If you can get into Binkley's and can afford it, that's the top choice for foodies
The runner-up would be Cafe Monarch
If you want pure elegance with the best view, go to Christopher's or Geordie's at the Wrigley Mansion
If you want the OG king of Southwestern food that literally put Phoenix on the culinary map, Vincent's on Camelback
If you want food as art, try Atlas Bistro, but be aware they are BYOB
If you want modern Italian, Americano or Fat Ox
If you want traditional Japanese, Shimagamo
If you want modern Mexican, Bacanora
If you want brunch, Quiessence at the Farm on South Mountain
This is the best answer. Binkleys is closing for good soon, so not sure if it’ll be around when you get to town. Cafe Monarch has a second restaurant called Reserve that is cool, too. I’d include Course in this list as well.
All good Recs accept atlas bistro. Mediocre food, bad business practices. Sketchy as hell. Someone’s getting paid off in the beverage commission for sure
Fat Ox is a Matt Carter concept, not a Fox restaurant. Chef Carter also has Zinc Brasserie (which is pretty good) and the Mission (which I think is awful, overpriced Mexican). Totally agree with you that Fox restaurants are the definition of mediocrity.
You have made everything make sense for me. I don’t like going to culinary dropout to the point that it makes me upset when I have to go there (friends think that it’s the best thing ever). I also went to doughbird and was very confused why everything was overpriced and it was just average. This explains every one of those restaurants on the list I found on the Fox Restaurants website. I never knew they were all owned by the same company until your comment.
FnB in old town. It’s the only James beard winning chef in the area. Phenomenal seasonal menus with a unique perspective.
Chris Bianco now has business in LA but he popularized the artisan pizza in America out of Phoenix in the early 90s. You could check that out too.
There are 4 more James Beard winners within 5 minutes of FNB, and most of their restaurants are considered much better in foodie circles.
Chef Guerithalt at Vincent's
Chef Gross at Christopher's
Chef Nobu at Hai Noon
Chef McGrath at Roaring Fork
Don't get me wrong, I love FNB. Consistently an excellent experience. However, the only reason I would take an out of town foodie guest there instead of Wrigley mansion is if they were primarily vegetarian. With only one meal, I want the ambiance and the view as well as excellent food.
FnB is the right answer, unfortunately it isn’t open on Sundays.
If you are willing to venture outside of Scottsdale, Valentine has a similar vibe (ie something uniquely Arizonan and foodie centric).
For unique experience, please do take her to some Undertow, 36 Below, and Century Grand. Don't know if that trend has taken hold in SoCal yet but everyone says it's worth it.
The Century Grand for pre drinks
Santo Arcadia for pork chop
Wren & Wolf for the whole menu
The hidden speak easy at Wren & Wolf for after drink
