AZCentral 'Best Of' Dining - Opinions?

[scaheld]

The AZCentral list of critics' picks dining is out.

http://www.azcentral.com/best/2010/cr...

What's your opinion?

I mostly agree with the selections. One that I think is a "miss" is Patio Dining - El Chorro Lodge. Best patio, perhaps, but don't include the dining part as I have heard mostly awful things about the food & service.

[Bill Hunt]

Which category are you concerned about? Is it just the "patio dining," or is there another?

That could make a world of difference.

Good luck,

Hunt

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I think the patio at El Chorro sounds like the one at Old Town Tortilla Factory in Scottsdale... BEAUTIFUL patio that's coasting entirely on having a beautiful patio.

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Old Town Tortilla Factory
6910 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[Rubee]

I didn't even read the readers' picks, but agree with a lot of the Critics' Choices. Quite a few of the "Best of" are also favorites of mine: FnB, Quiessence, Hana, Razz's, Noca, Binkley's, Marcellino, and Elements. And Vincent's, Gallo Blanco, Posh, Kai, and The Mission have been on my must-get-to list for a while.

El Chorro does have a gorgeous patio but I haven't eaten dinner there since the renovation (but always got the same thing when I visited before - the fried lobster). We've been twice since the renos - once for wine and apps (prompt, efficient service) and once for a perfectly nice lunch with my parents with sandwiches and salads (esp. enjoyed the burrata and local heirloom tomato salad). On that visit, service started off rocky though improved. I doubt, however, that we'll visit for dinner.

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

Binkley's
6920 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Elements
5700 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Kai
5594 W. Wildhorse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226

Vincent On Camelback
3930 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

Quiessence
6106 S 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Noca
3118 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

The Mission
3815 North Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Gallo Blanco Cafe
401 W Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Posh
7167 East Rancho Vista Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Razz's Restaurant & Bar
10315 N Scottsdale Rd Ste A, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

FnB
7133 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Marcellino
7114 E Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[Bill Hunt]

Rubee,

Of your choices, I've been to Noca, Binkley's, Marcellino's, Elements and Vincent's on many occasions. Of that group, Noca, Binkley's, and Marcellino's have always been 100%. Elements has failed on three recent visits, and in big ways. Vincent's has had two weak nights, but then they have had probably 50 "homeruns," so maybe I can overlook the off-nights. Last one was also an "event," and the previous poor showing was for a large group, though it was an important group, so I was surprised. Still, the last two visits were not up to par, and I spoke to the restaurant, expressing my displeasure. Let's hope that they listen, as they always have before.

FnB and Quiessence are on our "must-do" list, as is Kai (had to cancel twice, even when we were also staying and playing golf down there!), but with Kai, I now worry about the "karma," and am not sure what the deal is there. Razz's and the Mission are on the "second page" of our list, and hope to report.

My lovely wife dined at the new El Chorro for lunch, and had a glowing review. Still, too many CH's have had some bad experiences there, so we will hold off judgement, until we've done the rest.

Hunt

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Binkley's
6920 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Quiessence
6106 S 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Noca
3118 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

FnB
7133 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Marcellino
7114 E Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[JerryMe]

Some of the Best ofs are not restaurants that I'm familiar with so I can't comment on those. However, Oregano's for Reader's Pick of Best Pizza and The Eggery for Reader's pick of best breakfast kind of leaves me scratching my head.

[scaheld]

I generally don't pay attention to the readers' picks' since they always end up being volume driven and, therefore, typically chains.

[Bill Hunt]

Not sure if it was this "survey," but a few years ago, one small pizza chain won best pizza (OK, maybe), best romantic restaurant, best high-end, fine-ding restaurant, best value, best outdoor dining, best French restaurant, and bes Mexican restaurant. Well, that might be a bit of a stretch, but it was that absurd. They won in the "reader's poll," for categories, that they could never have fit into.

I had dined at one location on three occasions, and it was fine for what it was, but give me a break. Was it the best overall restaurant in the valley in almost every aspect? Not by a long shot. Still, they were the big winner almost everywhere, but best new Armenian restaurant.

I have seen similar in many cities from New Orleans to Denver, and the "peoples' choices" are so very often suspect. It is almost like the employees got to vote 1000 times. I do not even bother any more.

Enjoy,

Hunt

[Dmnkly]

Aaaaaaand that's why I don't read Zagat.

[Bill Hunt]

Over the years, I have picked up Zagat at the UAL RCC, for several cities. I love the "jokes." It is one of the funniest mags. available, IMHO.

Hunt