Monthly Archives: May 2023

Fine Food and Drink in Phoenix, AZ

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On a recent trip to Phoenix, AZ, I was introduced to some amazing food — found by my traveling companion, an executive chef and former restaurant co-owner. We ate well!

If you are traveling to Phoenix and want to experience some superlative dining, may I offer these suggestions?

#1 Pizzeria Bianco

Ask most where you can find the best pizza and you likely would hear Chicago, New York, or Italy. Phoenix would likely never cross your mind, and you’d be forgiven for being skeptical that the best pizza might be found there.

However, James Beard Award-Winning Chef Chris Bianco produces pizza worthy of such praise. He is featured in episode one of the Netflix series, “Chef’s Table: Pizza.”

Be warned, there are no reservations and waits can be up to two hours. However, after putting your name on the waitlist, go next door to the bar and enjoy a cocktail or a cold one indoors or out while you wait.

It.will.be.worth.the.wait.

Handmade mozzarella, local market vegetable, basil with extra virgin olive oil

Handmade mozzarella cheese, impossibly thin, yet crispy and flavorful crust, the salads and pizzas are a feast for the eyes and the stomach.

Foreground: Margherita pizza (tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil), Background: Wiseguy (wood roasted onion, house smoked mozzarella, fennel sausage)

There are a couple locations. I went to the downtown location at 623 E. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ.
https://www.pizzeriabianco.com/

#2 Tratto

The same chef who perfected the aforementioned pizza has another restaurant just a mile away. Salads, pastas, meat dishes and more with ingredients sourced from local farmers and ranchers will equally delight the eyes, mouth, and stomach.

Spring pea salad with pea shoots, fennel, crescendo cheese and toasted walnuts
Foreground: rigatoni with fennel sausage and roasted broccoli, Background: pansotti with greens, homemade ricotta, lemon and fava beans

Every single bite was full of beautiful and complex flavors.

I would rate this meal one of the top 5 restaurant meals I’ve had in my life (so far).

1505 E Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ
http://www.trattophx.com/

#3 Casa Corazon

Of course there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants in the greater Phoenix area, and I only tried a couple. But this one really stood out.

Foreground: cucumber mint lemonade, Background: horchata
Beef flautas made with homemade tortillas, “Christmas style” (one with red sauce and one with green)

Foreground: hatch chile rellenos with shrimp, Background: chicken mole negro

Great cocktails, a salsa bar with a dozen salsas and sauces for your chips, and handmade tortillas, accompany dishes with complex and rich flavors, including some of the best mole I’ve tasted. Casa Corazon is worth a visit.

2637 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ.
https://casacorazonrestaurant.com/

#4 Platform 18

Come for an immersive experience! This Pullman Train Car Cocktail Bar serves up classic Prohibition-era as well as original cocktails.

The windows show passing scenes of a bucolic Louisiana bayou while your mixologist serves up amazing concoctions with grace and flair.

“Gentlemen’s Heist” (remy martin 1738 cognac, fiorente elderflower, lustau amontillado sherry, cardamaro, mustard seed, workhorse rye passionflower bitters, smoked rosemary, orange oils)
“Cue the Orchestra” (grey goose la poire vodka, monkey 47 gin, john d. taylor falernum, combier liqueur d’abricot, holy grass-infused contratto bitter, marionberry, vanilla, lemon juice, g.h. mumm champagne, rosemary, orange oils)

Just drinks, no food, and reservations are recommended.
3626 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ
https://centurygrandphx.com/

No doubt natives as well as other visitors to the greater Phoenix area can offer their suggestions for some amazing food and drink. Please comment with yours!