The evening began with a sense of quiet anticipation as I entered the marble-clad lobby of the JW…read moreMarriott Desert Ridge. Sunlight from the last traces of day caught the polished stone, and I followed its glow toward the sweeping Cinderella staircase. Descending each step felt like moving from grandeur into a secret world, until Kembara revealed itself--a serene, Asian-inspired enclave tucked beneath the resort. The transition from the bustling lobby to Kembara's intimate calm was immediate. At the host stand, the front desk team met us with warm smiles and easy conversation, their inviting manner making us feel less like visitors and more like guests arriving for a special occasion. The simple act of being welcomed so wholeheartedly set the stage for the evening. We were led to our table, where soft lighting cast a golden hue over the space. Almost at once, our server arrived, offering delicately scented towels to cleanse our hands. The subtle fragrance was a small but notable detail, signaling attention to the senses beyond taste. Our journey began with the Joy Luck cocktail. Presented in a low glass over a single, glistening ice cube, the drink was creamy with coconut milk, its aroma warm and tropical. The first sip was smooth, a gentle balance of spirit and sweetness that invited a slow, meditative start to the meal. Next came the sweet and spicy shrimp tempura. The dish arrived sizzling and fragrant, the crispy batter still whispering with heat. Each bite brought a satisfying crunch, quickly followed by a wave of sweet heat reminiscent of bang bang shrimp--but here, elevated, more refined, with a depth of flavor that lingered. For our mains, we ventured to the heartier side of the menu. The grilled New York strip arrived first, its charred edges releasing a smoky perfume, perfectly accompanied by tender baby bok choy with a subtle bitterness that balanced the steak's richness. Beside it, the pork belly noodles promised comfort and delivered with generosity--the noodles tangled with hearty, tender pork belly that surprised with its substance yet satisfied completely. As the evening drew to a close, dessert appeared like a whimsical encore: coffee donuts. The light-as-cloud beignets were tossed in flavored sugar, releasing a soft, sweet scent that mingled with the bold aroma of the Vietnamese coffee dip. The first bite cracked gently, then melted, the warm dough and coffee indulgence a perfect final note. Our server Colter was an excellent conductor on our delicious ride. His suggestions were both thoughtful and helpful.

We had such a wonderful experience. The food was excellent, and the entire staff was incredibly…read morepolite, welcoming, and accommodating. We had a last-minute change of plans after our previous dinner reservation elsewhere didn't work out, and we were trying to find somewhere to celebrate our son's birthday on a busy Saturday evening. Despite being in the middle of the dinner rush, they graciously accommodated us, and we truly appreciated it. Our server was informative, attentive, and incredibly fast, which made the evening even more enjoyable. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great, and the hospitality was outstanding. They helped turn what could have been a stressful situation into a really special birthday celebration. We're very grateful and would definitely recommend this restaurant. We look forward to coming back!

I went on a slower Friday evening and let me tell you it was more than worth it. Our server…read morepractically treated us like royalty. He was fun to talk to and gave some great recommendations for food. The food itself matches the quality and taste that you would expect at the price point. Every bite felt intentional and well constructed and was nothing short of fantastic. The restaurant has beautiful and classy indoor and outdoor seating with some dim lighting. They even had live music playing in the lounge which was a great place to enjoy a drink after the meal. If you want a perfect dining experience this is the place to come to.

This review is specifically for dinner room service from the restaurant…read more We were really disappointed with our experience. My husband and I both agreed that this was one of the worst meals we've had in a long time, especially considering the quality we expected. The Caesar salad was so heavily seasoned with anchovy that every bite tasted overwhelmingly fishy. The chicken was extremely overcooked and dry, and the pasta was so soupy that we weren't sure if that was intentional. Even our son wouldn't eat the kids' pizza. It was soggy and had a very unusual taste. Unfortunately, dessert didn't redeem the meal either, it had a texture and flavor that reminded us of a bad chocolate jello. Overall, nearly every dish missed the mark, which was especially disappointing given how much we expected from this restaurant. We wanted to share our experience because the quality simply wasn't what we anticipated.

Hey Scottsdale and Phoenix, you are missing out on the best experience of one of the newest amazing…read moreplaces with authentic Mediterranean food!!!!! They make homemade pitas and tzatziki sauce! I have yet to experience that at any establishment in the Metro area!!!! Definitely worth the travel and experience! Hats off the food is awesome. Of course my favorite is the Gyro - yum yum!!!!!!

Food is bomb, but the employee Kyle... my boy is a dawg. Going to be a great salesman someday. Knew…read morethe menu inside and out and explained everything to a T. Everyone was all smiles and great customer service. Portions are huge. Great spot. Great ambiance.

