Subtitle: Sauce for the Cowboy Barbecue Junkie
By Gerald Calamia
Photography by Eric Fairchild

Nestled at the base of Black Mountain lies the newest creation of Chef Bryan Dooley and his wife, Donna. It’s Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue, open just nine months and bringing a “chic” cowboy location to the town of Cave Creek. Bryan’s menu offers great-tasting, heartily constructed sandwiches, plates, and unique combo platters, all accompanied with inspired, creative sides that are also available in bulk size for family-style ordering. Chef Bryan has bottled his magic touch, offering both his original barbecue sauce and spice rub for sale at the restaurant. His menu covers all bases—there are even selections for vegetarians. We spent some time with Chef Bryan, his wife, and their wonderful staff as we tasted our way through the menu and sampled their fresh selections.

We started out with two of his signature sandwiches, the pulled pork and the vegetarian pulled spaghetti squash, served on soft, toasted buns with sides of fresh crisp french fries and Chef Bryan’s unique coleslaw made the traditional way with the addition of kalamata and green olives. Both sandwiches were tender and full of flavor. The pulled pork was soft, juicy, and slathered with sauce. The spaghetti squash balanced the sweet and the tangy, and you don’t miss a beat of the flair if you eat vegetarian but crave barbecue. There’s plenty more of Chef Bryan’s warmed regular and hot-style barbecue sauce on the buffet if you can’t get enough of it. There are salads as well; the Ribs of Romaine is made with full leaves of romaine lettuce with the same signature spice rub that’s used on the ribs, along with a dabble of salt and pepper. Chef Bryan encourages guests to eat the salad with their hands as they would the ribs. The cool, fresh taste of the romaine leaves is a nice break in between the tastes of the barbecue selections.

After sampling these wonderful starters, our server, Adria, brought us out the beef brisket and ribs combo plate and another of Chef Bryan’s unique selections—the Firebird or, as it’s affectionately called, the half-chicken from hell. The “fire” is started by a hot yellow jalapeño glaze with thin slices of jalapeño floating in the tasty aromatic glaze. This dish is not for the faint of heart, but if you love heat, it is an absolute winner. The glaze partners well with the fresh, moist chicken, which gives your mouth a cool sensation and balances well with the heat from the glaze. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone soft, and the beef brisket was flavorful and tender. Chef Bryan’s sides include the Cowboy Six Pack beans— a six-pack of beer added to each batch of sauce and a very unique baked potato salad. Dessert offerings include fantastic homemade ice cream sandwiches, with vanilla or mint chocolate chip enclosed between hard, crunchy cookies and filled with large chocolate chunks. A wonderful way to cool your mouth down after the meal!

Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue features acoustic blues on Wednesdays and cowboy western music and storytelling on Thursdays. By the end of the year, they plan to have their outdoor seating patio completed, with the live music and drinks available outdoors. There is an extensive list of draft beers, and beer tastings are planned to introduce the new beers to his patrons. Bryan and Donna Dooley have created a delicious culture of the cowboy. Saddle up for the food, the fun and, of course, the sauce.

Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue is located at 6130 E. Cave Creek Rd., #2, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. Call (480) 575-7155 for reservations. Visit bryansbarbecue.com for the menu.

INTRO

Congratulations to our fourth annual Readers’ Choice Restaurant Award winners! Our readers toast thirty-seven exceptional restaurants that are filling North Valley residents up with delectable food and impeccable service. There are no ties this year, but there are some familiar names on the list! Others are new to our roster. The results come in just in time as friends and relatives pour in from out of town for the holidays and all of us make our New Year’s resolutions. Take your loved ones out for a fine-dining experience; resolve to try new places—and new foods—in the new year; and discover new favorite haunts for a cup of coffee, comfort food, and great spicy fare, or for those informal business meetings, elegant celebrations, and Sunday brunch with the girlfriends.

