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FAVORITE
RESTAURANTS
House of Tricks—Serving Continental
American cuisine, the Tricks family has turned a small house in Tempe
into one of the area's best kept secrets. Indoor and outdoor dining, with
a wonderful patio bar. Monday-Friday 11 am-2 pm and 4:30-10 pm, Saturday
4:30-10 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 114 E. 7th St., Tempe. Phone
480-968-1114.
Che
Bella Tuscan Grill—With two locations, this contemporary Italian
trattoria serves fresh pasta, rotisserie-fried meats and vegetarian dishes.
The wine list is extensive. Daily 11 am-10 pm. $$. Most major credit cards.
4241 S. 37th St. Phone 602-426-0560. Also in the Biltmore Fashion Park
(24th Street and Camelback Road). Phone 602-956-5705.
Alice
Cooper'stown Sports Bar & Grill—Rock 'n' ribs is the battle
cry for this sports bar just down the street from Bank One Ballpark and
America West Arena. Hometown rocker Alice Cooper is the man behind the
rock-and-baseball theme. Offerings include the "Mega Death" meatloaf,
named for local heavy metal heroes, and a tequila-laden Waborita, inspired
by singer Sammy Hagar. Daily 11 am-1 am. $-$$. Most major credit cards.
101 E. Jackson St., Phoenix. Phone 602-253-7337.
Christopher's Fermier Brasserie—The latest venture by award-winning
chef Christopher Gross, the Fermier Brasserie, or Farmer's Tavern, serves
French-American cuisine cooked in a wood-burning oven. Specialties include
house-smoked salmon and lightly smoked truffle-cured sirloin. The attached
Paola's Wine Bar features a rotating menu of wines, cheeses, microbrews
and cigars. Monday-Friday 11 am-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-10 pm.
Reservations recommended. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 2584 E. Camelback
Rd. (in the Biltmore Fashion Park), Phoenix. Phone 602-522-2344.
Durant's—Eavesdrop on intrigue and
rub shoulders with local politicos and business bigwigs at this slice
of Americana, where dishes and decor haven't changed since the 1950s.
The place is renowned for its steaks. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday
11 am-11 pm, Saturday 5-11 pm, Sunday 4:30-10 pm. $$$. Most major credit
cards. 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Phone 602-264-5967.
Fish Market Restaurant—Although in
midtown—deep inland—the Fish Market approximates an oceanside dining experience.
Go upscale upstairs or casual downstairs: Both sites have a lively, nautical
atmosphere. Monday-Thursday 11 am-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-10
pm, Sunday noon-9:30 pm. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1720 E. Camelback
Rd., Phoenix. Phone 602-277-3474.
Ice—One of Scottsdale's newest supper
clubs, Ice comes with an industrial-chic look. Fusion and dressed-up comfort
foods like spicy seafood stew and pizza with tandoori chicken and mango
chutney fill the menu. Jazz and mellow electronic dance music is piped
through a digital deejay. Monday-Friday 11 am-1 am, Saturday 5 pm-1 am.
$-$$. Most major credit cards. 7341 E. 6th Ave., Scottsdale. Phone 480-423-2393.
Malee's on Main—Some of the best Thai
food in the Valley is found at Malee's. Take their spices seriously—even
mild dishes have a bit of a bite. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2:30 pm,
Saturday noon-2:30 pm. Dinner Sunday-Thursday 5-9 pm, Friday and Saturday
5-10 pm. Reservations recommended. $. Most major credit cards. 7131 E.
Main St., Scottsdale. Phone 480-947-6042.
Mary Elaine's—This elegant eatery at the Phoenician resort
is the creme de la creme of fine dining. An intimate atmosphere, a superb
wine list, gorgeous city views and impeccable service add to the experience.
Monday-Thursday 6-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 6-11 pm. $$$-$$$$. Most major
credit cards. Jacket required. 6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale. Phone
480-423-2530
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