We’re unapologetically biased in favor of local at PHOENIX – and proudly discriminate against carpetbaggers and out-of-town businesses that swoop in and try to edge out our friends. That being said: Awesome is awesome, and sometimes it’s from Austin.
Best Benevolent Bread
Duffy’s Dough
Using a 70-plus-year-old family-heirloom starter, actor Patrick Duffy (Dallas) and his wife, Linda Purl, have partnered with Kroger (Fry’s, locally) to sell their take-n-bake loaves, with 100 percent of profits going to hunger relief. Adding Phoenix to their distribution in April, as their website boasts, “It’s what the world kneads now!” duffysdough.com
Best Dumplings
JING Scottsdale
Din Tai Fung’s xiao long bao got all the hype this year, and those soup dumplings are delish. But for lip-smacking, tongue-tingling dumpling innovation, we have to give it to JING, where lobster dim sum come doused in panang curry, short rib dumplings ooze with mozzarella and soy caramel, and spicy pork and shrimp wontons are slicked with sesame oil and numbing Chengdu spices. Just a bit more exciting than soup. 10605 N. Scottsdale Rd., 602-699-8888, jingrestaurant.com
Best PNW Import
Salt & Straw
Portland has obvious summertime appeal for Phoenicians, but now there are two fewer reasons to head northwest. Salt & Straw has planted outposts of its vaunted ice cream stores in North-Central Phoenix and Tempe – and the latter is walking distance from another Portland fave, Voodoo Doughnuts. Is Powell’s City of Books next? Two Valley locations, saltandstraw.com
Most Anticipated Midwest Transplant
Harry & Izzy’s
Hoosier hospitality comes our way later this year with the opening of this high-end steakhouse in North-Central Phoenix. While we wait, let’s whet the appetite with visions of Black Angus beef from Midwest-raised cattle and Sinatra-style starters like shrimp cocktail. 12770 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, harryandizzys.com
Most Impossible Place to Get a Reservation
Din Tai Fung
Scottsdale Fashion Square’s hot new dumpling and noodle sensation, Din Tai Fung, has arguably overtaken Rene Andrade’s Bacanora as the Valley’s most impossible reservation. Insiders say your best bet is to check 30 days in advance at midnight when the restaurant drops limited reservations. Still waiting. 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-256-8683, dtf.com
BOV: Tucson
A special section for our friends in the Old Pueblo. It’s like a slightly bigger Mesa! (But, truly, we love it.)
Best Buffet Worth a Two-Hour Drive
Sweet Tomatoes
We lost so much during the pandemic – including the buffet. The demise of Sweet Tomatoes, the Millenial/Gen Z version of Luby’s and Sir George, really stung. But we’ve got good news: A Sweet Tomatoes outpost survives! For better or worse, it’s located in Tucson and it’s just as you remember. 6202 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, sweettomatoes.com
Best Fine-Dining Adventure
Ursa
Imagine if tasting-menu trailblazer Binkley’s had a baby with Native American fine-dining legend Kai. That’s the marvelous entity chef Aaron Lopez has brought to life at his new, 26-seat modern cuisine studio on Congress. It’s the kind of gutsy experiment in hyper-local sourcing that deserves its own PM story… so look for that. 520-860-5448, ursadesert.com
Best Winery-Owned Restaurant
Los Milics Vineyards Tucson
Just when you thought Congress Street couldn’t get any hipper, winemaker-restaurateur Pavle Milic rolls in with the latest outpost of his Sonoita-area winery, wasting little to no time getting the kitchen up to speed. Thus, the Old Pueblo Los Milics might be the best conflation yet of his enviable skillset: gorgeous Rhone-style vino on one hand, pulse-raising cuisine (see: wine-poached picanha steak with molé negro) on the other. 98 E Congress St., 520-561-2565, losmilicsvineyards.com
Best Place to Experience Tucson After Dark
Poe’s Art House & Speakeasy
Come for the dark muses, artistic curiosities and aura of mystery – and stay for the beer & wine. Housed in a 1929 auto shop with exposed brick and original trusses, this offbeat enclave showcases local art, live performance and late-night creative energy, plus a hidden speakeasy tucked behind velvet and a secret door. No password needed – just wander in. 331 E. Seventh St., Tucson, @poestucson
Best Music Venue
La Rosa
As if Tucson wasn’t already – and always – kicking our ass when it comes to entertainment, here comes La Rosa. The former Benedictine church has been beautifully preserved, and even the least religious might feel a little spark there – or it could just be that one of your favorite bands is playing. 800 N. Country Club Rd., Tucson, 520-222-9833, larosatucson.org