AFTER HOURS: Armitage*
DC Ranch on Market Street
20751 N Pima Rd., Suite 120
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 502-1641
armitagewine.com

You’ll love the Old-World ambience that makes Armitage perfect for winding down after work or enjoying a pre-dinner drink. If you stay on into the night, prepare for the lights to dim and the music to pick up tempo, transforming Armitage into an energized nightspot.

AMERICAN: Roaring Fork
4800 North Scottsdale Rd. Ste. 1700
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 947-0795
eddiev.com

If fondue pot with lamb chops served with roasted butternut squash and chili-pecan bread along with pineapple cornmeal upside down cake served with vanilla bean ice cream sound like your perfect meal, you’ll want to head to Roaring Fork for some wood-fired grill goodness. It’s rugged American cuisine at its best.

APPETIZERS: Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion*
Desert Ridge
5350 East Marriott Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85054
(480) 419-7697
roysrestaurant.com

The first Roy’s opened in Honolulu in 1988. Try Chef Yamaguchi’s popular Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine—a tempting combination of exotic flavors and spices mixed with the freshest local ingredients, with seafood featured.

BARBECUE: Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue
In Las Tiendas
6130 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 575-7155
bryansbarbecue.com

From tender pulled pork and beef brisket to tasty seasoned ribs and whole barbecued chickens, Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue is quickly gaining renown as the go-to place for good ol’-fashioned barbecue favorites. Take home signature sauce and rubs or chow down on some hearty, slathered-in-sauce meats at the festive restaurant. Vegetarians can join their carnivorous friends and opt for the pulled squash sandwich with coleslaw or a fried egg.

BREAKFAST: Kashman’s Place*
32531 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
(480) 488-5274
kashmansplace.net

Brooklyn transplants Steve and Nancy began Kashman’s Place as a sublime bagel shop, but it quickly morphed into a full breakfast-and-lunch spot complete with a friendly atmosphere and made-from-scratch original creations. For a New York experience in Arizona and innovative dishes cooked with fresh ingredients, North Valley residents have been steadily checking out this unique dining sensation.

BREWERY: Gordon Biersch*
18545 N Allied Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85054
(480) 342-9860
gordonbiersch.com

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in Glendale features an eclectic beer garden, an impressive bar area equipped with TVs and speaker system, and spacious patio seating. The upscale casual restaurant offers a haven for fresh microbrew beers and delicious made-from-scratch menu items.

BURGERS: 25 Degrees
5415 E. High St. Ste. 127
Phoenix, AZ 85054
(480) 502-1125
phoenix.25degreesrestaurant.com

25 Degrees is the place where sophistication meets the most popular of American fare. Sip champagne or fine wine as you munch on delicious gourmet burgers and lounge in your favorite pair of jeans and T-shirt. The rich setting features a long tiled bar, leather booths, and designer lighting, but it’s the assorted list of extras and sauces that lure people back to build their own unique burger every visit. Traditional desserts and tasty snacks also help make up the impressive menu.

CHINESE: Flo’s
15027 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 661-8883
flosrestaurants.com

Flo’s presents modern innovative Chinese dishes in a contemporary Asian atmosphere, with attentive service, all with reasonable prices and a tip of the hat to the Southwest.

COFFEE SHOP: Cave Creek Coffee Co.
6033 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Cave Creek AZ 85331
(480) 488-0603
cavecreekcoffee.com

Whether you’re looking for a great cup of coffee, an exceptional glass of wine, unique food, or intimate entertainment, Cave Creek Coffee Co. offers you the experience you’re seeking.

COMFORT FOOD: Chompie’s*
Mercado Del Rancho Center
9301 E. Shea Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 860-0475
chompies.com

The Borensteins came to the Valley from Queens, New York in 1979 to make the entire Valley eat, dollink, eat—and eat deli. Chompie’s is an exciting New York-style deli-restaurant and bakery featuring freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries and, of course, world-famous bagels and bialys in 35 “hot” varieties.