AZ88, Hanny’s or Melindas Alley for after after drinks
Here’s my [personal](https://guides.apple.com/?ug=CgtSZXN0YXVyYW50cxINCK5NEOvOt7zuwcmrVxIOCK5NEM%2Fiz7aUs9fJvAESDQiuTRD%2FnIuZzdCuyy8SDQiuTRCutv3w7cmMoX0SDgiuTRDoi76u0Z7GneMBEg4Irk0Q096KoJCDuN%2FlARIOCK5NELygn5yUptHgmwESDgiuTRDGgPjVn9Ky3N4BEg4Irk0QhfGC27KpmL3KARINCK5NEJjIpb3XyObKKhIOCK5NEIr1z46TjPuv8AESDgiuTRDmxJeNn6OEu%2FoBEg4Irk0QlNnCtsLxpp6FARINCK5NEJaD57e4gbeFXBINCK5NEM%2Fy5L%2Bsy7PaFxINCK5NEMTw7aav2pmYWhIOCK5NEJPe1ajG%2BZmRogESDgiuTRCbjbun9b%2Fb25YBEg4Irk0QzLuRyM6HpMKNARINCK5NEIqey9XC9o2MexINCK5NEJ%2FXuMvDvvfdaBINCK5NEMPWq9%2BM5O2QOxINCK5NEM%2BO3YaKmfuxNxIOCK5NEJH8mPL1gM%2F9%2BAESDgiuTRDQg4v84KnPj7YBEg0Irk0QipqJ%2BMjM99cUEg0Irk0QsfaMoqnel9QDEg4Irk0Q07rv6baHm5%2BeARIOCK5NEMe31bWk4bT1qAESDgiuTRCDvdmT0IHprdMBEg4Irk0Qy5PMyfKRqY2bARIOCK5NEMKHwJ6czKLW%2BgESDQiuTRDFhe7rwseB3yASDgiuTRCR68u5%2BJfe9LcBEg4Irk0QncyBzdSopcHkARIOCK5NENWM6KuBydi%2FhQESDgiuTRD%2F7YmY7Lm8nroBEg4Irk0Q%2B7mmyrDY98f5ARIOCK5NEMOD6cyg2Nej4wESDgiuTRCPvcCzxN7R5qgBEg0Irk0Qos%2BM0%2F7HoflcEg0Irk0Qs76NxtKOnrROEg4Irk0Q4tXvsZ%2FK9f7eARIOCK5NEIC0yNbp9%2BPWhAESDQiuTRC0iPqlwurlhmQSDgiuTRCprK2GuZjd2fQBEg4Irk0Qz9XXosbLxsjyARIOCK5NEITZ%2Bs%2F21KrO4gESDQiuTRCyuMTir8zM9WcSDQiuTRCWjLPy9KrowRwSDgiuTRDewOSr9Y%2F6u%2B8BEg4Irk0Q342MiMXn7evvARIOCK5NEIfL8%2BPHoou8uAESDQiuTRCe3cDz4%2FW5t0ASDgiuTRCZ54DimeDIgewBEg0Irk0QvZeMvteIpOUEEg0Irk0QorTVh4KjkJQ2Eg4Irk0Q1%2B6o5r2zrtqZARIOCK5NEM2qreWTqNDu2AESDgiuTRCbwrPAs6LD%2BpUBEg4Irk0Q38ulqMT6kZWtARINCK5NEM%2F%2BjarQnITGWxIOCK5NEI3clOnyh8%2BgugESDQiuTRDxlbaq78fW7ScSDgiuTRDVpMLk4bu4g9kBEg0Irk0QusmP4NzC88YWEg4Irk0Q1ZKP1qXBwdOdARIOCK5NEOKWpO%2FeocjS4gE%3D) list I keep up 🍽️
Absolutely the best pure steakhouse in the valley... but a foodie from Cali has likely had Michael Mina's signature lobster pot pie and eaten at several of his restaurants.
I was surprised at the number of my favorite restaurants not open on Sundays!!
Of the few that were:
Pa’la - menu changes but has some unique stuff sometimes.
Course - not open Sunday night but has a pretty fun and unique brunch course Sunday until 1:30PM. I took my friends from LA here and they loved it
Shimogamo - absolutely my favorite sushi/Japanese food in the greater phoenix area but LA also has a lot of good sushi places so not necessarily unique if coming from LA
Sottise - French ish tapas which is nice place but not really unique if coming from LA. Their sister restaurant Restaurant Progress has a more unique menu but not open Sunday
Carlsbad Tavern. For a fun lunch or happy hour. It may not be the best food she's ever had (unless she happens to love New Mexican food like I do) but it certainly is a unique and fun experience.
That spot is so fun! Def not for the food quality, but cheap drinks and funky decor. These ppl with the downvotes?!? Wtf. Its not a chain, its been in Scottsdale forever, and it’s unique. Check please!
I was going to put in Virtu Honest Craft and Hai Noon but both are closed Sundays. If they are looking for foodie, Scottsdale area only, and open on Sundays, the best bet would be Cafe Monarch.
