94820 Tue Jun 28 12:34:28 -0700 2005 10 6 Southwest 0 519073 I'm looking for a special romantic restaurant for an anniversary in the Phoenix area. It will be difficult to find a spot that won't break the bank, but I am under a tight budget and aiming to spend around $50/person ideally. Any suggestions? Any/All HELP IS VERY WELCOMED!!!! New the area so I don't even know where to start w/very little time left! thank you! Tue Jun 28 12:34:28 -0700 2005 0 eats 1 519075 Good news! Since it's summer, more than a few really good places at hotels run specials to attract locals. Add an already low cost of living, and all but the very most expensive restaurants are possible. A couple of thoughts off the top of my head: House of Tricks, Downtown Tempe: My first pick, with one caveat: Dress light. Most of the seating is outdoors, but it really is quite beautiful. Arrive after the sun drops out of the sky. Sassi, up in north Scottsdale: Fantastic Italian food. Top of the Rock, at the Wyndham Buttes resort- I really shouldn't be recommending one, as the food is better everywhere else on the list, but the setting is gorgeous. It's the classic trade-off; the more beautiful the view, the less hard the kitchen has to work. Arrive before sunset and watch the colors on the mountains go wild. Kai, at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass- the one that has me thinking I should leave Top of the Rock off the list. Like Top of the Rock, make your reservations so you can watch the sunset. Elements, at Sanctuary Resort- Used to be amazing, then it went on downhill alert, now it's climbing back up again. NB- the resort itself goes for the hip and trendy crowd; if you like this idea, you're set. If you want something more old-fashioned, look elsewhere. I looked on the website and they have a semi-private room called the Sunset Space, where the north and west walls are all windows. Can you guess when you want to arrive? Tue Jun 28 13:04:33 -0700 2005 519073 0 JK Grence (the Cosmic Jester) 2 519076 THANK YOU!! Sounds amazing.. I will definitely be trying to catch the sunset hours to take advantage of the views. Have you heard anything about: - Different Pointe of View (hilton Tapatio Cliffs) - T. Cook's (Royal Palms) They also came recommended, but I don't know how reliable the sources were. Thank you!!! Tue Jun 28 13:08:47 -0700 2005 519075 0 eats 3 519082 T. Cooks. No contest. IMO. Tue Jun 28 13:51:34 -0700 2005 519076 0 jkgourmet 4 519085 T. Cook's is really the best, but kinda of out of the price range. Tue Jun 28 14:49:52 -0700 2005 519082 0 freddie 5 519086 THANK EVERYONE SO MUCH!!!! It looks like I will be checking out T.Cook's! *fingers crossed* I hope it goes well :) This is such a great community of well-eaten helpful experts on food. Many many thanks... Tue Jun 28 15:05:58 -0700 2005 519085 0 eats 6 519087 Be sure and let them know it is a special occassion. They have a director of romance! Tue Jun 28 15:08:48 -0700 2005 519086 0 freddie 1 519079 One of my favorite romantic restaurants is Coup des Tartes (16th Street, just south of Highland). It's in an old house, so the seating is broken down into a few small rooms with only 3 or 4 tables each. The food is very good and they are BYOB, so you can save some money on the wine. Save room for one of their delicious tarts for dessert. Tue Jun 28 13:37:28 -0700 2005 519073 0 kjhart 2 519099 I will second Coup des Tartes. The last time my fiance was in town (we live in different states) we had a wonderfully romantic meal at CdT. The place is a small cottage, full of charm and votive candles and soft lighting. It was quite grand. The two of us as two appetizers, two salads, two entrees and one dessert and our bill was under $100. Link: http://phoenixfeast.blogspot.com Tue Jun 28 21:45:59 -0700 2005 519079 0 Seth Chadwick 1 519081 All of these places are excellent. I lean towards T. Cooks for that special occasion. The grounds and hotel are like nothing else in the valley. They also have a romance package with a room and dinner included. T. Cooks at the Royal Palms - Highly recommended and one of the best "special occasion" places in Phoenix. You may need to spend $75 each if you get wine and dessert. Lon's at the Hermosa Inn Michael's at the Citadel Binkley’s - http://www.binkleysrestaurant.com/ Tue Jun 28 13:50:18 -0700 2005 519073 0 GhostWriter 2 519088 I saw that Phoenix magazine (Nikki Buchanan, Dec. 2004) gave T. Cooks a bad review. One of the letters to the editor of the July issue agreed, saying they used to go "several times a year but will now only go for drinks/desert" due to lackluster food and service. I'm sure every place has off nights, but am wondering if T Cook's is slipping? I know it's a beautiful place but sometimes that's a curse for food quality. Tue Jun 28 16:04:00 -0700 2005 519081 0 TastyJon