CONTINENTAL: Binkley’s in Cave Creek
6920 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Cave Creek, AZ
(480) 437-1072
binkleysrestaurant.com

Binkley’s specializes in creating classically influenced contemporary American cuisine, revised daily to feature the freshest seasonal ingredients, using local and organic foods whenever they are available. Everything from appetizer to dessert (except the bread) is made in the Binkley kitchen, prepared to order and with special dietary needs accommodated.

DELI: Hot Bagels & Deli
34640 N. North Valley Parkway Ste. 117
Phoenix, AZ 85086
(623) 516-2888

The bagels are made fresh daily in-house, using an original New York recipe. The sandwiches are made with only fine Boar’s Head meats. And the delicious dishes at this delicatessen won’t take a big bite out of your pocketbook.

DESSERT: The Cheesecake Factory*
15230 North Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 607-0083
thecheesecakefactory.com

The Cheesecake Factory is an upscale casual dining restaurant offering more than 200 menu selections that include appetizers, pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches, and fifty delectable cheesecakes and desserts!

ECLECTIC: The Herb Box
DC Ranch on Market Street
20707 North Pima Road, Suites 140-145
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 289-6180 
herbboxcatering.com

The Herb Box sums up its fare as “innovative world creations.” Endless new recipes come from taking what is freshest at the farm stand and being open-minded enough to having an idea drive the chef in the kitchen. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are vast and varied, ensuring an entrée for every palate.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Sauce*
Sauce Norterra
2470 W. Happy Valley Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85085
(623) 414-4866
foxrestaurantconcepts.com/sauce

Sauce provides a variety of thin-crust red and white pizzas as well as fresh salads with house-made dressings, lasagna, and grilled panini 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.

FRENCH: Zinc Bistro
Kierland Commons
15034 N Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85281
(480) 603-0922
zincbistroaz.com

A New York-style Parisian bistro in the Arizona desert charms the Scottsdale dining scene. Enjoy the oyster bar where shellfish is brought in daily—the freshest oysters, clams, mussels, and lobster you can find in the desert.

GREEK: My Big Fat Greek Restaurant*
4218 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 949-8900
mybigfatgreekrestaurant.net

Greek food is one of the healthiest cuisines and has a Mediterranean flair of cooking created by the gods. Virgin olive oil, fresh ingredients, selected herbs, and just the right amount of spice are the cooking secrets cherished and kept for thousands of years. If it’s Greek to you, you’re in the right place.

INDIAN: Jewel of the Crown
7373 Scottsdale Mall, Suite 1 
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-949-8000
jewelofthecrown.com

Nestled in the historic downtown district of Scottsdale, Jewel of the Crown is a highly acclaimed restaurant that serves gourmet Indian cuisine. The elegant ambience, wide selection of authentic Indian delicacies, and full-service bar are some of the reasons customers have made this restaurant their first choice.

ITALIAN: Arrivederci
7101 E. Thunderbird Rd. #103
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 922-8225
Azitaly.com

Arrivederci offers intimate dining with exquisite Italian fare. With a romantic ambience, marvelous sauces, and food all made from scratch, you may think that you’re in Italy.

JAPANESE: Sushi Roku*
7277 E Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 970-2121
sushiroku.com

Sushi Roku showcases traditional Japanese fare with modern twists. Among the main dishes, you’ll find scallops with stuffed shishito peppers and whole flash-fried striped bass with spicy ponzu sauce. Of course, sushi and sashimi are also prominently featured.

MEXICAN: The Spotted Donkey Cantina
34505 N Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
(480) 488.3358
spotteddonkeycantina.com

Southwestern and Western flavors merge at Spotted Donkey Cantina at El Pedregal. The best drinks downtown, unique food, and a festive atmosphere are quickly earning Spotted Donkey Cantina a reputation as the place to dine in Scottsdale.