If you're looking for organic, delicious Mediterranean food in an exquisitely decorated restaurant…read morewith a gorgeous patio, beautiful trees, unique sculptures, artistic touches, and warm, colorful lighting, this is your place! The aromatic incense sets the mood, creating an atmosphere that engages all your senses. The chef/owner Dean Waziry speaks with such passion about enjoying life and letting go of toxic people, adding a personal and inspiring touch to the experience. They even have a strikingly beautiful and talented belly dancer that keeps the energy high and the vibe alive throughout the evening! The food was just as impressive as the ambiance. They absolutely nailed the entire experience, from the creamy risotto with ribeye, scallops, shrimp, and elk to the refreshingly light baklava dessert topped with cream, granola, and fresh strawberries. Every detail felt thoughtfully curated. This is the perfect spot for a romantic date night, a special occasion, or an unforgettable evening with your favorite people. I was fortunate enough to discover this gem through a Yelp Elite event, but it has quickly became my new favorite for so many reasons! If you appreciate incredible food, beautiful surroundings, vibrant energy, and a dining experience that delights all your senses, do yourself a favor and check this place out. It's truly an experience, not just a meal!

An unexpected flight delay led me to an amazing dining experience!…read more My flight back to Los Angeles from Phoenix was delayed, and I had about 45 minutes to spare. I wanted something nourishing and flavorful, not the usual run-of-the-mill fast food. I did a quick Google search, came across Urban Fraîche, saw all the positive reviews, and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did! When I arrived, there was a private Yelp event taking place. The young lady greeting guests outside was very pleasant and directed me to the front entrance. That's where I met one of the owner's sons, who turned out to be an amazing conversationalist. His customer service was top-notch, and what really blew me away was finding out that he was only 13 years old! His confidence, communication skills, attentiveness, and professionalism were above and beyond what I've seen from someone his age in a professional environment. My goodness, what a talent! After I explained my situation and the limited time I had, his brother overheard our conversation and offered to help me figure out a quick meal. I told them I'd leave it up to them to suggest something that would be quick, nourishing, and flavorful. They recommended the chicken kebabs, and that was exactly what I needed. I had the chicken kebabs with broccolini and purple cabbage, and when I tell you that meal was amazing! The flavors, the presentation, the quality of the food, everything was on point. Honestly, it was heavenly! I initially planned to take my food to go, but I decided to sit down and really enjoy the meal. I'm glad I did, because the hospitality just kept getting better. I was also having trouble getting my phone to charge in my rental car, and my young host went above and beyond by offering me a charger while I ate. That kind of thoughtfulness really says a lot about a person. I also saw the owner's wife giving some of the Yelp guests a tour and sharing stories about the family's journey. It was beautiful to see the family working together, interacting with guests, and taking pride in what they've built. I have to say, the entire family was amazing. I came in as a traveler trying to find a decent meal before heading back to the airport, and I received so much more than that. The food was incredible, but the way they took care of me was what really made the experience special. I honestly don't know that I've ever had a restaurant experience quite like that, where the hospitality was so genuine and unexpected, just completely off the cuff. I was blown away! And to see that level of customer service and professionalism from their 13-year-old son was something special in itself. You can tell there's something beautiful happening within this family, and it shows in the way they treat people. Kudos to the entire family and staff! Amazing people, amazing hospitality, and top-notch cuisine. What started as an inconvenient flight delay turned into one of the highlights of my trip. I'll absolutely be back, and next time I'm bringing my family so they can experience it for themselves. If you're in Phoenix, do yourself a favor and check out Urban Fraîche. The food alone is worth the visit, but the people will make you want to come back. Thank you all for such an amazing experience. Keep doing what you're doing!

A true gem in the Valley. I visited the Persian Room for the first time with visiting family, and…read morewe were amazed. Firstly, the interior is GRAND - in size and extravagance. Every detail you notice is extravagant and purposeful. Visiting on a Saturday for lunch, there were plenty of other families eating together too. I noticed the crowd was mostly older, which lets you know this restaurant is a true staple in the community (I find that usually the old people know what's up). As all 4 of us weren't super hungry, we split the Persian Room Special- Combination of barg (Filet mignon), chicken filet and Koobideh kebab, served with basmati rice and grilled tomato. It was a huge portion of food, served on a large silver platter. The menu states that it serves 2, but it perfectly filled us 4 adults! Granted, we weren't super hungry to begin with, but 2 is definitely an underestimate. I'd say it can easily satisfy 3 hungry adults. Anyway, quantity aside, THE FOOD WAS AMAZING! Everything was so flavorful and paired well together. The meat was also juicy. My favorite was the koobideh kebab for sure. There isn't much more I can say, as the food speaks for itself. The Persian Room is definitely something you need to try for yourself. Weeks later, I'm still craving it and will definitely be back!

It's a lovely place and our server was one of my favorites that I've ever had. That being said, the…read morefood was so off that even my coworker, who is a regular, couldn't finish it. Her lamb shank was so fatty, there was barely any meat. The sauce it comes it wasn't hot - it was sort of warm, and she said the flavor wasn't there. My rack of lamb was ok, cooked to rare just how I wanted it, but it too, had a lot of sinew for little meat lollipops. My rice was also room temp, which could be fine, but seemed a bit odd to me. Thankfully this was a business meal, but we would have been both extremely disappointed had it come from our own pockets. Given all the five star reviews, I want to think this was a really off night. Wouldn't be my first choice next time, but I could go back and give it another shot.

