Dining

Baby Kay’s Cajun Kitchen
Creole-Cajun
2119 E. Camelback Rd., 602-955-0011. A good pit stop for a hot (as in burn your lips) lunch. Most of the usual Cajun stuff – jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish étouffée – is featured. Lunch and dinner daily. $$

Barrio Café
Mexican
2814 N. 16th St., 602-636-0240. Funky, crowded and tons of fun, that’s the lowdown on this popular Mexican restaurant – located in the barrio and specializing in food from central and southern Mexico. Don’t miss the tableside guacamole, the cochinita pibil or the churros for dessert. Lunch Tu-F, dinner Tu-Sa, lunch and dinner Su. $-$$$

Bistro 24
French
2401 E. Camelback Rd. (Ritz-Carlton), 602-952-2424. Colorful but elegant – that’s the Bistro, where the menu runs to steak au poivre, bistro fries, sole meuniere and Wednesday night’s excellent osso buco. A must for fancy breakfasts and elegant desserts. Breakfast and lunch M-Sa, dinner Tu-Sa. $-$$$

Carolina’s Mexican Food
Mexican
1202 E. Mohave St., 602-252-1503. By 11 a.m., this bare-bones South Phoenix stalwart is knee-deep in customers, lined up for homey, straightforward tacos, tamales, burritos and enchiladas. The smart ones take home a few packages of Carolina’s huge and amazing tortillas, made fresh daily. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $

Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Experience
Wine Bar/Eclectic
1326 N. Central Ave., 602-307-0022. State Senator Ken Cheuvront has gone into the restaurant biz, making a respectable splash with this spare and urban-looking wine bar, which features wines by the glass, artisanal cheeses and eclectic small plates. Try the pear salad, the portobello stack and the dried-pear and raspberry Napoleon. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $-$$$

Christopher’s Fermier Brasserie
French
2584 E. Camelback Rd., 602-522-2344. Chris Gross offers contemporary French food and bistro classics in a hip but casual setting. Regulars come for the fabulous wine list, extensive cheese selection, great late-night menu and daily specials, such as bouillabaisse and braised rabbit. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sa-Su. $$$

Cibo Urban Pizzeria Café - Pizza
603 N. Fifth Ave., 602-441-2697. A charming, wood-floored house (circa 1913) is home to Cibo, a bustling Downtown pizzeria beloved for its thin, crisp and slightly chewy wood-fired pies. Start with the fabulous antipasto platter and end with decadent dessert crepes. Dinner M-Sa. $$

City Bakery
American
215 E. Grant St., 602-253-7200. Carolyn Ellis of Arcadia Farms goes sleek and urban at this Downtown venue for quick breakfasts, gourmet salads and sandwiches, which is housed in the way-cool Bentley Projects. Don’t miss the house-made granola with yogurt, the PLT sandwich, the City Chop salad or the outrageously good tuxedo babycake. Breakfast and lunch M-Sa. $

The Counter
American
15215 N. Kierland Blvd. (Kierland Commons), 480-998-0202. Sam Fox of Bloom, North and Sauce brings us a one-stop-shop experience that’s part gourmet market, part trendy retail store and part old-school diner, complete with homey cookies, milkshakes and a 25-cent cup of coffee. Naturally, the sandwiches and salads served here bear no resemblance to the humble counter food of the old days, and that’s just the way we like it. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. $

Coup Des Tartes
French
4626 N. 16th St., 602-212-1082. Famed for its beautiful tarts, this tiny, wood-floored BYOB offers French food, both classic and contemporary. Start with Brie brûlée and end with a brûléed banana tart. Dinner Tu-Sa. $$

Coyoacán Steak House
Mexican/Steak
9014 S. Central Ave., 602-323-9010. Moises Treves and Jorge Gonzalez bring many of the best dishes from the now-defunct Such is Life back to life at this modern Mexican restaurant in South Phoenix. Look for excellent salsas (but no chips to go with them), as well as steaks, chilaquiles, molé and cochinita pibil. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$

Daniel’s
Italian
4225 E. Camelback Rd., 602-952-1522. Elegant and supremely romantic, this contemporary Italian hideaway offers professional service and yummy food, such as seabass with capers, roasted peppers and olives, or veal with truffle oil. Dinner nightly. $$$

Delux
Burgers/Sandwiches
3146 E. Camelback Rd., 602-522-2288. With its illuminated center community table and 40-some-odd draft beers, Delux takes burgers and suds to higher ground. Don’t miss the beet salad or the deliciously retro chocolate malt. Lunch and dinner daily.

Deseo
Nuevo Latino
6902 E. Greenway Pkwy. (the Westin Kierland), 480-624-1030. This exciting, Latin-inspired restaurant is situated in a spacious hotel setting, but you won’t care once you taste consulting chef Douglas Rodriguez’s amazing combinations. Try the smoked marlin salad, oysters Rodriguez, caviar arepas, Cuban-style langosta or cilantro-honey-mustard salmon. Cafe y Tabaco is the must-do dessert. Dinner M-Sa. $$$

Durant’s
American
2611 N. Central Ave., 602-264-5967. This mid-town institution has been serving beef, booze and other relics of the good old days for the past 50 years. Phoenix’s movers and shakers come for Florida stone crabs, excellent lunchtime sandwiches, martinis and, of course, the complimentary relish tray. Lunch M-F, dinner nightly. $$-$$$

Eden’s Grill
Middle Eastern
13843 N. Tatum Blvd., 602-996-5149. Housed in a strip mall, this small Middle Eastern restaurant is far prettier than you’d imagine. And the made-from-scratch food is wonderful. Try dolmeh, baba ghannouj, excellent kebabs, catfish you won’t believe, and the best baklava in town. Lunch M-Sa, dinner nightly. $-$$