BEST PATIO DINING: Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace
7135 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 195
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 751-2200
foxrc.com/olive_ivy.html

Old world meets new at Olive & Ivy, which blends the provocative flavors and timeless elegance of the Mediterranean with contemporary California chic. Olive & Ivy is a lively neighborhood hotspot offering something for everyone and featuring Scottsdale’s largest outdoor patio.

PIZZERIA: Patsy Grimaldi’s DC Ranch*
DC Ranch
20715 N. Pima Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 515-5588
patsygrimaldis.com

Grimaldi’s pizzas are made with fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and dough made fresh daily. The fresh toppings range from the finest sweet Italian sausage to the most flavorful red peppers, all masterfully roasted in Grimaldi’s coal-brick ovens.

RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW: The Chart House*
7255 McCormick Pkwy.
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 951-2550
chart-house.com

From top-of-the-catch seafood, succulent steaks, and decadent desserts, Chart House has a menu tailored to complement local cuisine while introducing a hint of the exotic. Overlooking Camelback Mountain and a picturesque lake, an evening at Chart House will give you a cool respite from the Arizona heat.

ROMANTIC: Ocean Prime
City North
5455 E. High St. #115
Phoenix, AZ 85054
ocean-prime.com

The modern American supper club melds the retro with the contemporary for a pleasing and elegant design aesthetic; and with incredible service, delicious seafood and steaks, and creative, quality cocktails and wines, Ocean Prime doesn’t just lure people in–it keeps them coming back for more.

SEAFOOD: Wildfish Seafood Grille
7135 East Camelback Rd. Ste. 130
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 994-4040
eddiev.com

An exciting atmosphere and attentive staff pair well with the fresh seafood and savory broiled steaks at Wildfish Seafood Grille. Appetizers including an oyster bar and tower of iced shellfish, soups like Maine lobster and shrimp bisque, and lobsters from West Australia represent some of the fine seafood, while filet mignon, and USDA prime New York strip steaks and bone-in rib eyes heartily round out the menu.

SPORTS BAR: FOX Sports Grill
16203 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 368-0369
foxsportsgrill.com

FOX Sports Grill invites guests to relax in a socially comfortable atmosphere where a contemporary American menu and diverse specialty drink and wine list coupled with uncompromised sports and entertainment viewing offers something for everyone.

SOUTHWESTERN: Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn
5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd.
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(602) 955-7878
lons.com

Lon’s at the hermosa is Arizona’s only remaining authentic hacienda. Enjoy award-winning artful American cuisine on a spectacular patio or by one of the glowing fireplaces. Lon’s uses bold flavors and compelling combinations that reflect a contemporary take on the multitude of foods originating in the Western Hemisphere.

STEAK HOUSE: J & G Steakhouse
6000 E. Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 214-8000

Situated atop the sophisticated and elegant Phoenician Resort, J & G Steakhouse is richly appointed and features a menu filled with top-quality cocktails and wines, dinners, and desserts. It’s a great location for private events and exceptional views of Camelback Mountain and the Sonoran Desert.

THAI: Takeda Thai
10271 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
(480) 483-5006
takedathai.com

Sample well-prepared Thai food made with authentic herbs and spices and served with care. The menu includes fresh salads and soups, seafood and meats, rice and noodles, with all the flavors and spiciness Thai food lovers crave.

VEGETARIAN: The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32^nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85042
(602) 276-6360
thefarmatsouthmountain.com

With organic gardens, lush grass lawns, art galleries, friendly markets and shops, and three sumptuous restaurants, it’s a delight for all foodies, even if you’re not a vegetarian. Begin your day with treats from Morning Glory Café, picnic at The Farm Kitchen for lunch, and sup at Quiessence Restaurant for a fresh and seasonal end-of-day meal.

WINE BAR: Uncorked Wine Bar
16427 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste. 130
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 699-9230
uncorkedwinebar.com

Uncorked encourages their guests to “Eat, Drink, Relax…Repeat.” Offering twenty different flights of wine, Uncorked is the perfect place for everyone to unwind and enjoy a favorite wine—or find a new favorite. Uncorked also offers specially selected and prepared cheese trays, delicious sandwiches and salads, and “to-die-for” desserts.

