For my second review I wanted to write a review on a restaurant my wife loves but I felt like a prisoner at. For all you guys out there take your girl there but make sure you visit Jack in the Box before you pick her up. The Good... This restaurant food was extremely tasty. Each item we ordered was flavorful on many different levels. this is definitely a Quality over Quantity kind of place. Also, the Specialty drinks were Legendary. That's about it. The Bad... Price. More to the point, we dropped about $300 w/ wine and drinks and I was still hungry. We had their full experience menu. Also the service was attentive but not friendly at all. In fact, they were very pretentious. (I had to look that word up) On the Price to experience ratio, this place just isn't worth it. It is however, the kind of place that most guys will end up having to go to. I would avoid this at all cost. There are plenty of other places that serve food that is just as good and isn't as snobby as this place. I would give it one star but seriously, the food tasted great. However the small paper thin strip of Salmon was literally the size of a notepad. You can display it however you want but charging these prices is just not for 95% of us. read more

Such a sad review to leave. Went here for my birthday and brought another couple. We had Feliciano who is an outstanding server. The service was 5 star, no doubt. The food. Well, the food fell short. 2 peoples meals had to be sent back. Medium rare steaks came out well. Sent them back and they came back out MEDIUM WELL! Thats unacceptable at a place like this. Then they brought something out in the interim since 2 people were eating and 2 were just sitting there. The thing they brought out had PLASTIC WRAP in the food. We brought it to the service attention and they felt horrible. Now, they comped the 2 meals they messed up. Which was nice. But to be honest, financial reparations is not something we were after. It's all about the experience at a place like this. Maybe we will try again someday but unfortunately Kai has completely missed the mark this time. read more

While Kai did have an interesting tasting menu featuring unique takes on native cuisine, I was disappointed overall. They had recently increased the price of their tasting menus far above what was advertised on the website (which I've noticed has since been corrected). At the their new prices -- $280 for the large tasting menu with wine -- it wasn't even close to worth it. Atlas Bistro or Quiessence were as good or better, and now, after trying Kai, seem like a bargain. If Kai were to offer their tasting menu at a price point closer to that of Atlas or Quiessence, I would definitely recommend them and would not hesitate to offer a four-star rating. The ambiance at Kai, similar to that of an off-strip 1970s era Vegas hotel, was marginally better than Atlas, but inferior to Quiessence. While the food at Kai was interesting, it just wasn't phenomenal enough to merit the outrageous cash outlay necessary to try it -- more than double other locally foced, chef-driven Valley restaurants. If you're in the market for a nice, creative dinner, I'd rather recommend restaurants such as Quiessence, Atlas Bistro, FnB or Binkley's, all of which offer at least as good of an experience without requiring multiple wheelbarrows of cash to partake in phenomenally interesting and creative cuisine. read more

This was an amazing dining experience I will never forget. The staff are so incredibly nice and knowledgeable. Very accommodating to any allergies as well. read more

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This is a belated review for a meal that took place in late January, so some of the details will be a little sketchy, but I actually made my 4-star determination that night, so that much at least is accurate. :) SERVICE: The reservation desk was very patient with my repeated phone calls to change our meal time (maybe because we were guests at the resort). We ended up with an 8:30 seating for six, and were seated promptly. It took a long while (10 minutes?) to get bread, water, or menus. Once the captain came with the menus, he had to give us a long speech about the artwork on the fronts of the menus. It was interesting, but at that point, we mostly just wanted to read them and order. Overall, the There was a strange moment when the captain plus 5 waiters descended simultaneously, each taking a position behind one of us; it was impressive, but perhaps not the way they intended--it felt a bit like we were about to have sacks pulled over our heads & we'd wake up an hour later in the back of a van. Fortunately, they simply presented us each with our napkin. WINE: Sommelier was a little standoffish and not overwhelmingly helpful. List is weird. Strikes me as the list of a young restaurant that bought a bunch of stuff right before the economy crashed, so there's not much that they've had a chance to cellar and some of the prices are just out of line. There were some decent wines in the "not insanely priced" range (hard to do much with 3x markup), but I'm fairly certain one of the bottles I ordered was mis-priced on the wine list, because it showed up a much higher price on the bill. To their credit, they honored the wine list price without a fuss. There were some terrible choices/values on the list, such as '05 Lascombes for $300 (really not ready, plus I've seen it retail for as little as $50/bottle!). FOOD: With six people doing 3 courses, I can't remember it all in detail over two months later, but some highlights from my memory: squash soup (poured from a carafe into a bowl containing a mound of house-made cotton candy), charcuterie plate (which included a slice of bellota ham... decadent!), bison tartare, lamb loin. My entree was the veal ribeye and it was a disaster; I can't believe a self-respecting chef would serve such a poorly prepared fat blob. I probably should've sent it back, but I was too busy keeping an eye on two of my fellow diners, who had been busy at the bar for an hour or so before the meal. Two of our party toddled off after the entree, but three survivors tackled dessert with me, and the slightly spicy mexican chocolate souffle was a revelation. ATMOSPHERE: It was a full room when we arrived, and there were a number of moon-eyed couples and a few families. If there was anyone obnoxious that night, I'm afraid it might have been us. :-/ SUMMARY: I'm glad I ate at Kai. It has potential, and there's some interesting stuff going on in the kitchen, including use of local and indigenous ingredients. However, from my experience, the misses in food and service kept Kai short of greatness. read more

This is a fabulous restaurant First class food and service! Great place for a special event like anniversary or birthday. Highly recommended. Expensive but worth it. read more

