Where is the Best Fireside Dining in Phoenix, Arizona?
Tricks provides the atmosphere, style, and elegance of an old Eurpean cafe mixed with the attitude and style of an elite independently owned American resaurant. Tricks completes a circuit of independently owned businesses in Tempe that add character and individuality to our town. Tempe is quickly becoming overrun by corporate restaurants that condition the average customer to expect mediocrity delivered at a fast pace. Tricks on the other hand allows its cutomers to slow down, enjoy a drink in the garden, while waiting for a table or thier food. Go with no expectations and relax.Pros + atmosphere, food, serviceCons – Patrons that require, cheap fast food shoul, d go to Burger King.
This has to be the most overrated restaurant in the Phx area. While the outdoor ambience and view is marvelous, the same,(yawn), tired, old classics are still on the menu after all these years. Last time I visited, the rack of lamb was overcooked, dry and tasteless to the point of being close to jerky. Given the time it took to get to our table and the relative inattention of our server, we suffered through it, wondering once again why we bother to come here every year or two, (Hope perhaps?). It only seems to get worse with time. It’s a damn shame that one of the Valley’s true landmarks manages to exist at this level of mediocrity. It’s more of a “social climbing” scene than a gastronomical one and this Valley Native prays that someone will breathe new life into this once proud establishment. Time for my nap…zzzzzzPros + scenery, ambience, old AZ charmCons – lackluster chow, lackluster everything, Overpriced
As an Arizona Native I have heard about the Old Town Tortilla Factory for years, but had never made the journey over to the restaurant until last night. The ambience is nice, and the wait staff was very accomodating, but the food was mediocre at best. I had a chile verde dish and the pork was extremely overcooked and lacked any flavor, except for the chile sauce they poured over the pork right before delivery to our table. I also think $20 for Mexican food is a bit over priced, especially when the ingredients used had a cost factor of about $2.50. Also, charging $4 for a bowl of chips and a salsa is a bit much with these entree prices. My advice is: Go to Abuelo’s and have great amtosphere and pretty good food for half the cost, free chips and salsa and great service.
If you are considering dining and we use that word loosely at Michaels at the Citadel, you may want to rethink your decision. We had the displeasure of dining there on three occasions. The raving reviews (I suspect written by the proprietor?s relatives) sucked me in on the first occasion. On the last two occasions the restaurant was selected by business associates and fortunately it was on their expense accountFor $180.00, not including tax and tip, two can ?dine? as follows; two tiny (think match-box size) lamb chops, a couple of glasses of vastly overpriced wine and a non-descript salad. Switch the entree to Chicken Parmigianino and only pay $125.00 not including tax and tip. Please tell me what chicken dish is worth that amount of money? Throw in dessert and up the two entrees by another $20.00. The Chef?s special Beef Tenderloin at over $35 a pop was far from tender and the fish could have been fresher. We have no problem paying $100 per person for a very good dining experience
