Romantic Dining Restaurants

Tucked into the short side of an L-shaped shopping center at 16th Street and Bethany Home is a restaurant that has been pleasing palates and offering short tutorials in Phoenix history and heritage since 1997: the Phoenix City Grille. The warm, cozy ambience is enhanced by framed, well-lit color and black-and-white photos of Arizona landscapes and Phoenix movers and shakers. Diners enjoy a varied American menu with just enough hints of Southwestern and Southern cuisine to keep it interesting and memorable.

Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort has been attracting visitors since 1929, from locals to out-of-towners. The property was first built on the natural desert landscape for ranch school girls to retreat, and in 1948 it turned into a guest ranch, where movie stars such as Clark Gable, John Wayne, and famed couple Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. The resort is rich in history and southwestern surroundings, but The Grill brings its own modernity, romanticism and freshness with its award winning wines, local meats, vegetables and herbs from the hotel’s own garden.

Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse is a classic in the very best tradition of American fine dining. The elegant and fashionable décor comes together seamlessly, with beautiful etched glass and polished wood, custom light fixtures, and white linen tablecloths. The menu, while traditional in its emphasis on prime beef and chops, is enhanced with many contemporary twists, such as inventive sides like lobster mashed potatoes and gorgonzola mac and cheese. Located near downtown Scottsdale, Mastros provides an ideal destination for both casually chic and special occasion dining.

Sassi offers southern Italian fare at its best. The unique setting is reminiscent of a villa situated off the Tuscan coast of Italy. With multiple warmly decorated dining rooms, private rooms, and an ornate outdoor al fresco dining area, it offers a wonderful setting for a meal, party, wedding, or any gathering of up to 150 guests. The quality menu offerings, coupled with the extensive list of fine Italian wines, are sure to please even the most fickle Italian food connoisseur.

Arriving at Mastro's Ocean Club restaurant in the Kierland Commons, located in Scottsdale, is a little like arriving at an opening night gala. The name of the restaurant is outlined in glowing blue light, no doubt in reverence to the color of the ocean, and a statue of four dolphins adorns the exterior entrance of the restaurant. Maestro’s Ocean Club provides a standard of service and a dining experience that is largely unmatched in today’s restaurant scene. Whether your desire is to run into a celebrity, dine on a sumptuous meal, or imbibe on the select wines offered, you won’t …

Regarded as a popular place to go see and be seen, this contemporary American chain does what so few restaurants of its kind manage: it keeps people coming back. With a strict philosophy of using the freshest ingredients from local farms and purveyors, they serve up gracefully presented dishes in a modern setting. Stained wood, burnished brass, dim lighting, and a trendy crowd reel people in, but it’s the friendly service and delicious meat, fish, and chicken that has people returning. And if you happen to chance into one of this location—don’t forget to try their famous shoestring fries!

A relaxing, enjoyable eating experience can be found at Sophie’s French Bistro. The interior is reminiscent of a classic French countryside while the food is innovative and flavorful. Ideal for a romantic date, Sophie’s uses premium ingredients for their classic French dishes, presented elegantly and served on a simple white table cloth. Don’t expect a quick turnaround, though—Sophie’s cuisine is meant to be enjoyed and savored slowly, just as classic French meals are meant to be. If food is pleasure, then this is a place to appreciate.

Flourish at the Copperwynd Resort effortlessly infuses its sophisticated style with an almost mischievous whimsy. Classic New American dishes are transformed by cheeky culinary tinkering: The Spinach Salad is sprinkled with shaved heirloom tomatoes and “dried corn confetti” while paella is given a Sonoran twist with Corona-steamed clams, poblano chilies, chorizo, and a soffritto corn broth. The innovation displayed by its menu is mirrored in Flourish' dynamic design. Floor-to-ceiling windows slide open to reveal a breathtaking view of the Sonoran desert, allowing the natural landscape to blend seamlessly with the restaurant’s stone and metallic accented interior. An evening at Flourish …

The stark beauty and natural elegance of the surrounding Sonoran desert is reflected in the Latilla at the Boulders Resort. With picture windows overlooking 12-million-year-old boulders, a ceiling constructed of Ocotillo branches (“latillas” in Spanish), and walls adorned with traditional Native American woven art, the Latilla seamlessly blends contemporary refinement with the rich cultural and natural history of the region. Chef Wendy Little’s Southwestern-influenced American cuisine reflects the environmental emphasis of the restaurant, featuring fresh and health-conscious dishes made from organic and seasonal ingredients. An outdoor patio with an inviting fireplace provides an opportunity for a more intense communion with …

T. Cooks is the place to celebrate an anniversary or to have a romantic night out. Located in the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, the restaurant goes along with the Spanish-style architecture situated in a rich earthy-colored den with panoramic views. The menu serves Mediterranean cuisine and centers its food around seasonal dishes from Barcelona, Spain, and Tuscany, Italy. For dinner, guests can select Executive Chef Lee Hillson’s pre-fixe “Iron Chef” menu with the option of wine pairing. Some of the dishes include Lobster Carpaccio with ham broth and sweet corn and Stuffed Rabbit wrapped in Serrano with mushrooms and …

