These are the most memorable dishes from metro Phoenix Restaurants from 2021 (in no particular order) I do note that I haven’t been everywhere and certainly can’t taste everything…But I have tried a lot! It’s also possible that I have missed some good ones because it is hard for me to see the postage sized photos that I have to pick from on my computer. I picked what I remember that stood out.
The Wagyu Beef Cheek from Confluence in Carefree They also made another dish with beef cheeks and miso that was just as FANTABULOUS pictured below. OMG both these beef cheeks dishes were maybe the #1 best beef dishes that I have ever tasted anywhere. Get any beef cheek plate that Confluence offersStrawberry gelato from Fabio on Fire in Peoria Probably the BEST Strawberry gelato in the whole country!
This next one is memorable…..
I ordered a take out fish dish from a certain Thai Restaurant in Peoria (I already wrote about it so I won’t mention their name…or go there again) They packaged me fish with most of the flesh removed……There is NOTHING for me to eat. I will NEVER FORGET this one. It sure was memorable. Goat cheese creme brûlée from Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale was sublimely smooth and cheesy.The chicken from Valentine in Phoenix was sensational! So many flavors……The macaroni and cheese from The Americano in Scottsdale might have been the best macaroni and cheese I’ve tried from a restaurant. The Italian truffles were just ok.The doughnuts for Daily Donuts and Wings in Phoenix are the best that I have ever tried anywhere. (lemon filled, blueberry filled, sprinkles, Boston cream (hubs loved the cinnamon and chocolate iced)Corn soup from SWB SouthWest Bistro in Scottsdale was unusually very good!The Wagyu Brisket from Renata’a Hearth in Phoenix was to die for. (went back and wasn’t the same)Memorable but in a bad way. This fish (smoked trout) tasted like ammonia, deep funk, smoke & extreme fishiness ..served with bitter fizzy lettuce and bitter oranges……..YUK! I already wrote about it..If you read my blog then you know where it came from….Burrata pizza from Fabio On Fire in Peoria was either the best or one of the best pizzas I ate this year.Combo with Jerk Chicken and Curry Chicken from Desert Island Eatery in North Phoenix was really delicious!The ground in house Prime Beef ground filet burger from The Bourbon Cellar in Scottsdale was the best burger I ate this year. I didn’t try the next burger yet but……..Arrowhead Grill in Glendale The A.G. Burger ( ground in house Prime tenderloin topped with a slice of prime rib) According to my husband This was also a phenomenal burger. He said that I have to try it.Tis Chula Salmon Salad was as great as a salmon salad can possibly be from Pomo Pizzeria in ScottsdaleFrom Little Cay in Phoenix I got the Kokomo Chop Bowl the flavors are great but you must add the special Puerto Rican hot sauce on the table to it to get the whole experience and all the flavors.sea bass with Fresno chili and fregola from PA’LA wood fired Downtown Phoenix was really great and had unique flavor combinations.Had a few fish dishes from Twist Bistro and Gallery (North Scottsdale) that were particularly good. This one is the salmon croustade. Also had their filet one night…..It was far more flavorful and did cost much less than one I tasted from Ruth’s Chris.This seems like a very pedestrian dish called cheesy corn from Urban Margarita in Glendale but it taste amazing.All the fish dishes from Confluence in Carefree are amazing and are prepared more masterful than from most places. This is the only restaurant that serves fish with crisp skin that tastes good and stays crisp and never turns soggy.This came from a very good restaurant around downtown Phoenix. It was an African seasoned fish. This dish was flavored so great that it would have made my Fantabulous Dish list but it was only cooked on the edges and the whole middle was raw………(we did let the owner know and he did try to make things right with me)Seasonal Harvest Salad from Lure Seafood House in Scottsdale. The Seasonal salads, bowls, and sand dabs are always really great from Lure.Also memorable but in a bad way. This one I also already wrote about (a place in Mesa). It’s like they took bulgogi and blended it with cream cheese. It was like vomit on a skillet.These Seaweed shell sushi tacos from Headquarters in Peoria were pretty darn tastySalmon salad from Campo Italian Bistro in Scottsdale was particularly good. Really great flavors and nicely prepared salmon. Their dinner salmon is just as great…This one looks good but tasted so terrible that I couldn’t eat it. The fish had a house made balsamic rub that might have been made with spoiled wine and only God knows what else, Candied cabbage under the green beans was on the side that was awful. The jalapeno creamed corn was more sugary than taffy…ICK. The complimentary red sangria they served me was made with old spoiled wine….I felt sick to my stomach from this place. I already wrote about them. Some place in Phoenix.The Fish Collar from Vecina in Phoenix was Amazing!Gelato from Pomo Pizzeria in Scottsdale was really great! I had a different one on a different visit with mostly hazelnut that was also amazing!I didn’t eat this one but my husband really loved the osso buco from the Italian Daughter in Scottsdale.This salad made with tuna from The Craftsman Cocktails and Kitchen in Scottsdale was delicious and incredible.. Great flavors, fresh fish, and fancy pristine farm fresh produce.Lunch – Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Confluence in Carefree is not like any other and is SCRUMPTIOUS!Miang Kham from Chada Thai AZ in Scottsdale. Really great flavors that POP!Pickled Fish – Water boiled fish with pickles and chilies from Shaanxi Gardens in Mesa
These were most of the most memorable dishes from Metro Phoenix Restaurants from 2021. It’s always a joy to eat eat something so well made and delicious.
