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Despite unassuming facades, unlikely locations or unfamiliar dishes, these restaurants elevate the dining experience in remarkable ways, from impeccable service to chef-crafted cuisine.
Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine
The vibrant signage above the door is the only clue that this stucco building in Chandler houses something noteworthy: Indian-food restaurant Feringhee.
Inside, bright and stylish decor transforms the space — chic velvet booths welcome guests to sit and stay awhile, and large works of modern Indian art adorn the walls. And then there’s the food: Try pani puri, hollow dough balls filled with mint or passionfruit sauce for a burst of flavor, or skewered lamb dressed with cilantro chutney and sided with rock shrimp.
Plating goes the extra mile, too, with beautiful color contrasts, dishes in delicate arrangements and flourishes like cocktails served under domes of fog.
Geordie’s at Wrigley Mansion
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Built by the famed chewing-gum magnate in 1931, Wrigley Mansion has accommodated many guests over the years, once housing Elvis Presley for a night (and perhaps still hiding a ghost in the old telephone operator’s booth).
The mansion is also home to some of metro Phoenix’s most high-end dining experiences. At Geordie’s, travel back in time to an opulent 1930s dinner party, complete with jazz on Thursday nights and brunch on the weekends. Menu highlights include dry-aged branzino and truffle risotto with oyster mushrooms.
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For lighter fare, sink into a plush armchair at Jamie's Wine Bar in the mansion’s library, sampling crudité while you sip wines from an award-winning collection. The mansion also shares space with Christopher’s, a restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef, Christopher Gross, where diners experience an eight-course tasting menu with views of the downtown Phoenix skyline.
Rusconi’s American Kitchen
Easy to dismiss with its nondescript location in a strip mall, Rusconi’s American Kitchen, bordering Phoenix and Scottsdale, is far more than first appearances might suggest.
Serving upscale American cuisine, chef Michael Rusconi prides himself on wood-grilled masterpieces like beef tenderloin medallions in red wine reduction or salmon drizzled in a tangy blackberry glaze. Rusconi personally selects fresh-as-can-be ingredients like leafy field greens and crisp watermelon radishes at peak harvest, proving that sustainability goes hand-in-hand with unbelievable flavor.
Service is on point, too, with experienced and knowledgeable staff anticipating guests’ every need, explaining dishes in detail, suggesting wine pairings and, in short, acting as a trusted guide through your gastronomic journey.
Three Thirty Three
Hidden in the shadow of a freeway overpass, Three Thirty Three's location belies the sophistication awaiting within. The restaurant takes culinary inspiration from countries throughout Asia, showcasing a diverse menu from sushi to caviar to King crab legs infused with coconut-lime. The restaurant’s emphasis on simplicity allows each ingredient to shine.
In the moodily lit dining room, the sizzle of Wagyu tomahawk mingles with the aroma of citrus-roasted asparagus, all set to live music performed by local musicians. Begin or conclude your evening in the cocktail lounge, which boasts an impressive wine list and expertly made drinks.
Vogue Bistro
Tucked into the suburban community of Surprise on metro Phoenix’s west side, Vogue Bistro would be at home among any big-city foodie scene. The restaurant’s rich French-American dishes paired with a glass of wine make for an elegant evening where you’ll want for nothing.
Settle into a seat at the white-marble tables by the window for views of the rugged White Tank Mountains and stay until the lights dim and the windows glitter with strands of twinkle lights. Then enjoy fresh oysters and a French Dip sandwich or skip to dessert with favorites like crème brûlée and a decadent apple tarte tatin drizzled with whiskey-caramel sauce.
Honorable Mention: The Persian Room
Sumptuous dishes and old-world elegance abound at The Persian Room. Picture an oak staircase leading to a loft-bar, thick Persian rugs ornamenting the walls and crave-worthy rice cooked to perfection and mixed with dates, sour cherries, fava beans and more.
Eden McEntire
Eden McEntire is a desert rat: She hates the cold but loves to explore Arizona’s prickly beauty alongside her husband. Since graduating from Arizona State University, she has worked as a freelance writer and editor, and a bookseller at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe.
