Phx - fancy w/view??

[ccl1111]

Any recommendations for high end places to eat in metro Phoenix (ok to travel) that has a nice view? A friend is asking as he is having folks in soon.

Some things he threw out... Wrigley Mansion? Boulders? T. Cooks. Not sure those (except Wrigley have views).

Only places that come to mind are:

Elements (we enjoy)
A Different Point of View (is Claudio there yet?)
Top of the Rock (never been there - don't know how it is)
Kai (can't remember but thought we had a bit of a view??? - definitely like the food)
Compass Room (haven't been there in 20 years)

Would appreciate any feedback. Would be great to get other recommendations or insight into Top of the Rock or Compass Room.

Thanks!

[aladria]

Elements, Elements, Elements. We go there every year for our anniversary - even though we briefly consider elsewhere. We are always fully satisfied. View is spectacular, the service is always understated, which I adore (vs. over the top). The food always surpasses expectations - and doesn't try to show off too much, just enough. We always ask for, and get (luckily), the front most/left most window table that overhangs - and looks out over the mountain. Sublime.

[1wino]

Lon's at the Hermosa has a lovely patio and pretty mountain views, but I haven't been there in years and they've been through a couple more chefs since then. It's always been pretty solid on the food side as far as I know. I enjoyed myself.
I must disagree on Rustler's Rooste. Very cheesy atmosphere and mediocre barbecue. Not high end at all.
Kai has views of the mountains in the distance and it's awesome at sundown, especially this time of year. But there are only two balcony tables.

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Lon's At the Hermosa
5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

[winedubar]

i concur on the rustlers rooste opinion.

and i'd add el chorro lodge - great old school steakhouse with gorgeous views of paradise valley

http://elchorrolodge.com/

[JessicaB980]

No one has mentioned it, so I'll address Top of the Rock. We went there once. It was very nice, and it did have a great view. The room is round inside, which is neat, and the food was wonderful, as were the employees - even though my stockings kept falling down!

A very memorable experience, with wonderful food and a great view, is to be had at Rustler's Rooste. Ever thought of that?

One of the places in sight of the world's highest fountain (or whatever it is) in Fountain Hills came to mind too.

[Bill Hunt]

It is a great place, and has provided us with some very good meals, service and wine. I had replied to another mention of it - must have been another thread, and just do not think of it as often as I should. When wife tells me we are taking so and so there, I always say, "great!" When someone wants me to recommend a like place, I go blank on Top of the Rock. I cannot explain that.

Hunt

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Marriott-Buttes Resort
2000 W Westcourt Way, Tempe, AZ 85282

[winechick1818]

Yes, yes, yes to Elements. I love that place and the chef.

Also last week I went to Alchemy at Copperwynd in Fountain Hills. Wasn't really looking forward to it but was more than pleasantly surprised. Our server was fantastic (he was also the sommelier), food was great and the view was beautiful. We were able to sit right at the border of the dining room and deck and had a great view of the sunset and the fountain. Definitely worth the drive.

[Bill Hunt]

Have not been there, but it's good to know. FHs is a bit of a drive for us, and we have not had any retreats/board meetings at the Copperwynd to allow us to stay and dine. I'll mention this to my wife, as she is usually the one to schedule the locations. Recently did The Boulders and dined at Binkley's during the retreat.

Hunt

[Bill Hunt]

First thought is elements. Next would be Wrigley Mansion on the lanai. Have not done it since the last chef change, but it has impressed me in the past.

I've done the Compass Room, and have been horribly underwhelmed on each visit. Maybe, someplace in the world, there is a circular restaurant, high atop a hotel, that has food to match the view, but I have yet to find it.

I was a fan of Different Pointe of View, back in the Chef Jeffery Beason days, but have had poor service, and very poor food the last four visits. Matter of fact, one of my two bad-sommelier experiences was there. It cost them three more candidate dinners, that had already been scheduled, but were moved to Vincent's on Camelback.

Now, Top of the Rock has proved good on every visit and does fit the bill. The food has been excellent, the service top-notch, and the wine/wine service fun. We still are glad, when someone schedules a dinner there.

Have still not made it to Kai yet, but hear great things. Have no idea what the view is.

Hunt

[Booger]

Kai has a nice view of the resort pools etc. Of course, the food is great, and the price is high end. (Apparently, there is a small patio, that if available has wonderful views, and is extra nice).

The Four Seasons has a great patio, with wonderful views of Pinnacle Peak (and sunsets if you time it correctly). They were just finishing a remodel when we were there (a few months ago, but I think it is probably done by now), and I would think that their high end restaurant will have the same views (it is right next to the patio).

El Chorro Lodge is supposed to have good views, but I have not been there.

T. Cooks doesn't have a view, other than the terrific environment of the resort. It is a great restaurant, but no view.

Different Pointe Of View has a great view, but we weren't impressed with the restaurant.

[yamalam]

Compass Room - Noooooooooooo!!!! Have been to a good number of business dinners there, and even though I wasn't paying, the food was boring, wine list boring, and if I was paying, yikes, way overpriced. Just think, they have to subsidize all the servers' worker's comp incidents from the spinning into that bacon wrapped filet price.

Seriously though, I think that in the valley, our mountain views surpass our cityscape by far, especially for out of towners. I'd vote for Elements.

[hzp]

I actually LOVE the compass room for brunch, haven't done dinner. i think the food there is not terriffically inventive, but its consistent, good and very, very old school. Surprisingly, one of the reasons I like it is that atleast for brunch, its one of the most reasonable deals around.

that said, the view, despite what you'd think ain't that great due to all the construction. once its all done, i'm sure it will be fabulous again.

Elements is still Elements, so if you're looking for inventive, good food, I think that's a safe bet.

[themis]

Sassi's got a great view, and it's high-end.