When I travel, I always try to eat as much native food as I can. Otherwise what's the point of travelling if you don't try to experience some of the local culture and cuisine. I was therefore excited to find a fine dining restaurant offering local native Indian cuisine rather than the ubiquitous tex mex of the southwest. Well, I enjoyed one of the best dining experiences of my life here, not just best native Indian dining experience. The restaurant is located on the Wild Horse Resort complex, which is a native Indian resort offering casino & golf as well as hotel facilities. My only problem was navigating the huge complex and my only criticism was that the signposting to the hotel/restaurant was poor, something which I mentioned to the staff and received a promise that the problem had already been identified and was being dealt with. Just in case it still hasn't, head for the golf clubhouse and keep going beyond that despite the lack of signage! There is valet parking available but self parking is no problem. The hotel itself is spacious and Kai is located on the ground floor. Kai is the Pima word for seed and there are many obvious native Indian influences, reflected in many aspects of the design and architecture - this is all explained in the restaurant menu and is obviously an aspect of the experience that they're very rightly proud of here. The restaurant has been recently refurbished to a very high standard. The tables are well spaced out and everything reeks of top quality - for example, the menus are printed on embossed paper. I think the way to sum up this amazing restaurant is 'attention to detail'. I've been lucky to dine in 3 Michelin star establishments but nowhere in the whole world I've visited beats Kai for attention to detail. Everyone knew my name from my reservation. Cutlery restocked from different sides of the table. New napkins for every visit to the restroom. Crockery and cutlery warmed or chilled to appropriate temperature for every dish!! The service is also friendly and very informative. There is also great drama with the food and choreography to the service. Foie gras is bruleed at the tableside. Soups are decanted into bowls from pitchers. Multiple waiters coordinate simultaneous delivery of dishes to multiple diner tables. My server kindly arranged a fresh orange juice. Then came another moment which sums up this amazing restaurant - I was offered fruit accompaniments with my glass of regular water! Onto the food. I went for the tasting menu with its interesting choice of ingedients and combinations. I was pleased to see that the choice of breads included local Indian flatbread - a local Indian chief came into the kitchen to show the chefs how to make it. This was served with a first rate fruity olive oil. 1. Amuse of buffalo tartare with cornbread crisp, crisp microgreens and balsamic vinegar. The buffalo was more gamey than normal beef and the balsamic vinegar was an excellent foil. 2. Avocado panna cota toped with shrimp ceviche. The server poured over a papaya and mango soup at the table. My first huge smile moment when I found my chilled spoon! This was a dish which intrigued me from its unlikely combination of such disparate ingredients and it worked!! The smooth avocado was a perfect base for the tangy ceviche and the fruit soup wasn't too sweet but the subtleties of the papaya and mango were definitely evident flavours. 3. For a carnivore, I was amazed at the great salad which followed - the menu told me that the lettuces had been picked by local farmers and children of the Gila Crossing School. The salad had a chilli dressing. It was accompanied by date cake with foie gras (yum!), Humboult Fog goat cheese and heirloom tomato with candied walnut. 4. Baja scallop topped with dried mango and sandalwood dust. The sandalwood gave the dish a powerful aromatic introduction, which activated all my salivary glands. An unusual use of what is usually used in incense sticks. The giant sweet scallop was served with bean puree, fried salsify and fennel pollen. 5. Seared foie gras with macerated huckleberry and a fig in filo pastry. If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that you can't go wrong with seared foie gras with me! 6. Palate cleanser of guava with fennel sorbet and mango sauce. 7. Grilled tenderloin of buffalo from the Cheyenne River Tribe. The meat was open and evenly textured, tender with a nice gamey flavour. The plate was completed with a chorizo and corn cake and a morel mushroom mix. 8. Lamb with pecan crust with chocolate and chilli sauce. Chocoalte with chilli has become mainstream and I wonder if this is where it originated. 9. Cheese. Belgian soft cheese and a Tasmanian cheddar. 10. Medley of desserts. Corn creme brulee. Fig bread with chocolate ice cream inside. Italian meringue bruleed tableside with fruit. Also lovely to chat to chef de cuisine Jack Strong after the meal. read more

The food was delicious and the ambiance was unmatched. We had reservations at sunset looking out at the desert and mountains- it was stunning. The service was impeccable- the waitstaff fella a story from start to end and creates an unforgettable experience. We were very pleased with our evening, I would go back in a heartbeat. read more

We tried the 13 course tasting menu with extended wine selection. The service was wonderful and 100% spot on. The food however, was quite a let down. Some dishes really excelled in their taste and presentation, while many were just a puzzling question mark followed by a mediocre taste. A few memories include a shot of squeezed juice which is considered a course which is more suited as a canape. A salad which included a few leafs of lettuce with two small slivers of cheese. I appreciated the craftsmanship of the 30 year old cheese, but it in no way complimented the lettuce and left you wondering why it wasn't paired with something more suitable or to paraphrase, enjoyable. Out of the 13 courses, there were 3 or 4 that really shined.. the buffalo being one of these. When you average in the odd interior decor it's apparent that attention has not been paid to all the details.. and that's what a fine dining experience really should include. If you're aiming for multi-michelin star experience, detail detail detail. On another high note, the wine pairings were absolutely wonderful and the sommelier was both informative and wonderful in not only introducing each pairing, but being able to provide excellent alternatives when pairings didn't go quite well. The card which gave us a list of all the courses + pairings was a nice touch at the end. For Arizona this is a step up in experience and i'm happy to see restaurants of such caliber really offering alternatives to places such as Binkley's. It's worth trying, but for us there weren't many dishes we'd be craving on a return visit for. After reading other reviews, it may be an issue that Kai has invested a good amount of time in perfecting the smaller tasting menus and main entrees but struggled to fill the larger 13 plate experience. read more

