Ten Favorites for Fall Arizona Restaurant Week
Lon's at the Hermosa
It's fall, which means it's time for Arizona's Fall Restaurant Week! This year it takes place September 21-30. First launched in 1992 in New York City, Restaurant Week was created to encourage local support for restaurants during a slow time during the tourist season. This year in Arizona, participating restaurants offer special multi-course prix-fixe menus for just $33 or $44 per person. We celebrate Spring and Fall Arizona Restaurant Weeks, with www.ArizonaRestaurantWeek.com getting over 1 million unique visits in the weeks leading up to restaurant week, and 400 different restaurants taking part over the past ten years. Here are ten of my favorite restaurants, their Restaurant Week menus, and what I would order:
Where: Lon's at the Hermosa, 5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. (602) 955-8614
Why: There are few places that capture Arizona as beautifully as the Hermosa Inn, a historic hacienda and resort. Add its signature restaurant Lon's with its cozy ambiance, award-winning patio, and one of my favorite valley chefs - Jeremy Pacheco - and you have a combination guaranteed to be an ARW winner.
I'm ordering: Chorizo and cheddar-stuffed squash blossom with corn pudding; Alaskan halibut with sugar snap peas and lemon vinaigrette; Schnepf Farms peaches in puff pastry with honey gelato.
Cost: Three courses for $44
Menu link: https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/lons-at-the-hermosa/
Where: Prado Restaurant at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia at 4949 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253. Phone: (480) 627-3004
Why: Prado is named after the famed museum in Madrid, and stepping through the wooden double doors, you feel as though you’ve entered a luxurious European villa with mosaic-tiled outdoor terrace overlooking a row of bubbling fountains and Camelback Mountain. It’s the perfect setting to experience the Spanish-inspired menu.
Cost: Three courses for $44
I'm ordering: Seafood paella bites with piquillo pepper vinaigrette; seared diver scallops with langostinos and lemon-saffron risotto; Quesada Pasiega (Spanish cheesecake).
Menu link: https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/prado/
Diver scallops at Prado
Where: Roka Akor Scottsdale, 7299 North Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85253. (480) 428-0051
Why: This sophisticated sushi and steakhouse restaurant is a spot I need to spend more time visiting. The menu changes seasonally and offers superlative steaks, seafood, and Japanese specialties in a beautiful contemporary setting.
I'm ordering: Butterfish tataki with yuzu-shallot dressing; Prime NY striploin with truffle aioli and mushroom rice hotpot; ube pot de crème
Cost: Three courses for $44
Menu link: https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/roka-akor/
Where: Deseo at the Westin Kierland Resort, 6902 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Why: I recently dined at Deseo, the Nuevo Latino-inspired signature restaurant at the Westin Kierland, and the vibrant flavors of each dish makes this one of my favorite menus Chef Derek Biazo has launched. Tip: Beverage Specialist Matt Allen’s cocktails new cocktails are just as enticing.
Cost: Three courses for $44
I'm ordering: Peruvian fried chicken with ginger-scallion marinade and rocoto sweet chili; coffee and panella-seared Wagyu shortrib, yucca hash browns and roasted pineapple chimichurri; and the Oasis dessert with tropical gelee, lemon sorbet and marshmallow.
Menu link: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/deseo
Where: Rott ‘n Grapes RoRo, 1001 N 3rd Ave #1, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Why: I’m a big fan of the original Rott ‘n Grapes (named after the owners’ beloved Rottweilers), a cozy neighborhood spot with 80 craft beers and 95 wines by the glass, and this week they celebrate another grand opening. Be one of the first to visit RoRo on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix, with three floors and an appealing menu by Chef Chris Newstrom with an emphasis on sourcing local. Their $44 menu includes a cocktail, beer, or wine.
Cost: A drink and three courses for $44 ($33 without)
I'm ordering: A Negroni; charcuterie board for two; sweet corn risotto with chervil and peas; seasonal panna cotta.