El Bravo
Mexican
8338 N. Seventh St., 602-943-9753. Old-fashioned Sonoran ain’t borin’ at this Mexican restaurant. Try the machaca burro, green corn tamales, red chile and yummy homemade tortillas, and you will get the picture. Lunch and early dinner M-Sa. No checks accepted. $

The Farm at South Mountain
American
6106 S. 32nd St., 602-276-6360. Come to this soothing, rural place for soups, salads, sandwiches and sweets – eaten at picnic tables under pecan trees. Weekday breakfasts are Continental, but on Sa and Su mornings, hot breakfasts are offered. Breakfast and lunch Tu-Su. $

Fat Slim’s BBQ Joint
Barbecue
3961 E. Camelback Rd., 602-952-9777. Fat Slim is fictional but his pecan-smoked barbecue, served with smoky beans and blue-cheese-accented coleslaw, is the real deal. The brisket may be the best this side of El Paso, but really, everything’s good, including beer-butt chicken, Fat Slim’s Original burger and Jack Daniel’s-spiked chocolate-pecan pie. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$

Fogo E Brasa
Steak
4909 E. Chandler Blvd., 480-783-6060. This Brazilian churrascaria features all-you-can-eat ro-dizio – succulent, skewered and rotisseried meats sliced tableside – served with yummy sides. An ex-cellent salad bar, which includes seafood and hot entrees, is also included. Dinner nightly. $$-$$$

Franco’s Italian Caffé
Italian
2501 E. Camelback Rd., 602-381-1155. Franco Fazzuoli is cooking up homey, delicious Northern Italian food in an upscale setting that belies his reasonable prices. Look for homemade mozzarella and pastas, organic rotisseried chicken and excellent pizzas. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Sa. $-$$

Golden Buddha Restaurant
Chinese
668 N. 44th St. (Chinese Cultural Center), 602-286-9888. Never mind that this sprawling, attractively decorated Chinese restaurant is part of a Georgia-based chain. With well over 250 items on the menu (which specializes in fresh seafood), there’s something for everybody here, and it’s all fresh-tasting and attractively presented. Lunch, dim sum and dinner daily. $$

Havana Café
Cuban
4225 E. Camelback Rd., 602-952-1991. Here’s a tiny but contemporary-looking Cuban restaurant offering mojitos and great appetizers, as well as plenty of traditional entrees. Thumbs-up for the papa rellena, shrimp pancakes, pastelitos and ceviche. Lunch M-Sa, dinner nightly. $$. Other location: Scottsdale (480-991-1496).

Kai
Southwestern
5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd. (Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa), 602-225-0100. Located on the Gila River Indian Reservation, Kai offers gorgeous views of the surrounding desert, as well as elegant Southwest Cuisine. Possibilities include lobster fry bread, bacon-wrapped quail and pecan-crusted lamb rack with molé. For dessert: fry bread with “soda shop frills.” Dinner Tu-Sa. $$$

La Grande Orange Grocery & Pizzeria
American
 4410 N. 40th St., 602-840-7777. This upscale market and deli serves a few simple but elegant breakfast selections, good sandwiches, a variety of great pizza (dinner only) and fanciful desserts baked by Tammie Coe. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $

La Piñata
Mexican
3330 N. 19th Ave., 602-279-1763. Dimly lit but cozy, this Valley old-timer still draws legions of loyalists addicted to the chips and salsa, as well as the appetizer platter, machaca and chimichangas. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$

Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles
Soul Food
10 W. Yuma St., 602-340-1304. Ensconced in a tiny house in South Phoenix, Lo-Lo’s is the friendliest and hippest place for soul food in the Valley. Naturally, the fried chicken and waffles (so good together) are outstanding, but so are the greens, the mac and cheese, the cornbread and the outrageous red velvet cake. Late breakfast, lunch and early dinner Tu-Su. $

Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn
American
5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Paradise Valley, 602-955-7878. Thanks to its territorial décor and fabulous patios, Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn is a romantic favorite that oozes Old Arizona charm. Chef de cuisine Michael Rusconi is new on board but plans to add Southwestern touches to his Contemporary American menu. Lunch M-F, dinner nightly, brunch Su. $$$

Marcellino Ristorante
Italian
1301 E. Northern Ave., 602-216-0004. Chef-owner Marcellino Verzino brings elegance to his modern Italian Cuisine by using fresh (and few) ingredients and cooking them simply. Pasta is the specialty at this intimate restaurant, but everything is first-rate, including gamberi e feta and zuppa di pesce. Lunch Tu-F, dinner M-Sa. $$-$$$

Matt’s Big Breakfast
American
801 N. First Street, Phoenix, 602-254-1074. Bright white and orange, this tiny diner is as clean and cheerful as your mom’s kitchen. And the food’s probably better. Try the excellent ham and bacon, the fabulous flapjacks, and herb and olive oil-splashed home fries. Great Cincinnati chili at lunch. Breakfast and lunch Tu-Su. $

The New El Portal Restaurant
Mexican
117 W. Grant St., 602-271-0521. This spiffy reincarnation of an old Downtown favorite is populated by politicos and working stiffs who know great Mexican food when they taste it. Try the chilaquiles, chile relleno, carne asada taco and anything with red chile. Breakfast and late lunch daily. $

Nix Supper Club
Contemporary American
5618 E. Thomas Rd., 480-970-5333. It’s easy to whiz right by this tiny but eminently cozy restaurant, housed in an unpromising-looking strip mall. But the soothing ambience, attentive service and straightforward, nicely prepared food make it well worth a look-see. Shrimp bisque and lemon pepper shrimp with Portobello ravioli are standouts. Dinner M-Sa. $$-$$$

North
Italian
15024 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Kierland Commons), 480-948-2055. Hungry for a snug New York loft setting, rustic Italian food given a modern spin and a great glass of wine? Go North, young man. And when you get there, try the whole roasted bass with Tuscan kale or the prosciutto and melon pizza. Lunch and dinner daily. $$. Other location: Glendale (623-537-4500).

