Food and Restaurants

Afternoon tea is kind of a girly thing – fine china, dainty tea sandwiches, scones and a pot of tea. It’s also relaxing and civilized, and nobody does it better than the gorgeously appointed English Rose Tea Room. A three-tiered, formal tea ($24.95) is exquisite, but so is the more modest cream tea ($9.95) with two enormous buttery scones, strawberry jam and real clotted cream. They’re serious about the “tea” part of the equation too, with 31 choices, including the delicate, rose-scented “English Rose” petal tea.
201 Easy St., Carefree, 480-488-4812
carefreetea.com

 

Everyone knows the New York bagel is the best version there is, right? Those oft lop-sided, glossy, golden brown circlets are first boiled then baked and have a seriously dense and chewy texture. Many Valley purveyors aspire to this standard but, frankly, very few get it right. We propose rethinking the traditional bagel. Bashas’ version is different, from its symmetrical shape and considerable loft to the light, brown matte crust. The flavor is mild but satisfying with a slightly airy texture that allows your butter, cream cheese or shmear of your choice to thoroughly permeate the bagel.
All Valley Bashas’ locations
bashas.com

 

Jade’s mixologists craft inventive, seasonal cocktails from fresh juices, herbs, fruits and vegetables. Try the Sugar Snap South Side, comprised of house-made sugar snap pea-infused vodka with mint, fresh lemon juice and egg white; or a Celery Serrano Margarita made with Sauza Hornitos tequila, lime and hand-extracted celery juice kicked up with pressed serrano chile. The setting is delicious, too, on a secluded patio with unparalleled Valley views and a fire bowl for cool desert evenings.
5700 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley (Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa), 480-948-2100
sanctuaryoncamelback.com