I love food. I love eating out. And I love Spring and Fall AZ Restaurant Week!
For those of you not familiar with these two food celebrations (from the Arizona Restaurant Week website):
“Arizona Restaurant Week is the most edible time of the year, giving local, regional and national food lovers the opportunity to enjoy a prix-fixe dinner for $33 or $44 per person (unless noted: excluding beverages, tax and gratuity) at a number of participating Valley restaurants. Arizona Restaurant Week’s goal is to position Arizona as one of the top culinary destinations in the nation by increasing awareness of the many dining opportunities available in the state, as well as stimulating business and revenue for restaurants throughout Arizona.”
It is a great time to try out a restaurant that is a little more expensive and try several courses!
Here are my Top 10 places of places to try!
East Valley
Vintage 95-Downtown Chandler ($44)
Perfect for a girls night out or date night, Vintage 95 serves up contemporary American cuisine with a twist on the classics.
First Course
Choice of….
– *Smoked Pork Belly on a Crispy Jalapeño Grit Cake with Maple Glaze and topped with Tabasco Coleslaw
– *Gem Salad with Little Gem Lettuce, Dried Mango, Banana Chips, Brazil Nuts, Goat Cheese and Coconut Flakes with a Apricot Vinaigrette
– Smoked Tomato Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Second Course
Choice of…
– Seared Seabass with Pearl Barley, Pomegranate, Pistachios, Sautéed Radicchio and Pomegranate Vinaigrette
– *Grilled Bone-In Beeler’s Pork Chop on a Fennel Sausage White Bean Stew with Roasted Cherry Tomato and Lemon Mustard Cream
– *Braised Beef Shortrib on Charred Tomatillo Mash Potatoes with a Mole Sauce, Tortilla Hay and Sesame Seeds
Third Course
Choice of…
– Coconut Tres Leches with Whipped Cream, Toasted Coconut and a Banana Cream Sauce
– “S’more” Chocolate Tart on a Graham Cracker Crust topped with Housemade Marshmallow Cream
– *Selection of Three Fruit Sorbets, Pineapple, Peach and Strawberry
High Tide Seafood Bar & Grill–Spectrum Shopping Center ($33)
“Featuring Steam Kettle Cooking with the freshest seafood in the valley!”
First Course
High Tide Oyster Rockefeller-Creamy Baby Spinach-Shallot-Bacon-Buttery Breadcrumbs
Calamari – Old Bay Aioli – Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce
Cajun Shrimp Boil – Sweet Corn Relish
Crab Cake – Avocado – Old Bay Aioli – Rainbow Micro Greens
Second Course
Togarashi Spiced Ahi Tuna – White Rice – Tempura Asparagus- Ponzu Sauce
Spicy Seafood Pasta – Shrimp – Halibut – Calamari – Alaskan Cod – Black Mussels – Clams – Brandy Tomato Citrus and Cream Sauce
Grilled Skuna Bay Salmon – Lemon Risotto – Garlic Broccolini – Citrus Beurre Blanc
Gumbo – Rich Creole Stew- Andouille Sausage – Chicken – Okra – Crab Meat – Shrimp – Crawfish
Peach Glazed Pork Chop – Garlic Green Beans – Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes
Third Course
Sea Salt Caramel with Choc Truffles or Pistachio Gelato
Bread Pudding with Toasted Pecans, Caramel and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Beignets with Chocolate Ganache Sauce
Scottsdale
Citizen’s Public House-Downtown Scottsdale ($33)
“…contemporary version of the traditional public house nestled in Old Town Scottsdale serving craft beers, classic cocktails, and award-winning gastropub cuisine to guests hungry for exceptional food, provocative drink, and new-fashioned fun.”
First Course
The Original Chopped Salad
smoked salmon, Israeli couscous, arugula, pepitas, Asiago cheese, currants, dried super sweet corn, Roma tomatoes, buttermilk pesto dressing
Soup of the Day {gf}
Local Field Greens
cashews, cranberries, goat cheese, grape tomatoes, celery seed balsamic vinaigrette {gf}
Second Course
Pan Seared Scallops
Tender Belly bacon, sweet corn grits, sauteed snow pea greens, cola gastrique {gf}
Amaro Meatloaf
smashed Yukon Gold potatoes, roasted zucchini, veal demi-glace, mushroom cream
Buttermilk Chicken
roasted Smart Chicken breast, sweet corn-butter bean succotash, Brussels sprouts, truffle oil, Pecorino Romano {gf}
Third Course
Brownie Sundae
fudge brownie sticks, strawberry ice cream, fleur de sel caramel, banana-peanut carmel corn {gf}
Pig in the Orchard
apple & bacon bread pudding, browned butter ice cream, maple caramel sauce
Sushi Roku at the W-Downtown Scottsdale ($33)
“Sushi Roku, the stylish Japanese hot-spot located at the chic W Scottsdale, offers Valley diners and travelers alike a one-of-a-kind East meets West experience in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.”
