Welcome to Critic's Notebook. Here, I offer an easy-to-digest (pun intended) list of restaurants I have enjoyed and recommend, along with a look at a few that need more time or should be skipped entirely.
Recently, I visited a pop-up bakery by a James Beard semifinalist pastry chef, a French bistro that doesn't rush you out the door (BYO European friends), an intimate Michelin-recommended cocktail bar and restaurant where I might just become a regular and a steakhouse for those who want a different atmosphere than the usual dark steakhouse haunt.
I hope this list will help you decide which restaurants to try first and what to save for later in metro Phoenix right now.
Restaurants I can't wait to go back to
Kave Bakery
The creative force behind pop-up bakery Kave is Antonia Kane, a 2025 James Beard
semifinalist pastry chef and a 2025 Arizona Republic Chef to Watch, whose experience includes stints at Tartine, Valentine, Course and Essence Bakery.
Kane opened her bakery with her husband Bryan Ayala. As she raises funds for a brick-and-mortar, she supplies pastries to Futuro coffee shop, Matilda's All Day Cafe and Kid Sister on Sundays. She also pops up at Arcadia Meat Market on the first Saturday of each month. The pastries rotate, but definitely try her pain Suisse ($8) and esquite Danish ($8) if you can.
Details: @kavebakeryaz on Instagram.
Pretty Penny
The owners of this Michelin-recommended downtown cocktail bar have created a lovely, intimate ambience with the right dose of hospitality. You'll start your evening with a complimentary glass of prosecco and carry on from there. Pretty Penny offers a rich collection of cocktails and wine with small shared plates to pair with them. This is a perfect spot for a date or solo dining.
Pretty Penny was among the Top 10 Regional Honorees for Best New Cocktail Bar U.S. West for Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in 2025 and among the Top 10 Regional Honorees for Best U.S. Restaurant Bar U.S. West in 2026. And I can attest to the excellence of the drinks.
Don't skip the Yuzu Clover Club ($17), a raspberry, mint, dry vermouth, lemon cream Tanqueray 10 and egg white cocktail that's bright, fruity and creamy.
The food menu rotates seasonally and I loved almost every dish I tried.
Details: 509 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. 602-960-0406, intastewetrust.com.
Restaurants to try if you're in the area
Brasserie Melrose
The French bistro that opened in the former Belly space features a cafe downstairs with patio seating and to-go items and dining room and patio upstairs that features brunch, happy hour and dinner. Parking is tricky, with just a few spots behind the restaurant. Diners can also park in the Park and Ride space east of the restaurant.
If you are in the area with a book in the morning, it's worth a stop for pastries or quiche of the day ($10.50) and coffee. If you go for brunch, the French toast ($16) is a standout. Brasserie Melrose is welcoming and leisurely, allowing patrons to linger, something European friends will appreciate. I look forward to trying the Happy Hour.
Details: 4971 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 480-600-7975, brasseriemelrose.com.
Le Ame
This is a French-inspired American steakhouse located inside Global Ambassador that's run by executive chef Jason Hua. I'm including it in my "if you're in the area" section with the caveat "and you want a vibe." This is a place for those looking for a lighter, more modern aesthetic than the usual steakhouse. It feels special with tapered candles lit on each table adding a soft glow and staff who absolutely nail hospitality and service.
If you go, try the crab cakes ($29) and escargot ($21). The crab cake, served with a frise salad, was exceedingly light and tender with a generous amount of crab. The pop of dill in each bite and the side salad lifted the crab. The escargot, cooked perfectly, bathed in butter and topped with breadcrumbs, was rich and garlic-forward.
Details: Inside Global Ambassador Hotel at 4360 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-800-2211, globalambassadorhotel.com/restaurants/leame.
Little Joe's Italian Market
Open since 2024, Little Joe's is a little family-owned New York Italian spot in Gilbert with a market, friendly staff and only 20 seats. The menu rotates, so check social media for details. I'm recommending it for a particular sandwich. If you are in the area and starving, get the Gavone ($24). This savory bomb will definitely fill you up. It's packed to the brim with chicken cutlet, salami, capicola, mozzarella, roasted peppers, pesto and balsamic glaze.
Details: 81 S. McQueen Road, #105, Gilbert. 480-504-4072, littlejoesaz.com.
Vecina McCormick Ranch
This is the second location of the Arcadia darling.
I won't lie, it doesn't feel as intimate as the first location at almost triple the size, but on the plus side, it has a patio and water view. I enjoyed the boozy and balanced drinks, so if I'm in the area, I'd stop by for Happy Hour, enjoy the patio and people-watch. I didn't try the desserts, so you know what I'll be trying on my next visit.
Details: 8300 Hayden Road, Suite D-101, Scottsdale. 480-672-9522, vecinaphx.com.
Restaurants that need more time
Neutral Ground
This neighborhood bar, open since February 2026, was a spot I wanted to love and tried multiple times. The moody ambience is perfect for a date or drinks with friends. The owners use seasonal ingredients in both the beverage and food menus and rotate them. So your favorite drink may not be on the menu during your next visit, as was the case with mine.
Perhaps the rotation is too quick and the kitchen doesn't have enough time to perfect the dishes before the new menu arrives. I found a lack of consistency, with some dishes shining, but many falling flat, on different visits and even during a single meal. I'd love to see this restaurant slow down the menu changes until they can consistently nail the current menu.
Details: 4602 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 602-314-2626, nglphx.com.
Restaurants I won't be going back to
Sable Boulangerie
Sable is a bakery by William Porter, originally from Gilbert, who attended pastry school in France and worked in Paris and Dubai before returning to Gilbert to open his own shop. That I won't go back to Sable has to do with a few things, one of which is the steep prices ($20 for a fruit tart). Still, the main reason is that I believe where we spend our dining dollars matters. I won't support a business whose owner publicly called sexual predators like Andrew Tate and Clavicular positive role models.
Details: 228 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. maison-william-porter.com or @sable_boulangerie.
Reach the restaurant critic at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @baharcreative on Instagram.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix restaurants to try, and skip, according to our dining critic