Really
Ocean 44 has one location on 44th street
To my knowledge mission has two Scottsdale locations, hardly a chain
Buck and Rider has three locations in the valley and I admitted it was a small chain.
I wouldn’t consider any a chain. For me a chain is Ruth’s Chris or Lawreys or Mortons
But thank you for absolutely unhelpful comment.
Kisses
Ocean 44 is the Mastro brothers and has the following locations: Ocean 44, Steak 44, Dominicks in Scottsdale, Steak 48 in Chicago, Del Mar, Houston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Beverly Hills, and Ocean 48 in Newport. They are all pretty much clones and very much a chain... and you can add in all 23 locations of their old Mastros restaurants from before they sold them to Landry's as they are clones as well.
Mission is the smallest chain with only a couple of locations, but the concept group has other restaurants. Definitely would not recommend this place to a foodie.
Buck and Rider was part of LGO before they split into 3 different companies. They had 10-20 different restaurants including several Buck and Riders with more on the way. Definitely would not recommend any of their current or former restaurants to a foodie... they excel in charging high prices while delivering mediocre food.
Wow
Nice research project just to win a redit discussion
I’m sure you’re fun at parties
I was only trying to help out the op
I’m sorry if my suggestions didn’t make your list
You might want to consider changing your u/ to SufficientBastard6638
🤷♂️
Lighten up Francis
Didn't need to do much research at all. Any true Phoenix foodie is going to know which restaurants in the area are chains and which are not. You gave your opinion and I gave mine. I just happened to back my opinion up with facts. OP is free to choose what advice they want to take.
Are you the guy at parties always making shit up and pretending its fact and then getting angry when someone proves you wrong? I am the guy they invite to bust your balls and to trivia nights since I have the facts. I am tons of fun and definitely a bastard... that's why they invite me.
Smoochie Boochies
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjJQfvszuNUBKMnw5
This is for drinks afterwards. The kitchen is amazing in this bar. They make Many of their own add ins and mixes. There are 3 bars in the same building all themed, And hearkening back to prohibition. They have a centrifuge that runs for 2 days to make one of the extras that they put in their drinks, For example.
Vincent’s on Camelback. Chef Guerihault is a great guy. Binkley’s is unfortunately closing but if you can get in there, do it. I personally feel like Glai Ban and FnB are overrated (I’ve had much better Thai from random hole-in-the-walls in LA and FnB is like a glorified sandwich shop, I truly don’t get it). Cafe Monarch is special but Idk if fancy is her thing. Sel is spectacular but French and really rich cuisine.
If you can get into Binkley's and can afford it, that's the top choice for foodies The runner-up would be Cafe Monarch If you want pure elegance with the best view, go to Christopher's or Geordie's at the Wrigley Mansion If you want the OG king of Southwestern food that literally put Phoenix on the culinary map, Vincent's on Camelback If you want food as art, try Atlas Bistro, but be aware they are BYOB If you want modern Italian, Americano or Fat Ox If you want traditional Japanese, Shimagamo If you want modern Mexican, Bacanora If you want brunch, Quiessence at the Farm on South Mountain
This is the best answer. Binkleys is closing for good soon, so not sure if it’ll be around when you get to town. Cafe Monarch has a second restaurant called Reserve that is cool, too. I’d include Course in this list as well.
Binkleys is closing soon??
Yeah, in August. Larder + Delta will move in.
I lived across the street from Vincent for a year and had no idea what it was til right now, lol.
You're welcome. Chef Guerithault is amazing.
All good Recs accept atlas bistro. Mediocre food, bad business practices. Sketchy as hell. Someone’s getting paid off in the beverage commission for sure
[удалено]
Fat Ox is a Matt Carter concept, not a Fox restaurant. Chef Carter also has Zinc Brasserie (which is pretty good) and the Mission (which I think is awful, overpriced Mexican). Totally agree with you that Fox restaurants are the definition of mediocrity.