Padre’s Latin Grill & Mojo Bar
Mexican/Southwestern
1044 E. Camelback Rd., 602-277-1749. Saltillo tiled floors, beamed ceilings and brightly painted walls make this lively restaurant feel south-of-the-border, but it’s Cuernavacan ex-pat Ivonne Turincio’s Latin-inspired food that makes the biggest impression. Try the Cuban-style pulled pork sandwich, lobster Thermidor quesadilla, chicken relleno and chocolate molé cake. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Sa. $-$$$

Pane Bianco
Sandwiches
4404 N. Central Ave., 602-234-2100. Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco also mans the wood-fired oven at this way-cool, industrial-looking take-out shop, which turns out three or four stellar sandwiches, two salads and a focaccia of the day. Everything’s fresh and simply wonderful. Lunch Tu-Sa. $

Pepe’s Taco Villa
Mexican
2108 W. Camelback Rd., 602-242-0379. The tacos are good here, but there are dozens of other great reasons to give this homey Mexican restaurant a try. Chicken molé, chilaquiles, albondigas soup, carnitas and cocido are just a few. Lunch and dinner W-M. $

Persian Garden
Middle Eastern/Vegetarian
1335 W. Thomas Rd., 602-263-1915. Chef-owner Mahmmud Jaafari adds Middle Eastern zing to his healthy, made-from-scratch food, offering delicious vegan and vegetarian specialties, as well as lamb, fish and chicken in a pleasant setting. Lunch and dinner daily (limited menu Su). $-$$

Phoenix City Grille
Contemporary American
5816 N. 16th St., 602-266-3001. A contemporary setting with black-and-white pix of old-time Phoenix make this neighborhood restaurant and bar a cool hangout for the R&R inclined. Try the griddled corn cakes, cedar-planked salmon and chocolate torte. Lunch and dinner daily. $$

Pie Zanos Kitchen
Pizza
4743 N. 20th St., 602-955-4225. Pizza is the name of the game at this funky, art-filled way station, tucked away in Town & Country. Customers may build their own pies with flavored crusts, eight exotic sauces, seven different cheeses and 27 displayed ingredients or go with yummy house pies such as the Bo Diddley – with bacon, spinach, sweet potato, BBQ sauce and provolone on a chipotle crust. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $

Pizzeria Bianco
Pizza
623 E. Adams St., 602-258-8300. Located in a beautiful old building in Heritage Square, this tiny place offers exquisitely simple but sophisticated food with an Italian slant. The house-baked bread, focaccia and handmade mozzarella are fabulous, while the wood-fired pizzas are the best in town. Dinner Tu-Sa. $-$$

Postino
Wine Bar
3939 E. Campbell Ave., 602-852-3939. Housed in the old Arcadia Post Office, the aptly named Postino offers paninis, salads, interesting wines, and great snacks to go with them. An open-air feeling makes this yuppie haven a must in good weather. Don’t miss the bruschetta sampler. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $$

Richardson’s
New Mexican
1582 E. Bethany Home Rd., 602-265-5886. Good New Mexico-style food and a lively bar make this neighborhood hangout fun. Great carne adovada and excellent breakfasts to cure your hangovers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$

The Rokerij
Steak/American
6335 N. 16th St., 602-287-8900. Richardson Browne (of Richardson’s and Dick’s Hideaway) has created a wonderfully atmospheric neighborhood restaurant, specializing in prime beef and affordable wines. Appetizers such as the excellent steak tartare or roasted elephant garlic are huge, so plan to share. Best bets are the veal chop, ribeye and ahi. Get bargain prices (half-off plus one buck) on entrees between 10 p.m. and midnight. Dinner nightly, brunch Su. $$-$$$

Ruby Beet Gourmet
Contemporary American
628 E. Adams St., 602-258-8700. Located in the historic Silva House in Heritage Square, this winsome retreat for foodies offers farm-fresh food, simply but elegantly prepared. Chef-owner Karen Dawson changes the menu frequently, but look for specialties such as feta-stuffed fried green olives, oven-roasted asparagus and prosciutto bundles, herb-crusted lamb with English pea puree and her famous coconut cream pie. Dinner Tu-Sa. $$$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Steak
2201 E. Camelback Rd., 602-957-9600. A steak-lover’s paradise with USDA Prime steaks, hand-cut on the premises and served with sizzling butter. The à la carte sides are great, too. Dinner nightly. $$$. Other location: Scottsdale (480-991-5988).

San Carlos Bay
Mexican
1901 E. McDowell Rd., 602-340-0892. Seafood is the specialty at this plain but pleasant barrio restaurant. Try the Seven Seas Cocktail, the garlic shrimp or the fish Veracruzano. $-$$

Sauce
Italian
742 E. Glendale Ave., 602-216-2400. Sam Fox is the brains behind this fast-casual concept, where customers get thin-crust wood-fired pizzas, great salads, pasta and dessert for a song. Good wine list, all things considered. Lunch and dinner daily. $

ShinBay
Sushi
15410 South Mountain Pkwy., 480-704-1422. Reservations are essential at this clean-lined shop because chef-owner Shinji Kurita, who works alone, is a perfectionist. The lunchtime obento is exquisite, while nighttime’s three-course dinners often include sashimi drizzled with olive oil or monkfish pâté. Sake flights available. Lunch M-F, dinner nightly. $$$

Sierra Bonita Grill
American/Western
6933 N. Seventh St., 602-264-0700. Low-slung and cowboy-cool, this comfortable North Phoenix haven adds sophistication to the hearty foods of the American West. Try the smoky red chile pork tamale or red chile pork roast, the flat-iron with herb-pesto prawns, and for dessert, caramelized pineapple crepes. Dinner nightly. $$-$$$

