Tea Light Café
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85054
(480) 538-1600

It’s Vietnamese “fast” food at its finest—light, healthy, tasty meals that average well under $20 each. The convenient location beside the Harkins Cine-Capri at Scottsdale Road and the 101 makes it a nice spot for a pre-movie lunch or an after-movie snack. The pleasing interior is simple and clean, the staff friendly, and the menu a good mix of classic and wholesome Vietnamese cuisine.

My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
10625 N. Tatum Blvd., #150
Phoenix, AZ 85028
(480) 607-1212
mybigfatgreekrestaurant.net

With nine locations throughout the Valley, including the one listed above and one in Old Town Scottsdale, you have no excuse not to try out this wonderful Greek cuisine. Catering and banquet opportunities aside, the dining experience is always a pleasant one, with tantalizing food, a festive atmosphere, and good times to be had by all who aspire to be just a little bit Greek for a few hours.

Marcella’s Italian Kitchen
7014 E. Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 947-2105
marcellasitaliankitchen.com

New to Scottsdale Fashion Square is a restaurant bursting with Italian charm and flavor. A varied and original menu offers affordable yet decidedly savory meals. From sweet appetizers to heavy pastas to rich desserts, the offerings are distinctly and oh-so-pleasantly Italian.

By Alana Stroud

With the holidays upon us, friends and family will be coming from all over to share in the festivities with you and yours. Save the cooking for special holiday meals and take your guests to one of these fabulous eateries so they can see the best of Arizona.

Quiessence

The Farm at South Mountain

6106 S. 32^nd St.

Phoenix, AZ 85042
(602) 276-0601
quiessencerestaurant.com

Voted Best Restaurant to Take Visitors by azcentral.com’s Best of 2009 Critics’ Picks, Quiessence boasts handcrafted American cuisine and is considered one of the Valley’s hidden gems. Quiessence is one of the few restaurants that feature a “daily menu,” and you’ll find on it delicious items like pan-roasted striped bass or red beet ravioli. All ingredients support local growers, farmers, herders, and artisans and are hand-selected daily by executive chef Gregory LaPrad. Your friends and family are sure to be delighted with this experience!

Alice Cooper’stown

101 E. Jackson St

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 253-7337

alicecooperstown.com

What would a trip to Arizona be without visiting this one-of-a-kind restaurant named for one our famous residents? If your guests love rock music or sports (or both!), don’t pass up a trip to Alice Cooper’stown. With 6,000 square feet of dining space and sixteen big-screen TVs showing nothing but sports, you and your guests can enjoy menu items like the “Big Unit” 22-inch hotdog, sandwiches, burgers, and fantastic appetizers without having to miss your favorite team’s game.

The Compass Restaurant

Hyatt Regency Phoenix
122 N. 2^nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 440-3166
phoenix.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/restaurants

With a slew of awards and accolades under its belt, The Compass Restaurant, located on the tip-top of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix, is undoubtedly one of the best views of the city you can give your out-of-town guests. The restaurant slowly rotates, giving diners a 360-degree view while they nosh on items like crispy warm brie or jumbo sea scallops. The wine menu is quite impressive as well. Menus are seasonal, so take your guests back for a taste of something different whenever they visit!

By Alana Stroud
Famous Dave’s

16148 N 83^rd Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85382
(623) 979-3706
famousdaves.com

Dave’s brags it’s the “finest slow-smoked barbeque folks have ever tasted,” and this smoky joint has indeed won awards for best ribs, best music, best barbecue, and best take-out. For a real treat, bring your family, order Dave’s Famous Feast, and set to eatin’ a giant platter full o’ spareribs, a whole chicken, a half-pound of either Texas beef brisket or Georgia chopped pork, coleslaw, Famous Fries, Wilbur Beans, corn-on-the-cob, and corn-bread muffins!

Honey Bear’s BBQ

2824 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 279-7911
honeybearsbbq.com

What started as an on-site catering business in the 1980s has become Honey Bear’s BBQ, which serves up Tennessee’s finest barbecue flavors. You can dine in, pick up, call for delivery, or have Honey Bear’s cater your next party. Menu favorites include BBQ chicken wings, baby-back ribs, fried catfish, and BBQ rib tips.

Bobby-Q

8501 N 27^th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85051
(602) 995-5982
bobbyq.net

What used to be Bobby McGee’s is now the one and only Bobby-Q (with the same owner), which serves up all your barbecued favorites for lunch and dinner. Tuesday through Saturday, diners are welcome to hang out at the nightclub Q Lounge next door. Bobby-Q also caters parties and events.

By Alana Stroud

Baby Kay’s Cajun Kitchen

Town & Country Shopping Center
2119 E Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 955-0011
babykayscajunkitchen.com

In honor of August being National Catfish Month, Baby Kay’s made the list thanks to their tasty authentic Cajun catfish menu selections. The quaint brick restaurant has outdoor seating, a bar, live music, specials for every day of the week, and a catering service. For a special treat, try the Creole vinaigrette on your house salad!

Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles

10 W. Yuma St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 340-1304
loloschickenandwaffles.com

September ushers in National Chicken Month, and Lo-Lo’s offers a creative menu blend of chicken and waffles. It may be a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but it’s well enough known to have been dubbed a good-luck charm for the Arizona Cardinals by AZFamily.com. Don’t forget to try the famous Sandy Sand’s red velvet cake before you leave!

Authentic Asian Food: Found!

By Alana Stroud

Asiana Market

4410 W Union Hills Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(623) 780-1234

This reasonably priced market features many Asian treasures from all over the continent, including fresh produce, canned and nonperishable goods, tons of noodles and large bags of rice, and fresh as well as frozen seafood. There is also a wide array of kitchen gadgets, sushi, tea sets, and Asian gifts. Don’t forget to try out the in-house eatery!

Super L Ranch Market

668 North 44th Street, Suite #201W
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 225-2288
phxchinatown.com

Located inside the Chinese Cultural Center, this upscale grocery market features Asian imports of fresh seafood and produce, gift items, and a bakery full of tasty treats. While in the Cultural Center, dine in one of the adjoining restaurants—Golden Buddha, Asian Seafood Buffet, Lao Ching Hing, or Szechwan Palace—to sample some of the tasty dishes you could try in your own kitchen with the ingredients you pick up at the Super L.

Manila Oriental Foodmart

3557 W Dunlap Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85051
(602) 841-2977

In the mood for some tasty Oriental treats—jasmine rice, meats and seafood, bean thread, chow mein and egg noodles, canned coconut milk, dried black fungus and mushrooms, curry, tea, or kimchee? This Filipino-owned food market has it! Try a little something from their café to munch on while shopping.

Cherry Blossom Noodle Café

914 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Phone: (602) 218-9090
cherryblossom-az.com

With a comfortable atmosphere and an eclectic menu of noodle dishes and drinks, this European-style restaurant serves up its signature ingredient cold, in soups, or mixed into your favorite dish—Pad Thai, anyone? Also, don’t pass up the opportunity to try their popular blueberry-banana bread drink.

Nothing but Noodles

8190 W. Union Hills Dr.
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: (623) 537-0400
nothingbutnoodles.com

Fast food meets casual dining in Nothing but Noodles as each savory dish is made to order within 15 minutes. Wok-seared bowls of noodles, soup, and garden-fresh salads served in heavy ceramic china bowls are cooked Italian-, American-, or Asian-style. For families and customers with a sweet tooth, the restaurant also offers great kids’ and dessert menus.

Noodles Ranch

2765 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Phone: (480) 945-3182
noodlesranch.com

Forget steam tables and holding pans—every dish at Noodles Ranch is prepared when you order it. With tasty noodle dishes that sway toward traditional Vietnamese, friendly service, and a welcoming décor, Noodles Ranch is a nice spot for a relaxing lunch. While you’re there, check out the chef’s book of recipes, which he sells in the restaurant.

O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub

20469 N. Hayden Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 585-6329
odsaz.com

Taking its inspiration and its name from one of the most popular pubs in Dublin, Ireland, O’Donoghue’s provides the warm, authentic atmosphere and traditional Irish food, drink, and live music. This proud pub is designed, constructed, and owned by proud sons and daughters of the Emerald Isle and exudes the culture of the Irish. A cold pint and another to Valley residents, and may their pleasures outnumber the shamrocks with this fond tradition of the old Irish working class!

The Dubliner Irish Pub and Restaurant

3841 East Thunderbird Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 867-0984
dublinerpub.com

Since 1985, The Dubliner has been serving up Irish fare and fun to Phoenicians. While you chow down on some hearty Irish stew or throw back some imported Irish beer, you can enjoy live music, watch your favorite Ireland and Arizona teams the big screen TV, or simply relax with friends in a comfortable booth. Wireless Internet access is also now available.

Padre Murphy’s Pub & Restaurant

4338 West Bell Rd
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 547-9406
padremurphy.com

Sports fans may want to consider a visit to Padre Murphy’s, which boasts over eighty televisions that feature a continuous stream of live and classic sporting events. Relax in the rich bar ambience, sample their substantial food and drink menus, and peruse the large collection of sports memorabilia.

Rare Earth Coffee & Wine Bar
28190 N. Alma School Pkwy., Ste. 209
Scottsdale AZ 85262
Phone: (480) 513-6252
Rare Earth Coffee & Wine Bar serves up a warm atmosphere and friendly service to match its fine wine, gourmet pizza, crisp salads, decadent desserts, and soothing jazz music. The balcony deck provides a grand and peaceful view of the McDowell Mountains in the shadow of Pinnacle Peak.

