19 Feb 23rd–March 1st, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | decide to dine during brunch. You won’t regret it. Brunch also features several vegetarian items, such as a vegan burger and burrito. For something sweet, don’t skip the pumpkin pull-apart bread. Sottise 1025 North Second Street sottisephx.com The quaint white bungalow features hanging string lights and a large porch. If not for the diners noshing on seafood towers and escargot, one could easily mistake it for a family home. But this French eatery serves specialties decidedly more sophisticated than what mom used to make, including a buttery, glossy gray Kaluga caviar that will set you back a cool $150 for 30 grams. Baked brie with Calvados brandy-infused honey and hazelnut vinaigrette, and pesto pasta with crushed pistachios and torn basil, are less of a splurge but equally delicious. Enjoy the French fare as you dine at marble tables. The bistro’s rustic interior showcases exposed brick, washed wood floors, and green plants that climb the walls. And the vino here is just as good as the fromage. Sottise is the sister to Melrose District’s Progress restaurant and wine shop and boasts plenty of wine from around the world, ranging from a citrusy sparkling rosé to an organic gamay with notes of raspberry and plum. St. Urban 5538 North Seventh Street sturbanaz.com St. Urban offers a vintage ambiance with its mirrors and rose-adorned wallpaper that’s the perfect setting for a girls’ night out or a mid-week date. The quaint bras- serie is located upstairs from Neighborly Public House. The cocktail menu offers a selection of creative tipples, including the Walk in Paris, a brandy, passion fruit, and vanilla essence concoction; the espresso- forward French Kiss; and the Crown Jewels, made with bourbon and Montenegro liqueur. The food menu features starters such as deviled eggs with pork shoulder, creole mustard, and paprika; burrata with spicy tomato jam; and salmon tartare. Or try one of the five flatbreads topped with farm-fresh ingre- dients. Entrees include a chicken pesto caprese, wild mushroom lasagna, and a spitfire chicken breast. Coziness and sophistication — combined with tasty bites and delightful drinks — will convince you to make St. Urban your go-to spot. Tia Carmen 5350 East Marriot Drive tiacarmendesertridge.com The ambiance of Tia Carmen is intentional in its efforts to honor the Southwest region and Mexico. As you walk through the large wooden doors, you’re greeted by a down- to-earth vibe and quiet elegance. Chef Angel Sosa wanted to recreate a reminder of his experience with his Aunt Carmen when he first learned food was his love language. The menu is not only a homage to his roots and to indigenous people but also a festival of culinary delights. Highlights include ember-roasted purple yam, chicken guisado, Baja striped bass, yucca brulee, and native grain fried rice. Ingredients are sourced locally, which reflects Sosa’s desire to support the community. The entrees are comple- mented with craft cocktails, including the gin-based Hibiscus Desert Balloon, a yuzu and bergamot Paloma, and Mi Tia, a tropical drink that honors Sosa’s family. St. Urban. Tirion Morris