OCCASIONS

BUSINESS MEETING:
Fleming’s DC Ranch*
20753 N. Pima Rd., Bldg. R
North Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 538-8000
flemingssteakhouse.com

Fleming’s features the finest in prime beef and a tempting variety of chops, seafood, chicken, generous salads, inventive side orders, and indulgent desserts in a fine-dining atmosphere. Fleming’s 100’s celebrated wine list boasts some of the finest wines in the world, all available by the glass.

CELEBRATION: Mastro’s Steakhouse
Mastro’s Steakhouse*
8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd.
(480) 585-9500
mastrossteakhouse.com

Mastro’s offers an unparalleled dining experience, featuring a cutting-edge menu of the finest in prime steaks and fresh seafood, accompanied by live music and dancing seven nights a week in the piano bar. A stylish dinner for two or a group of friends.

HAPPY HOUR: Eddie V’s Edgewater Grille*
20715 N. Pima Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 538-8468
eddiev.com

Eddie V’s Edgewater Grille was inspired by the great classic seafood restaurants of New Orleans, San Francisco, and Boston. Eddie and Guy have great respect for the freshness, flavors, and techniques of these regions and provide you with the freshest seafood available, along with prime-grade steaks, in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

LADIES’ LUNCH: English Rose Tea Room
201 Easy St. #103
Carefree, AZ 8537
(480) 488-4812
carefreetea.com

It’s four o’clock, and time for the traditional English afternoon tea. Choose from an extensive menu of authentic English foods served with loose-leaf teas. Be it a simple scone with Devonshire cream or the elaborate Duchess of Bedford’s Formal Afternoon Tea, there is something for every Anglophile.

SUNDAY BRUNCH: The Wrigley Mansion
2501 E. Telawa Trail
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 955-4079
wrigleymansionclub.com

Dining at The Wrigley Mansion is a complete experience. Their award-winning Sunday Champagne Brunch is worth the trip, and Geordie’s Restaurant & Lounge offers guests more than an elegant, historic setting—its creative American fare is a perfect weekend evening meal and is now back for lunch five days per week.

* plus other Valley locations

By Gerald Calamia
Photos by Eric Fairchild
Ebisu in Anthem could sit anywhere along Scottsdale Road and fit in perfectly. But when you step inside, you’ll see the Manhattan-loft-style theme in the décor and atmosphere, with its open ceilings and plush seating accommodations. The interior features a large bar with ample seating, situated off to the side of a spacious main dining room. You have a great view from anywhere in the restaurant of the sushi chefs at work in their open cooking station. Restaurateur and proprietor Kwan Jin sought perfection in the design and the quality of food and its presentation, making for a great overall dining experience; I think he has met those standards throughout.

We started out with two of the many exciting cocktails: the Godiva Swirl and the Bird of Paradise. The Godiva has a sweet, decadent, rich chocolaty flavor, while the Bird of Paradise offers you a tangy, soothing tropical burst with the Cruzan guava and Parrot Bay coconut rums mixed in. Their cocktails offer flavors from lime to raspberry, grenadine to sweet and sour, dry sake to double-espresso vodka. There is also a great shots list if you opt out of having a Sake Bomb to start off with.

The menu is designed so that you can enjoy just appetizers and salad, or drinks and sushi, or a five-course meal—whatever the occasion calls for. The appetizers, salads, and noodle choices offer ample portions that range in selection and preparation: raw, tempura, seared, lightly fried, sautéed, pan-fried, coconut battered, grilled, chilled, and sliced. The nabeyaki udon noodles are served in a piping-hot iron bowl—don’t miss them, they’re fantastic.

