Eat me

Tarbell’s - great food, drinks, setting

Ghost donkey, Palma and ChanPang Lanes - cool, Greg manager

Essence bakery - great pastries and croissants, breakfast, coffee, fresh juice

Torchy's - best tex-mex tacos and awesome queso, place from Austin, JR owner

Aftermath - great drinks and good food, Charles owner, Randie host

Americano - northeast Scottsdale, cool spot, great drinks and food

Sumo Maya - cool Asian Mexican fusion, food and drinks great, brunch is epic

Lux Coffee - great coffee, cool space, speak easy, haven’t tried food yet

Pa’La- great food, Gil is owner downtown more sit down, other one is counter, best for lunch

Beckett's table - mediocre southern

Pemberton - Pocho front door, cool food truck space downtown CLOSED

Gallo Blanco - Mexican place downtown, good

Otro cafe - Mexican, good. Need to try for breakfast or brunch

Rito’s - Mexican, good enchiladas and great cocktails, lard in beans

Forno 301 - great pasta & pizza, Luka owner

Cibo - cool patio. Good food

Century/Platform 18 - awesomeness cocktails experience, on a train or in a sub!

Southern Rail - ok southern

Nino’s Greek - great Greek near PCH

Phoenix burrito house - good burritos

The Beach House - cool spot with great burritos

China chili - good Chinese

Just tacos and more - great tacos

Ladera Taverna - Mexican ok

Bitter and Twisted - great drinks, menu is huge

Sol tacos - veggie tacos really good

Thai E-san- great traditional Thai

El Chorro- good food and good drinks, beautiful setting

Tacos Chivas - good tacos

Chico Mala - good food, Justin bartender, good pre suns spot

Artichoke pizza - famous NY joint, mediocre here

Tutti Santi - old school Italian restaurant, has that NYC/Chicago feel, good traditional Italian entrees

Taco Guild - good tacos, in cool old church building, margaritas are good!

Feringhee - translated to "foreigner" brings innovative Indian in an upscale setting, enjoyed trying this place after hearing lots about it, the food was great, unique takes on traditional Indian (largely Punjabi) fare. Classic butter chicken was a little too sweet, the Goan Fish curry was amazing, squash blossom kofta on saag was excellent. The cocktails looked great but did not try any on this trip. For us Chandler was a little bit of a hike to go for dinner but enjoyed the experience. Definitely on the pricey side as well.

Pyro - great new spot at the Global Ambassador complex but not same owners (Sam Fox Group) as the hotel restaurants. Great Japanese visual build, food is excellent. Small space so be ready to be cozy. Drinks are excellent. I want to try the places in the hotel (L'Ame Steak and Thea Mediterranean next!!)

Barrio - the original location at Thomas and 16th St, James Beard nominated chef, Silvana Salcido Esparza, is still killing it in this location! The mole and cochinita pibil are fabulous and the margaritas are great! SADLY CLOSING

GardenPHX - really cool craft cocktail bar in the downtown roosevelt neighborhood. In a house, main area is bar, great outdoor space and you can rent individual rooms for groups! Cocktails are amazing, had a fall spice old fashion that was great! SADLY CLOSING

Chilte - downtown location on Grand Ave, in the Egyptian Hotel (Boutique Best Western brand), great mexican food and drinks! Reminds me of Bacanora (one of my top ten in the Valley)

Persepshen - great food, creative dishes, Jason Wright (owner/chef) took care of us and was great, great veggie choices, drinks were awesome (try the Mexican Candy or Megroni!)

Kaizen - cool art warehouse location south of downtoen, cocktails were great, food was really good, some veggie options. SADLY CLOSING

Sinmuerte - got to go the last night it was open, very sad!!! From the creators of Belly (which is on my favorites list), but pure vegetarian place (get it? Sinmuerte...without death). Food was amazing, drinks were awesome. Why did it close? People want meat. CLOSED

Sandfish - great sushi and whiskey spot in Melrose area, second location from Palm Springs. Innovative delicious rolls and awesome drinks!

Cocina Madrigal - one of the highest ranked restaurants by Yelp in the country! Food is excellent, authentic and fresh! Great Margs, South Phoenix location

Mifan - Food was awesome! Sizzling shrimp, chicken claypot, tofu on point, apps are great, cocktail list look good but didn't partake this trip, but cool Japanese Whiskey list and Hitochino beers! Definitely would recommend. Down near arts district, across from opera house!

Jinya - new to Central Phoenix but locations around the country, tasty Ramen inspired menu, great veggie menu with lots of Impossible items

Cala - located in the Curio Hilton property in Scottsdale. Cool setting, lively. Food was ok and a little disappointed in the fact that multiple things were "we ran out" - pasta dish, margarita, butter cake and dessert m