Inspired by Italy’s Tuscany region, Ristorante Tuscany presents Italian cuisine with elegance. The restaurant is a recipient of the AAA Four-Diamond award and features inventive dishes from Chef de Cuisine Brian Archibald. Unique dishes like Lobster Saltimbocca and Grilled Cedar River Beef Tenderloin can be found on the menu. Pastas can be ordered in half or full portions. With wine being a specialty at this restaurant, it has a large wine list including vintage wines from Tuscany. The restaurant has an open exhibition kitchen, wood-fired oven, an outdoor fireplace along with views of the resort’s Isle of Capri. With the …

Rokerij means “smokehouse” in Dutch, and this Richardson Browne restaurant embraces grilled meats in their purest form. Despite its European moniker, the restaurant’s menu is strictly American, with classic steakhouse dishes such as rib eye, filet mignon, and lamb chops, as well as a solid selection of seafood. There are two scenes under this roof—on casual evenings, step into the first floor bar and lounge and surround yourself with a rustic copper bar, flickering fireplace, and cozy booths; when the occasion presents itself, climb the stairs for the second-floor formality of white tablecloths and glistening candlelight.

After a recent re-model of the interior, menu, and management, Bistro Provence has unveiled a whole new outlook and style to this French restaurant. While French dining has the stereotype of being stuffy and uptight, Bistro Provence provides an ambiance that is both cozy and romantic. As for the food, Bistro Provence offers very extensive options for lunch and dinner, each fit with both traditional French dishes, such as Coq Au Vin and Bouillabaisse De Provence, as well as more contemporary twists on classic cuisine. Prepare yourself for a sophisticated but delectable dining experience.

Adjacent to the Firesky Resort and Spa in Old Town Scottsdale, Taggia Restaurant brings a tropical feeling to the otherwise dessert location. Coastal Italian cuisine in the form of salads, pizzas and pastas is prepared with fresh ingredients, such as seafood, flown in daily. Guest can relax under the peaceful sky, or dine in comfort indoors for a calm and enjoyable meal in their preferred atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Taggia can accommodate any meal for any occasion from business dinners to social occasions and any other memorable moments life may bring. The warm atmosphere, attentive staff, and …

If you’re looking to escape, head to the El Chorro Lodge. Located on a 22-acre property in Paradise Valley, the restaurant is a longstanding tradition and a worthy destination. Built in 1934 as a school house, the property became a restaurant in 1937, and has been pleasing locals, tourists, and celebrities ever since. The menu is filled with comfort-food classics and decadent favorites, such as BBQ Ribs, Beef Stroganoff, and Chateaubriand for Two, carved tableside. The extensive menu also includes an array of mesquite-fired steaks, seafood, and burgers. All entries include a soup or salad, a choice of potato, and, …

Describing their fare as “classically influenced American cuisine,” Kevin and Amy Binkley are the dynamic duo behind the success of their namesake restaurant. Mr. Binkley doubles as the active chef and owner/operator, and Amy keeps the food machine running by managing the finer details of the operation. The fruit of this husband/wife team’s labors is a fine marriage of casual and elegant cuisine that is served with love. Dishes like the Whole Roasted Partridge and the Italian Sausage Stuffed Squash Blossoms warm diners from the inside out and keep them coming back again and again.

For an intimate dining experience, Belsito Ristorante is the spot for delicious Tuscan-inspired cuisine in a space with personality and hospitality. Nestled in the back corner of 5th Avenue, Belsito offers outdoor seating without a view of busy city streets or noisy cars. The elegant, warm interior compliments Belsitos’ traditional Italian menu with generously proportioned dishes. But Belsito hasn’t always been a Phoenix native—it recently moved here from Michigan, where Zagat surveyors named it “Best Italian Restaurant” in the Detroit Area. Consider this transfer a gain for Arizona, because these dishes are sure to please and arouse your taste buds.

A sophisticated, refined eating environment has been established at Mastro’s Steakhouse, while maintaining an unpretentious aura. The restaurant is completely covered in lavish, distinctive décor from the bold artful interpretations on the walls to the larger than life abstract chandelier lighting and vibrant color patterns of each room. The visual appeal is just a snapshot of what Mastro’s has to offer; the stylish dining destination is a place where guests can enjoy premium cuisine, cocktails and entertainment. Locals, visitors, and celebrities alike are drawn to Mastro’s Steakhouse for its unparalleled quality of masterful fare with atmospheric flair!

Luxury, elegance, leisure, and comfort are to be expected when dining at The Palm Court at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. Gorgeous pink draped curtains and table clothes, accented with fresh pink flowers, cream-colored boquets and table runners, and black chandeliers with clear dangling crystals adorn the dining room; nothing less than glamorous. The wine collection is on display, set inside the wall and covered by glass, outlined with a decorative and delicate black wired frame. Each aspect of the aesthetic has been perfectly set in place. The menu reflects innovative American cuisine and dishes are often prepared au …

Dine in an elegant, yet comfortable atmosphere at The Compass Arizona Grill, where Chef De Cuisine, Jason Hoven designs masterful seasonal menus year round. Innovative culinary creations find their way onto each plate out of his kitchen, as he translates distinctive visions with ease. The menu offers irresistible entrees made from fresh meats, poultry and seafood in a quintessentially contemporary style. The exciting and fabulous fare is accompanied by an extensive wine list. The combination of fantastic fare, wondrous wines and the breath-taking views allows guests to drift away into a dining dream!