dinner near the biltmore

[lvnvflyer]

we are going to be staying at the biltmore saturday and sunday night; sunday we are going to elements for dinner, but I am looking for a good but more casual place for Saturday. Mexican would be especially welcome but we are open to anything; I'd like to stay within a twenty minute drive or so of the resort. Many thanks for any recs.

[kmarg]

When you finish dinner, wherever you decide to eat, call back to the hotel and have the lobby restaraunt make you a chocolate souffle. The patio bar off the lobby at night with coffee, cognac and a souffle is the perfect ending to any casual AZ evening out.

[DebitNM]

Are the restaurants mentioned here close the the Royal Palms Resort? Thanks!
Deb

[Seth Chadwick]

Deb,

Most of them are a leisurely drive from the Royal Palms. RP sits on Camelback Road which is a major thoroughfare in Phoenix. I would say that for most of the places listed above you are probably no more than a 10-15 minute drive without traffic.

The closest to the resort would be Tarbell's, Padre's and Richardson's.

[DebitNM]

We live in SW Colorado and have both Mexican and New Mexican food regularly, so we are looking for other cuisines - French, Italian, Greek -- that we don't get to have while dining out.
Deb

[Seth Chadwick]

Ah, well then I might suggest Voltaire in Scottsdale or Coup des Tartes in Phoenix for French, Greektown in Phoenix for Greek, and La Fontanella or Avanti in Phoenix for Italian.

All are within a 20-minute drive of the resort.

-----
Greek Town Restaurant
8519 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020

Coup Des Tartes
4626 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Avanti Restaurant-Distinction
2728 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

La Fontanella Italian Rstrnt
4231 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

Voltaire
8340 E McDonald Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

[misohungrychewlow]

A short drive -- 5 minutes -- to very good food in a reasonably casual space is Tarbell's, SE corner of 32nd and Camelback. Not Mexican, but they have something for everyone on the menu -- fresh, seasonal, somewhat comforting, not too far from edgy.

[azhotdish]

Like the other posters, I would suggest Tradiciones @ Phoenix Ranch Market or Richardson's...you can't go wrong either way.

Have not been to Padre's but need to get over there...

[hzp]

padre's has quietly become my favorite local place (i'm right by the Ritz). its consistent, fun, reasonably priced and the food really is always great. they've added a lot to their menu in the past year, (hands down, the best calamari in the valley... its just lighter than any calamari you've had before). ive gotten to know the staff well, and they just make you feel welcome. i try all the new joints, but we hit padre's once every week or two anyways because its just a great standby. they just doing interesting stuff with mexican food, and while other places get tons of press and try to be upscale, padre's seems to me really unpretentious. its why i recommend it all the time.

[azhotdish]

thx for the clarification, i've noticed you mention it frequently and since i'm right there as well, i need to investigate. i wasn't sure if they were open for lunch, but since i see that they are after checking out their website, it's gonna get done sooner rather than later.

[mamamia]

Richardson's.

You won't be disappointed, at least I hope not. It's casual and the food is great. Just be prepared to wait, depending on what time you plan dinner.

It's at most a ten minute drive from the hotel.

-----
Richardson's Cuisine of New Mexico
1582 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016

[silverbear]

First, thank you a thousand times for specifying where you are staying and how far you are willing to travel. Many visitors are naive about the size of the Phoenix Metro Area and ask impossibly broad questions.

Your location is so central that there's a great deal within a 20-minute drive. Here are some of my favorites:

Lola Tapas -- a fun place for tapas in a convivial atmosphere with community tables. Warning: it will be loud on a Saturday night

Tradiciones -- Mexican food in a full service restaurant next to a huge Hispanic-oriented supermarket with a food court serving all sorts of specialties

China Chili -- Like most Chinese restaurants in the Phoenix Metro Area, its menu is primarly Cantonese, but it also has some other good specialties

Hana Japanese Eatery -- Sushi, udon, and other Japanese food in warm, unpretentious atmosphere; may not have a liquor license yet, but will allow BYOB if the license hasn't been granted yet.

Sierra Bonita Grill -- Southwestern food; excellent Oaxacan chocolate souffle for dessert.

-----
Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Sierra Bonita Grill
6933 North 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014

Tradiciones
1602 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Lola
800 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014

China Chili
302 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85012

[hzp]

for Mexican, i'd also suggest Richardson's and Padre's, both around the corner, both excellent.

[hohokam]

a couple of place links...

-----
Richardson's Cuisine of New Mexico
1582 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016

Padre's Latin Grill
1044 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