Foodies across the state get ready for the most edible time of the year, Arizona Restaurant Association’s Fall Arizona Restaurant Week. For 10 days starting September 18th through the 27th diners can eat their way across the state on a tasting tour for a good price.
Participating restaurants offer a three-course prix-fixe menu for just $33 or $44 per person. The prix-fixe meals will be offered at nearly 200 of Arizona’s top restaurants and offers Arizonans the chance to get outside their own neighborhood as well as to try something new for unbeatable prices offered only this week!
The association hopes to position the state as one of the top culinary destinations in the nation by increasing awareness of the dining opportunities available in the state and to stimulate business as well as revenue for Arizona’s restaurants. The association strongly suggest making reservations in advance as restaurants tend to fill up quickly.
Little Cleo’s
Little Cleo’s is a nautical getaway named after a fishing lure tucked away in the desert. Located at The Yard, a neighborhood-inspired development project in Phoenix, Little Cleo’s restaurant week menu offers an assortment of fresh ocean eats and their seafood is served fresh daily! For an appetizer I would recommend the crispy frog legscooked with a fish sauce, roasted cashews and Thai chili sap. The frog legs have almost an Asian fusion flavor mixed with the taste of a traditional chicken wings.
The ahi tuna tartare is also another great choice for your first course and prepared in a spicy mayo, yuzu caramel, toasted garlic and served on a cucumber. The tuna is a refreshing light appetizer packed with a lot of flavor. The menu also features traditional fish and chips, linguine and mussels, and for dessert beignets styled after the iconic Cafe du monde in the heart of New Orleans.
Ticoz Latin Kitchen
Ticoz Latin Kitchen located in uptown Phoenix is where Central and South America, Mexico, the islands and more all meet to offer new twists on old classics like enchiladas, tacos, tamales and even burgers. For restaurant week Ticoz is offering their blue corn enchiladas stuffed with shredded chicken and green chiles, smothered with a rich sour cream sauce with cheddar and jack cheeses, and served with yellow rice and grilled zucchini for a discount and it is extraordinary. The pork chile verde mac ‘n’ cheese is also a great choice, but the enchiladas were in a class of their own.
Ticoz is also known for its’ Spanish paella made with chicken, shrimp, calamari, black mussels, and sausage. Other menu items include house-made corn chips with a trio of dipping sauces and signature cocktails include the passion fruit sangria and gold margaritas in assorted flavors like coconut and blood orange.
Southern Rail
Southern rail is casual, warm and rustic space serving up flavors from the south in the valley. Inside The Newton, a mixed-used development raised from the iconic Beef Eaters building, the space itself is pretty impressive with reclaimed-looking painted wooden ceiling.
The restaurant’s is a upscale Southern dining spot, but the food is impressive too. For restaurant week patrons can choose from a variety of a southern selections for a very filling a worthwhile three course meal and If you have a sweet tooth Southern Rail is a perfect spot for you during restaurant week. They have a ridiculously good Butterscotch Banana Pudding served up with a gingersnap cookie and almond crumble that you will keep coming back for. They also have a tasty brown butter sweet potato tart served with a toasted coconut macaroon that I would recommend to any dessert lover. The restaurant week menu also features duck confit served with collard greens, farro and blackberry gastrique as well as wood fried shrimp and andouille sausage with a creole tomato sauce and creamy grits.