Sophie’s
French
2320 E. Osborn Rd., 602-956-8897. This cozy French bistro, featuring Larry Reed on piano weekend nights, makes a romantic spot for lunch or dinner. Don’t miss the lobster bisque or the Coquilles St. Jacques. Lunch Tu-F, dinner Tu-Sa. $$-$$$

T. Cook’s
Mediterranean
5200 E. Camelback Rd., 602-808-0766. Tucked away in the Royal Palms Resort, T. Cook’s breathes romance. If the Mediterranean-inspired food doesn’t knock you out, the architectural desserts will. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Su. $$$

TEXAZ Grill
Steak
6003 N. 16th St., 602-248-7827. This is the best example of a down-home Texas bar and steakhouse in Arizona. The reasonably priced food is basic but delicious. Best bets are steaks, burgers and chicken-fried steak. Lunch M-Sa, dinner nightly. $$

Vincent on Camelback
Southwestern/French
3930 E. Camelback Rd., 602-224-0225. Famed for French-inspired Southwestern Cuisine, Vincent keeps classic favorites such as duck tamales and smoked-salmon quesadillas on the menu, while offering a taste of Provence with wild mushroom and asparagus tart and duck confit with green-olive sauce. Desserts are fab. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Sa. $$$

Vincent Market Bistro
French
3930 E. Camelback Rd., 602-224-3727. Situated directly behind Vincent’s legendary Southwest-meets-Provence restaurant stands the petite but adorable new French Market Bistro, an excellent place for eat-in breakfast and lunch – it’s even great for take-out. Cluttered with olive oils, fancy jams and cheeses, Vincent’s Market Bistro also sells various affordable wines, fresh-baked breads, pastries and pre-prepared dishes such as coq au vin, gingered beef and lobster macedoine. Breakfast and lunch Su-F, market daily.

Wild Thaiger
Thai
2631 N. Central Ave., 602-241-8995. Drop by this pretty restaurant for lunch and you’ll find fresh, simple Thai dishes that tend to be a bit mainstream. The dinner menu, which offers tamarind shrimp and beef filet with papaya salad, is far more fun. For dessert, don’t miss fresh mango with sticky rice. Lunch M-Sa, dinner Tu-Sa. $-$$

Zest
Contemporary American
4117 N. 16th St., 602-274-7442. From the street, you’d never guess how blissfully soothing this candlelit but contemporary restaurant is. Although the walls are hung with edgy local art, the modern menu displays a comforting familiarity. Try eggplant cheesecake, crawfish cocktail and marinated duck on parsnip mash with orange-blueberry-mint sauce. Dinner Tu-Su. $$-$$$

Zinc Bistro
French
15034 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Kierland Commons), 480-603-0922. Big mirrors and murky lighting set the tone for this lively replica of a Parisian bistro, and Matt Carter’s food is always terrific. Try the onion soup, the mussels with pommes frites, and don’t miss the roasted chicken. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$$

 

SCOTTSDALE

Arcadia Farms
Contemporary American
7014 E. First Ave., 480-941-5665. Cozy and cluttered, this ultra-feminine cottage is where everyone goes for the quintessential ladies lunch. Try the strawberry chicken salad or the yummy focaccia sandwich. Great location for private parties in the evening. Lunch daily. Reservations recommended. $-$$. Other locations: Phoenix Art Museum (602-257-2191) and Heard Museum (602-251-0204).

Atlas Bistro
Eclectic
2515 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-990-2433. Tucked away inside AZ Wine Co., this tiny BYOB feels cozy and a little quirky, thanks to an eclectic menu and wine-geek servers with personality. The Southwestern-edged menu changes frequently, but always includes red meat, seafood and something vegetarian. The $7 corkage fee is waived for wines bought on the premises. Dinner W-Su. $$$

Bloom
Contemporary American
8877 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-922-5666. Bright blue and invariably busy, Bloom features Contemporary American cooking and lots of great wines by the glass or bottle. Try the signature warm Maine lobster salad or grilled ahi with sesame-seed ponzu. Lunch M-Sa, dinner daily. $$$

The Breakfast Club
American
4400 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-222-2582. Wake up and smell the coffee. This sunny, upscale spot serves breakfast all day, and the choices are awesome. Try the huevos con masa, eggs Benedict (in all of its delicious versions) and the Bananas Foster pancakes. Breakfast daily, lunch M-F. $-$$

Café Blue
Seafood
4175 N. Goldwater Blvd., 480-946-6555. Blue is the perfect name for the icy, minimalist décor at this Scottsdale hot spot, owned by Jim and Irma Valli (of Marco Polo). The menu features steaks, chops and Italian specialties. Great bruschetta and pizza on the bar menu. Dinner nightly. $$$

Carlsbad Tavern
Southwestern/New Mexican
3313 N. Hayden Rd., 480-970-8164. Here’s just the kind of casual restaurant and bar I would make my hangout if I were in a different line of work. The New Mexico-style menu is fun and the food is consistently delicious. Lunch daily (beginning at
 1 p.m. Su), dinner nightly. $$

Casa Mia
Italian
11675 N. 136th St., 480-314-0365. Colorful paintings, rustic furniture and tiled floors imbue this family-run operation with the hominess of an Italian trattoria. Try the excellent pasta, and ask about Big Night, a series of special prix fixe dinners featuring various regions in Italy. Dinner Tu-Su. $$-$$$

Cowboy Ciao
Eclectic
7133 E. Stetson Dr., 480-946-3111. Blend Southwestern Cuisine with Italian fare and you get this whimsically decorated oddball of a restaurant, loved for its award-winning wine list and quirky but delicious food. Try the carpaccio, Stetson chopped salad, mushroom panfry, and the awesome elk tostada. Lunch M-Sa, dinner nightly, brunch Su. $$

