Arizona has an under-seasoning epidemic but Vecina has comfortably beaten the allegations. Flavors…read morewere all on point and as expected from the components on the menu, which doesn't happen often in Phoenix. The Papas Verde had an addicting tang from the tomatillo salsa but were brilliantly balanced out by the chorizo and asadero cheese. The shaved brussel salad could have used a little more date and chile to balance out the vinegar but I was pleased either way. The elote was probably the only thing that fell short execution-wise as I didn't get much of the chorizo flavor, but the cook on the corn itself was perfect. The Gambas al Ajillo are absolutely a must-get. Juicy, sweet shrimp with an unexpected kick from the butter sauce and unsurprisingly great bread from Noble. The Tlayuda was a little heavy on the lettuce, but the smoked pork and bean puree combo were so flavorful that it helped balance out the richness with texture and freshness. I also loved the crispy contrast from the fried tortilla. We ended with the Concha and Mango Sticky Rice ice cream which sounded pretty simple but was quite impressive in its own right. The ice cream was a touch too frozen, but it ended up working out well with the crunchy cornflake coating and lightly warmed, pillowy concha to make a really satisfying ending to our meal. Service was excellent and the patio was well-lit and had heaters ready for colder weather. Vecina is on the pricier side for sure, but you will not be disappointed.

As my friend said, the white bean puree here is a non-negotiable. It was my FAVORITE menu item…read more Only complaint was...give me another flour tortilla - ha. We ordered a bottle of wine and went to town on: White Bean Puree * Crispy Short Rib | Herb Salad | Flour Tortilla: Karaage * Aji Amarillo | Citrus Gastrique | Togarashi | Lime Elote * Chorizo Butter | Lime Creme Fraiche | Toasted Chiles Romaine * Buttermilk Dressing | Mexican Sriracha | Parmesan | Noble Bread Breadcrumbs Gambas al Ajillo * Wild Shrimp Co. Mexican Shrimp | Paprika Garlic Butter | Serrano Cruda | Garlic Noble Bread - this was the only dish that was not my favorite. SUPER flavorful but I wanted a more.. 'traditional' tapas Gambas al Ajillo flavor aka less paprika please. Saudero tacos (a brisket confit suadero tacos with a chile jam, aguacate, serrano cruda, toasted sesame, fresnos and micro cilantro) We sat on the patio for a wonderful AZ spring evening. The service was great. I also enjoyed their extensive tequila and mezcal menu. The only downside is the parking -- it's pretty small and shared with Lou Malnati's next door!

Came here last night and I think I found my new favorite restaurant! The vibes were high and the…read morefood completely blew my husband and I away. We each got a drink. Mine was nonalcoholic and my husband got an old-fashioned. Both were so tasteful and worth the price. Our favorite dish was the steak frites and our appetizer, the Brie dish was so incredibly good! Can't wait to come back!

If you heard the name Society Swan and you thought of Truman Capote, you're on to something. This…read moreFrench restaurant and bar is inspired by the famous author's interactions with high society (it's even a TV show). If you haven't read any books by Capote, check out Crime and Punishment. It's an all-time classic and one of my favorite books. I digress. I stopped by Society Swan for a nightcap after having dinner at Teleferica Barcelona. I parked in the complimentary lot at the mall. Ambiance (5/5): This is part of where Society Swan shines. It's a beautiful restaurant. With speakeasy vibes (although it's not a speakeasy). The bar area is essentially in its own room which is where I sat. If you're dining in, there's a spacious dining area (along with a mini bar). Think deep wood and sophistication. Service (4/5): While they weren't too busy, service was solid. I was greeted promptly and presented with a menu. The bartender checked back in after a reasonable time to take my order. I had to grab his attention to close out. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so only a cocktail for me on this visit. With that being said, I love French food so I'd definitely love to return to check out the fare. I'm generally a fan of Fox Restaurant Concepts and their flock of restaurants (did you see what I did there?!), so I imagine the food is quite good. Drinks (4/5): Society Swan has an interesting cocktail list, with a good portion of it being martinis. The speakeasy vibes hit here too as you see creativity and sophistication with the cocktails. They're a bit pricey, but overall, my cocktail was good. It's tough for me to say no to drinks with Japanese elements like yuzu. Society Swan is located in the same vicinity as Teleferica Barcelona, Catch, and Din Tai Fung. Quite the corner of restaurants! Looking forward to trying the food next time around.