First Course
Choice of:
Trio of Appetizers from Sea
-Grilled Octopus
-Tuna Tartare
-Fluke Kumquat Sashimi
Or
Trio of Appetizers from the Farm
-Pork Belly “Hanabi”
-Beef rib eye wrapped asparagus
-Japanese fried chicken “tatsuta-age”
Second Course
Choice of:
-Braised Short Rib- Garlic, Ginger, Five Spice
-Grilled Salmon with Roku’s BBQ Sauce- Mashed Potatoes, Hijiki Seaweed
-6 Piece Sushi Assortment & 1/2 Baked Crab Roll- Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon, Tai, Albacore & Shrimp
Third Course
Choice of:
– Mini Chocolate Volcano- Vanilla Ice Cream
– Banana Berry Spring Rolls (2 pieces)
Wildfish Seafood Grille–Scottsdale Waterfront ($44)
Steak and seafood in a contemporary, sophisticated dining room
First Course
Pot Stickers – Filled with Spicy Shrimp and Pork in a Light Soy Broth
Main Lobster and Shrimp Bisque – Fresh Maine Lobster, Cream and Cognac
Iceberg BLT – Crisp Bacon, Maytag Blue Cheese, Buttermilk-Chive Dressing
Second Course
Scottish Salmon – Young Vegetables and Maille Mustard Vinaigrette
Roasted Breast of Chicken – Pan Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Natural Jus
Lemon Sole in Parmesan Crust – Baby Heirloom Tomato and Herb Salad, Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce
Roasted & Sliced Filet Mignon with Sautéed Gulf Shrimp “Scampi Style” ($5 upcharge)
Third Course
Butterscotch Panna Cota – Salted Caramel, Crisp Biscotti
Hot Chocolate Godiva Cake – with Sweet Republic Vanilla Ice Cream
Banana Fosters Cake – with Sweet Republic Butter Pecan Ice Cream
ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho-Scottsdale ($33)
“ZuZu inside the restored Hotel Valley Ho features seasonal American fare, made with fresh, local ingredients. Booth and table seating is available inside, as well as shaded dining on the patio. There’s also a community table, pie case, and floor-to-ceiling glass that can be opened to let the outside in.”
First Course
Beet + Goat Cheese Salad
roasted beets, arugula, goat cheese,
baby heirloom tomatoes,
candied pecans + basil vinaigrette
or
Classic Caesar Salad
or
Tuscan Kale Salad
lacinato kale, pecorino romano, julienne pear, pan-roasted bread crumbs,
pine nuts, oven-roasted tomatoes
+ lemon dressing
Second Course
Roasted Spaghetti Squash
braised greens, tomatoes, toasted
pine nuts + parmesan crust
or
Braised Beef Short Rib
oven-roasted vegetables
+ creamy grits
or
Grilled Salmon
spinach, steamed brown rice
+ mustard dill butter
Third Course
Chocolate Cream Pie
or
Crème Brulee
toasted caramel over rich custard
served with cherry biscotti
or
Peanut Butter Crunch Bar
banana ice cream
Phoenix
El Chorro-Paradise Valley ($44)
“Framed by scenic views of Camelback and Mummy mountains, El Chorro has a long-standing reputation for its beautiful desert surroundings, patio dining featuring spectacular sunsets, timeless charm, and famed sticky-buns.”
First Course
Soup of the Day
~
Organic Caesar
organic romaine, parmesan & crispy polenta croutons
~
Tomato & Burrata Salad
El Chorro garden tomatoes & basil
Second Course
Center Cut Filet
6 oz filet, parmesan scalloped potatoes & sautéed spinach
~
Seasonal White Fish of the Day
spinach gnocchi, garden greens & lobster broth
~
Niman Ranch Pork Tenderloin
prosciutto wrapped, green chile risotto & butternut squash
Third Course
Chocolate Cream Pie
~
Cheesecake Tower
~
Fruit Pie of the Day
Chelseas Kitchen-Arcadia ($33)**sidenote this is my favorite restaurant in Phoenix!
“Chelsea’s Kitchen, an Arizona roadhouse on the canal that pays tribute to the heritage and history of the area, provides high-quality, honest food that is always fresh.”
First Course
SHREDDED KALE & QUINOA SALAD
sunflower seeds, grapes, preserved lemon
LA GRANDE ORANGE CAESAR SALAD
chopped romaine, reggiano parmesan
CHICKEN POSOLE
guajillo chile, lime, blue corn tortilla
Second Course
WOOD-FIRED ROTISSERIE JIDORI CHICKEN
half jidori chicken with today’s fresh vegetable
GRILLED SALMON
hard wood grilled with today’s fresh vegetable
SHORT RIBS
pan roasted with vegetables – add an egg n/c
Third Course
GRATEFUL SPOON GELATO
We serve only small batch grateful spoon american made artisan gelato with 100% all natural ingredients.
Federal Pizza-Central & Camelback ($33)
“Led by Master Baker MJ Coe, wood-fired pizzas take center stage with a supporting cast of pasta, sandwiches, big, healthy salads and grilled veggies that allow Federal Pizza to transcend the traditional pizzeria.”
First Course
Patricia Jane Salad: mixed greens, red wine poached pears, pomegranate seeds, gorgonzola, candied walnuts + apple cider vinaigrette
Arancini: fried risotto, herb-stuffed parmesan & mozzarella, pomodoro sauce, grana padano + fresh basil
Second Course
Chef’s Whim Pizza: roasted potatoes, gunaciale, taleggio + arugula
Squid Ink Chitarra: grilled squid, chitarra pasta, Abby Lee Farms tomatoes + castelvetrano olives
Chicken Parmesan: house breaded chicken, local balsamic tomatoes, arugula, shaved reggiano + calabrian chili aioli
Third Course
Bombolini: warm donuts + chocolate dip
Buttermilk Panna Cotta: vanilla bean, Windsor mulberries + mint