Don & Charlie’s
American

7501 E. Camelback Rd., 480-990-0900. Decorated with celebrity pix and sports paraphernalia, this big, friendly steak and rib restaurant packs in locals and tourists alike. There are no better ribs in town, and the complimentary chicken liver is addictive. Banquet facilities and takeout available. Dinner nightly. $$

Dragonfly Café
American
10135 E. Via Linda, 480-614-5516. Both the food and the décor at this spare but lovely restaurant have a faintly feminine aspect, so go with your girlfriends for the wonderful butternut squash salad. Ladylike breakfasts and wonderful baked goods are worth a look, too. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Th-Sa. $-$$

Drinkwater’s City Hall Steakhouse
Steak
6991 E. Camelback Rd., 480-941-4700. Dedicated to the late Herb Drinkwater (Scottsdale’s most colorful mayor), this plush, contemporary steakhouse turns out unbelievably good steaks. The pricey menu is à la carte, but portions are huge and good for sharing. Good wine list, too. Dinner nightly. $$$-$$$$

Eddie V’s Edgewater Grille
Seafood/Steaks
20715 N. Pima Rd., 480-538-8468. Eddie’s has the masculine good looks of a steakhouse, but concentrates on seafood, flown in from around the world. Lively bar and many bargains at happy hour. Dinner nightly. $$$

El Molino
Mexican
3554 N. Goldwater Blvd., 480-946-4494. Loyal fans visit this cute and colorful café weekly for tamales, chiles rellenos, machaca chimis, great nachos, fresh tortillas, weekend menudo and a carne asada quesadilla that won’t quit. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $

Elements
Contemporary American
5700 E. McDonald Dr. (Sanctuary Resort), Paradise Valley, 480-607-2300. Sleek design, comfy patios, quaffable margaritas and sunset views draw sweethearts and singles to this sexy Camelback Mountain retreat. Chuck Wiley’s seasonal American menu has an Asian spin, and the results can be really wonderful. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$$-$$$$

Fiamma Trattoria
Italian
7353 E. Indian School Rd. (the James Hotel), 480-308-1111. Younger sib to Steve Hanson’s famous New York Fiamma Osteria, this modern-looking hot spot seems tame by comparison. Best reasons to go (aside from people-watching in the J Bar) are the excellent pastas and clever desserts. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Su. $-$$$

Flo’s Chinese Restaurant
Chinese
15027 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy., 480-661-8883. This bustling, contemporary looking restaurant stays true to its Chinese roots while exploring new territory. Try Flo’s specialties, and don’t miss the hot and sour soup. Lunch M-Sa, dinner nightly. $-$$

Flo’s Hong Kong Food Market
Chinese
20775 N. Pima Rd., 480-473-1188. Located on Market Street at DC Ranch, this Flo’s isn’t really a market at all, but rather a good-looking Chinese restaurant, specializing in the richer style of Hong Kong. Don’t miss the fabulous egg foo yong, white pineapple shrimp or fresh roasted duck. Lunch M-Sa, dinner nightly. $-$$

Fusion
 Contemporary American
4441 N. Buckboard Tr., 480-423-9043. Matt and Jennifer Long have created a contemporary but cozy mom-and-pop restaurant, offering Fusion-American that’s far more grounded than the name suggests. Try tempura-battered bell peppers with roasted jalapeño mayo and charred chicken pouches for starters, before moving on to luscious mac and cheese or excellent Gor-gonzola linguine. There’s a good wine list and an affordable happy hour, too. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Sa. $-$$$

Grazie
 Pizza/Wine Bar
6952 E. Main St., 480-663-9797. Sponged walls, colorful art and a wood-fired oven give this popular gathering place the warmth and liveliness of a European café. Salads, crostini, calzones and a lengthy Italian wine list are highlights. Dinner nightly. $$

Kona Grill
Eclectic
7014 E. Camelback Rd., 480-429-1100. There’s something yummy for everybody at these rich-looking restaurants, where the Asian-inspired menus offers pizza, burgers and meatloaf, as well as sushi, noodles and satay. The Scottsdale location’s outdoor bar is a real scene at happy hour. Lunch and dinner daily. $$-$$$. Other location: Chandler (480-792-1711).

La Locanda
Italian
10201 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-998-2822. This cozy, crowded Italian joint turns out terrific risotto, lamb chops, veal and osso buco. Save room for superior tiramisu and a snifter of Nocello. Dinner nightly. $$$

La Madeleine
French
7014 E. Camelback Rd., 480-945-1663. These warm, wood-trimmed corporate restaurants offer breads, pastries and affordable cafeteria-style French food. The tomato-basil soup is trés bon, as are some of the bistro offerings at night. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$. Other location: Phoenix (602-952-0349).

Los Olivos
Mexican
7328 E. Second St., 480-946-2256. This local landmark has been serving up good old-fashioned Mexican food since the earth was flat. Don’t miss the great enchiladas, carne asada and chiles rellenos, as well as fabulous griddled tortillas. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$. Other location: Scottsdale (480-596-9787).