Came to celebrate my birthday and I loved it!…read more Got the tropical mocktail and it was not that great. We got the Brie for appetizer and it was good. For the meal I got the filet and omg! So good! It had a little kick to it but I love the wood fire taste to it. Also I love the open kitchen concept! The ambiance is a vibe! Also was able to get a complementary burger cake. It was good. It was ice cream. The server was nice.

Our final verdict after dining at Filthy Animal steakhouse in Tempe, Arizona, on a Sunday night…read moreafter seeing The Odyssey at Harkins nearby: High Aura. We called about half hour before and made a reservation by phone. I was disappointed that my first order choice of the Seabass was unavailable and my second choice of lamb chops was also unavailable. Not sure if this is because it was a Sunday night and/or we made the reservation immediately before showing up. They were also out of the Melted Cast-Iron Brie Small Plate that we were excited about ordering for the table. We loved this restaurant because of the dark and jungle-themed interior. We were excited to see the bold taxidermy featuring the large cats combined with the ornate, gold- framed dapper animal art hanging on the walls. Another reason to love this spot: hidden inside is an entrance to a secret cocktail lounge, or speakeasy, called "Drop Dead Gorgeous." We also appreciated the entire restaurant centering around a glowing, raw wood-fire cooking pit. We could hear and watch our entrées being prepared. What we didn't love so much: the items that we would've liked to have ordered were unavailable. The price to portion ratio in the small bites could also be improved a bit. Great service from our waitress throughout the evening. We ordered: - Fire Roasted Bone Marrow for the table (3/5) - sourdough toast, jalapeño marmalade with demi. I was so excited to try bone marrow for the first time. It was interesting. Sort of like a mix between butter and fat from a steak. It tasted really good with the spicy jalapeño jelly and bread provided. I expected us to be warm and it came out cold. Still not sure if I like it or not. Maybe I'll give it a second try - White Oak Grilled Chicken Skewers (4/5) - served with shiso leaves, kimchi, shishito peppers. kosho aioli, lemon aioli, ssamjung for the table - Very yummy. We enjoyed these. We had actually changed our mind right after initially putting in the milk bread order for the table and they brought out the milk bread so quickly that our waitress said she would give this to us on the house. - Milk Bread for the table (4/5) - miso tomato butter, almond & Kalamata. Even though we changed our mind and got this sent to our table accidentally, I would order this again. It was very delicious and it comes out as an adorable little tomato shaped and colored milk bread with the toppings looking like the stem on top. So tasty and everybody loved it. A little small for our party of five. - Lemongrass Half Chicken (5/5) - Caramelized carrots, kyoto roasted garlic, mashed potatoes & jalapeno jam. Hubs loved this. He said everything was delicious and went well together. - Bomba Rice x2 (5/5) - Risotto, shrimp, linguica, chicken, piquillo peppers, green peas, kosher aioli & Parmesan. My son and his girlfriend both ordered this and said it was very good. - Shishito Caesar Salad add Chicken Skewers (5/5) - bonito, charred shishito peppers, ricotta salata, tapioca chicharron & togarashi. My daughter ordered this and said it was very good. - Spicy Peanut & Tomato Salad add Chicken Skewers (5/5) - peanut dressing, heirloom tomato, baby gem, daikon radish, onion, mala chile, whipped queso de cabra & sour nut. YUMMMM What a creative and unique salad! So glad I tried it. It has unique flavors that work well with each other and a crunch. There's also some heat that goes along with the salad. I was able to withstand it. My son would probably say it's not spicy at all. I'll be craving this salad for months to come. - Dad or Daddy Specialty Cocktail - bright, buzzed & stoned vodka, apricot liqueur, Riesling cordial, ginger, lime, topped with Red Bull Peach Edition (White Peach) - Fruity Mocktail - I asked the waitress if they had any mocktails and she asked me what I liked and gave me examples. Based on what I told her she brought me out a delicious fruity mocktail topped with fresh mint. Parking along the street at metered parking or in parking garage nearby. A few streets away from Tempe Town Lake.