I'm about to commit local review heresy and say something negative about Kai. Not about the food, which was some of the best I've ever had. The other glowing reviews don't exaggerate about how good the food is. Nor about the service, which was some of the most attentive I've ever had. Although...the servers were not experienced enough and a bit immature for a restaurant of this caliber. They meant well, but looked uncomfortable which made me uncomfortable. Kai needs to hear some constructive criticism about the design of their dining rooms and the decor. When you arrive you immediately are drawn to the gorgeous views the dining rooms have. The designer even brought attention to the views by installing floor to ceiling windows. Unfortunately, the dining rooms are not set up to satisfy diners' needs to see those views. There are only 4 tables out of maybe 20 that are by the windows. The rest of the tables are either along a windowless wall or literally in the middle of the room where the fortunate few in those 4 view tables block any chance you have of seeing the view. The tables in the middle of the room feel like you're in an airport, with all the attentive servers rushing by in a constant stream. Not very relaxing, and look out if you have to leave the table because you're at high risk of running into a waiter. Table placement really could use some addressing. The decor isn't fitting for a 5-star, 5-diamond restaurant. It's just not pleasing to the eye and way too casual; especially noticeable when the food presentation is so beautiful. The window treatments framing that gorgeous view look like ultrasuede and are made of three horizontal pieces of fabric in graduated shades of brown, reminiscent of bad Phoenix family room design of 1976. The other decor doesn't quite work. For example, there's what is undoubtedly an important piece of woven grass wall art that looks too plain in its surroundings. The design of the chairs encourages you to slouch down in them and makes it difficult to get close enough to the table to eat comfortably. Kai is a special place. I loved, loved, loved my experience there. Hats off to the chef. Kudos to the General Manager, but do try to get more experienced wait staff. Meh to the designer. read more

The food is beyond wonderful but the experience is what makes this restaurant so special. Learning about the rich history and culture behind the food is really what sets this place above others. read more

To me, giving a 5 star review means that a restaurant has reached the pinnacle of perfection, to which there is no doubt that Kai has attained. This has become one of our families favorite places to go. It is a true culinary experience. We have been here three times and each visit had it's own highlights to make the visit memorable. The ambience is impeccable; it isn't so much created by the decor but by the people serving you. From the moment you arrive you are called by your name and treated like you are part of the family. Every employee is attentive to make sure that you are comfortable and receiving the Kai experience. Once you are seated you are treated to an explanation of the restaurant and it's vision. They explain how everything from the menus (printed and placed in mesquite wood that was crafted from a member of the local tribe) to the food has been locally sourced. You won't run out of options in terms of what your tastebuds may be tingling for as the menu provides a myriad of different options to satisfy your cravings. Service is impeccable. Upon our first visit we were actually a little startled when each of us had an attendant. When your food is prepared they come out in one synchronous ballet to deliver your entrees at precisely the same moment. When you leave and get into your car, you are greeted with a thank you card from your server, bottles of Voss water and personalized chocolates from the restaurant. They really have thought of everything. If you want to experience the very best that Arizona has to offer look no further than Kai. read more

I can't believe I forgot to review Kai! We had our anniversary dinner here and it was lovely. I won't repeat what everyone said, food was delicious, service excellent. My only negatives don't affect my rating: First, we were sitting next to a group of elderly diners that were rather loud and discussing the surgeries of their friends. Not something we were interested in hearing while dining. I was glad they left before us. Second, while the plates were beautiful I'm not a huge fan of "deconstructed" food presentation. Expensive, but worth every penny. read more

I had dinner here with my wife last night for my birthday. I can best describe our dinning experience by using the best urban adjective I can think of...our experience at Kai was RE-DONK-U-LOUS! The whole dining experience was like watching a ballet. Every move our waiter (Daniel) and his assistant made was well choreographed, purposeful, and symbolic. Each menu cover has a watercolor painting that is designed by local Pima elder Mike Medicine Horse Zillioux (he is also the flute player you will hear in the back ground while you eat). In addition, each menu cover design comes with a story given by our waiter. The wine list was extensive and the sommelier was very knowledgeable on the list, but the sommelier self-admitted that the list needed some updating since some of the wines listed were not in stock. However, no ding here from us. As the sun was sitting, Daniel (our waiter), pulled back one layer of the curtains in our room, which gave an effect of the wonderful colors of a setting sun in the entire dining room. After the sun was half way down the Estrella Mountains did Daniel pull back the final layer of the curtains and we were in such awe... FOOD: THE BEGINNING (Appetizer) We started with the Lobster Degustation. This dish was made up of three lobster dishes. The first was a buttered braised lobster tail under an avocado mousse, tear drop salsa, & lobster coral. Second lobster dish was lobster knuckles in sweet corn panna cotta with sour radishes. Third, was a lobster cobbler with mesquite meal & burnt Irish porter cheese (this one was my personal best!) THE JOURNEY (Entree): Wife had the Red Deer Venison Loin with Sage Infused Gnocchi. The venison was prepared with a spiced sweet chile & fair trade coffee rub served under a broccoli rabe puree, shaved pecorino & currant jam. Wife describes it has tender and flavorful without any of the game taste that sometimes come with venison. I had the the Grilled Tenderloin of Buffalo from the Cheyenne River Tribe. This dish was prepared under smoked corn puree, cholla buds, Merquez Sausage (chorizo) and scarlet runner bean chili, and Saguaro blossom syrup. Again, no game taste and very tender. The buffalo was cooked so well that it was like cutting into some butter. WOW! THE AFTERLIFE (Dessert): We had the Creme Brulee Meets Old World which consisted three creme brulee dishes. The first dish was an Eclair inspired creme brulee, which was a mesquite meal choux & lavender custard. Second, was ice cream sandwich inspired. It was made from two pieces of ginger snap in between a Mexican vanilla bean ice cream creme brulee. The final dish was a meringue pie creme brulee that was a masa pastry tart & meyer lemon meringue. Great dessert! It was such a wonderful experience! Every detail of our dining experience was thought out carefully. From our forks and spoons being warm to the touch when our main courses came out and to them being chilled when we received our desserts. read more