Los Sombreros
Mexican
2534 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-994-1799. Small on space, big on charm, this crowd-pleaser specializes in regional Mexican food, offering molé poblano, gorditas, chilaquiles, lamb adobo and many other specialties you won’t find elsewhere. Dinner Tu-Su. $-$$

The Marquesa
Spanish
7575 E. Princess Blvd. (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess), 480-585-4848. This gorgeously decorated Spanish Colonial-style dining room explores the cuisines of the Mediterranean, earning fame for its crab-stuffed peppers, paella and clever desserts. Unique Sunday brunch replicates the open-air markets of Spain. Dinner W-Sa, brunch Su. $$$$

Mary Elaine’s
French
6000 E. Camelback Rd. (The Phoenician Resort), 480-423-2530. Luxurious appointments, a multi-million-dollar wine cellar, gracious service and stunning views of the city lights by night have made this special-occasion restaurant tops in town for many years. Chef de Cuisine Bradford Thompson makes his mark by bringing French farmhouse rusticity into play while still serving the refined food for which this room is famous. Dinner Tu-Sa. $$$$

Mastro’s Steakhouse
Steaks
8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., 480-585-9500. Live entertainment, a dance floor and a piano bar prove that showing you a good time is what Mastro’s does best, which is not to denigrate the USDA Prime beef or excellent wine list. Dinner nightly. $$$$

Meridian Contemporary Dining
Eclectic
8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., 480-342-9888. Chef-owner Jeff Weston frequently changes his globe-hopping menu, which might include macadamia-nut-crusted foie gras with mango relish, clams in garlic-chorizo broth, venison quesadillas with sundried-cranberry-chipotle crema or pan-roasted halibut with bacon, sauerkraut and mustard broth. The small dining room has a modern edge that matches the menu. Dinner M-Sa. $$$

Michael’s at the Citadel
Contemporary American
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., 480-515-2575. This elegant restaurant is Michael DeMaria’s venue for creative Contemporary American cooking. Try the clever foie gras brioche club for starters, then move on to juniper-seared duck or Chilean seabass. Lunch M-F, dinner nightly, brunch Su. $$$

Mosaic
Contemporary American
10600 E. Jomax Rd., 480-563-9600. Steaks and seafood take an inspired turn at this pretty Pinnacle Peak restaurant, where chef-owner Deborah Knight puts an elegant but healthy spin on many of her dishes. The menu changes frequently, but might include anything from New England clambake to rabbit tenderloin with mango purée. Nice bar, and great patio. Dinner Tu-Su. $$$

Patsy Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Italian
4000 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-994-1100. This New York-style pizzeria serves terrific thin-crust pies, calzones, antipasto, New York cheesecake, homemade cannoli and Italian ices from Brooklyn. Thanks to the colossal charcoal-fired ovens they’re baked in, PG’s pizzas sport crisp, blistered crusts and a slightly charred flavor. Once you get used to them, you’ll be hooked. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$. Other location: Chandler (480-812-2100).

Rancho Pinot
Contemporary American
6208 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-367-8030. Tom and Chrysa Kaufman pair fresh imaginative Contemp-orary American food with good wine, serving it all up in a warm, funky, retro-cowboy décor. Everything’s good, but don’t miss the cold squid salad or Nonni’s Chicken. Dinner nightly. $$$

Rare Earth Coffee & Wine Bar
Pizza/Sandwiches
28190 N. Alma School Pkwy., 480-513-6252. Housed on the second floor of a retail complex, this cute and colorful hangout specializes in wine and coffee. Beverages may be Rare Earth’s raison d’etre, but it’s the pizza customers get psyched about – pale but crisp, lahvosh-like pies confetti’d with toppings both traditional and trendy. Try the outstanding prosciutto with fig. Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner M-Sa. $-$$

Razz’s Restaurant & Gallery
Eclectic
10315 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-905-1308. Edgy art, low lighting and a comfortable eating bar overlooking Razz’s busy kitchen make this lean, mean restaurant the place to be for lively meals and people-watching. The menu features duck cakes with nopalito sauce, sand dabs and lamb with tamarind sauce – all delicious. Dinner Tu-Sa. $$$

Roaring Fork
Contemporary American
4800 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-947-0795. Robert McGrath is the brawny brains behind this terrific restaurant, featuring hearty but sophisticated food based on the American West. Don’t miss the sugar- and chile-cured duck with green-chile macaroni or the Big Ass Burger at happy hour. Dinner nightly. $$$

Sassi
Italian
10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Pkwy., 480-502-9095. Situated on six acres of high desert, Sassi is a gorgeous replica of an Italian villa, offering spectacular city and mountain views. The Southern Italian menu features fresh fish and shellfish, meats, pastas, rustic breads and desserts – many of which are cooked in a wood-fired oven. Dinner Tu-Su. $$$

Sea Saw
Sushi/Japanese
7133 E. Stetson Dr., 480-481-9463. Chef-owner Nobu Fukuda works his magic at this small, simple venue, where sushi and Japanese food are given a contemporary treatment. Consider the chilled edamame soup, shinshu mushi and tuna tataki with roasted beet purée. Dinner nightly. $$$

Simple Chef
American
2910 N. Hayden Rd., 480-941-7200. A small, cheery operation committed to offering fresh, simple food made from fresh, simple ingredients. Muffins and cookies, fresh-squeezed carrot juice, hearty sandwiches, sophisticated salads, pot pies… the simple chef does it all quickly and well. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner M-Sa. $

Swaddee Thai
Thai
8989 E. Via Linda, 480-391-8900. It looks like an innocuous coffeeshop, but the traditional Thai goodies served at this neighborhood spot are hot enough to make your head sweat. Highlights include tom kha kai, larb, pla rad prik and house-made coconut ice cream. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Sa. $-$$. Other location: Chandler (480-785-1640).