Jin believes that having classically trained Japanese chefs allows his restaurant to present dishes that highlight culinary experiences. The appetizers and salads that we began with were the coconut shrimp, fire cracker, and calamari and avocado salads. The salads were light, crispy, and refreshingly light and had fresh, colorful presentations of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers. The calamari salad was served with a mustard dressing. We added grilled shrimp to the avocado salad, which came with a delicious ginger dressing.

The coconut shrimp were large and tender, covered by a crunchy, light coconut batter. The sweet red chili sauce that accompanied them was the perfect accent to the dish. The fire cracker, as its name indicates, is for the “heat lovers” out there. It has a spicy tuna core mixed with tomatoes, Masako caviar, and green onion. The heat of the spicy tuna is initially subdued by the caviar so you can taste its full flavor, and then is turned up again as you just start to finish your serving. Make sure to keep water on hand. The nabeyaki udon noodles are mixed in with shitake mushrooms, green onions, eggs, konnyaku (mountain yam), cabbage, fishcake, and shrimp tempura. The flavorful broth, large udon noodles, and the seafood infusion all come together for a wonderful filling dish that is light and delicious.

Our entrees included the chicken katsu, the Chilean sea bass, and Ebisu’s beef ribs. The chicken katsu tastes as good as it looks. It’s assembled by taking the tenderized slices of panko-breaded chicken topped with a special tonkatsu sauce and building them up over an ample portion of rice atop grilled fresh asparagus. This was a flavorsome dish, light and palatable. The Ebisu’s beef ribs were tender, soft, thinly sliced beef short ribs marinated in Ebisu’s own Japanese-style barbecue sauce. The Chilean sea bass was a soft, layered filet marinated with a deep miso flavor that effectively brought out the fish’s full flavor.

We chose a few selections from Ebisu’s Special Sushi Rolls menu as well as some sushi nigiri (fresh, raw fish over tender rice). The rolls we chose were the Heart Attack (Ebisu’s most popular), the Dynamite, the Monsoon, and the Cherry Blossom. The Heart Attack takes jalapeño, splits it, and then stuffs it with spicy crabmeat. It is then lightly fried and topped with sweet eel sauce. This roll is a must-try. The Dynamite has mixed scallops, crab, and cheese served on top of a California roll with sweet chili sauce. For seafood lovers, this roll should be an automatic check on the sushi and rolls order form. We chose yellowtail, snapper, crab, and whole scallops for the traditional sushi atop rice. Everything was fresh and appetizing.

We finished the meal with two choices from the dessert menu: the chocolate lava cake and fried bananas, and Ebisu’s fruit roll, which doubles as a dessert roll or vegetarian sushi. The chocolate lava cake was rich in flavor and served warm with a soft center. It was drizzled with a sweet raspberry sauce to balance the richness of the chocolate. The bananas were fried just right, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The flavors that surrounded the bananas made it a savory treat. The fruit roll was surprisingly scrumptious. I wasn’t sure how rice was going to taste with kiwi, strawberries, and whipped cream, but it works—very well, in fact.

Our visit to Ebisu would not have been as fluid and complete were it not for the help of our server, Nicolas Eeman. He and Jin kept us entertained, filled our glasses when empty, brought us hot, delicious food, and shared with us what Ebisu is really about. Great times, delectable food, excellent service, a warm ambience—all of this comes at a very affordable price. Make sure to visit the wonderful staff and chefs at Ebisu Sushi and Grill for your next great Japanese dining experience.

Ebisu Sushi & Grill is located in the Fry’s Shopping Center at 39510 Daisy Mountain Rd., #160 in Anthem. Call (623) 465-1600 or visit ebisurestaurants.com for hours and reservations.

By Gerald Calamia
Photography by Eric Fairchild

North Scottsdale’s Barcelona Steakhouse and Night Club is noted for its standard of excellence throughout its entertainment and restaurant complex. This quality is equally evident in Sutra Sushi at Barcelona, the complex’s newest addition to its already iconic destination.