My prediction: this restaurant will receive a Michelin star (or rising star), and soon. Compared to the two (one-starred) restaurants I have eaten at (in NYC and Napa Valley) I would say the cuisine is par and the service/experience is even better. I particularly appreciate the expanded take on indigenous cuisine in each course- from the amusee to the sorbet palate cleanser to the dessert. And the primary dishes off the menu do not disappoint. Table-side flambe' of fresh marshmallow and a drizzle of liquor before pouring the soup into the bowl? Gorgeous. A few "threads" of squid ink pasta under the shellfish? Well yes, thankyoumoreplease! I don't typically spend this much on a meal unless it is a very special occasion date with my husband. But I was determined to try Kai while traveling to Scottsdale. I (insert effort of bravery) made reservations to dine solo. Every aspect of the process- phone call, confirmation, free valet, escort, table-side service (friendly and attentive without one iota of snobbery!), and departure (chocolate truffles to go and a handwritten thank-you note from the lead waiter and a bottle of VOX waiting in my car!)- was the definition of "above and beyond." The prices are steep. And OH SO worth it. read more

Epic 3-hour long dinner featuring indigenous flavors prepared by a very experienced chef with gorgeous views. This wasn't even having the tasting menu. A splurge. Yes, worth it. Why? You really are invited to "experience" the food at Kai. The staff are very formally trained (which can seem theatrical), but really when you consider the atmosphere, which features local beautiful arts & crafts as well as probably the best sunset views in the area, the flavors and presentation of the food (practically perfect), the slightly stiff staff presentations can be forgiven. Plus, you can dress up! (but don't under-do it). Part of the fun going into this dinner was the fact that my husband and I hadn't read anything about the restaurant, knew absolutely nothing about anything, but decided to go because we were staying at the resort and were there for a special occasion anyway. They also had availability when we wanted to eat there and managed a reservation the night before for 5:45 PM (we were there until 8:30 PM). Boy, were we in for a surprise! We each ordered an item from the three courses: Birth, Beginning, and Journey. For a total of 6 dishes between the two of us we were well fed for the price of about two of the 5-course meals; but because we went a la carte, we had a little more control over the selection, had more to share between the two of us, and were able to pass on the dessert (really unnecessary). I can't get too detailed on each food item, because the menu is always changing. But I will say that the husband and I were pretty much blown away by every selection. The portions were large in terms of fancy restaurants; so shareable at every level (birth, beginning, and journey), but it was really fun to share between the two of us. The presentation of the food, particularly the items from Birth and Beginning, was gorgeous. The preparation of the food was just about perfect in terms of flavor complexity and techniques. I was worried that the Journey would be disappointing because everything else was just unstoppable, but the meats were cooked exactly to our specifications. If you're curious of the types of foods offered here, let me reiterate that the menu changes.. but some of the items included on our menu were foie gras, escargot, fry bread (so good), roasted vegetables, local cheeses, lobster, sheep, NY strip steak, Big Eye Tuna, Scallops, Duck, Tribal Buffalo, Elk Loin, Lamb; and techniques included molecular gastronomy, french... In addition, the amuse bouche and intermezzo were a complimentary inclusion to our a la carte selection. read more

Oh my.... this is my favorite restaurant in the world. I can't even put into words how good this experience was. I got two drinks, both out of this world. The first was the grapefruit martini which I'm not a huge grapefruit person and I loved it. The other one I got was the blue mountain. Then they brought us one to share that is their favorite and it was strong and good :) then I did the journey. Wow just wow. I can't explain how amazing of an experience this was. Not one ounce of regret in my mind even when getting the bill. They know what they are doing. They pay attention to everything. They know when you are remotely low on water. They escort you to the bathroom. We got to know each other Pretty well from doing the journey. It was bittersweet leaving st the end. Amazing experience please try if you ever have the opportunity!!!! You will not regret it!! read more

I went here awhile back after hoodwinking my dad into taking out the family there. He won't infrequently take us out for a fancy meal when we're all together but this place goes beyond our normal haunts. I found no faults with the food whatsoever. Everything tasted just wonderful, all proteins were expertly prepared, and the menu is also quite interesting. The heirloom tomato tart was divine, as was the duck trio which included foie gras with a sauternes reduction, confit of leg with coffee and the breast meat with lingonberry preserves. As great as the food was, giving this place even four stars is a stretch. And this is due to the non-food aspects of the place. Actually I feel a bit sorry for the chef and wish he had his own restaurant somewhere else to serve this sort of food. Kai is annoyingly pretentious, and extremely patronizing to Native American culture. They pretend like it's some sort of homage to the desert tribes but it's really the opposite. I wished the waiter would shut up after giving us all these greetings in the "native language" and talking about the artwork and such. They call their fry bread "fry bread from the teachings of the elders." Is that what the elders teach? How to destroy a culture, build a huge resort on their land and then create an exercise in Western exoticism a la early 20th century Europe? Did the "elders" eat foie gras? I wasn't impressed by the team of four waiters taking our plates away all at once. I asked our waiter for water and he forgot so we had to remind him again--or rather my dad did, in his usual surly way. Sometimes when one gets involved with elaborate service it's even easier to forget the most basic things. At the end of the day, though, I would go back again (if someone else is paying). The food is spectacular, and I can suffer a lot for great food. read more

