96445 Fri May 26 18:27:23 -0700 2006 7 6 Southwest 0 526411 It's been on my list to hit for two years now but haven't made it up there. Lots and lots of glowing press over the last few months but not a single review here? How is that possible? Anyone been and have good, bad or indifferent to share? Thought about going there for anniversary dinner but know we can count on Michael's so that's my default ... unless someone can convince me the food and atmosphere are better at Binkley's???? Fri May 26 18:27:23 -0700 2006 0 Thunderbird 1 526413 Haven't been to Michael's so I can't compare. But did go to Binkley's last December for our anniversary dinner and thought it was wonderful. Its a small, intimate place. The service was terrific the food was well prepared and delicious and we'd definitely go there again when there's another special occasion to celebrate. Hope that helps! Oh, almost forgot, if you do decide to go, mention its your anniversary when you make the reservation. They'll present you with a special menu honoring the date. Fri May 26 20:28:27 -0700 2006 526411 0 Charlieboy 1 526416 Michael's is one of my favorite restaurants so I understand your point. I have dined at Binkley's twice and have to say that it is better than Michael's. It is a very special place and is certainly worth a try. You will not be disappointed. The secret is out on Binkley's so you better call well in advance for a prime reservation time on the weekend. I had to call 4 weeks in advance for our upcoming visit in June. Fri May 26 21:26:59 -0700 2006 526411 0 Ghostwriter 1 526424 Last Dec. Binkley's hosted International Wine & Food Society (Paradise Valley) wine dinner and it was great! I had wanted to go before, but it's up the road from us. The meal, the wine and the service were all top-notch. Now, remember that this was an "event," so it was only partially indicative of what they do on any Saturday night, but they did not miss a lick. Since my wife missed the event, I plan on doing a long weekend at the Boulders, just so she can experience Binkley's. Also, it was the highest rated dining event for IW&FS PV last year. The group is 100% behind going back next season. Hunt Sat May 27 00:51:55 -0700 2006 526411 0 Bill Hunt 1 526452 I just wrote a detailed report of my first visit to Binkley's on my site. The executive summary would be that I highly enjoyed the meal. Link: http://www.iamjacksbrain.com/ Mon May 29 02:25:58 -0700 2006 526411 0 IamJacksBrain 2 526592 Hmmm. I read your review and you are one picky eater. We dined at Binkley's last night and chose the 4 course taste. For the most part it was excellent. We have dined at just about every high end place in Phoenix and we continue to think that Binkley's is one of the best. Just curious. Which restaurants do you consider superior to Binkley's? Sun Jun 04 13:27:28 -0700 2006 526452 0 Ghostwriter 3 526638 I'm discerning, not picky; picky is more for those who are unwilling to try things. I've eaten at places I like better than Binkley's, but they weren't superior to Binkley's. No place in Phoenix has been decisively the best to me. Link: http://www.iamjacksbrain.com/ Tue Jun 06 01:40:36 -0700 2006 526592 0 IamJacksBrain 1 526643 Hi all We went to Binkley's Friday night for our anniversary dinner and thought I'd report back. All in all, it showed very well and definitely ranks in our top five valley fine dining restaurants. The food was terrific - well prepared, presented and remembered. We did the five course and it was peppered with three amuse bouche plus a sorbet plus nummies at the end, so it was more like an eight-and-a-half course if you ask my wife! Memorable dishes include her mahi mahi, that was thin and flaky and perfect. The marinated mushroom with garlic compote amuse was very nice, as well. My smoked salmon app was a solid dish, as was my wife's soup. My pheasant was a bit over cooked, but may have been due to delivery and not preparation. Plus most people just aren't ready for medium-rare birds, I guess! The service, well, it was amazingly sub par. I'll have to give it another shot to see if it's endemic but I was very dissapointed. First, I received a call the day of our dinner to tell me that the table we had reserved based on recommendation was "already booked" so I'd have to have a different one. I'd never been there so I said "Sure, whatever you think is a nice quiet 2-top for a special anniversary." Well we got the table in the middle of the little wine room ... potential to be nice, but when you are a two-top sandwich with loud, drunk four-tops as the bread in a little room, well, you get the picture. We could hardly hear ourselves over the party on the end and it was heavenly when they finally left. But throughout the night service just missed. Sparkling wine served at room temp. Soup served with no spoon and then we had to wait for over five minutes before I could get someone's attention to actually get one. Repour of the sparkling wine was nice and cold, but boy was there some odd foam on my glass - someone make "special wonton soup" for me after I complained? Ick. Long droughts of no attention whatsoever punctuated by flurries of plates, dropping courses right on top of the last. Bread guy showed up someone between fish and meat. It was SUCH a stark contrast to the professional, quality shown on the plate that I couldn't help but wonder if it was amateur night in Cave Creek for front of the house. We heard that the Binkley's were out of town at a wedding, so maybe when Amy is there the ship runs tighter, so we'll have to give it another shot. Definitely a great place, though, and I think it deserves most of the fan fare. Long way up there, though. Tue Jun 06 11:56:53 -0700 2006 526411 0 Thunderbird