Earning a Michelin star is one of the most prestigious accolades that a chef can achieve. Many of the best restaurants in the world are included in the Michelin Guide. Up until now, Arizona did not have any Michelin-starred restaurants to boast of, because there was no Guide in our state or region. But that will soon change.
Michelin announced a time and place for its inaugural Southwest ceremony, where Arizonans could, for the first time, see local names earn stars of their own. The ceremony will be held on Aug. 26 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which has a Michelin Key.
Last week, we asked you to vote on which metro Phoenix restaurants you think are most deserving of a spot in the Southwest Michelin Guide. The results are in. Will any of your picks
earn stars? We'll have to wait until Aug. 26 to find out. In the meantime, here's a look at the top three Arizona restaurants most deserving of a star, according to readers.
First place: Le Âme
With the most reader votes by far, Le Âme Parisian steakhouse is one of five restaurants inside Sam Fox's popular Global Ambassador Hotel. As the most upscale option, Fox told The Republic that he saw it as a destination restaurant for celebrating special occasions. The menu includes steak and lobster frites, wagyu Bolognese and steak and seafood from the grill. The restaurant also earned the Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence for its wine list.
Details: 4360 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-800-2211, globalambassadorhotel.com.
Second place: Tratto
The runner up, with the second-most reader votes is Tratto. Opened by James Beard Award-winning Outstanding Restaurateur Chris Bianco, the restaurant has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, the kind of place that suits a spontaneous night out as much as a planned dinner. A pasta dish and a glass of wine are essential orders. The rigatoni, coated in tomato ragu, and the bucatini, glossed with pecorino and black pepper sauce, both deliver the gentle chew that great pasta should. Inside, wine bottle candles and warm lighting soften the intimate, off-white dining room, creating a setting that feels equally well-suited for a first date or a celebration with a longtime partner.
Details: 4743 N. 20th St., Phoenix. 602-296-7761, trattophx.com.
Third place: Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion
The restaurant with the third most reader votes is a powerhouse. Christopher's is a classical French training meets modern presentation kind of fine dining establishment. Christopher Gross has wowed many critics with his creations, and he has the accolades to prove it. From a James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest in 1995 to 18 points from Gayot to this year's Antonin Carême Medal, which places him among the greats like Julia Child and Walter Roth. Dining at Christopher’s is an opulent experience, from the glass-enclosed space with a view of the city to the excellence in preparation to the creative presentations, especially when it comes to the eight-course tasting menu. But one is not limited to the larger tasting menu. Christopher’s also offers a three-course menu as well as petits plates and an à la carte counter dining option for those who may be heading to an event. No matter what you eat, the sommelier can recommend a wine to match.
Details: 2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix. 602-522-2344, wrigleymansion.com/christophers.
Restaurant critic Bahar Anooshahr also contributed to this story.
Reach the reporter at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These Phoenix restaurants deserve Michelin stars, according to readers
