PHOENIX RESTAURANTS

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Acacia Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North, 10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/513-5086 Read Review
Worth the drive into the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, this restaurant is in the Four Seasons Hotel in far North Scottsdale. The menu includes some exotic offerings like wild boar bacon-wrapped buffalo tenderloin, but most folks come for the steaks (try the 18-ounce bone-in rib eye). Seafood is excellent, too, and the Chilled Seafood Pinnacle (Alaskan king crab legs, jumbo shrimp, seasonal oysters, Maine lobster, and tuna) is great to share. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.
Arizona Kitchen Wigwam Resort, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, AZ, USA	623/935-3811 Read Review
With the help of a historian of Native American foods, the chef has put together a bold Southwestern menu. Appetizers such as duck tamales and braised pork relleno give you an indication of what's to come. Entrées include braised duck breast and Colorado rack of lamb. For dessert, try the chile-spiked ice cream in the striking turquoise "bowl" of hardened sugar. It's worth the 20-minute drive from downtown Phoenix to the Wigwam Resort. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Coup Des Tartes 4626 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ, USA	602/212-1082 Read Review
Tables are scattered among three small rooms of an old house at this country French restaurant. It's BYOB, and there's an $8 corkage fee but all's forgiven when you taste the delicate cuisine prepared in the tiny kitchen. Chef-owner Natascha Ovando changes the menu weekly, sometimes daily. Offerings may include baked Brie, pineapple-caper escolar (a delicious, fattier version of sea bass), or herb-encrusted chicken with a creamy spinach sauce. Ovando's signature dessert, a banana brûlée tart, is delectable. Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V. BYOB. Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch.
Cowboy Ciao 7133 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/946-3111 Read Review
Looking for a culinary kick? This kitchen weds Southwestern fare and Italian flair, and it's no shotgun wedding. Main dishes, such as the espresso-rubbed filet mignon and the elk strip loin with hazelnut pesto are creative favorites. The pineapple coconut bread pudding with rum praline sauce and rum-spiked pineapple brown sugar ice cream is a must-try. The wine list represents more than 40 countries and features 225 grape varietals. Too much to choose from? Ask for the Nifty Fifty, a one-page list of guest favorites. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Don & Charlie's 7501 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/990-0900 Read Review
A favorite with major-leaguers in town for spring training, this venerable chophouse specializes in prime-grade steak and baseball memorabilia -- the walls are covered with pictures, autographs, and uniforms. The New York sirloin, prime rib, and double-thick lamb chops are a hit; sides include au gratin potatoes and creamed spinach. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.
Durant's Fine Foods 2611 N. Central Ave., at Virginia, Phoenix, AZ, USA	602/264-5967 Read Review
Durant's has endured since 1950 in the same location, with the same menu, and even many of the original waitstaff, making it one of Phoenix's legendary eating establishments. Steaks, chops, and fresh seafood, including Florida stone crab, dominate here; when the restaurant once tried to update its menu, regulars protested so furiously the idea was shelved. Those in the know enter through the kitchen door and frequent the Rat Pack-style bar for jumbo martinis fit for ol' Blue Eyes himself. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Kai Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, AZ, USA	602/225-0100 Read Review
Kai (it means "seed" in the Pima language) features innovative southwestern cuisine that uses indigenous ingredients from local tribal farms. The seasonal menu reflects the restaurant's natural setting on the Gila River Indian Community. Standout appetizers include lobster tail on Indian fry bread and bacon-wrapped quail. Entrées like seared duck breast with pheasant sausage and the Cheyenne River buffalo tenderloin are excellent. The restaurant is adorned with Native American artifacts and has huge windows that showcase gorgeous mountain and desert views. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. and Mon.
La Hacienda Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/585-4848 Read Review
La Hacienda is widely considered to be among the finest Mexican restaurants in North America. To ensure authentic cuisine, executive chef Reed Groban took tasting tours through Mexican villages and towns. You'll find no burritos or tacos here, just appetizers like the crab enchilada with creamy pumpkin-seed sauce and La Hacienda's signature dish -- spit-roasted suckling pig marinated in tamarind and bitter orange, carved tableside. The restaurant is on the grounds of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Wed. No lunch.
Marquesa Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/585-4848 Read Review
Polished marble, antiques, and floor-to-ceiling oil paintings adorn this Spanish colonial-style dining room in the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. Herbs and flavors indigenous to coastal Spain, France, and Italy season such appetizers as Spanish pequillo peppers stuffed with crab and cheese, baked in picada sauce. Main courses include expertly prepared seafood, meats, and poultry -- but the real triumph is the paella, bursting with lobster, chicken, shrimp, escargots, pork, and mussels. A wonderful market-style Sunday brunch can be enjoyed on the garden patio. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. and Tues. Brunch only Sun. No lunch.
Mary Elaine's The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/423-2530 Read Review
Formal and elegant, this is the Valley's finest high-end dining experience. The austerity of Mary Elaine's (in the Phoenician Hotel) is a perfect backdrop for dramatic city-light views of Scottsdale from every table. Choose from a seasonally changing three- or six-course prix-fixe or an à la carte menu and indulge in modern French-inspired offerings such as fricassee of lobster or foie gras drizzled with maple syrup and 100-year-old balsamic vinegar. Desserts like the warm chocolate-soufflé tart are breathtaking. An extensive wine cellar, impeccable service, a pleasant jazz vocalist, and new, view-studded patio seating make this an exceptional dining experience. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch.