Bar none, Kai is the best restaurant in Arizona, if not one of the best I have ever been. I've had the pleasure to dine here on three occasions, with the last somehow topping my first two unbelievable experiences. Though it will put a nice dent in your wallet, Kai is worth every penny. And then some. This past visit, I had the rare opportunity to try their 13 course dinner with wine pairings. Kai expertly fuses together Native American and French Cuisines. It is not something you'd expect to work together, but with every dish unveiled, the food ceases to amaze. You'll tend to see the Native American influence with the meats and the ambiance, while the French component can be seen in the flavors and the service. Even within the first few minutes of dining, Kai manages to impress. Somehow, the greeter welcomed me with, "Good evening Mr. Pachence". I'm not sure how they knew my name before I even said a word. Once I was seated, the staff laid out the napkins in unison and provided the menus. As I've learned from my previous experiences, each menu has a unique hand-painted piece of art. The last two times, the waiter described the artwork along with the underlying story. I was only slightly disappointed that this wasn't enacted this time around, but it only makes sense since my dining excursion was already allotted for about three hours. It's worth taking the time to call out the exquisite service. I had found out only a month before this past visit that Kai ranked #1 on OpenTable's 2012-2013 list of best service in the States. Had I not read that, I still would have put it at the top of the best service I've ever had from a restaurant. Their top-tier French service includes wait staff that fold your napkins when you leave for the bathroom. They reveal and take away the table's dishes all in unison. They absolutely cater to you, hand and foot. Everything is brought out at the perfect temperature, even the silverware! The forks are either chilled or heated, depending on the dish you receive. Take for example, my second experience. I was with a group of four. At one point, the staff forgot to bring out a wine pairing with one of the dishes. They were the ones to point out later that a mistake was made, which they made up for by bringing a complimentary appetizer, paired wine, and a free dessert for the table at the end. Now that is service! The meal itself was nothing less than a piece of art. The food was glittered with both style and substance. Out of the thirteen courses, it's pretty tough to choose the highlights, since everything was so very special. The miniature sous-vide vegetables (4th course), foie gras (5th course), escargot (9th course) and the buffalo tenderloin (11th course) stood out as the best. I've never been a fan of escargot, but the truffle crema and pork belly pieces made the dish so incredibly special that it may have permanently changed my mind on escargot. The buffalo was smokey and tender, with a sweet tinge that that came from the Saguaro blossom syrup. Across all of the dishes, mushrooms seemed to be the theme of the night with five of the courses highlighted by various types. What is really impressive is that non of the mushroom types were reused throughout the dishes. I left the meal a little overstuffed, but undoubtedly happy. How could I not, after leaving what I would consider as one of top ten meals ever. Kai is as good as it gets. [This review is based on my visit on March 21, 2013] COURSES: 1) Celery & Sauterne Gelee 2) Mesquite Charred Pumpkin and Squash Soup 3) Lettuces Hand Picked by Local Farmers & Children of Gila River Crossing School 4) Sous Vide Roots, Asparagus & Exotic Mushrooms in their Soil 5) Foie Gras in all its Splendor 6) Agave and Pomegranate Elixir 7) Potpourri of Butter Basted Lobster, Guaymas Shrimp & Diver Scallops 8) Celebration of Mushrooms 9) Escargot, Truffle, Wild Mushrooms & Caramel Goat Cheese 10) Chipotle Blueberry Sorbet 11) Grilled Tenderloin of Buffalo from the Cheyenne River Tribe 12) A Side by Side of Global Cheeses 13) The Essence of Fall read more

Over spiced, over seasoned and overpriced. Had gastric upset all night long.

This is my first yelp review. I did a lot of research and came up with the idea to go to Kai for my boyfriend's and my two year anniversary, based on all the excellent reviews. We love good food. We ended up at Kai recently, and I have to say, we were extremely let down. I was disappointed enough to write my first restaurant review! We found the atmosphere to be what you would expect at any mediocre hotel buffet. The food was definitely good, but we were not blown away. My boyfriend ordered the Journey with wine pairings, while I attempted to order the Short Story with wine pairings (I can't eat that many courses!). The waiter told us we couldn't do that, and he seemed annoyed with the request. After much discussion, he ended up just bringing me some of the courses off the Journey menu. The interaction with him always seemed awkward, and the experience was very uncomfortable. After dropping $600 on this meal (with wine, tip and tax), we were in awe. Yes, the food here is good. The wine pairings were well done. However, for that kind of money, I've had MUCH better experiences (food, service, and ambiance) at Binkley's, Quiessence, Atlas, and Noca. Wait, I've had better experiences at these restaurants for 1/3 to 1/2 the price. I honestly don't understand all the amazing reviews of this place. No one seemed to know our names. The one time our awkward waiter called me using a last name, it was my boyfriend's (we aren't married). No one else knew our names. We did not receive any kind of chocolates or thank-you card even though we stayed at the resort. I really wish I had loved Kai as much as all these other reviewers. I had really been looking forward to it. read more

Full review in the blog, simply not enough room to express my praises here: ...how do you begin to describe a meal at Kai - the only Forbes 5-Diamond restaurant in Arizona and perhaps the only "fine dining exploration of Native American Culture" in the world? Would it be easiest to discuss it as a "resort restaurant" where the meal is begun with an offering of citrus selections for the water and silverware is presented temperature appropriate? Would it make sense to talk about the culinary pedigree of head Chef Michael O'Dowd and his heavy reliance on refined French technique to display the beauty of rarely utilized locally farmed ingredients? Or perhaps I should start off in the manner that a meal at Kai begins - with a lengthy and informative story about the location, tribe, and inspirations of the meal that will follow. In reality I think any of the above would be appropriate, but in the end I think the best way to begin is in the mindset of a "destination" meal because from start to finish that is precisely what Kai is. The second course of my meal at Kai would prove to be the single best thing I ate during my visit to the desert - a plate where nearly everything screamed "heavy and overly complicated" but a dish where each element added something to the whole with the resultant product even greater than the sum of its parts. Entitled "Escargot, Truffles, Wild Mushrooms & Caramel Goat Cheese" this lovely presentation arrived with a piece of slightly sweetened Native "French Toast" at one end and a stew of Burgundy snails, Oregon truffles, and pork belly nuggets at the other. Teaming with notes of Meyer lemon and black garlic nage plus the sweet acidity of blis vinegar the dish was finally topped tableside with a slowly melting frozen Truffle Crema and dots of Tarragon Oil and Chive Oil that added an aromatic tinge both earthy and herbal that rose to the palate and sinuses melding all the flavors into a truly magnificent dish. Another highlight reel dish and served at the size of its full a la carte portion the "Prairie Squab & Spiced Cornmeal Dusted Sweetbreads" would be quite the generous offering. Beginning first with the scarlet squab featuring a flawless sear and the hockey-puck sized sweetbread, crispy on the outside and creamy within, both of the proteins on this plate would prove exemplary. Moving next to the accoutrements - beneath the squab a round of truffled Iberico Lomo Gratinee Potatoes plus Wilted Summer Chard Leaves and under the thymus a dollop of stone fruit & grape Chutney with Truffle Croutons -one sweet and one savory once again, and both complimentary to their respective proteins without being overwhelming. mMy final dessert would arrive in the hands of a back-server along with a warning of "be careful, this is very hot" and indeed it was, the Mexican Chocolate Souffle's ramekin radiating a palpable heat at easily a two foot distance. Large, tall, proper, and aromatic with notes of cocoa and "Kai's Sweetened Dry Mole Spices" the soufflé was subsequently punctured tableside with the addition of a thick and smoky Wattleseed Anglaise and without hesitation I can say that although non-traditional in texture the flavor was outstanding...a sweet meets savory brownie with notes of cinnamon, cumin, pepper, and clove punctuating the chocolate and melding with the Anglaise. Like the cheesecake this is the sort of dessert I imagined when I requested its addition to my menu and I'd encourage any and all to do the same. No stranger to fine dining whether stateside or in Paris I will simply state that although some may not appreciate "resort" restaurants or the somewhat longwinded ostentatiousness of Kai's presentations there is not a doubt in my mind that this is a restaurant deserving of its 5-star accolades and the sort of restaurant that would invariably garner at least two if not three Michelin Stars if the Red Guide ever came to town. A refined experience with an exquisitely talented chef preparing ingredients both common and unique in ways that are novel even to the experience diner Kai is not just a restaurant, but truly the exploration of native and local flavors that it sets out to be. read more

