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| Taste of East Valley: Best restaurant patios | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Chris Page, Get Out | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 25, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
“We actually came here because it has a patio,” says Barr, 30. “It’s a beautiful day, it’s nice outside and it’s by the water. You need to take advantage of it.” And how. Spring is the time of year when Valley residents are proud to live here. A slight breeze in the air, the thermometer hovering around 80 degrees, a sun that seems to be smiling down. It’s a deep breath before the roller-coaster dip into summer, when that friendly sun turns menacing, the thermometer hits triple digits and bare thighs start sticking to leather furniture in unattractive ways. But never mind that. For now, there’s no better way to take in the Valley’s temperate glory and beautiful scenery than by dining alfresco. Thankfully, the East Valley is pocked with great patio dining spots. Here are some of our favorites (slideshow.): THE MONASTERY Out back of the adobe-style main building is an adult’s version of a schoolyard playground at recess: volleyball courts, table tennis and long barbecue grills where customers are invited to cook their own food (without having to scrub the grill afterward). The end result is a pretty tasty burger ($5) and the kind of pleasantly shallow sense of accomplishment that usually comes from assembling Ikea furniture. >> 4810 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, (480) 474-4477, realfunbar.com.
The 17-year-old Scottsdale restaurant is a cozy bungalow with shaded patio spaces in front, back and along the side, where a gurgling fountain next door casts a calming backdrop for sipping iced tea and sharing gossip and a cheese plate ($12) with a friend. The homey decor — checkerboard seat cushions offset by crisp white tablecloths — gives an atmosphere that suggests something between upscale bistro and lunch at Grandma’s house. >> 7014 E. First Ave., (480) 941-5665, arcadiafarmscafe.com. BADA BOOM PASTA ROOM The sidewalk patio is a prime spot to take in the vibe of Old Town Scottsdale, especially during Sunday brunch — sipping $2 mimosas or pitchers of sangria ($15) under red umbrellas while swing tunes from Frank Sinatra and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies float overhead. >> 4151 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, (480) 214-2666, badaboomaz.com. TERRACE AT THE PHOENICIAN The Terrace is both relaxing and a status revelation: Down a brass and marble stairway, onto a beautifully expansive concrete patio with lattice-hanging flowers, snacking on a plate of duck confit stir-fry ($16) or lobster-stuffed tomato with lime dressing ($12), gazing out over the pool — smug in the realization that the well-heeled wear unflattering bathing suits, too. >> 6000 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, (480) 941-8200, thephoenician.com. SASSI Could there be a more peaceful way to end the day than sitting on a west-facing patio, sipping a ginger apple fizz ($12) and noshing house-cured imported meats (affettati, $10), watching as the sun slips behind Pinnacle Peak? Probably not. >> 10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, (480) 502-9095, sassi.biz. PITA JUNGLE Chandler’s somewhat swankier sister to Tempe’s popular location may not have the same college-hipster quotient, but it does have one killer patio overlooking a jade-hued lake. Faded blue-gray tones and posts wound in ropes give a nautical feel while the vegetarian-friendly and affordable Mediterranean menu (arguably the best hummus in town, $3.60) promises equally happy bellies and wallets. >> 1949 W. Ray Road, (480) 855-3232, pitajungle.com. SAN TAN FLAT Queen Creek’s version of a faux-Wild West frontier town is a place where the bar stools are saddles, the decor relies on an overabundance of busted old wagon wheels and a dirty pickup truck parked outside is de rigueur (whereas saying “de rigueur” is not). Dancing is famously illegal, the restaurant is proud to boast, but live music at nights on the outdoor stage make this neighborhood grill and saloon a country and western destination. >> 6185 W. Hunt Highway, (480) 882-2995, santanflat.com. EL ZOCALO MEXICAN GRILLE Lush blooming flowers and green succulents fill the charming red brick patio at this downtown Chandler eatery, owned by the folks who run nearby El Sol, Gold Canyon’s de la Cruz Mexican Grille and Mesa’s Mangos Mexican Cafe. El Zócalo’s patio style is akin to a distressed Spanish mission courtyard, with enough nooks and hideaways for patrons to not feel like they’re sharing conversations with everyone else. Choice eats: lip-smacking mole de pollo ($11.95) and fresh-squeezed lemonade ($2.75). >> 28 S. San Marcos Place, (480) 722-0303 Contact Chris Page by email, or phone (480) 898-5656 |
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