18 Jan 5th–Jan 11th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | First Course The 10 best new restaurants of 2022. BY NEW TIMES STAFF O ver the past 12 months, lots of new restaurants have opened all over the Valley. Metro Phoenix is now the proud home of new fine dining spots, casual eateries, cocktail bars, takeout-only businesses, and inventive restaurants. Out of all the newcomers, some really hit the ground running. Here are the top 10 best new restaurants that opened in 2022. Cala 7501 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale 480-590-5676 calascottsdale.com Walking into Cala at Senna House Scottsdale, a glitzy Camelback Road hotel, is like immersing yourself in a tropical paradise complete with rattan furniture, terra-cotta planters hung from the ceiling, and curved linen booths that beg you to stay and savor another cocktail. And while it’s a great spot to enjoy small bites and sips before a wild night in Old Town, Cala, which debuted in January, is much more than that. Celebrity chef Beau MacMillan, who also runs Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, and executive chef Peter Quaid have created a memorable Mediterranean menu. Expect dishes such as flaming saganaki, a Greek cheese flambeed tableside that will impress even your most theatrical friends; whipped ricotta accompanied by crusty garlic and black pepper focaccia; and lobster and sweet corn ravioli with foraged mush- rooms and asparagus. The tuna tartare with toasted pistachios and citrus vinai- grette is a must for fans of seafood, while the Linz Reserve Ribeye Chop with chimi- churri, cooked to a meticulous medium rare, is optimal for sharing. Influencers and birthday boys and girls buzz about the space as servers deliver sparklers. At Cala, it’s as much about the people-watching as it is about the food. Call Her Martina 7135 East Camelback Road, #165, Scottsdale 480-687-8592 callhermartina.com There are lots of trendy restaurants with loud music and fashionable patrons in Old Town Scottsdale. But at Call Her Martina, the food is just as impressive as the ambiance. After finding your seat in the dark dining room, along the cozy bar, or at a large high-top communal table, dig into the menu. Start with an order of the Ribeye Chicharon Guac studded with satisfying chunks of carne asada. Bright pops of pomegranate seeds provide a sweet and cold contrast to the warm, salty steak and creamy guac. Grab a cocktail or two, sample a selection of indulgent entrees, and make sure to leave room for dessert. The homemade flan topped with fresh mint is close-your-eyes good. This new Scottsdale waterfront spot lands a level above the rest. Dos Pink Tacos 1900 East Fifth Street, Tempe 619-559-3695 dospinktacos.com Dos Pink Tacos is the vegan taqueria of our dreams. Opened by married couple Brittany and Shayna Lawber at Tempe Food Court in August, the restaurant features a menu full of must-order items, including burritos, crunch wraps, mini churros, and, of course, tacos. The namesake tacos are photogenic, over- flowing, and bursting with flavor. Headliners include panko-fried avocado, plant-based chicken, and carne asada, marinated for at least 12 hours to taste just like the real thing. The vegan meats are paired with colorful jalapeño coleslaw, street corn, cilantro, and sauces and salsas made from scratch, all served on eye- catching, bright pink tortillas that get their blush from beets. In fact, everything about Dos Pink Tacos is fun, fresh, and pretty in pink, from their website to the hot pink logo stamped on their thoughtfully packaged takeout bags, which get extra points for being compostable containers. This is order-on-your-phone, indulgent plant-based fast food that satisfies both junk food and cozy evening cravings. Espiritu 123 West Main Street, Mesa 480-398-8129 espiritumesa.com Tacos Chiwas is a local institution with crave-worthy food. Bacanora is a national restaurant darling, racking up awards and steadily becoming the hardest reservation to get in the city. So when the owners of these two beloved spots teamed up to open a new restaurant, we knew we were in for a treat. Espiritu, a trendy and slender dining room and bar, debuted on Main Street in Mesa in January, transporting east Valley diners somewhere fresh and new. The cocktail list is extensive, the food menu is tight. Similar to Bacanora, the specials are, well, special. On a recent visit, whole fried snappers arrived at tables standing upright on the plate. A seasonal winter salad included warm butternut squash bathed in a sweet glaze atop tangy crema and supple wedges of toast. Aguachile and ceviche add a hint of Mexico, while a cheeseburger and grilled cheese plant this restaurant’s feet back stateside. Don your hipster-best and head to this hot new spot to sit among the haphazard photo frames and dripping candles as the kitchen and bar battle it out for top flavors. Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine 3491 West Frye Road, Chandler 480-534-7178 feringhee.com The flavors at Feringhee stick in your brain. Black lentil dal, tandoori shrimp, Himalayan lamb chops, and fresh scallops dot the menu with garnishes of sliced kumquats, lime caviar, and mint chutney. Pair a selection of small and large plates with enticing cocktails that feature masala chai-infused vodka and ghee-infused Jack Daniels. At this south Chandler spot deco- rated with bright yellow booths, turquoise accents, and a large mural, Indian food gets fine dining treatment, creating an expe- rience unlike anything else in the Valley. We recommend taking a group, ordering a selection of dishes, and sharing a feast. This new restaurant is on the outskirts of the metro area, but it is so worth the drive. Fire at Will 4912 East Shea Boulevard, #108, Scottsdale 480-207-1819 eatfireatwill.com The space is dark and moody, the service impeccable, and the food is an eclectic mix of American and Mediterranean. Chef and owner Dom Ruggiero’s third concept following Hush Public House and TVG Tap Room & Bottle Shop is a clear winner. Fire at Will opened in early November in a plaza at Tatum and Shea boulevards in Scottsdale, and during a recent visit, each selection was as irresistible as the next. In the Hush-favorite Macaroni Au Gratin, the Gouda, manchego, Gruyere, Parmesan, and American cheeses melt together to form a magnificent macaroni medley, while the baby kale salad offers some zest, crunch, and freshness. The beef bolognese is meaty and hearty and generously coats each rigatoni noodle, and the lobster roll is petite yet robust, with fresh seafood ▼ Café The dining area at Cala hints at the Mediterranean food to come. Cala Sliced kumquats garnish pork belly at Feringhee. >> p 20 Tirion Morris
