Arizona Restaurant Week is officially back this fall now through Sunday, Sept. 21. This is a biannual event that introduces culinary enthusiasts to a wide range of dining experiences in Arizona.

After a challenging year, local restaurants are welcoming the dining guests back with both dine-in and take-out options. Each is offering a menu ranging from $33 to $55 per person, depending on the location. 

Here’s a preview of 10 participating restaurants in and near downtown Phoenix.

The Ainsworth

The Ainsworth, a new restaurant in downtown Phoenix, is close to Chase Field and Footprint Center. It is a perfect place to drop by and enjoy burgers, fries and mac & cheese.

Location:3 S. Second Street, Suite 117

Take out option: No

Cost: $33 per person, three courses 

Menu

First course

  • Crispy tempura, mac fries, arizona wedge, black bean hummus, fried mac- n-cheese

Second course

  • Mac burger, The Ainsworth (patties, cheddar cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, ainsworth sauce, black focaccia bun).
  • Crispy chick (fried chicken breast, housemade apple slaw, dill pickle slices, ainsworth sauce, brioche bun).

Third course

  • Churro poutine, vanilla cheesecake.

 

The Arrogant Butcher

The Arrogant Butcher is a get-go place for sports fans, theater-goers and politicians. It offers you comfort, space and food. 

Location: 2 E. Jefferson St, Phoenix 

Cost: $55 per person

Take-out option: No

Menu

  • Spinach & artichoke dip, house soft pretzels & provolone fondue, white shrimp cocktail, Mediterranean salad, The Butcher’s platter.
  • Crispy chicken breast, grilled salmon, beef short rib stew, slow-roasted prime rib, shrimp, chicken & sausage jambalaya.
  • Mascarpone cheesecake, peanut butter & chocolate pie.

 

Alexi’s Grill

Located at Central and Osborn, Alexi is a family-operated restaurant that serves fresh Italian dishes.

Location: 3550 N. Central Ave #120

Cost: $33 per person for four courses, with certain dinner upgrades available

Take-out option: Yes

Menu

  • Fried calamari (with a touch of garlic & Marinara), caprese (Mozzarella, Roma tomatoes and fresh basil), homemade meatballs (over marinara).
  • Soup or salad.
  • Pork chop, lobster ravioli, shrimp scampi, poached salmon, chicken milano.
  • Limonecollo mascarpone cake, spumoni ice cream, tiramisu.

 

Blanco Cocina + Cantina

If you crave Mexican food, check out Blanco Cocina + Cantina with its award-winning barbecue pork tacos. 

Location: 123 E. Washington Street

Cost: $44 per two, three courses

Take out option: No

Menu

  • Guacamole, warm queso.
  • Seasonal chopped chicken salad, pork chile verde enchiladas, caramelized sweet potato enchiladas, chicken burrito.
  • Carnitas tacos, carne asada tacos.
  • Brown sugar caramel flan.

 

Fuego at the Clarendon

Come to Fuego Bistro, a pan-Latin restaurant, for its multisensory dining experience with live music.

Location: 401 W. Clarendon Ave.

Cost: $33 per person or $44 per person, three courses

Take-out option: No 

$33 prix fixe menu

  • Spinach Salad, house salad, spicy veggie tostada.
  • Pernil asado, peasant paella, chicken chile relleno, vegetable enchiladas.
  • Ancho chile torte, horchata bread pudding.

$44 prix fixe menu

  • Salmon, croquette, empanada, coconut shrimp, pern.
  • Mahi Mahi, seafood chile relleno, short rib enchiladas, surf & turf pasta.
  • Ancho chile torte, horchata bread pudding, key lime pie.

 

Mancusos

Inspired by Frank and Agnes Mancuso’s family recipes, Mancuso’s Restaurant features Italian American food. 

Location: 201 E. Washington Street #201

Cost: $44 per person and $55 per person, three courses 

Take-out option: Yes

$44 prix fixe menu

  • Caesar salad (romanie, parmesan cheese) and House salad (mixed greens, mustard vinaigrette).
  • Cannelloni, fresh wild salmon filet, chicken marsala, fillet mignon.
  • Tiramisu.

 

MATCH Market & Bar

MATCH Market & Bar is a café, market and bar located inside the FOUND:RE hotel. It is a casual dining eatery that you can drop by for local brews, sandwiches and salads. 

Location: 1100 N. Central Ave.

Cost: $44 per person, three courses 

Take-out option: Yes

Menu

  • Sesame tofu salad, house Italian chopped salad, smoked salmon chopped salad, shrimp ceviche.
  • Skillet steak & potatoes, Mediterranean chicken, skillet seared Chula Cajun salmon, Penne & pesto, Buddha bowl.
  • Strawberry shortcake.

 

Ocotillo

Combining new American seasonal cuisine with local Arizona influence, Ocotillo Restaurant serves fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. 

Location: 3243 N. 3rd Street

Cost: $44 per person, three courses 

Take-out option: No

Menu

  • Ahi tuna, burrata salad, smoked chicken liver mousse, eggplant “meatballs.”
  • Wood fire beef ribs, Mesquite grilled Ocotillo chicken, lime shoestring fries, sweet corn chowder.
  • Coconut panna cotta, guava broth, caramelized pineapple, coconut sorbet.
  • Dark chocolate fudge cake, white chocolate cremeux, chocolate soil, vanilla blackberry ice cream.

 

PaLa Phoenix

Mediterranean, South American and Japanese cuisine have inspired the PaLa Phoenix menu. Dining guests are encouraged to share dishes to enhance a variety of flavor experiences.

Location: 132 E. Washington Street

Cost: $55 per person, four courses

Take-out option: No

Menu

First course

  • Spicy Marcona almonds and Picholine olives

Second course

  • Sea of cortez shrimp + peperonata + togarashi, Prosciutto + burratina + heirloom tomato + bread, Octopus + potato + celebrity + olives + capers +yuzu.
  • Patagonian Toothfish + fresno chili + roasted radish + fregola.
  • Argentine skirt steak + chimichurri + shaved root vegetables.
  • Orecchiette pasta + Di Napoli Tomato + Italian sausage/ Arcadia Meat market.

Third course 

  • Chocolate pot de crème + pistachio + sea salt.
  •  White chocolate panna cotta + passion fruit caramel + fresh strawberries.

 

University Club of Phoenix

Founded by Chet Goldberg Jr. in 1965, the University Club of Phoenix has a rich history. The restaurant integrates historic and contemporary elements to create a unique dining experience for foodies. Reservations are required. 

Location: 39 E Monte Vista Rd, Phoenix

Cost: $44 per person, three courses

Take-out option: Yes

Menu

  • Honey pear salad, caprese skewers.
  • Slow roasted prime rib, artichoke chicken, maple bourbon Atlantic salmon.
  • Key lime pie, New York-style cheesecake with chocolate sauce.

Find out more about Arizona Restaurant Week here: https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/

Contact the reporter at bthai5@asu.edu.

Boi Ngoc Thai is a staff reporter at Downtown Devil.