2012 Reader’s Choice Restaurant Award Winners

You voted, we listened. Here are the most interesting, special, and tasty restaurants in town, according to North Valley Magazine readers. Congratulations to the restaurant winners, and thank you to everyone who voted. Bon Appétit.

After Hours

Blue Martini
5455 E. High St., #101
Phoenix
bluemartinilounge.com

For two years in a row, Blue Martini has been voted the top spot for after-hours fun. Tasty tapas and innovative cocktails are served up at this City North hotspot that features live entertainment from top artists, bands, and DJs. Go casual at the lively patio bar, be the center of attention in the stage room, or kick back in the VIP section. Blue Martini offers private parties and exclusive events, and they feature happy hour seven days a week. Girls’ Night Out on Wednesdays includes discounted liquid amenities and VIP tables for the lovely ladies.

American

Citizen Public House
7111 E. 5th Avenue Ste. E
Scottsdale
(480) 398-4208
citizenpublichouse.com

Citizen Public House is an award-winning gastropub that has generated huge buzz since its opening. Named to Esquire magazine’s Best New Restaurant list, this stylish spot’s chef, Bernie Kantak, serves up classic American fare with flair. From the Original Chopped Salad to Buttermilk Roasted Chicken to the Dream Pudding Jar, the dishes on the menu combine classic ingredients for tasty results. The drinks shine as brightly—heady handcrafted libations served up by master mixologists.

Appetizers

Eddie V’s
15323 N. Scottsdale Rd., # E1-160
Scottsdale
(480) 730-4800
eddiev.com

Barbecue

Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ
6130 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Cave Creek
(480) 575-7155
bryansbarbecue.com

Breakfast

Daily Dose
4020 N. Scottsdale Rd., #101
Scottsdale
(480) 994-3673
dailydosegrill.com

Delicious omelets, pancakes, waffles, and French toast get the Daily Dose treatment at this neighborhood favorite located on Old Town main drag. Besides being a great spot to people-watch after a night out, this full-service restaurant offers all-day dining and a full bar that serves up homemade sangria (pairs nicely with one of Daily Dose’s best sellers––The Hangover Sandwich, stacked with peppered bacon, turkey sausage, one egg, cheddar cheese, caramelized jalapeño, onion, and harissa aioli spread—extravaganza served on sourdough bread with sides of herb potato and fruit).

Brewery

Four Peaks Grill & Tap
15745 N. Hayden Rd., #D5-7
Scottsdale
(480) 991-1795
fourpeaks.com

Burgers

The Grind (Grayhawk location)
20511 N. Hayden Rd., # 100
Scottsdale
(480) 563-3255
thegrindaz.com

Named Bon Appetit magazine’s Top 10 Best New Burger Spots, The Grind recently opened a second location in Grayhawk after much success at its location in Arcadia. The coal-fired menu features a combination of American dishes, both classic and innovative, and the restaurant prides itself on using organic meats and locally sourced vegetables to make many of its standout selections: steakhouse BLT, sweet and spicy, and peppercorn -crust burgers. Cooked in The Grind’s specially made coal-fired 1,000-degree ovens, the juicy burgers are dripping with flavor. Dine on a couple of great burgers with seven HDTVs behind the bar or sit out on the delightful patio, and you’ll know why this is an ideal spot to escape the daily grind.

Chinese

Jade Palace
23623 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale
(480) 585-6630
chinesefoodscottsdale.com

Coffeehouse

Press Coffee Roasters
15147 N. Scottsdale Rd., 102
Scottsdale
(480) 718-9762
presscoffeeaz.com

With a passion for serving amazing coffee, the owners of Press Coffee Roasters serve up notable coffee beans with pride. Press’s highly trained baristas assure a perfect pour of freshly roasted brew while sharing their extensive knowledge about coffee. Since relocating to the Scottsdale Quarter in the fall of 2010, a devoted following of java lovers have made this sleek location the place to sit back, relax, and read the latest copy of North Vally magazine from our dedicated rack in the coffeehouse.