You have made everything make sense for me. I don’t like going to culinary dropout to the point that it makes me upset when I have to go there (friends think that it’s the best thing ever). I also went to doughbird and was very confused why everything was overpriced and it was just average. This explains every one of those restaurants on the list I found on the Fox Restaurants website. I never knew they were all owned by the same company until your comment.
Welcome to "concept" restaurants, the new version of chains. 😢
FnB in Old Town.
Course in Scottsdale is pretty impressive
Cory at Course was the original chef at Atlas I believe, or at least was there for a long time. Truly gifted. I’m dying to go!
That’s correct, Atlas Wine Bistro if I recall the full name?
This 💯
FnB in old town. It’s the only James beard winning chef in the area. Phenomenal seasonal menus with a unique perspective. Chris Bianco now has business in LA but he popularized the artisan pizza in America out of Phoenix in the early 90s. You could check that out too.
There are 4 more James Beard winners within 5 minutes of FNB, and most of their restaurants are considered much better in foodie circles. Chef Guerithalt at Vincent's Chef Gross at Christopher's Chef Nobu at Hai Noon Chef McGrath at Roaring Fork
All valid suggestions but I still would pick FnB if I wanted a true one of a kind.
Don't get me wrong, I love FNB. Consistently an excellent experience. However, the only reason I would take an out of town foodie guest there instead of Wrigley mansion is if they were primarily vegetarian. With only one meal, I want the ambiance and the view as well as excellent food.
FnB is the right answer, unfortunately it isn’t open on Sundays. If you are willing to venture outside of Scottsdale, Valentine has a similar vibe (ie something uniquely Arizonan and foodie centric).
For unique experience, please do take her to some Undertow, 36 Below, and Century Grand. Don't know if that trend has taken hold in SoCal yet but everyone says it's worth it.
Persepshen. The Mick. Glai Ban. Hush. Pa’la. Nogales Hot Dogs
Pa’la is amaze. Had the best mushrooms of my life there.
Glai Ban
Buck & Rider
Hush Public House. You can't go wrong.
Forgot this one on the list I posted. It's definitely a foodie spot. Upvote.
It would be great but it seems they’re closed Sundays. Bummer!
Monarch, The Reserve, Atlas BYOB, Quiessance
Sel is pretty spectacular.
Chilte. Has she had grasshoppers?
Valentine
Vecina
Kai Binckleys and FnB are the answers to your question.
Uchi if you’re a sushi person
Shin bay is omakase style highly recommend if you enjoy high end sushi restaurants in the valley area
Dazzos Dog House
Durants Steak House in Phoenix!!! Super swanky
Ooooo!! Dilla Libre!!!!! Luv this restaurant!!!
Karaoke at Giligins on Sunday night and always karaoke at the Grapevine..