Another absolutely amazing food experience from Chef Nobuo Fukuda who already gifted us with great…read moredishes made with Sonoran produce at SeeSaw back in the 90's, and Teeter House downtown. The retro-vibed atmosphere of the Papago Motor Inn complements the laid back pace of your meal. This is not a sushi spot or an Izakaya. Hai Noon is a chef presenting southwestern ingredients in a most respectful, flavorful and innovative manner. I was lucky enough to return 3 times in the past month. To my surprise, ingredients and sauces did not repeat themselves, and dishes were completely distinct in flavor and presentation. This is definitely my favorite food experience of the past few years...anywhere. All of our visits were handled by our waiter/guide "Arizona", who described dishes, and when asked what his favorites were (and unlike many other places that say everything is good when it isn't), he informed us we would love everything, but he could help us with the order we ate them, and suggest a sampling if we were just picking out a half dozen dishes. He was right. Everything was captivating, surprising and...absolutely delicious. Do not miss the specials...there will be 4 or 5 on a small piece of paper, and a couple of "special" drinks. These are seasonal items the chef wants to add because of the timing and presentation. They exemplify the category...they are indeed, SPECIAL. The second visit established a pattern. Have Arizona order, until you are full. He checked in with us along the way, and made a few modifications based on our hunger level, and allowing for certain dishes to be repeated. A few things really stood out because I hadn't tasted anything quite like those dishes. Other dishes ie: variations on classic aguachile, were just better than anything I've had elsewhere. Salmon and Whitefish carpaccios were both stellar, with really good hot sesame oil adding to the dish's garlic, ginger and Yuzu base. And, when you are done with the last bite of fish, they bring out rich, grilled slices of bread to mop up that sauce. We last started with Sashimi featuring Sea Bream, that had fatty belly, and less fatty but oh-so-flavorful filet slices, and an accompanying broth. Big Eye Tuna was served on a flavorful beet puree with sweet dark cherry wine notes. Since we didn't read the menu's notes before, a quick check showed that Nobuo does create a Pinot Noir reduction that invites wiping the plate clean. The first time, the Tuna and all traces of the puree were finished by the time Arizona walked out to describe the dish for us. That's why I re-ordered it each time we visited. Soup spoons present a sashimi/ceviche/aguachile experience that is delicate, nuanced, complex and downright spectacular in your mouth. Whether it showcased an oyster, hamachi or kampachi, each spoon was an amazing taste experience with complementing flavors and textures that were completely unexpected. Softshell Crab with cold noodles was the most succulent Softshell crab I have ever enjoyed, warm, beautifully moist and flavor popping within its crispy exterior, set off by the chilled vinegar and broth accented noodles. Brussel Sprouts with a honey mustard and wasabi glaze disappeared immediately. As it turns out, wasabi is the missing ingredient in many Brussel Sprout dishes! The Yams with goat cheese and Fresno chiles reminded me of the amazing fire-grilled gourds and yam dishes I have had at Bacanora...just unique and different. Two Wash chicken was beautifully caramelized finger food that I could also have made a meal out of. We thought it was amazing, and then the chef came out and told us how inspired he was when he first met the chicken farmers and cooked with their chicken, and if possible, the chicken became even more memorable for the story and connection. Curry marinated lamb was rich, and savory, and was another dish I could make a meal out of. The Pork Belly and Mushroom rice was likewise delicious, and full or deep umami richness and delectable meat and mushroom morsels. The Mushrooms en papillote (mushrooms served in paper), had absorbed what tasted like a delicious Veal Stock, were tastily caramelized, and then steamed in the paper container. They were so good we had to have another...and we weren't skimping on food. Beverages (Alcoholic and non) get the same attention. The cocktail list sounds absolutely crazy, with improbable ingredients. But all of the ones we sampled work, and they are wonderful (sharing amongst our table, we have now tried over half of the cocktails...and so far, they are damn great drinks). The beer selection is small and ideal for the food, as are the well-chosen cold sakes that span all budgets. It is better with a small group of people so you can really explore the breadth of fabulous offerings, but I think it's also an amazing spot to share food on a date!