Comfort Food

Perk Eatery
6501 E. Greenway Pkwy., #159
Scottsdale
(480) 998-6026
perkeatery.com

Sometimes, you just need some tried-and-true comfort food to get you back on track. As the name implies, Perk Eatery will get you going again with good ol’ American dishes served with a smile. Owner Pauline Thomas Martinez does just that with a menu designed to satisfy hearty appetites with simple yet delicious dishes. Have a the Miss Jules, a fresh roasted turkey breast sandwich; a classic Reuben with homemade corned beef brisket; or the Stella, a toasted egg-and-bacon affair, and you’re sure to leave happy.

Continental

Tonto Bar and Grill at Rancho Mañana
5736 E. Rancho Mañana Blvd.
Cave Creek
(480) 488-0698
tontobarandgrill.com

Deli

Miracle Mile Deli
7435 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
Scottsdale
(480) 588-6453
miraclemiledeli.com

Dessert

White Chocolate Grill
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix
(480) 563-3377
whitechocolategrill.com

Eclectic

Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market
9393 E. Bell Rd.
Scottsdale
(480) 513-8186
tomsthumbfreshmarket.com

No ordinary gas station, Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market is dedicated to making many of the mundane daily activities of life extraordinary. Whether it’s filling up with gas, getting the car washed, grabbing a cup of coffee, taking home authentic hardwood-smoked barbecue from the in-store Campfire Bistro to go with the bottle of wine recommended by the onsite sommelier and store manager, or any or all, Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market off 94^th Street and Bell Road is providing friendly neighborhood service and grub that go the extra mile.

Family Friendly

Mama Gina’s
9380 W. Westgate Blvd., #101
Glendale
(623) 872-0300
mamaginaspizzeria.com

French

Zinc Bistro
15034 N. Scottsdale Rd., #140
Scottsdale
(480) 603-0922
zincbistroaz.com

Greek

Pita Jungle (Norterra location)
2530 W. Happy Valley Rd., #1261
Phoenix
(623) 587-5572
pitajungle.com

Indian

Bombay Spice Grill & Wine
10810 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix
(602) 795-0020
bombayspice.com

A unique twist on Indian cuisine, Bombay Spice Grill & Wine prepares all their dishes with olive oil rather than ghee or butter to provide low-fat, heart-healthy meals without compromising authentic Indian flavors. Executive chef Sunil Kumar’s mission is to introduce customers to Indian food that is not only healthy but also pleasing to the palette. The menu showcases authentic Indian food such as grilled lamb chops, chicken tikka, chickpea ceviche, and lentil cakes, along with roti and naan breads and a variety of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly options.

Irish Pub

Skeptical Chymist Irish Pub
15688 N. Pima Rd., #C6
Scottsdale
(480) 609-8677
skepticalchymist.com

Italian

Sassi
10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Pkwy.
Scottsdale
(480) 502-9095
Sassi.biz

Japanese

Roka Akor
7299 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale
(480) 306-8800
rokaakor.com

Serving Japanese-inspired food at its finest, Roka Akor brings the nuanced flavors of Asia to the desert in a contempary setting with an open kitchen centered around a large Robatayaki oak-fired grill. Grilled scallops, pork belly, crispy squid, and tempura lobster-tail medallions served artfully in the lobster tail all contrast deliciously with traditional sushi offerings and daily Omakase dinners.

Mexican

Ocho Locos
3655 W. Anthem Way
Anthem
(623) 551-8580
ocholocos.net

Patio Dining

Olive & Ivy
7135 E. Camelback Rd., #195
Scottsdale
(480) 751-2200
foxrc.com

Persian

The Persian Room
17040 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale
(480) 614-1414
thepersianroom.com

Pizzeria

Grimaldi’s (D.C. Ranch Market Square location)
20715 N. Pima Rd.
Scottsdale
(480) 515-5588
grimaldispizzeria.com

Restaurant with a View

Different Pointe of View (at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs)
11111 N. 7^th St.
Phoenix
(602) 866-6350
tapatiocliffshilton.com

Pair a dazzling view with amazing food, and your night is made. Different Pointe of View takes full advantage of the Valley skyline to complement Executive Chef Anthony DeMuro’s savory creations. DeMuro’s upscale American cuisine has a distinct Mediterranean flair, which is highlighted in main courses such as lemon and roasted-garlic free-range chicken and the chef’s daily risotto selection.

