, Californian flare. Named after architects Charles and Henry Greene, who designed this restaurant, The Greene House takes the form of a California bungalow, providing an intimate, one-of-a-kind dining experience. What draws people back is the simplicity in design and décor, the flavor of each individual dish, and the extensive list of high-quality wines. For …

Desert rusticity melds with classic sophistication to create the finely balanced décor and cuisine of famed Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak. Visitors to this Scottsdale oasis may be struck first by how seamlessly the architecture and décor marries natural elements like cacti and budding shrubbery with the sleek and contemporary lines of minimalist design. And diners will certainly notice how artfully Executive Chef Sean Griffin combines comfort food classics with refined technique. Dishes like the The Whole Fried Chicken For Two and the Maine Lobster Pot Pie are reassuringly familiar, yet intriguingly polished.

This sports bar has a little something extra to satisfy your culinary cravings. At Networks Bar and Grill, the inviting atmosphere compliments the Southwest inspired menu of signature burgers, upscale bar snacks and premium beers, wines and cocktails. Located inside the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Networks Bar and Grill is a more classy spin on your average sports bar, with lush comfy couches, swanky booths for larger parties, and several large televisions on the walls—perfect for a night out or a place to watch the game.

Notorious for their long lines and long wait, customers keep coming back to Pizzeria Bianco for their famous pizzas, salads and brews. All pizzas are oven roasted, and even though there are only 6 selections to choose from, each option is eager to please, more notably their popular Rosa Pizza with red onion, parmigiano reggiano, rosemary and Arizona pistachios. Pistachios on a pizza? Full of surprises, the modestly simply Pizzeria Bianco will leave your belly satisfied.

In the heart of central Phoenix lies FEZ, an ultra sleek and urban center for Mediterranean and Moroccan infused American cuisine. FEZ, an Award Winning restaurant in Phoenix, combines one-of-a-kind spices and fresh ingredients to create tempting and flavorful selections that can satisfy your cravings. In addition, FEZ hosts special events for both music and food, complete with a life DJ for late night parties. Fans rave about their signature Pomegranate Martini and FEZ burger, and alongside their full bar, lustrous lounge and spacious outdoor patio, FEZ is the ideal place for trendy, upscale bar food with a Middle Eastern …

Health nuts never fear—there’s a restaurant in town that has everyone talking at yoga practice. It’s called True Food Kitchen, and this organic, fine-dining eatery has a modern, nature-inspired interior with a menu full of premium, healthy options for any diet. To become the most popular restaurant of the Fox Restaurant Concept, owner Sam Fox teamed up with health specialist and best-selling author Dr. Andrew Weil to create a menu that is both health-conscious and satisfying. Dishes here show the more nutritious side of fine dining, but the quality, presentation and flavor are not cut short. True Food Kitchen offers …

One may argue that the best experiences in life involve some variation of molten cheese and/or chocolate, and The Melting Pot agrees wholeheartedly. Savory morsels of fresh meats, chicken, seafood, and veggies are presented for diners to dip and indulge on how they please -- and sweet touches like fruits and cookies are complemented by an array of chocolate dips. A meal with a special someone becomes infinitely more romantic when sharing is involved; and any communal dining experience with a table of happy eaters promises to be a memorable one.

Roy’s at Desert Ridge creates good vibes and better times with its Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. Roy Yamaguchi, the restaurant’s founder, opened his first Roy’s in Honolulu in 1988. Aloha spirit and local fare combined with Asian and European influences, resulted in a James Beard award-winning experience. Located at the elegant JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa and appointed with the resort’s sophistication and finery, Roy’s at Desert Ridge promises the same quality of service and experience as the original restaurant. The menu has sixteen of the founder’s signature dishes—like the Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé—alongside Executive Chef Mako Segawa’s extensive …

Recalling the traditional fish, chop, and steakhouse, Kincaid’s puts a modern spin on timeless dishes. With warm, plum colors and rustic wooden tables, the décor is inviting and comforting. Executive Chef Jonathan Cullen's juicy, signature Rock Salted Roasted Prime Rib of Beef is marinated for 28 days then slow roasted under a mountain of rock salt. For seafood lovers, there is a wide selection ranging from New England Clam Chowder to Seafood Linguine. Not to be overshadowed, Kincaid’s drink selection offers an impressive variety of cocktails, mojitos and wines; understandably, happy hour is one of the most popular times for …

Located in the Promenade at Fulton Ranch on the outskirts of Chandler, Cork is a culinary gem. Owners Robert and Danielle Morris created Cork because of their own love of sampling and sharing food. Cork specializes in a “small plates-style,” small portions and prices, offering each diner a chance to try, and share, multiple culinary adventures. Try the Pan-Roasted Ostrich or the Braised Rabbit Pot Pie, and enjoy something from the extensive, Wine Spectator-award-winning wine list. For a full-sized, traditional meal with bottomless Mimosas or Bellinis, join Cork for Sunday brunch.