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Absolutely the best dining experience I've had. From the amazing staff and service to the delicious and beautiful food, I can see why it's the only 5-diamond rated restaurant in Arizona. Don't get me wrong, you pay for the experience, but I believe it's worth the price (this coming from a very frugal person who tries to find discounts wherever she can). My husband brought me here for my birthday and from the moment we sat down, we were treated wonderfully. We ordered the suckling pig torta as an appetizer (portions aren't huge, but extremely flavorful and definitely enough to satisfy). The appetizer was great, as a matter of fact...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. As entrees we ordered the lobster, scallop, and shrimp over squid ink pasta with gruyere cheese on top, and the buffalo tenderloin with mushrooms. Both were amazing. The lobster was no doubt the best dish I've ever had. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned and deliciously rich but not heavy. The buffalo was surprisingly not gamey and had a great fresh taste without being dry for such a lean cut of meat. We want to go back and try one of the tastings, but for 200 per person, we may need to wait for a bigger celebration to go. But I'm already plotting the next time I'll be back for another mind blowing experience. read more

OMG this place makes me cum in my panties....located in wild horse pass resort (which is an awesome resort as well!)....this place is awesome! best restaurant i've eaten in my enitre life! very very pricey but hell worth every penny! attentative staff, great food and very romantic place. you must eat here! read more

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This is a special occasion kind of place. Very upscale fare and service. Unique dishes. On the spendy side. A real treat.

We were well taken care of from the moment we arrived at the restaurant. I loved how each menu was painted by a local and unique. I enjoyed having a fresh slice of peach in my bottled water. They have small glasses the water is served in and each time your glass gets 1/2 full the waiter comes and fills it up. It seems they made a dozen trips just for water between my husband and I. Very amusing. The chef prepared vegetarian items for me that weren't even on the menu. So delicious!! I did have the tart as an appetizer and loved how the textures and flavors worked together. I could eat one everyday. The balsamic ice was great on it. The palate cleanser really stood out to my husband and I- strawberry chipotle sorbet. Sweet but burned your tounge. Mmm. We did not order dessert but were brought a frozen chocolate mouse cake and truffles anyway. Both were very good. When we returned to our room at the resort there was a box of chocolates waiting for us as well. Our total came to $210 for two people with one alcoholic beverage each. read more

Kai is truly a five star restaurant, and best in class in the valley for service. I have to first address that some of the posts stating the decor does not feel 5 star. I think with restaurants and the New American, Modern Cruise we expect the establishment to be hip and modern. I think Kai is understated, it complements the food and the mood of the hotel. The backdrop is a Native American resort in which Kai pulls their flavors. The table clothes although a pale peachy pink of the desert, look closer and there thick silk. I did not feel as though my table was to close to another diner. More than often now in the ultra cool mod restaurants you are on top of your neighbor on a long bench. Anyway, back to the food. My boyfriend and I - which are self proclaimed foodies, went all out with the Journey with Expanded Wine List. The way to go for the first timer. Amazing, I cannot say enough. My next visit I do plan to order directly from the menu. However, in anyway restaurant I am a firm believer in getting the tasting menu is generally getting the best All the dishes incorporate Native American cuisine, the grain, corn and tomato perfectly combined. What I did find interesting in the wine list, was a cheese course of two different cheeses accompanied by two different beers. Although not a beer drinker I appetite the cleverness. As you are rolling yourself back to your hotel room, trying to remember all those courses and flavors, you approach the hotel room door and there lies a Thank you note with all the memories on paper for you. read more

WOW! It is very hard to impress me but this restaurant went above and beyond. The service was flawless, decor Native American appropriate and food outstanding! We were staying at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass on business and I went to Yelp to see where we should eat. Lo and behold, Kai, a AAA Five Diamond, Forbes Five Star restaurant pops up and it's in our hotel. We arrive and the formalities start using our last names. While I usually find it annoying, here it wasn't. The waiter comes over who knows every item on the menu, many of which had ingredients for which we required more details. All three of us were laughing as the menu was so spectacular we wanted to order it all. All ingredients are locally sourced and most Native American unique. I would describe what I had but wouldn't do it justice. The cuisine is French that meets Native American. I ate a fish dish and the others had meat. If my wife was with me, who is a vegetarian, she would have loved it equally as well. Also nice is that they had a great craft cocktail menu, a great selection of scotch, and knew how to mix a Perfect Martini. Other unexpected surprises included small chef prepared dishes between meals, a free craft cocktail from the waiter, and when I returned to my room, a small linen "Koi" bag was hanging on my door with three mini muffins and homemade preserves, which were delicious. If you are looking for a restaurant and this is nearby, or even a bit of a drive, definitely enjoy it. It will be one of the better experiences of your life! Price: 3 people, appetizer and entree each, probably 3 top shelf drinks each, $300. $360 after tip. Well worth it. read more