Romantic

Binkley’s
6920 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Cave Creek
(480) 437-1072
binkleysrestaurant.com

Seafood

Ocean Prime
5455 E. High St.
Phoenix
(480) 347-1313
oceanprimephoenix.com

Southwestern

El Chorro
5550 E. Lincoln Dr.
Paradise Valley
(480) 948-5170
elchorro.com

El Chorro honors Arizona’s culinary heritage with Southwestern-inspired dishes made from seasonal, fresh, locally grown ingredients, including produce and herbs from the El Chorro garden. Among the seasonally inspired dishes are Niman Ranch pork tenderloin seasonal wild salmon; classic recipes include Rocky Mountain rack of lamb, trout almondine, and classic beef stroganoff. Of course, an El Chorro meal wouldn’t be complete without its famed sticky buns, a long-standing Valley tradition.

Sports Bar

Wolfley’s
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix
(480) 515-2424
wolfleys.com

Four-time Pro Bowl player, sports talk-show host, and color commentator for the Cardinals Ron Wolfley’s sports bar has 23 LCD screens and four giant HD screens for watching multiple sports from its indoor/outdoor bar and three patios. To complement sports-bar staples like wings, burgers, and sandwiches, Wolfley’s has an above-average wine list and serves up local brews including Sonoran, Sleepy Dog, Four Peaks, and San Tan.

Steakhouse

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (D.C. Ranch Market Square location)
20753 N. Pima Rd.
Scottsdale
(480) 538-8000
flemingssteakhouse.com

Thai

Satara Thai
8350 W. Paradise Lane
Peoria
(623) 455-8733
sataraaz.com

Vegetarian

Tryst Café
21050 N. Tatum Blvd., #108
Phoenix
(480) 585-7978
trystcafe.com

Delight in the urban vibe of Tryst Café, located across the street from Desert Ridge shopping center. Bright and inviting, this organic food restaurant strives to source its ingredients locally from the cocktail liquors and organic wines to the produce for their bountiful salads. Many of Tryst’s menu items can also be prepared gluten free.

Vegan

Nourish
7147 E. Highland Ave.
Scottsdale
(480) 684-2233
nourish123.com

Vietnamese

Fresh Mint
13802 N. Scottsdale Rd., #161
Scottsdale
(480) 443-2556
freshmint.us.com

Wine Bar

Tutti Santi (Scottsdale/Kierland location)
6339 E. Greenway Rd., #108
Scottsdale
(480) 951-3775
tuttisantiristorante.com

A longtime Valley favorite, Tutti Santi’s fine Italian cuisine is complemented by a well-curated collection of wines from Italy. Their selection offers varietals and blends such as Luxus 5 (Sicily), Santa Cristina (Tuscany), and owner favorites such as the Tuscan Tignanello Antinori. A daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. includes a nice selection of wines at $5 a glass.

Special Occasions

Business Meeting:

Elevate Coffee Company

2530 W. Happy Valley Rd., #1273
Phoenix
(602) 341-5480
elevatecoffee.com

Celebration:

Sapporo
14344 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale
(480) 607-1114
sapporoscottsdale.com

One of the Valley’s hippest restaurants, Sapporo’s has become the place to be and be seen. The dramatic exterior is framed by giant torches that illuminate the night sky, and the interior is equally impressive with an elliptical bar dominating the space. The menu includes a variety of teppanyaki and sushi alongside contemporary Asian specialities such as fried tempura and Hawaiian poki, but the main attraction is a creative cocktail menu. Try the passion-mango martini––a local favorite!

Happy Hour:

RA Sushi (Scottsdale/Kierland location)
7012 E. Greenway Pkwy, #100
Scottsdale
(480) 951-5888
rasushi.com

Ladies Lunch:

English Rose Tea Room
201 Easy St., #103
Carefree
(480) 488-4812
carefreetea.com

Sunday Brunch:

Carefree Station
7212 E. Ho Rd.
Carefree
(480) 488-8182
carefreestation.com

Nestled in a Spanish Village amid a picturesque desert landscape, Carefree Station has a number of intimate areas to settle down in for a leisurely Sunday brunch. The restaurant features a garden courtyard, a rooftop deck, an atrium patio, and a cozy indoor dining room––you pick the setting for your perfect dining experience at Carefree Station. Brunch selections include five types of Benedict: crab, tenderloin, French toast,