Thai Pan
Thai

7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., 480-513-7471. When you need your Thai on the fly, check out this chic café, serving traditional Thai dishes and Thai-inspired creations courtesy of chef/owner Mark Gerding. The food is fresh, the service swift, and there’s a limited selection of beer and wine. Lunch M-Sa, dinner nightly. $-$$

Thaifoon
Thai
8777 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-998-0011. Thai goes upscale at this chic, earth-toned restaurant boasting a water wall behind the bar. Look for Thai satay, soups and noodles, as well as Asian standards such as orange peel, teriyaki, and sweet and sour chicken. Lunch and dinner daily. $$

Vu
Contemporary American
7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd. (Hyatt Regency Scottsdale), 480-991-3388. Chef William Bradley brings elegant minimalism to this warm but modern restaurant, using global ingredients to make food that’s both yummy and fun. He tweaks the menu constantly, but look for Kobe short ribs, squab with candied capers and port-poached pear, and veal tenderloin with quince, bacon and Roquefort. Wonderful lagoon-side dining. Dinner M-Sa. $$$-$$$$

Z’Tejas Grill
Southwestern
7014 E. Camelback Rd., 480-946-4171. Media celebs, sports demi-gods, Valley movers and shakers… everybody eats (and drinks) at these dark, good-looking restaurants, where the menu offers steak with Gorgonzola, Southwest-inspired pork tenderloin and the signature Voodoo Tuna. Lunch and dinner daily. $$. Check the White Pages for other locations.

EAST VALLEY

Big City BBQ
American
5118 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, 480-756-5702. This small but spiffy operation turns out good barbecue and amazing Southern dishes and sides, such as smothered pork chops, greens, black-eyed peas, sugar biscuits and peach cobbler. Lunch and dinner daily. $. Other location: Mesa (480-844-1010).

Blue Adobe Grille
Southwestern
144 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa, 480-962-1000. Mesa’s best bet for grown-up food in a stylish setting. The menu ranges between Southwest Cuisine (try the Tucumcari tenderloin napped with jalapeño béarnaise) and New Mexican specialties. Lunch and dinner daily. $$

Blue Nile Café
Ethiopian
933 E. University Dr., Tempe, 480-377-1113. This cheery café (with traditional Ethiopian seating in an inner room) makes Ethiopia’s exotic cuisine seem downright user-friendly. It’s a vegetarian haven that also offers deliciously spicy meat dishes. Lunch and dinner Tu-Su. $-$$

Café Istanbul
Middle Eastern
1310 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, 480-731-9499. Excellent Middle Eastern food served in a cozy, pleasant setting. The appetizer list is huge, and the lunch buffet is a real bargain. Weekend belly dancers make this a festive spot. Lunch and dinner Tu-Su. $

C-Fu Gourmet
Chinese
2051 W. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-899-3888. Similar to dim sum restaurants everywhere, the dining room at C-Fu is large and lackluster.
 But who really cares? You’re there for fresh Chinese-style seafood and the best selection of dim sum in town. Lunch, dinner and dim sum daily. $$-$$$

Classic Italian Pizza
Pizza
1030 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, 480-345-8681. Equipped with a wood-burning oven, this sweet, strip-mall pizzeria turns out great, thin-crust pies. Everything (including sauce, sausage and mozzarella) is made from scratch, and you can taste the difference. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$
Crackers & Company

American
535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa, 480-898-1717. Housed in an industrial park, this ultra-feminine restaurant turns out homemade soups, imaginative sandwiches, entree salads, hearty breakfasts and wonderful homemade desserts. Breakfast and lunch daily. $

Cyclo
Vietnamese
1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-963-4490. Chef-owner Justina Duong offers the best Vietnamese food in town in the prettiest setting. And the menu offers specialties such as Banh Xéo (a shrimp- and pork-filled crêpe), Goi Du Du (green papaya salad) and Bun Rieu (an amazing seafood soup), which you’ll love at first bite. Lunch and dinner Tu-Su. $
Efes Turkish Cuisine

Turkish
1701 E. Guadalupe Road, Tempe, 480-897-3017. Great food in a charming atmosphere – that’s what you get at Efes, where the split dining room offers traditional Middle Eastern seating, as well as café tables and chairs. Kebabs are the specialty, but everything is first-rate. Lunch and dinner
 Tu-Su. $-$$

El Sol Bakery
Mexican
760 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-786-0811. You’d never guess that inside this Mexican bakery is some of the best down-home Mexican food you’ll find anywhere. Made-on-the-premises tortillas are killer. Breakfast, lunch and dinner M-Sa. $

56 East
Contemporary American
7131 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, 480-705-5602. Small and cozy 56 East is good for so many things – business lunch, after-work drinks on the patio, girls night out or a romantic Saturday night dinner, complete with fine (but affordable) wines and live jazz. Nosh all night on excellent appetizers (don’t miss the skirt steak, the scallop trio or the cheese plate) or hunker down with steak and seafood. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $-$$$

Four Peaks Brewing Company
Burgers/Pizza
1340 E. Eighth St., Tempe, 480-303-9967. Award-winning ales may be the draw for the college folks who keep this cavernous but friendly place humming, but the beer-food is terrific, too. Great burgers, pizzas and wraps, and when you don’t feel like drinking per se, try the amazing milkshake with stout. Lunch and dinner daily. $

Guedo’s Taco Shop
Mexican
71 E. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-899-7841. Pronounced “Way-doh’s,” this once-tiny shop has been enlarged and upgraded, becoming an East Valley staple. Don’t miss the soft tacos, the spiffy salsa bar or the heavyweight Guedo burro. Lunch and dinner Tu-Sa. No credit cards. $.