5 Stars doesn't even do this place justice, but I suppose that's why it's a 5 DIAMOND restaurant! We came here for my bf's bday on Tues and we still haven't stopped talking about our meal! He said it was hands down the best meal he's had in his life...and I'm leaning towards agreeing. Started with the Caviar and Foie app...um, what's NOT to like? He had the Venison...BEST venison we have ever had...ever I had the Escargot with Truffles...so nice to see escargot not drowned in garlic butter...love that too, but so refreshing to see a different take. Shared a fab bottle of Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands Complimentary glasses of Veuve Cliquot and a berry plate (we don't do desserts) in honor of my bf's bday Service was so phenomenal...really taking the dining experience to the next level. Absolutely worth the drive out there and cannot wait to go back! Tip...the views of the mountains are gorgeous! We're normally not early eaters, but taking the early reservation was worth it to see the fiery skies and the sun sinking down into the mountains. read more

PERFECTION. Best restaurant in AZ hands down. It is over the top. From the moment you walk in, the service, the execution of the food, the wine pairings, the artistry of the menu, from the moment you leave - a handwritten thank you note, water, and chocolates in your car. Everything is on point. Pure artistry and close attention to every detail. Very, very expensive but worth it. The price point will probably keep me from becoming a regular but I very much look forward to returning again. read more

Short Story tasting menu was 5 stars. 6 courses scallop, soup, fish, and amazing buffalo. read more

KAI - Menu - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Had dinner here this week, just to give it a try having eaten in 5 star restaurants around the world. No special occasion. They were only serving the fixed price meal so a bit pricey. When we were seated around 6pm, the curtains in the room were all closed and the room didn't feel special. Once the sun wasn't so intense outside, all of the curtains were opened at once, for effect, and we were treated to a phenomenal sunset. The servers all encouraged their tables to go to the patio so they could take photos. Thoughtful. The menu choices for each of the 5 courses were quite limited. We wouldn't normally order so many courses or dessert so probably wouldn't do this again. The highlight of the meal was the Buffalo. So tender and tasty! There were plenty of people waiting on us. None of them seemed to be 5 star servers and with masks on, it was hard to understand them - especially when talking fast and describing in detail each dish as it arrived. read more

The best!!! We have gone for our anniversary, for birthdays. Yes, it is expensive but is worth it. We recommend it.

Wow! wow! Wow! I understand why you are a Triple A Five Diamond Reward and voted as Forbes Five Star Award restaurant...not only are you very crafty, creative and detailed with your culinary dishes but also your attention to art and how you integrated it with the atmosphere and whole dining experience. This place has all the feel of being..Native American? Well it is on a Indian Reserve....but it's like really fancy Native American decor...they have different paintings for each menu...and the waiter told us that it changes every time so even when you go back you'll see a different painting on the menu. The menu is also cleverly named too...instead of appetizer, small bites, and entree...they replaced it with "the birth", "the beginning" and "the journey" each corresponding to the amount of food each one serves. I'm giving it 4 stars for the atmosphere alone. =) My bf made reservations at this place for 5:45pm but we were stuck in traffic for a while and my bf gave them a call telling them we would be a little late..this place is located in a far off resort and spa of Wild Horse Pass..not that easy to find but it's really nice and quiet around this area in Chandler. When we arrived the hostess referred to us as Mr. and Mrs. Li....I was about to correct her but my bf thought it would be funny just to say yes..haha so the whole night they just referred to us as Mr. Li or Mrs. Li.. Oi one thing I notice throughout the whole night is that -- there are NO YOUNG people here....my bf and I were the youngest couple here....other people were at least 40 and above. This is a pricey restaurant.....but why no young people here on Friday night? I guess they rather spend $$$$ at clubs or something..hehe maybe not just saying. Well let's get on with the food review, shall we? They served us three selections of some pretty good breads and olive oil to start off with..then they gave us each a tablespoon of chef's special dumplings with toasted parsley and after that we got Guava sherbet with Pomegranate Reduction....DELISH! After all the little complimentary foods, we finally got to order... They do have a tasting menu but that's not what we tried this time...instead we started off with a Lobster, Pumpkin & Mesquite Grilled Squash Bisque...it was not only yummy but so cool! they bring out a plate with lobster, avocado and pepita seeds arranged below a swirl of meringue..then they set it on fire with a small torch to toast the meringue then putting off the fire by pouring in the bisque! haha that's was really cool. For entree, I had the juicy, tender and super flavorful Red Deer Venison Loin with Sage infused Gnocchi....usually not a fan of gnocchi but they made it really tasty! My bf had their most famous dish...Grilled Tenderloin of Tribal Buffalo...I really love the Sweet Corn Puree on this dish...the buffalo meat was also very tender and flavorful...both meats were pretty much melt in your mouth goodness. Then for dessert we had the interesting Creme Brulee Cones....there were three Saguaro Seed Cones filled with different flavors of brulee in each...sweet corn, sweet vanilla and winter squash pudding. Topped with strawberry cotton candy that was sprinkled with chili. Very interesting....but I was not very fond of the sweet corn one...the others were really good. The service was pretty good too, although what impressed me was at the end when my bf and I were walking out the hostess greeted us goodnight and said the waiter would like to further thank you for dining with us tonight...and handed us a card and little nicely wrapped bag of truffle and chocolate strawberry. I was like wow...that's really nice of them to actually write a thank you card! haha This place is definitely great for special occasions or when you feel like really splurging! but like I said we were the youngest couple this night...and I honestly don't think they see too many people in their 20's here..... Overall I had a wonderful evening at this restaurant and hope to come here again and try out their tasting menu =) read more

This was one of the most extraordinary dining experiences of my life. The service was impeccable, the food was exquisite, and the ambiance was incredible. We thoroughly appreciated the presentation and the little touches that made the evening unforgettable. This is a must for anyone traveling to the Phoenix area! read more