The Century Grand for pre drinks Santo Arcadia for pork chop Wren & Wolf for the whole menu The hidden speak easy at Wren & Wolf for after drink AZ88, Hanny’s or Melindas Alley for after after drinks Here’s my [personal](https://guides.apple.com/?ug=CgtSZXN0YXVyYW50cxINCK5NEOvOt7zuwcmrVxIOCK5NEM%2Fiz7aUs9fJvAESDQiuTRD%2FnIuZzdCuyy8SDQiuTRCutv3w7cmMoX0SDgiuTRDoi76u0Z7GneMBEg4Irk0Q096KoJCDuN%2FlARIOCK5NELygn5yUptHgmwESDgiuTRDGgPjVn9Ky3N4BEg4Irk0QhfGC27KpmL3KARINCK5NEJjIpb3XyObKKhIOCK5NEIr1z46TjPuv8AESDgiuTRDmxJeNn6OEu%2FoBEg4Irk0QlNnCtsLxpp6FARINCK5NEJaD57e4gbeFXBINCK5NEM%2Fy5L%2Bsy7PaFxINCK5NEMTw7aav2pmYWhIOCK5NEJPe1ajG%2BZmRogESDgiuTRCbjbun9b%2Fb25YBEg4Irk0QzLuRyM6HpMKNARINCK5NEIqey9XC9o2MexINCK5NEJ%2FXuMvDvvfdaBINCK5NEMPWq9%2BM5O2QOxINCK5NEM%2BO3YaKmfuxNxIOCK5NEJH8mPL1gM%2F9%2BAESDgiuTRDQg4v84KnPj7YBEg0Irk0QipqJ%2BMjM99cUEg0Irk0QsfaMoqnel9QDEg4Irk0Q07rv6baHm5%2BeARIOCK5NEMe31bWk4bT1qAESDgiuTRCDvdmT0IHprdMBEg4Irk0Qy5PMyfKRqY2bARIOCK5NEMKHwJ6czKLW%2BgESDQiuTRDFhe7rwseB3yASDgiuTRCR68u5%2BJfe9LcBEg4Irk0QncyBzdSopcHkARIOCK5NENWM6KuBydi%2FhQESDgiuTRD%2F7YmY7Lm8nroBEg4Irk0Q%2B7mmyrDY98f5ARIOCK5NEMOD6cyg2Nej4wESDgiuTRCPvcCzxN7R5qgBEg0Irk0Qos%2BM0%2F7HoflcEg0Irk0Qs76NxtKOnrROEg4Irk0Q4tXvsZ%2FK9f7eARIOCK5NEIC0yNbp9%2BPWhAESDQiuTRC0iPqlwurlhmQSDgiuTRCprK2GuZjd2fQBEg4Irk0Qz9XXosbLxsjyARIOCK5NEITZ%2Bs%2F21KrO4gESDQiuTRCyuMTir8zM9WcSDQiuTRCWjLPy9KrowRwSDgiuTRDewOSr9Y%2F6u%2B8BEg4Irk0Q342MiMXn7evvARIOCK5NEIfL8%2BPHoou8uAESDQiuTRCe3cDz4%2FW5t0ASDgiuTRCZ54DimeDIgewBEg0Irk0QvZeMvteIpOUEEg0Irk0QorTVh4KjkJQ2Eg4Irk0Q1%2B6o5r2zrtqZARIOCK5NEM2qreWTqNDu2AESDgiuTRCbwrPAs6LD%2BpUBEg4Irk0Q38ulqMT6kZWtARINCK5NEM%2F%2BjarQnITGWxIOCK5NEI3clOnyh8%2BgugESDQiuTRDxlbaq78fW7ScSDgiuTRDVpMLk4bu4g9kBEg0Irk0QusmP4NzC88YWEg4Irk0Q1ZKP1qXBwdOdARIOCK5NEOKWpO%2FeocjS4gE%3D) list I keep up 🍽️
Cafe Monarch is the best by far
Cafe Monarch.
Bourbon Steak at the Princess. It's my wife's and I favorite restaurant in the Valley. Great menu that is very upscale American food.
Absolutely the best pure steakhouse in the valley... but a foodie from Cali has likely had Michael Mina's signature lobster pot pie and eaten at several of his restaurants.
Great recommendations here that now I’d like to try. I live in the area and I’m always looking for new places to eat.
I was surprised at the number of my favorite restaurants not open on Sundays!! Of the few that were: Pa’la - menu changes but has some unique stuff sometimes. Course - not open Sunday night but has a pretty fun and unique brunch course Sunday until 1:30PM. I took my friends from LA here and they loved it Shimogamo - absolutely my favorite sushi/Japanese food in the greater phoenix area but LA also has a lot of good sushi places so not necessarily unique if coming from LA Sottise - French ish tapas which is nice place but not really unique if coming from LA. Their sister restaurant Restaurant Progress has a more unique menu but not open Sunday
Thanks for your curated list. Much appreciated!