Sutra Sushi’s sophisticated climate invites you to relax and unwind. The seating area sports rich colors of red with oversized freeform leather benches and stylish tables and chairs. The bar is stocked with premium-level spirits, with color-changing lights against mirrored glass to spotlight the best vodkas, whiskeys, and gins available. The sushi chefs’ open-view kitchen is the restaurant’s center, where diners at the bar can see the masters assembling all manner sashimi, nigiri, and rolls. All this was in sync with the remarkable attention to detail and the high-level service we experienced as we dined.

Sutra Sushi at Barcelona has an extensive list of sake, served cold or hot. We decided on two cold versions of Nebuta Honjozo and Murai Nigori Genshu. Both sakes were fresh, crisp, full-bodied drinks, with melon, spice, and vanilla in the Nebuta, and pineapple and coconut flavors in the Murai. We also ordered two glasses of their Kobai Plum, a plum wine whose sweetness went well with the sushi and rolls we ordered for dinner.

We started with a sample of nigiri. Our server, Jaime Atkins, suggested we try the king crab and fresh water eel selections, to which we added tuna, yellowtail, and scallop. Their freshly handmade nigiri was served a la carte, and as each order came to the table, it was evident how important presentation and quality are to Sutra Sushi.

For our main entrees, we decided on a selection of rolls from their Sutra Specials and Classic Rolls. We chose a California roll and a rainbow roll from the Classics. The rainbow roll delights the eye, with the variegated colors of shrimp, yellowtail, tuna, whitefish, and salmon adorning ample amounts of rice as the foundation.

Our Sutra Specials rolls included the Sutra, Buddha, Bindi and what turned out to be our favorite roll, the Lotus. The Sutra and Bindi rolls offered tempura tuna and lobster, respectively, and the two sauces that the Sutra was served with combined a little bit of heat with a handful of flavor. The Lotus Roll, another very colorful, engaging dish, offered shrimp tempura with a spicy crab mix wrapped inside cucumber and soy paper, topped off with mango and avocado.

We finished with an order from their New Style menu. We selected the blackened albacore, which came sashimi style (albacore only, with no rice). It was Cajun-seared and served with a dollop of blackberry chutney to sweeten up the albacore.

Sutra Sushi also has a lunch menu that offers the same choices as dinner, with the addition of bentos (Japanese style box lunches). Bentos include halibut, beef tenderloin, and teriyaki chicken, as well as a vegetable tempura selection. On Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant offers a late-night menu from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. for those late-night snacks.

General Manager Charles F. Smith III told us that all aspects of the dining experience must be at their highest level, from the food to the lighting to the service, so that each guest’s experience is a memorable one, and service and presentation were indeed true to the concept. The sushi and rolls were inviting, fresh, and creative. For a place to sample sushi, eat light, have that special dinner, or meet a group of friends, look no farther than Sutra Sushi at Barcelona. It will be an evening to remember, and you will surely be reminded to return.

Sutra Sushi at Barcelona is located at 15440 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, Scottsdale. For reservations, call (480) 355-2626.

By Gerald Calamia
Photography by Eric Fairchild

The Barcelona Steakhouse embraces an Old World charm in its décor, artwork, and architecture. Under the Spanish lace, however, is a Scottsdale hotspot that has long been a solid bet for heart-pumping pulsating entertainment. Groups like the previous house band, Zowie Bowie, and current electric act Envy has made Barcelona the place to be for entertainment and dancing. The restaurant also offers fantastic food and wine for those wanting to start their evening with some great culinary treats. We had a chance to sample their fare, and what we found was a feast of flavors and a soothing climate in which you can enjoy food and company.

Chef Bryan Williams creates the magic in the kitchen while general manager Johnny Saleeby and his service staff add the final touches of presentation and style, which combine to make the dining experience at Barcelona’s one of the Valley’s best. Jennifer, our gracious server for the evening, made sure of our comfort and got us started with two glasses of Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut sparkling wine. From the plush and spacious accommodations, we had a great vantage point for watching Silhouette as they performed light harmonious covers of classic songs.

