why do you have to be closed pizza gods?!!?
June 10, 2008 7:59 AM Subscribe
Where to eat a great dinner out in Phoenix?
The lady friend and I are going to Phoenix next week to see Tom Waits... the only restaurant we have ever needed in Phoenix is Pizzeria Bianco... which unfortunately will be closed the night we are there. Any other recommendations for a great early dinner spot? We have to be done with chow by 7:30 or so to make it to the show. Atmosphere / food quality are paramount, price is a concern but we are open to anything.
The lady friend and I are going to Phoenix next week to see Tom Waits... the only restaurant we have ever needed in Phoenix is Pizzeria Bianco... which unfortunately will be closed the night we are there. Any other recommendations for a great early dinner spot? We have to be done with chow by 7:30 or so to make it to the show. Atmosphere / food quality are paramount, price is a concern but we are open to anything.
Sorry, a quick Google answered my own question. For pizza, I like Spinato's, there's one at E. Glendale and 13th St. that's not too far from downtown. Good food, nice atmosphere, and it's open early.
posted by lemonwheel at 8:27 AM on June 10, 2008
posted by lemonwheel at 8:27 AM on June 10, 2008
I enjoy just about every restaurant at the Arizona Center, located in downtown Phoenix. Mi Amigo's happens to be my favorite Mexican restaurant in Phoenix.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 8:36 AM on June 10, 2008
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 8:36 AM on June 10, 2008
You'll have a car, I assume? If not, you can ignore my suggestions...
Barrio Cafe is good--trendy, relatively fancy Mexican food. Attracts the same crowd as Pizzeria Bianco (which I mean in a good way). Just a couple miles from downtown.
A little further north is Dick's Hideaway, which is the semi-hidden bar/restaurant attached to Richardson's. Either place is good, but Dick's is more fun, IMO.
For a completely different atmosphere, maybe Tradiciones? It's a festive, cavernous Mexican restaurant attached to a big Mexican grocery store (the grocery store itself is an experience too, and has a great food court). Though early on a Tuesday evening, it's likely to be almost empty.
It doesn't compare to Pizzeria Bianco, but La Grand Orange has a pretty good pizzeria. And their wine bar, Postino, right around the corner is a pretty cool spot too. This is a little further away from the Orpheum...but not too bad.
posted by mullacc at 8:42 AM on June 10, 2008
Barrio Cafe is good--trendy, relatively fancy Mexican food. Attracts the same crowd as Pizzeria Bianco (which I mean in a good way). Just a couple miles from downtown.
A little further north is Dick's Hideaway, which is the semi-hidden bar/restaurant attached to Richardson's. Either place is good, but Dick's is more fun, IMO.
For a completely different atmosphere, maybe Tradiciones? It's a festive, cavernous Mexican restaurant attached to a big Mexican grocery store (the grocery store itself is an experience too, and has a great food court). Though early on a Tuesday evening, it's likely to be almost empty.
It doesn't compare to Pizzeria Bianco, but La Grand Orange has a pretty good pizzeria. And their wine bar, Postino, right around the corner is a pretty cool spot too. This is a little further away from the Orpheum...but not too bad.
posted by mullacc at 8:42 AM on June 10, 2008
The last time I tried to go to Pizziera Bianco, the rude little hostess asked for my name and then said, "OK, the wait is about four hours right now." She said that with a straight face.
I love Postino's for a great salad, glass of wine and that chocolate molten lava cake.
Some other faves are:
Delux on 32d Street and Camelback. It's a trendy little spot but they serve the best hamburger I've ever had along with a mix of sweet potato and regular fries that are fantastic. Good service. Nice wine selection.
Fez is another spot not yet mentioned. Morroccan-themed place. Serves killer pomegranate martinis and a pita-style pizza that's nice and light.
Have fun. I heard those tickets sold out in 45 seconds.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 9:37 AM on June 10, 2008
I love Postino's for a great salad, glass of wine and that chocolate molten lava cake.
Some other faves are:
Delux on 32d Street and Camelback. It's a trendy little spot but they serve the best hamburger I've ever had along with a mix of sweet potato and regular fries that are fantastic. Good service. Nice wine selection.
Fez is another spot not yet mentioned. Morroccan-themed place. Serves killer pomegranate martinis and a pita-style pizza that's nice and light.
Have fun. I heard those tickets sold out in 45 seconds.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 9:37 AM on June 10, 2008
Tradiciones has the best Chile Rellenos I have ever had. Unfortunatly the drive from New Hampshire to Pheonix is a bit too much.
posted by Raybun at 9:49 AM on June 10, 2008
posted by Raybun at 9:49 AM on June 10, 2008
Serious Eats did a feature on Phoenix late last year that provides a few more options.
posted by zamboni at 9:52 AM on June 10, 2008
posted by zamboni at 9:52 AM on June 10, 2008
notjustfoxybrown speaks the truth about Delux. It's my #1 or #2 stop whenever I get back to Phoenix (#1 being a Filiberto's burrito, usually). Best burgers I've ever had.
posted by mullacc at 9:58 AM on June 10, 2008
posted by mullacc at 9:58 AM on June 10, 2008
Telling us what type of food you're looking for would help.
Not sure why people are so shocked about a four hour wait at Bianco. It's always like that. Don't like it? Don't go.
posted by BryanPayne at 10:44 AM on June 10, 2008
Not sure why people are so shocked about a four hour wait at Bianco. It's always like that. Don't like it? Don't go.
posted by BryanPayne at 10:44 AM on June 10, 2008
Quiessence; it's the best food in Phoenix, period. Always ends up costing a couple hundred bucks for my wife and I, but I doubt it's possible to get finer, more handcrafted dishes anywhere within 500 miles. So good you just want to rub it all over your body.
posted by TheManChild2000 at 11:48 AM on June 10, 2008
posted by TheManChild2000 at 11:48 AM on June 10, 2008
I was only surprised at the four hour wait because they weren't even going to be open for another four hours. I went once. I thought the pizza was meh. I don't know what everyone raves about ... But I'm from Brooklyn so I've had more than my share of first-rate pies.
I actually think that locally, Spinato's makes a better pizza as does the local outpost of Grimaldi's in Scottsdale.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 12:43 PM on June 10, 2008
I actually think that locally, Spinato's makes a better pizza as does the local outpost of Grimaldi's in Scottsdale.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 12:43 PM on June 10, 2008
If you're willing to drive a bit and don't hate Ethiopian cuisine, I recommend Cafe Lalibela in Tempe (on University between Mill and Priest).
posted by ErWenn at 1:50 PM on June 10, 2008
posted by ErWenn at 1:50 PM on June 10, 2008
Mod note: A few comments removed. This isn't a referendum on Bianco, please stick to suggestsions for the poster.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:18 PM on June 10, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:18 PM on June 10, 2008
Pizzeria Bianco is so over. The Rose & Crown pub sits right across from it, and is a great place to sit on the porch with a beer and watch the line go out the door and up the street.
If you want excellent pizza downtown, try Cibo on 5th Ave and Fillmore. The pizza is good, and the dessert crepes are unbeatable.
Also, Fate on 4th street is great "asian fusion" food.
posted by zephyrian at 2:26 PM on June 10, 2008
If you want excellent pizza downtown, try Cibo on 5th Ave and Fillmore. The pizza is good, and the dessert crepes are unbeatable.
Also, Fate on 4th street is great "asian fusion" food.
posted by zephyrian at 2:26 PM on June 10, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by lemonwheel at 8:21 AM on June 10, 2008