House of Tricks
Contemporary American
114 E. Seventh St., Tempe, 480-968-1114. Chef-owners Robert and Robin Trick serve up Contemporary American food with Southwestern, Mediterranean and Oriental touches. Much of it is delicious. Great outdoor bar and patio. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $$

Joe’s Real BBQ
American
301 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-503-3805. Housed in an old brick building dating back to 1929, Joe’s features pecan-smoked barbecue and good sides in a cafeteria setting. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $$

Miele’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
Pizza/Italian
1835 E. Guadalupe Rd., Tempe, 480-897-3010. Owned by the Miele brothers from Naples (by way of New York), this cozy neighborhood pizzeria turns out good Southern Italian basics – pizzas, pastas and chicken dishes prepared a half-dozen different ways. The bread is made in-house, as are the addictive garlic knots and fine cannoli. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $-$$

98 South Wine Bar & Kitchen
Contemporary American/Wine Bar
98 South San Marcos Plaza, Chandler, 480-814-9800. This historic, high-ceilinged space – part retail wine shop, part wine bar, part restaurant – looks and feels as comfortable as a friend’s living room. Sometimes exotic, always-interesting wines are affordable here, and the simple but satisfying food never competes. Try the skirt steak starter, the halibut and the cheese plate. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $-$$

Pesto’s Pizza & Calzone
Italian
1960 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, 480-821-2949. Weekend nights, this cute and affordable neighborhood Italian pizzeria is packed with locals, there for the gourmet pies, eggplant rollatini, shrimp marinara and signature pesto – served on or in just about everything. Great wine list, too. Lunch and dinner daily. $

Restaurant Mexico
Mexican
120 E. University Dr., Tempe, 480-967-3280. This longtime favorite serves up authentic Mexican food in a friendly, unpretentious setting. Go for the decidedly different quesadilla, the taco suave and guacamole. Save room for flan. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $

Shimogamo
Japanese/Sushi
2051 W. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-899-7191. Traditionalists and iconoclasts will both be happy at this serenely elegant Japanese restaurant, which offers everything from saikyo-yaki and chirashi-zushi to seafood wonton wraps and portobello beef rolls. Don’t miss the monkfish paté. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $$-$$$

Soul in the Hole
American/Soul Food
601 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-963-7787. Tonia Lopez, chef-owner of this tidy, no-frills operation, insists that her homestyle cooking is not soul food, but it’s mighty soulful just the same. Try the catfish, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and greens, saving room for peach cobbler. Lunch and dinner Tu-Su. $

Streamers Ice Cream Parlor & Grill
American
1166 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-635-9222. Looking for a nosh after the movie? This place fills the bill, offering made-from-scratch salads, sandwiches and entrees, as well as 40 different kinds of parfaits and sundaes. Lunch and dinner daily. $

Tao Garden
Chinese
2050 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-857-4188. Seafood is the specialty at this friendly Hong Kong-style restaurant, so expect to find everything from oysters, crab and lobster to tilapia and catfish. Tao Garden’s gigantic menu also features soups, noodles and hot pots, and everything is first-rate. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$$

WEST VALLEY

Bistro di Napoli
Italian
5830 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, 602-298-6767. One of the West side’s best Italians, thanks to friendly servers, excellent food and reasonable prices. Don’t miss the Neapolitan pizzas, the bruschetta with roasted peppers and the Calamari Fra Diavolo. Lunch M-F, dinner nightly. $$

Chanpen Thai Cuisine
Thai
13828 N. 51st Ave., Glendale, 602-993-2046. Wimpy palates need not apply at this homey-looking West Valley operation, where the Thai food is authentic and plenty hot. Try the Pad Prik King, the larb, the curries and the excellent soups for proof of authenticity. Then cool off with fresh mango and sticky rice dessert. Lunch and dinner M-Sa. $-$$

Mi Cocina, Mi Pais
Latin American
4221 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix, 602-548-7900. Chef-owner Rosa Rosas is from Ecuador, and the Ecuadoran dishes she serves at her miniature but charming restaurant are fabulous (try the ceviche, the shrimp stew and Mi Bandera). But really, everything is first-rate, including Peruvian potatoes, spicy flank steak and brisket from Bogota. Save room for unique but tasty desserts. Lunch and dinner Tu-Su. $-$$

Palo Verde Pizzeria
Pizza
8350 W. Paradise Ln., Peoria, 623-979-9696. San Francisco sourdough crusts are the crux of the matter at this clean, friendly parlor, dedicated to gourmet pies. It’s a perfect pit stop before an event at the Peoria Sports Complex. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$

Transilvania
Romanian
15820 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix, 602-863-3300. Hearty Romanian food is the specialty here, although the menu also features Eastern European and Continental specialties such as schnitzel and veal Cordon Bleu. If you’re adventurous, you’ll want to try the appetizer sampler, sour meatball and tripe soup, mitetei (garlicky sausages with mustard), stuffed cabbage and a wonderful fritter-like dessert called papanasi. Lunch and dinner Tu-Sa. $-$$

CAREFREE/CAVE CREEK

Binkley’s Restaurant
French/Contemporary American
6920 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, 480-437-1072. Nobody expects a restaurant this charming (or this good) in Cave Creek, but there it is, dishing out fabulous French-inspired frog legs and roasted garlic soup, tuna tartare, lingcod with polenta and pea purée, duck confit pierogi and dozens of other fresh, seasonal, gorgeously presented creations. Dinner Tu-Su. $$$

Bodega Bistro
Spanish
7208 Ho Rd., Carefree, 480-488-4166. Located in the Spanish Village shopping center, this colorful pint-sized operation specializes in Spanish tapas and affordable wines, ordered from a global but heavily South American list. Shrimp fritters and papas fritas are perfect for snacking, while excellent paella and the Cuban Midnighter sandwich satisfy heartier appetites. The people-watching is equally delicious. Lunch Sa-Su, dinner nightly. $$

Brisam’s
American
4730 E. Lone Mountain Rd., Cave Creek, 480-595-2202. Although the four mounted TVs say “sports bar,” this neighborhood restaurant caters to families, offering great burgers, peel-and-eat shrimp, fish tacos, loaded fries, and fish and chips. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$

The Cave Creek Coffee Co. & Wine Bar
Coffeehouse/Wine Bar
6033 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, 480-488-0603. A fireplace and curving concrete bar make this a great hangout for wine enthusiasts and munchers. Don’t miss the bruschetta or the fresh organic greens salad strewn with avocados, mangoes and spit-roasted chicken. Lunch Sa-Su, light dinner nightly. $

Latilla
Contemporary American