"Special Place" in Chandler/So. Tempe?
Does anyone have any recs for a place to celebrate in Chandler/So. Tempe?
Hubby and I are looking for an un-pretentious place to celebrate. Perhaps a place with champagne?
I realize I may be limiting my choices with the location here.
I was looking for a review of Bistro 1940, but no one seems to have done one yet...
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jkgourmet
Aug 26, 2006 12:27 AM
In regard to Bistro 1940, I could have sworn I put up a review on the old board. The service is very good, efficient, friendly, but not pretentious. The owners are young and always present. The place is cute, in a way. The wine list is small, unimaginative, but not overpriced. (in fact, my it's become my favorite for happy hour with the $3/glass cab.) The stuffed pork chop and chicken breast were downright memorable. Tortellini in basil cream sauce was decent, but I wouldn't reorder, except to get the shrimp. The shrimp in any of their dishes are huge, fresh and perfectly cooked. Truly amazing critters. Salads are large and tasty, as are many of the appetizers. I like the place, and I like supporting young, local owners who are trying hard. If it were cheaper, it would be a gem. I still like it, but overall prefer House of Tricks. They do participate in restaurant.com gift certficates.
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Is House of Tricks too far for you to travel? If you catch a mild evening the patio is so wonderful there!
We're fans of Tutti Santi up at Dobson and Guadalupe if Italian would appeal to you.
Kai out at the Sheraton Wild Horse pass is a lovely space. It's been a couple years since we've been there and I understand that Sandy Garcia is no longer the chef there...but we really enjoyed our meals the couple times we have been there. Definitely a great special occasion location....
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It may be too "staid", but I've always thought that the Citrus Cafe on S. Alma School Rd in Chandler was way underrated on food quality. The veal sweetbreads en croute I had there a year or so ago were memorable -- and they certainly have a nice French winelist, champagne of course. The room is very pleasant too. On web at http://www.citruscafe.net/
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re: walras
IamJacksBrain
Aug 25, 2006 02:57 AM
I must be too staid too because Citrus Cafe was the first place that came to my mind. Citrus Cafe is a quiet French bistro that makes some excellent dishes, including their cafe salad and hazelnut creme brulee.
I'd also recommend Va Bene in Ahwatukee (only a block west of I-10). They're Italian and more of a lively restaurant.
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themis
Aug 24, 2006 10:28 PM
What kind of celebration?
If't were me, I'd go to 98 South -- notable wine list, voted 'best chocolate cake' a year or two ago for their molten cabernet-sauced confection, bit loud on a Friday evening, some really good dishes. web page: http://www.98south.com/ Their sister restaurant, 56E over by AJ's in Casa Paloma, may have the more adventurous menu but is more of a martini bar.
My other, equally festive, but more of an indulgent alternative would be Fogo E Brasa. Go hungry, expect to take several hours, have a caipirinha. Try not to be obvious about ogling the waiters or hogging the plantain fritters. Don't fill up on the "salad bar" ("salad" is in quotes because it involves very little greenery, but all the lobster, crab, and shrimp you want) because the meats are delectable. web page: http://www.fogoebrasa.com/
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re: themis
I stopped by 98 South a few weeks ago and found them pretentious and expensive.
If you want a really low-key place with fantastic service, I'd head to My Wine Cellar on Warner, near 10. It's a small restaurant owned by a very friendly couple. The wine list is fantastic and the food is pretty great.
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re: jhenner
themis
Aug 25, 2006 11:24 PM
Oh, that's too bad. I've been going to both places for years and always found them to be gracious and the atmosphere lively. In all honesty I've not had dinner at either venue in a while; I'm too taken with some of their appetizers. But I don't recall the prices being out of line, and we normally stay and drink for hours.
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