Michael's at the Citadel 8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/515-2575 Read Review
One of this town's best-looking places has a two-story sandstone waterfall, several fireplaces, outdoor seating, and lush desert landscaping. The contemporary American fare changes seasonally. Sunday brunch showcases offerings like orange-ricotta cheese blintzes with lingonberry and cinnamon syrup. For a special occasion, reserve the chef's table in the kitchen (it accommodates 6 to 10 people) and watch the chefs work their magic. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.
Morton's of Chicago 15233 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/951-4440 Read Review
The Windy City chain is famous for exceptional service, immense steaks, and entertaining tableside presentations, but most of all for consistency. If you've been hankerin' for a great aged prime steak, you won't go wrong here. The monstrous 24-ounce porterhouse or 14-ounce double-cut fillet can satisfy the hungriest cowpoke. The seafood is excellent, too, but plays second fiddle to the beef. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch. Other location: 2501 E. Camelback Rd., Camelback Corridor, Phoenix, PHONE: 602/955-9577; Reservations essential; AE, D, DC, MC, V; No lunch.
Roaring Fork Finova Building, 4800 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/947-0795 Read Review
Elk-antler chandeliers, earth-tone fabrics and leathers, barbed-wire accessories, and a buffalo skull above the bar add up to a comfortable, rustic restaurant named after the river that winds past Aspen in Colorado. Chef Robert McGrath's creations include a pork porterhouse steak and fork-barbecued gulf shrimp on lobster, alongside such mouthwatering side dishes as stone-ground chile cheese grits and green-chile macaroni. The reasonably priced saloon menu is served in the bar from 4 to 7 PM Monday to Saturday. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.
Stockyards Restaurant 5009 E. Washington, Phoenix, AZ, USA	602/273-7378 Read Review
After a 50-year stint, Arizona's original steak house closed for a brief period and has reopened better than ever. If you're looking for a hearty meal, this is the place. Succulent prime rib, aged Midwestern corn-fed steaks, fresh seafood, and poultry are complemented by rib-sticking side dishes such as whiskey-sweet-potato mash and cowboy beans with chorizo and roasted corn. The handsome dining room has saloon-style heavy wood, etched glass, and pressed tin ceilings. A beautiful hand-carved mahogany bar and huge cut-glass chandelier adorn the 1889 Salon in back. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.
Sushi on Shea 7000 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/483-7799 Read Review
You may be in the middle of the desert, but the sushi here will make you think you're at the ocean's edge. Fresh yellowtail, toro, shrimp, scallops, freshwater eel, and even monkfish liver pâté are among the long list of delights. Nabemono (hot pot or meals-in-a-bowl) are prepared at your table. The best dish? Maybe it's the una-ju (broiled freshwater eel with a sublime smoky scent), served over sweet rice. The fact that some people believe eel is an aphrodisiac only adds to its charm. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch Sun. and Mon.
T. Cook's at the Royal Palms Royal Palms Resort & Spa, 5200 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ, USA	602/840-3610 Read Review
One of the finest restaurants in the Valley, T. Cook's oozes romance, from the floor-to-ceiling windows with dramatic views of Camelback Mountain to its 1930s-style Spanish-colonial architecture and decor. The Mediterranean-influenced menu includes seared duck breast with apples and winter root vegetables, and grilled beef tenderloin with celery root gratin, baby carrots, and Roquefort. Rotisserie specialties are prepared in the restaurant's signature lodge-style fireplace. Desserts and pastries are works of art. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
The Grill TPC Golf Course, 17020 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, USA	480/585-4848 for Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort Read Review
In the Tournament Players Club golf course clubhouse, the Grill promises a hole-in-one for the palette. You don't have to be Tiger Woods to enjoy the upscale atmosphere and incredible eats like "melt-in-your-mouth" steak and an impressive selection of fresh multicoast fish like salmon and halibut flown in daily. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Tomaso's 3225 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ, USA	602/956-0836 Read Review
In a town where restaurants come and go overnight, Tomaso's has been a favorite since 1977, and for good reason. Chef Tomaso Maggiore learned to cook as a child at the family's restaurant in Palermo, Sicily, and honed his skills at the Culinary Institute of Rome. The result is authentic Italian cuisine that is consistently well prepared and delicious. The house specialty, osso buco (braised veal shank) is outstanding. Other notables include risotto and cannelloni. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends. Other location: 7341 N. Ray Rd., Chandler, PHONE: 480/940-1200; AE, D, DC, MC, V; No lunch weekends.
Vincent on Camelback 3930 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ, USA	602/224-0225 Read Review
Chef Guerithault is best known for creating French food with a Southwestern touch. You can make a meal of his famous appetizers: corn ravioli with white truffle oil, or shrimp beignets with lavender dressing. The dessert menu overflows with intoxicating soufflés. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch weekends.