Menu link: https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/rott-n-grapes/
Where: Different Pointe of View at Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Why: You'll need to make reservations for Chef Anthony DeMuro's menu, which usually sells out for ARW. It's no surprise - this restaurant at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs is perched on top of Lookout Mountain and the cuisine lives up to the panoramic views.
Cost: Three courses for $44
I'm ordering: Lobster bisque; achiote-grilled pork tenderloin with green chile and cheddar polenta cake, pickled pepper and cilantro tapenade; and peanut butter, banana and chocolate for dessert.
Menu link: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/DPOV
Where: Artizen at The Camby, 2401 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Why: Tucked away in The Camby Resort is this culinary gem serving globally-influenced dishes at the hands of Executive Chef Dushyant Singh and his team, and you’ll want to take advantage of their special menu of four courses for $44. Tip: Start with the Kingston Fog tea cocktail, recently nominated as Best Cocktail for this year’s Foodist Awards.
Cost: Four courses for $44 + optional $25 wine pairing
I'm ordering: Crispy pork cheeks with popcorn grits; shaved Brussels sprouts salad with sundried apples and pomegranate; duck duo with hazelnuts, blueberries and smoked cream; caramelized banana budino with dulce de leche and peanut meringue.
Menu link: https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/artizen
Where: Tanzy, 15257 N Scottsdale Rd #220, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Why: Tanzy restaurant is located adjacent to the iPic Theaters in Scottsdale Quarter, but it’s not just a pre or post-movie spot. You don’t want to overlook this sleek modern space with a kitchen team led by Chef Michael Press turning out refined Italian comfort dishes.
Cost: Three courses for $33 + optional $20 wine pairing
I'm ordering: The Tanzy trio (meatball, fried artichokes, tomato bisque); ricotta and gnudi with pesto, roasted mushrooms, gorgonzola cream, and Grana Padano; warm Italian butter cake with vanilla panna cotta
Menu link: https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/ipic-tanzy/
Where: Fat Ox, 6316 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253, (480)307-6900
Why: I've made many visits to the Fat Ox - for dinner, to meet friends, and to enjoy their Happy Hour. You'll find a menu that celebrates Italy with seafood, grilled meats and handmade pastas. If you have yet to visit, their restaurant week is a perfect introduction with choices such as some of the best handmade pasta in AZ and steaks from renowned Chicago butcher Linz.
Cost: Three courses for $44
I'm ordering: Pappardelle with fennel-braised pork and Swiss chard; 8-oz Linz prime steak; and lemon panna cotta
Menu link: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/fatox
Where: Ocean Prime, 5455 E High St Ste 115, Phoenix, AZ 85054. (480) 347-1313
Why: This upscale High Street steakhouse and seafood restaurant is always a popular spot, and for those looking for juicy steaks and superlative fish dishes, you'll find that here. The restaurant week menu is a great bargain (the prime aged 8-oz filet mignon is normally $43 alone) and it’s also the home of my favorite carrot cake in town - a 10-layer decadent tower drizzled with pineapple syrup.
Cost: Three courses for $44
I'm ordering: Caesar salad; Alaskan halibut with caviar, cauliflower puree, and citrus vinaigrette; and carrot cake
Menu link: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/ocean prime
And number 11 means a bonus. You can read about a past Restaurant Week visit recap to Atlas Bistro by clicking the photo below:
Where: Atlas Bistro, 2515 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Why: The regular $65 prix-fixe menu of three savory courses of wonderful artfully-plated dishes is $44 during Restaurant Week. I especially appreciate that it’s their regular daily menu, from which you can choose one of four options from each course. Tip: Add on an optional dessert or cheese plate, and bring a bottle of wine - Atlas is BYOB.
I'm ordering: House-cured wagyu pastrami with honey mustard emulsion and shaved Noble Bread; veal katsu with braised daikon radish consomme; and jumbo New Bedford scallops with kombu forbidden rice and Hawaiian hearts of palm.
Cost: Three courses for $44
Menu link: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/atlas-bistro