Restaurants Recs Needed

[bobygee]

I will be staying in the Camelback area on a business trip for 3 nights - Tues through Thurs. - and I am on a fairly tight budget, but hope to be able to have some good dinners. My company only pays $50/day for meals, but keeping in mind that I would attempt to use it all for dinners, can folks please make some recommendations for non-chain southwestern, sushi, italian, ethnic, or other interesting suggestions. I will have a car, so it can be anywhere in the area as well. I am a foodie and am not used to this. I will kick in the extra $$ for drinks. All help is much appreciated!

[Beach Chick]

The Phoenician resort in the Biltmore area has the best burger beer deal at J&G steakhouse which is a Jean George restaurant, for $19.00..best high end for cheap.
T. Cooks at the Royal Palms resort in the Biltmore area is excellent..bar dining too.
Friends just went to Crush/Christopher's in the Biltmore Fashion.
Said it was quite good.

www.christophersaz.com

[Sherri]

Had another wonderful lunch at T. Cook's yesterday. Their lobster bisque is back on the lunch menu; I could have died happy after finishing the bowl. Stopped just before picking it up to lick it clean.
noca for this coming Sunday Supper - prime rib. I certainly chose my birthday week well.

[kmarg]

Esplanade is a great area. the best local southwestern is at Richardson's/Rokerij about three blocks away on 16th St and Maryland. New Mexican heaven. also on 16th St is Coups Des Tartes, a local french bistro favorite. Right at Esplanade are a couple of good chains McCormick and Schmick and Morton's. but your best is the corner of 32nd abd Camelback where there is acluster of good local independents, NOCA (fusion), Tarbells (american), Delux, Zen 32, Thomaso's, and Sportsman's

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Delux
3146 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Zen 32
3160 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

32nd Cafe
2822 N 32nd St Ste 1, Phoenix, AZ 85008

[exit2lef]

Can you clarify "Camelback Area"? Do you mean near Camelback Mountain, or somewhere along Camelback Road, which runs over 30 miles across the metro area?

[bobygee]

I apologize for not being specific. I will be in The Esplanade location

[Arizonan]

Maybe I'm posting too late, but if not (or on your next trip) you might want to check out True Food -- it's right across the street from the Esplanade, in the Biltmore Fashion Park (24th Street & Camelback). The atmosphere is cool and trendy, but casual and not expensive. It's healthy food, vegetarian-friendly (my vegan daughter is a fan), but also has plenty for meat eaters. Last time I was there I had the steak tacos -- yum!

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Biltmore Fashion Park
2502 E Camelback Rd # 216, Phoenix, AZ

[Phoenix99]

You can search this site for the following places and find lots of detail and references:
Vincent's on Camelback. James Beard Award Winner was the original French chef to take classic preparations to southwestern food.
NOCA and FnB. Both are getting lots of buzz and are solid.
Los Sombreros won't be too far from you for very good, somewhat upscale Mexican. I'd do the drive to 16th Street which is becoming Phoenix' Mexican Restaurant Row. Try Barrio Cafe for outstanding upscale Mexican, Phoenix Ranch Market for snacks and the buzz and any one of the Mexican ice cream shops for a treat.
J&G Steakhouse in the Phoenician has a great deal on a very, very good burger and beer in their bar. Great views in an expensive restaurant but such a deal.
Donovan's Steak House has a good happy hour with free filet mignon sliders.

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J&G Steakhouse
6000 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

FnB
7133 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251