Some restaurants announce themselves with neon lights and a line out the door. Others seem almost…read moredetermined to keep you away. Hai Noon falls firmly into the second category. I booked a solo seat at the bar just two hours before dinner, which, in hindsight, should have been my first clue. The night before, my plans at Chilte had evaporated after I arrived to discover the owner was hosting a baby shower and the ceilings were being painted instead of dinner being served. I wasn't eager to go 0-for-2 on my Scottsdale food pilgrimage. Pulling into what looked more like an aging roadside motor lodge than the home of a James Beard-recognized restaurant, I wondered if Google Maps had developed a sense of humor. I parked around back, followed the sign to the dining room, and found... a locked door. Naturally. For a brief moment I thought the Arizona restaurant gods were playing another practical joke. Then I spotted another entrance simply marked "Bar." Inside, Hai Noon revealed itself as a tiny oasis. Phoenix met Tokyo somewhere in a dimly lit room with clean lines, warm wood, and mellow music humming through the speakers. Three other guests occupied the restaurant--a couple finishing dinner and what appeared to be a delightfully intimate two-person baby shower. I took my place at the bar. The server welcomed me warmly. When I admitted I was in town for work and wanted to experience the restaurant rather than order safely, he smiled and took control. A few menu staples were unavailable but he confidently selected four dishes. The grapefruit avocado hamachi spoons arrived first and immediately justified the trip. Rich, buttery fish balanced against bright citrus acidity with avocado quietly stitching everything together. It's the kind of bite that reminds you why chefs obsess over simplicity done well. The white fish carpaccio followed with a little theater. Hot sesame oil was poured tableside, barely kissing the fish into submission. Fun presentation. Beautiful execution. Though once the spectacle faded, the dish itself never quite reached the same emotional high as the hamachi. The garlic butter mushrooms arrived... in a plastic bag. It shouldn't have worked. It absolutely did. Deeply savory, unapologetically rich, and refreshingly unconcerned with appearances. The house chicken, unfortunately, couldn't keep pace. Twice fried and topped with egg salad alongside a chili vinegar, it sounded far more exciting than it tasted. Sometimes clever combinations simply refuse to become memorable food. Cocktails, however, were another story. My first choice--the Kosho--was unavailable, so I settled on the Japanese Moss, a gin cocktail topped with yuzu cold foam. The foam leaned aggressively tart but never overwhelmed the drink. Later, after finally coaxing the bartender away from his phone, he suggested an off-menu serrano-infused rum cocktail with miso. Complex, vegetal, spicy, balanced. Exactly the sort of drink you hope to discover when you stop ordering from menus. By 7 p.m., I was the only customer left. Summer in Phoenix is merciless. One hundred thirteen degrees has a way of convincing even adventurous diners to stay home. I watched two reservations cancel while chatting with the bartender and server, who explained that between May and August, three tables can qualify as a good night. Location doesn't help either. Hidden behind an unassuming hotel, Hai Noon isn't exactly benefiting from walk-in traffic. The chef emerged from the kitchen several times during service. Each time he glanced at the empty reservation book, quietly acknowledged another cancellation with a shake of his head, and disappeared back into the kitchen without speaking to anyone. There was something heartbreaking about it. Here was someone capable of creating award-winning food, still chasing perfection while circumstances far beyond the plate slowly worked against him. Hai Noon isn't flawless. Service occasionally drifted. One dish missed the mark. The room felt almost too empty. But I'd rather spend an evening in an imperfect restaurant full of ambition than a polished dining room serving food without a soul. I just hope Scottsdale's relentless summer doesn't prove too Hai for many more Noons.

We came here today right after flying into Phoenix, and oh my God--the flavor of the food was…read moreAMAZING! Everything we tried was packed with flavor, incredibly fresh, and absolutely delicious. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into the food. Such a perfect first meal after arriving in Arizona! If you love Mediterranean food, this place is a must-try. We will absolutely be back!