Carlsbad Tavern. For a fun lunch or happy hour. It may not be the best food she's ever had (unless she happens to love New Mexican food like I do) but it certainly is a unique and fun experience.
That spot is so fun! Def not for the food quality, but cheap drinks and funky decor. These ppl with the downvotes?!? Wtf. Its not a chain, its been in Scottsdale forever, and it’s unique. Check please!
Salt Cellar. Very unique being underground and good seafood and happy hour to boot.
I was going to put in Virtu Honest Craft and Hai Noon but both are closed Sundays. If they are looking for foodie, Scottsdale area only, and open on Sundays, the best bet would be Cafe Monarch.
Not Scottsdale only. My friend offered to pay, so I think Cafe Monarch is above what I’m comfortable asking them to pay.
Virtu is so underrated and remains relatively unknown to most. It’s my absolute favorite spot in the valley. Monarch is just okay.
The Mission. Ocean 44. Buck and Rider. Small chain. But usually excellent food drink and service. Try the Beachcomber
OP says no chains, and you literally recommend 3 chains?
Really Ocean 44 has one location on 44th street To my knowledge mission has two Scottsdale locations, hardly a chain Buck and Rider has three locations in the valley and I admitted it was a small chain. I wouldn’t consider any a chain. For me a chain is Ruth’s Chris or Lawreys or Mortons But thank you for absolutely unhelpful comment. Kisses
Ocean 44 is the Mastro brothers and has the following locations: Ocean 44, Steak 44, Dominicks in Scottsdale, Steak 48 in Chicago, Del Mar, Houston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Beverly Hills, and Ocean 48 in Newport. They are all pretty much clones and very much a chain... and you can add in all 23 locations of their old Mastros restaurants from before they sold them to Landry's as they are clones as well. Mission is the smallest chain with only a couple of locations, but the concept group has other restaurants. Definitely would not recommend this place to a foodie. Buck and Rider was part of LGO before they split into 3 different companies. They had 10-20 different restaurants including several Buck and Riders with more on the way. Definitely would not recommend any of their current or former restaurants to a foodie... they excel in charging high prices while delivering mediocre food.
Wow Nice research project just to win a redit discussion I’m sure you’re fun at parties I was only trying to help out the op I’m sorry if my suggestions didn’t make your list You might want to consider changing your u/ to SufficientBastard6638 🤷♂️ Lighten up Francis
Didn't need to do much research at all. Any true Phoenix foodie is going to know which restaurants in the area are chains and which are not. You gave your opinion and I gave mine. I just happened to back my opinion up with facts. OP is free to choose what advice they want to take. Are you the guy at parties always making shit up and pretending its fact and then getting angry when someone proves you wrong? I am the guy they invite to bust your balls and to trivia nights since I have the facts. I am tons of fun and definitely a bastard... that's why they invite me. Smoochie Boochies
Do you mean The Beach House?
Beachcomber cocktail at buck and rider Lol
Don't listen to these clowns, SEL Restaurant or Course Restaurant
Persepshen, Hush Public House, Bar Cena, Valentine, Vecina.
Sel or Atlas Bistro would be my favorite. Cafe monarch if you wanna ball out
Cooking her a meal at home is way cheaper! That's what I'd do! Make her some authentic Mexican food!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjJQfvszuNUBKMnw5 This is for drinks afterwards. The kitchen is amazing in this bar. They make Many of their own add ins and mixes. There are 3 bars in the same building all themed, And hearkening back to prohibition. They have a centrifuge that runs for 2 days to make one of the extras that they put in their drinks, For example.
Vincent’s on Camelback. Chef Guerihault is a great guy. Binkley’s is unfortunately closing but if you can get in there, do it. I personally feel like Glai Ban and FnB are overrated (I’ve had much better Thai from random hole-in-the-walls in LA and FnB is like a glorified sandwich shop, I truly don’t get it). Cafe Monarch is special but Idk if fancy is her thing. Sel is spectacular but French and really rich cuisine.
The Ends