Woah. This little gem stood out. I'm so happy we live just a couple miles from this place!…read more We used to live in the Midwest and had a place called Naf Naf grill (and then they sold to private equity and went downhill...same ol' narrative). This place reminded me of Naf Naf in their prime! Fully halal and lots of options for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. Not super cheap but the food will speak for itself. My favorite part was the two workers at the counter were asking us if we had been there before and we said no... then they went OFF on what we HAD to try. They raved about how it's the best food around. When we mentioned what we were wavering on, they told us definitively what was best and well... their suggestions didn't disappoint! Fries were almost $8 but enough for 4 people easily. Hummus was the same and yep, good to share for a table of 4. We got the falafel pita and chicken pita (the one under the shawarma on the menu--they insisted we have this!). I love enthusiastic workers who believe in their food! It was all perfect. Not spicy so maybe next time I'll ask for spicy sauce with mine but loads of flavor and their tahini sauce was 10/10. Can't wait to return but next time, with the whole family. Spacious inside with lots of drink options (juices and teas). Nugget ice machine. They only carry bottled soda. So much yum

Yes!!! 5 stars and beyond!!…read more I am so happy for the owner Marwan and the entire. Few for a second opening. Congrats on the growth. Now down to the review. As you can expect the raving reviews of the first location, the second one deserves just as much and more!!! We showed up late last night and as a regular customer of the first location I was welcomed with open arms, a hug, smiles, and what an amazing buildout of the new space. And a little items for the grocery side that means I don't need to go to Tempe for a few items I can pick them up a few miles away. The look and open feel of the new space is awesome. It's larger, good for groups, and an awesome outside space as well. They have a few new drink items I've never heard of and it's on tap! Forget the soda, they have organic juices and drinks that don't taste like it's from a lab. Amazing choice of drinks! We got the chicken Tawook and Gyro sandwich. I can tell you that I've never had the Gyro sandwich specially, but it was awesome. One of, if not the best gyros sandwich's I've had. My wife had the chicken tawook and seriously, the chicken is so tender, juicy, not dried out. I asked my wife, how she liked it and she absolutely loved it and was her favorite chicken sandwich so far. Win for me LOL. The fries were seasoned perfect, crispy and delicious. If you like middle eastern food, Mediterranean food this is the only spot you need to visit! I loved every part of the experience. It was great to have a consistent experience with both locations (we all know how it goes when expansions happen). Phenomenal!!!

We went to PEACOCK last night with family and friends and it turned out to be such a fun evening…read more We'd invited dance master SHEKHAR along too, which added a nice festive touch. Food wise, everything hit the mark. The Angara Chicken was smoky and full of flavor, Paneer Tikka Achari had a nice tangy kick, and the Lamb Chops were so tender they were probably the highlight of the table. Our server RITHU was great through the meal, polite and quick with suggestions when i couldn't decide on something. I tried to order the Apricot Delight at the end but the kitchen had already shut. She still checked for me and managed to get it anyway, which was a really nice gesture and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall, great food, great service, and a lovely atmosphere. Will definitely be back to Peacock!

I've been ordering takeout from Peacock pretty regularly over the last few months, and at this…read morepoint, their Dal Makhni has officially become my comfort food. Pair it with their garlic naan a couple of gulab jamuns for dessert and I am in heaven. We've also tried the Chicken 65, which leans more toward a chatpata chicken but it's delicious and a great bar snack/app. I'd definitely recommend ordering it during happy hour. The wine selection is just okay, and while the Butter Chicken and Tandoori Chicken were decent, they weren't particularly memorable. The ambiance is a little dark and feels slightly dated, but since I mostly order takeout, it doesn't bother me much. Overall, if you order one thing from Peacock, make it the Dal Makhni. Trust me you won't regret it.

Greektown is a restaurant which has been around for years. I don't know why it took me so long to…read moreget there, but I'm glad I finally did! The facility is an older building, but has had some recent upgrades made to it. The interior has classic restaurant decor complete with white tablecloths and candles. Greek decor is abundant. Service was fast and friendly. This is a family restaurant and my server was a third generation member of that family. He was very friendly! I ordered the moussaka platter which came with rice and veggies. All meals come with pita, bread, soup and Greek salad. All were delicious, so much so that I can't tell you which dish I liked the best. I regret not getting to Greektown sooner. My most recent visit won't be the last!

Greektown is an experience you've truly got to see for yourself. The surrounding neighborhood is…read moreunassuming, but once you enter Greektown, you enter a new world of candlelit ambiance, Greek history, and a remarkable service team. George does a great job working the room and providing welcoming entertainment. Celebrating a special occasion? Don't be surprised if you hear the smashing of plates followed by a loud "OPA!" The owner George and his family have been in the restaurant business for decades and they truly have a passion for sharing authentic Greek dishes and cocktails. One of his sons served me and my wife. I inquired about their bourbons on the shelf and received an impromptu tasting of a few whiskeys and given a list of personal recommendations. They include menu mainstays like the mousaka as well routine specials like the souvlaki. The food is wonderful, based on fresh Mediterranean staples like lamb, feta, grape leaves and olive oil. But the service truly steals the show, time and time again!