A selection of starters teased our taste buds. Each one was an excellent combination of flavor, freshness, and eye-pleasing presentation. The one-pound slow-roasted Alaskan king crab legs basted with a trio of Italian parsley, garlic, and a white wine reduction were a perfect blend of seafood and seasonings. For those who enjoy a creamier sauce with their seafood, the white wine-steamed mussels are the perfect choice. The dish blends cream, shallots, garlic, tomatoes, and a zest of lemon. After you finish every bit, you can dip the fresh-baked bread into the sauce that’s left. The final appetizer surprised us with its combination of flavors. The Oscar sliders take beef tenderloin and lump crab and put them on a potato roll with a generous spread of red pepper aioli across its top. This sumptuous starter is a wonderful combination of soft tender beef and crab on a fresh-baked roll with just the right infusion of the red pepper aioli to balance all the full flavors present. The bacon-wrapped dates in the Barcelona appetizer trio are a great combination of crunch and sweetness. The softness of the dates blends nicely with the bacon’s flavors.

The house seasonal mixed greens are not your typical salad. Added to them are green apples, candied walnuts, Maytag blue cheese, and an array of fresh greens mixed in with balsamic herb vinaigrette. Another unique salad, which is reminiscent of Old Spain, is the Bresoala ham-wrapped mozzarella and tomato: ample amounts of heirloom tomatoes splashed with a mix of herb oil and aged balsamic vinegar. In its center is delicate fresh mozzarella wrapped with the Bresoala ham. The ham so tender that it melts with the softness of the fresh mozzarella in each delectable bite.
We couldn’t ignore the influence of the Hispanic-Miami infusion on Bryan Williams’s menu. Our eyes went right to the Spanish seafood paella, an abundant flavor combination of Valencia saffron rice, Spanish chorizo, shrimp, clams, mussels, and peppers. We also couldn’t avoid adding a one-and-a-half-pound Maine lobster, delightfully steamed and seasoned, to sit atop this magnificent fare. And I was especially pleased with the gremolada-crusted halibut. The tenderness of the halibut blends perfectly with the gremolada’s savory mix of parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. It further captures the seafaring quality of the food with a side of lobster mash; fresh haricots verts and sweet baby carrots seasoned with ginger butter finish the dish.

Jeff, our server-in-training who worked alongside Jennifer, brought out our last entrée—the filet and lobster surf and turf: eight ounces of USDA prime beef tenderloin served with a one-and-a-half-pound Maine lobster tail poached in white wine. Cooked to the perfect temperature, the filet melted away as we ate. The poached lobster tail was served sans shell and wrapped in a circular cucumber shaving. This nontraditional presentation delighted and met all the expectations that a high-end surf and turf should. We cleaned our plates, much to the busboy’s delight.

After sitting and enjoying the lounge music for some time to allow our scrumptious meal to settle, we were brought four of Barcelona’s delectable desserts to go along with our hot chocolate and cappuccino. The banana cream pie is a smooth, flavorful mousselike dessert filled with a sweet, intense punch of fruit. The crème brûlée is a tasty mix of cream and berries to be savored in each spoonful. The inside of the chocolate tart is warm with soft chocolate surrounded by chocolate sponge cake that soaks up the sweet surprise that lay within. For more curious taste buds, there is a tequila lime cheesecake flavored with grand marnier. This dessert offers stimulating tastes when each piece touches your lips.

Barcelona’s offered us many things that we expect from an evening of dining out: great food, wonderful music, a soothing atmosphere, attentive service, and the highest quality of food and wine. I remind you to call ahead before going to Barcelona’s for dinner, as reservations are recommended, but you won’t need a reminder to enjoy.

Barcelona Steakhouse is located at 15440 N Greenway Hayden Loop in Scottsdale. Call (480) 603-0370 for reservations.