19 Feb 6th-Feb 12th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | FULL BAR! BILLS OF $50 OR MORE Dine-In or Take Out Not Including Combinations Dinner Only Expires 12/31/25 Closed On Tuesdays $5 OFF 2050 N. Alma School Rd., #36 • 480.857.4188 produce into fare that’s at once comforting and novel. Drawing inspiration from inter- national cuisine, she creates a menu that changes almost constantly but often includes dishes made with locally raised chicken and produce grown mere miles from the restaurant. The service is always friendly, and the restaurant’s wine list is filled with Arizona wines allowing diners to explore the state’s offerings. The colorful FnBar, on one side of the restaurant, is an ideal space for opening or capping a night of eating. Francine 4710 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale Travel to a beautiful, modern, French countryside mansion without leaving Scottsdale at Francine. This swanky, high- ceilinged spot, located at the luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, is the perfect destination for a date night or a celebratory meal. Start with a cocktail and a plate of salty, savory tuna tartare or fresh hamachi crudo with fennel and cucumber before diving into a tender rack of lamb or decadent lobster pasta. If a full dinner isn’t in your plans, grab a stool at the bar and watch as bartenders craft cocktails in gold shakers while you sip on a glass of wine or shot of espresso and people watch. This spot is both elegant and full of energy, making for an entertaining and delicious experience. Hush Public House 14202 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Chef Dom Ruggiero has been busy over the past couple of years opening Fire at Will and the former Bar Cena. But his original spot stands the test of time. Hush Public House is a minimally decorated strip mall restaurant where the focus is on one thing, and one thing only: food brimming with flavor. Start your meal with Ruggiero’s most famous appetizer, an entire head of fried cauliflower. Next, move on to the Italian Beef with braised oxtail or the roasted halibut with tomato risotto. Finish your meal with the Date Cake, a sticky toffee pudding by another name, for a decadent, bourbon-tinged treat. Pizzeria Virtù 6952 E. Main St., Scottsdale Some of the best things about Old town Scottsdale are chef Gio Osso’s pies, found at Pizzeria Virtù. More casual than its sibling restaurant Virtù Honest Craft, this small pizzeria resides inside a cozy bungalow with a patio in the yard. Start your meal with an exceptional burrata plate, before diving into the pizza. What sets these pies apart, other than outstanding toppings, is the crust. Thin and crispy in the center, with huge, fluffy walls that rise up to surround the sauce. Kisses of char from the wood-fired oven decorate the edges and beg you to dig in as soon as the plate hits the table. Bright salads complement the cheese-heavy entrees and an extensive all-Italian wine list washes it all down. Make sure to ask your server about the specials, a rotating list of excellent additional options made with seasonal ingredients. Sizzle Korean Barbecue 3720 N. Scottsdale Road, #200, Scottsdale You may be familiar with Korean barbecue, but it’s key to note that things are done a little differently at Sizzle. Yes, you can order assortments of raw meats, and yes, there is a little grill at the center of each table. But here, the servers do the cooking. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show as the servers expertly move around the space, simultane- ously taking orders and bringing drinks while keeping an eye on which meats need to be flipped, doused in sauce or served. It is possible to order individual meats, but the best value — and the most fun option — is to order one of the sampler platters. Choose either pork or beef, and prepare for a meaty meal filled with different cuts and flavors. Each dish comes with banchan, or small veggie side dishes, along with salad and steamed egg. Pair it all with a fresh fruit- filled soju cocktail or imported Korean beer for a celebratory evening. Scottsdale’s Finest from p 17 Francine serves decadent bites minus the heavy ingredients at Scottsdale Fashion Square. (Photo by Tirion Boan) Get ready for a meat-filled feast at Sizzle Korean Barbecue. (Photo by Tirion Boan)
