Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Central Phoenix

Great food and excellent service! Perfect for friends

In a dessert of chicken wings and ranch… The food at Tarbell’s is like a vacation back home to NYC where cuisine is an art and a passion. Unlike anything else in this city. The menu changes but I can confidently pick anything and know I will love it. Warning: The Hostesses will not honor the 15 minute grace period that is noted on OT. I called to inform them I was 15 minutes behind to be told I was being pushed onto the waitlist to seat those who are on time. This behavior does not match the warm service and atmosphere of this establishment. I was 17 minutes late and she wanted to let me know that I was “passed the grace period” which she told me she wasn’t honoring anyway. I will return and hope to have a better experience with the host staff so that I can say everything was perfect!

Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale provides an unforgettable dining experience, even though we had a small hiccup at the start. We arrived for our reservation and had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated, which was a bit frustrating given that I was dressed in “dinner” heels. IYKYK. However, once we were seated, everything more than made up for the delay. We opted for the prix fixe menu, which was an absolute delight. The blood orange salmon aguachile, braised lamb, venison, shrimp, and ahi tuna were all bursting with flavor. I had the filet mignon, while my boyfriend enjoyed the Japanese Wagyu, which was truly exceptional—unbelievably tender and flavorful, cooked to absolute perfection. The sauces and sides were perfectly balanced, and my picky eater boyfriend couldn’t get enough of everything! We also added oysters and caviar to start, which were so fresh and crisp, and charred octopus, which was cooked to perfection with a lovely char but still wonderfully tender. For dessert, the chocolate strawberry cake was a showstopper—beautifully presented and delicious, with the Valentine's theme executed flawlessly. The cocktails were beautifully crafted, each with a perfect balance of flavors and a nice kick. If you enjoy wine, the pairings were spot on, and I was also impressed by their unique selection of zero-proof drinks, which my boyfriend really enjoyed. The service was impeccable throughout the meal. Even with the minor seating delay at the beginning, the staff’s attention to detail and hospitality made the experience one to remember. Highly recommend Cafe Monarch for a special evening out—it’s truly a Scottsdale gem!

Valentine's Day with my wife found us at Beckett's Table for the first time. Look past the quasi-strip mall feel, the interior is absolutely beautiful: rustic elegance and just really well designed. Although we didn't sit at the bar, the bar's design should be in a magazine. For VD, there was a limited menu. Three courses: 1st course a choice of 3 or 4 items. My wife had the curry dish (which she loved), and I had the French Onion soup which was good (hard to make FOs great -imho). Second course: my wife ordered the gnocci which featured duck sausage. My wife, again, loved it! I ordered the Bourbon lacquered short rib with au grain potatoes and asparagas. Everything on my plate was beautifully presented and perfectly cooked. For desert, there were two choices and we ordered one of each: a dark chocolate cake with espresson whip and I had the strawberry champagne sponge cake with little (unidentified crunchies). Both were excellet. Oh, and we each had a glass of cabernet although I can't recall which. Now to the service: Dimetria was our server and is a pro. She recommendations were spot-on and her attention to us was terrific. There were also a couple of rovers who constantly circulated to refill our water glasses and remove any plates. We never had to "look" for someone. In short, even though we live in Cave Creek, this was a great experience and we are eager to explore other menu items. Again, the ambiance is warm, rustic, and classy.

Loved this place ! Food was amazing and service was excellent!