Crust Pizza & Wine
6989 N. Hayden Rd., Ste. A9
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Phone: (480) 948-3099
crustscottsdale.com
Step into Crust Pizza & Wine for a little slice of Sicily. Their freshly made pizzas are cooked in stone ovens. Rustica-style pizzas, gourmet sandwiches, and salads served in a unique crust bowl pair well with their selection of wines. Try the one-of-a-kind “Crustini” or your favorite white or red wine.

Sauce Pizza & Wine
Sauce Norterra
2470 W. Happy Valley Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85085
Phone: (623) 414-4866
foxrc.com/sauce
Sauce Pizza & Wine is part of FOX Restaurant Concepts, a collection of original boutique restaurants throughout several states. A variety of thin-crust red and white pizzas adorn the menu, which also features fresh salads with house-made dressings, lasagna, and grilled paninis made with fresh baked bread. Their wine selection is accompanied by Italian and domestic beers, and the warm, inviting atmosphere makes the dining experience as enjoyable as the food. Several Arizona locations.

Gelato Matto

20260 N. 59th Ave., Suite 103
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 825-4543
gelatomatto.net

Smooth texture and intense flavor make this café’s traditional Italian ice cream high quality. Its thirty-eight flavors are made fresh on the premises every day. This gelato heaven also serves LavAzza Coffee (Italy’s favorite coffee), traditional cannoli, freshly made waffle cones and bowls, gelato spaghetti, affogato al café, granitas, biscotti cookies, gelato cakes, and more.

Paciugo Gelato

2530 West Happy Valley Rd., Suite 1271
Phoenix, AZ 85085
(623) 516-8749
paciugo.com

Paciugo Gelato has made us all happy by opening its newest location at the recently opened Shops at Norterra marketplace. With thirty-two flavors made fresh daily and over 200 recipes of traditional and unique flavors (try the rose—it’s good!) to shake things up, Paciugo Gelato will keep you coming back for more. Enjoy their free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TV, or enjoy a treat before heading next door to the new Harkins Theater to catch the next blockbuster hit. Catering is available.

Arlecchino Gelateria

4410 N 40th St.
Phoenix AZ 85018
Phone: 602-955-2448
arlechinogelateria.com

“100% autentico gelato italiano!” Yes, this gelateria prepares its gelato entirely from scratch with a preserved authentic Italian recipe and the best ingredients available. Owners Moreno and Marian Spangaro were both born and raised in Trieste, Italy, a town famous for its gelato and coffee, and they are well trained in the art of making gelato. They boast a 100 percent natural product, often made with imported Italian ingredients that include chocolate, espresso, and nuts, as well as handpicked seasonal fruit. Their daily offering of eighteen flavors continually changes and ranges from traditional Italian flavors to their own creations. Gelato cakes and tiramisu are available upon special request.

By Cassaundra Brooks

Cupcakes

No one can mistake what this yummy bakery offers! Claiming that “a cupcake is more than just another sweet treat—it’s a lifestyle,” their daily and weekly rotating delightful varieties are baked from scratch with prime ingredients every morning, so your snack is guaranteed fresh every day. For parties, Cupcakes has four varieties of towers to rent at no extra charge, and their Kiddie Corner provides the little ones with an opportunity to decorate their famous Party Animal cupcake. For families whose pets are the children, Cupcakes also offers a Peewee Cupcake for dogs.

Located in the exclusive Hilton Village in Scottsdale.
6137 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite B-105
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(480) 656-3816
gotcupcakes.com

Sweet Thang Cupcakes

The old-world ambience and location in the notable Willo Historic District give passersby two great reasons to enter this cupcake shop’s doors, but we’ll give you three better ones: cupcakes, coffee shop, and tea bar. The full-service bakery not only serves up fresh gourmet cupcakes and other fresh-baked favorites but also offers award-winning tea and coffee drinks. Their cupcakes range from the traditional to original flavors you’ll find nowhere else, and with handcrafted flowers and an array of crafty designs, these cupcakes can be considered works of art. Special orders, catering, and whole cakes are also available.

503 W. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85013-4211
(866) 725-5457
sweetthangcupcakes.com

Lulu’s Cupcakes

Claiming to provide cupcakes that are 100 percent natural and 100 percent naughty, Lulu’s Cupcakes offers to make your favorite flavors in addition to their Seven Daily Sins: Blonde Bombshell, Tantrum Tamer, Mood Elevator, The Raven, The Landscaper, Chocoschnitzel, and Bunny Boo, not to mention a daily (ahem) D-Cupcake Special. Give in to your sweet tooth and sample the sugary seven sins at their location on the southeast corner of Miller and McDowell.

7607 East McDowell Road #108
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
(480) 990-CAKE
luluscupcakes.com