Call Her Martina Two things I immediately notice about this scene-y, wedding-day-white Modern Mexican restaurant at the Scottsdale Waterfront when I first spy it on Yelp: the odd name, which makes it sound like an Almodóvar movie, and the charred octopus in squid ink risotto ($65), an Instagram thirst-trap dish if there ever was one. Relax, mollusk-phobes – the rest of the tidy, balanced menu is much less octopus-y and more lunch-friendly, including Ceviche in the Dark ($26), a smoky, savory rendition of the après-beach favorite, with slick cubes of raw tuna “cooked” in a citrus-chile emulsion. You scoop up it all up with blue corn tortilla chips and it’s quite nice. From the “tacos + tostadas” section of the menu comes cochinita cazulea ($20), chile-braised Yucatán-style pork served in a small earthenware pot (read: a cazuela). The pork is fork-tender, and I like it, but I don’t “Barrio Cafe” like it, if you catch my meaning. Not enough empuje.
One more criticism: The Paloma cocktail ($14), made with top-shelf ingredients but distressingly dry, even for sugar-averse palates, I would think. The Tulum-esque bar lounge is loud, snug and tailored for lady-centric happy hours. Wild Card: Get chilaquiles, pan de elote and more during daily brunch service (Tu-Su 9 a.m.-1 p.m.). 7135 E. Camelback Rd., 480-687-8592, callhermartina.com
Opened: April 2022