We've enjoyed this restaurant several times in the past, which made this visit especially…read moredisappointing. We brought family from out of town and had a party of 11 (six adults and five kids). There was a long wait, which we completely understood. We spent the time at the bar where the service was excellent, and the kids browsed the nearby shops. Unfortunately, once we were seated, the experience went downhill. Our server seemed to have little sense of urgency. Everything took an unusually long time, but the biggest issue was the food, which took well over an hour despite being a very simple order of burgers, sandwiches, and other basic menu items. Throughout the wait, we watched tables seated after us receive their food and leave while we were still waiting. The most frustrating part was the lack of communication. Rather than checking in or providing an update, our server was frequently visible chatting with coworkers and rolling silverware. When our food finally arrived, it was at best room temperature, making it seem like it had been sitting for quite a while before being brought to the table. We asked to speak with a manager, who said she would look into it, but never returned to follow up. That lack of acknowledgment or accountability was even more disappointing than the delay itself. We declined the offer of dessert because we needed to get the kids home, yet instead of bringing the check promptly, our server spent additional time clearing the table before finally processing our payment. As someone who has worked as a server, I understand that delays happen and kitchens get backed up. What makes the difference is communication, ownership, and making guests feel like their time matters. None of that happened here. It's unfortunate because we've had good experiences in the past, but this visit left us embarrassed that we chose this restaurant to host visiting family.

The staff and servers were super nice and attentive to me given my flight was delayed. The…read morebrussels sprout salad and tortilla soup were delicious. Will definitely eat here again when in PHX.

Our service was impeccable and our server Zachariah made our night one to remember!! He was great…read moreand got our food and drinks to us fast. The food was delicious. And the environment was so fun and aesthetic.

I want to shout out the kitchen staff they were grinding nonstop wings were being fried 3-4 baskets…read moreat a time

Don't usually drop these. But come on, post on your website and on Yelp what time the KITCHEN…read morecloses. You're going to spend all that time talking about your wings on social media then when people do show up they can't get them because kitchen closes. At least say it in your posts and heck on your website. Looked like a good vibe, fyi. Maybe I will get another chance to check it out prior to returning to NY. But for this time. Yeah. Two thumbs down. Sorry. Post better info on your website and posts!!!!

The Dodo is definitely a gem in this area. Its decor is beautiful and very intimate. There are…read morebeautiful paintings and pictures on each wall and the lights are super cute in the bar and eating areas. There are also lots of plants around to offer a balance of green and brown to the scenery. During our time here, there was a large party taking about half the dining area so the service times were impacted. We came in as a party of 5 with a wait time of about 20 minutes. This was totally fine since we did not have a reservation. During the wait, we partook in their game area which helped us pass the time. All the games were fun, free, and open! Our food was pretty good. I ordered the wings, Caesar salad, and broccolini. The wings were of good size and flavor. The Caesar salad was pretty decent, but the amount of lemon in the dressing was a bit overpowering. I was making pucker faces as I was eating and let my girlfriend finish the salad. She agreed that the lemon was much stronger than other salads, but she enjoys lemon so she was okay with it. I tried her Wagyu cheeseburger (happy hour meal) and unfortunately both of us felt like the meat itself was lacking lots of flavor. My sister ordered the OG chicken sandwich and she said it needed more sauce for flavor. I will confidently say my favorite food of the night was broccolini. The cook was perfect and the flavor was great! I would recommend that side to everyone! As I stated before, there was a large party during our meal, so service time was admittedly slower than expected and we had to remind our server to bring us spoons for our desert, for a to go box, and for a water refill. Since it was busy and packed, I understand it could be difficult so I won't judge it too harshly. I will say one of the food runners, Shaye, supported our table and was very kind and understanding when we flagged her down for something. She really made our experience that much better with her attitude and speed! Given all of the information above, 4/5. Improvements on the food would make it 5 stars for me.

Went back again for their steak frites special ($20 on Mondays and Tuesdays 3pm-close). We had kind…read moreof a large group (11) without a reservation (which we should have but it was not a planned event). They were able to accommodate us although the hostess was a little rude as we could've just went somewhere else if there was no room. All of us ordered the steak frites and a lot of ours had really big fat pieces so there actually wasn't much "meat." In comparison to the first time we went here, the steak the first time was much better. They also changed the chimichurri recipe which was needed and was really good this time. A few people got the dole whip boozy marg. They said it was a 3/5 as it was inconsistent drink to drink, ex: one got cherry, one didn't; one was more watery than another one. They said they wouldn't get it again. Overall it was a little disappointing compared to my first visit, especially with most of us only being able to eat half our steak. They also changed the plating to the wooden boards which were kind of warped so when we were cutting our steaks, it was shaking the table a lot.