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I'm sure the food is wonderful, but unfortunately I never even got to taste it and never will. Two weeks in advance, I RESERVED the small private dining room (called their wine room) for 6 people at Kai. My company called to arrange the menu and was told I couldn't use the room even though I had made the reservation. No, not because someone else booked the room, but because their untrained staff booked the room for 6 people and the minimum is 7. ***note, I was still willing to pay the room minimum ($1,500) which was still more than 7 people would spend. She then left me a voicemail saying "we can 'note' your request for the wine room but we can't guarantee it without a contract." When my company notified me of the error, I called the manager myself. She informed me there was a party of 30 in the room next to me and she could not guarantee how quiet they would be (I did not request this from her.) She also informed me that we could not use any electronics or audio visual equipment in the room. I told her I only had an IPad to set on the table. She said I couldn't use it in my PRIVATE room. (Could we not use our phones either?) After a lengthy discussion, I told her I wasn't cancelling my reservation as the dinner was already scheduled with my guests and I would have to follow up with her. She called about an hour later, apologizing for the miscommunication, said she would honor my reservation for 6-7 people, put me in the private room and allow me to use my iPad. She also said she confirmed with my company. I told her they would be in touch to arrange the menu and contract. The day before my dinner she left me a message, "we did 'note' your request for the wine room and uh we also maintain our smart business casual dress code we don't allow hats T-shirts or shorts for both ladies and gentlemen including open toed shoes for the men and they did receive several phone calls as well as email with a contract to sign and unfortunately I'm not an authorized signer and the only person that can sign such paperwork is the general manager of the entire resort and uh he's been asked to do this one other time and he did not sign the contract so I apologize but thank you for your understanding. You do have a 'regular' reservation." -poor employee training -lack of customer service -inability to deliver what was agreed In the end, I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman- plenty of money to spend and the store refusing to help me. Should you choose to spend your money here, even if it's not a "private dining event" I hope you are treated with more respect than I was. However, if you want to be treated like a valued guest, go spend your money elsewhere. read more

When was the last time you saw a restaurant where every single reviewer agreed on the rating - and they were all 5 stars? If you are thinking about eating here, and wondering if it is really as good as everyone says, then stop wondering. The answer is "yes, it really IS that good." The experience starts at the bar where the selection of signature drinks is full of unique ingredients that you will not find anywhere else. Truffle martinis, ancho-chili infused house-made vodka, mesquite syrup, and a variety of other unique ingredients should start to tell you that you are in for a special experience. Service is impeccable, from the hostess stand to the bar to the restaurant. The experience builds as the servers share the story of the Maricopa and Pima Indians and the history that acts as the influence for the restaurant. The entire meal is like a well choreographed play, flawless in every respect. The food can be best described in one way - flavor combinations. The pairing of quince and foie gras or chorizo with cholla buds and corn puree simply "works". Each ingredient, although delicious is its own right, is heightened and enhanced by the others. I could go on and on about the details, but I really believe that you need to experience it for yourself. There is no point in spoiling the experience for a first time diner. Just know that the reputation is not hype - this place is for real. read more

I would definitely recommend Kai. Yes, it is expensive. But, the experience is so worth it! I had the Short Story, which is the 7-course meal. Amuse - I couldn't tell you what this was, but it was tasty. It had a piece of asparagus with nuts. Mesquite Ha:l Soup - The presentation is beautiful. The cotton candy gets melted right in front of you with the soup. Three Sisters - The scallop was cooked perfectly. Intermezzo - The sorbet was refreshing. Grilled Tenderloin of Tribal Buffalo - The tenderloin was fork tender. The smoked corn puree was delicious and the chorizo was on another level. Global Artisan Cheese - I had two cheeses. One was mild, can't remember the name and the other was a type of blue cheese. I enjoyed them with some honey and crackers. Dessert - The dessert was sorbet and too pretty to eat. Of course, I ate it all. This was the best culinary experience of my life. Everything was perfect! I felt like I was a judge on Iron Chef America. The presentation was beautiful. Yes, the food is different, because it's not a steakhouse. So, you have to be open to eating locally farmed ingredients and Native American inspired dishes. The menu is showcased on a piece of Mesquite with a watercolor painting from a local Native American artist. The view of the sunset was breathtaking. The service was excellent. They push in your chair and place the napkin on your lap. We never had to wait for a refill. The service explains every course to you. Jackson was our server and he was great! He even walked me out of the restaurant to show me the restroom. At the end of our meal, they gave us four chocolate truffles. And, a handwritten "thank you" card from Jackson. If you are tired of going to steakhouses and feel adventurous, this is definitely the place. read more

Kai is certainly a food adventure and most certainly a service masterpiece. We have eaten here a few times including a small private party in their wine room. Each time they impress and never leave me feeling like I got rolled. By far the most wonderful Foie Gras I've ever eaten has been here and I also had a Buffalo Tartare that knocked my socks off. Their duck is sublime and I really love how they tie in native ingredients and menu items. T he attention to detail in Kai is absolutely mind blowing including chilling or heating your silverware based on the temp of your next dish. They table crumb and even have a person paying attention to how the sunset gazes upon the inside of the restaurant so they can ensure you never have sun in your eyes... all the while making sure they do not obstruct your view of the beautiful desert in full view. If you book a private room I can assure you that you will feel like a champ. We had eight people and each dish was placed down simultaneously by eight waiters. Everything is impeccable from the minute you arrive to the minute you hop back on the road. One of those wonderful examples of being worth every penny if you are a foodie or appreciate fine dining service. read more

I do not claim to have the worlds most sophisticated palate. However, I am old enough to know exceptional food and recognize a dining experience second to none. I had the good fortune of being hosted for a family reunion at Kai. It was unforgettable. I won't go into all of the different items, flavors and details because I don't have the writing skills to do it justice. Trust me, that if you want a dining experience of a lifetime, call way ahead, make a reservation and go to Kai. Go with your favorite people and enjoy the evening. read more