Arizona lays claim to being the birthplace of the deep-fried, utterly delicious chimichanga. Fry Bread is another indulgent local favourite, a versatile Native American staple that can be enjoyed with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or a hearty serving of ground beef.
Downtown
Downtown Phoenix is the commercial heart of the city, dotted with gleaming skyscrapers, and home to the region’s premier cultural venues. As such, there’s an appealing selection of restaurants, like Nobuo at Teeter House – a traditional Japanese tavern with a gourmet twist. This award-winning establishment serves artfully constructed dishes like pan seared foie gras marinated in white miso, and tuna tataki with roast beet puree. Centurion offers a refined but unpretentious fine-dining experience, with imaginative European-inspired dishes like pancetta-wrapped gnocchi, plus wood fired pizzas with decadent toppings like lobster and white truffle oil.
• Nobuo at Teeter House, 622 E Adams Street, Phoenix; • Centurion, 214 West Roosevelt Street, Phoenix;
Midtown
As home to both the Heard Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum, Midtown sees a steady influx of tourists throughout the year. Culinary highlights in this district include Green Restaurant, a vegan spot boasting comfort food like an amazing mock chicken sandwich with espresso BBQ sauce and caramelized onions, and crab puffs made with faux crab meat and vegan cream cheese. Postino Central is a chic wine café serving up ciabatta French toast and smoked salmon platters.
• Green Restaurant, 2022 N 7th Street, Phoenix; • Postino Central, 5144 N Central Avenue, Phoenix;
Camelback East
Camelback East is among the most affluent neighborhoods in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan district, with luxury housing and exclusive shops. Donovan’s is one of Phoenix’s best steakhouses. In this sleek, wood-panelled restaurant you’ll be served the finest USDA grade slabs of meat, each of which can be paired with Australian cold water rock lobster for the ultimate surf and turf. Meanwhile, Phoenix City Grille serves an eclectic menu of all-American favourites with a Southern twist. Popular dishes include jumbo bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with cotija cheese, and smoked baby back pork ribs with green chile cornbread and coleslaw.
• Donovan’s Steakhouse, 3101 East Camelback Road, Phoenix; • Phoenix City Grille, 5816 N 16th Street, Phoenix;
Awhatukee
Many visitors pass through the smart urban village of Awhatukee on their way to South Mountain Park. It’s something of a golfing paradise, with 3 fine courses all within easy reach of one another. As for food, the Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant where you can take your pick from a selection of fine cheeses which will be melted, together with a blend of tasty seasonings, before your eyes. Then arm yourself with slices of artisan bread, slivers of filet mignon, or whole pacific white shrimp, and get dipping. Ruffino is Awhatukee’s popular Italian restaurant, offering homemade pasta and deliciously simple seafood dishes like scallops with garlic and olive oil.
• The Melting Pot, 3626 E Ray Road, Phoenix; • Ruffino, 4902 East Warner Road, Phoenix; Tel: +1 480 8938 544
