Though landlocked, resourceful chefs are finding ways to bring exceedingly fresh fish to local diners. Here are some of the most sensational seafood options available all summer long.
Ocean Prime
Though there are many scintillating seafood options here, the Lobster Linguine ($56) is the epitome of decadent dining. It features tender lobster meat, linguine, and roasted tomato butter topped with arugula, chili flakes, and oodles of Parmesan. Ocean-Prime.com
ZuZu
ZuZu’s Spicy Hawaiian Ahi Tuna ($21) is dressed with spicy Sambal and togarashi chili peppers, and is among the summer menu standouts. It is finished with scallions and sesame oil, plated on a bed of deep-fried rice, and garnished with avocado, serrano chilis, chives, and yuzu-soy vinaigrette. HotelValleyHo.com
Rusconi’s American Kitchen
A perfect light option, Rusconi’s Grilled Sustainable Salmon ($29) is cooked on a wood-burning grill and topped with a fresh blackberry glaze. It is paired with small potatoes, Brussels sprouts, roasted tomatillo sauce, and vibrant carrot jus. RusconisKitchen.com
Postino
While known for its bruschetta boards, do not sleep on Postino’s Shrimp Scampi ($16.95). It features luscious butter-poached jumbo shrimp accompanied by grilled artichokes and tossed to perfection with Calabrian chili and Chablis spritz. PostinoWineCafe.com
Z Tejas
These Blackened Catfish Tacos ($14) have been a menu standard for years. They are slightly sweet with a moist texture and less flaky than other white fish. Once cooked, the catfish are topped with cilantro coleslaw, avocado, tortilla strips, sesame ginger, and jalapeno aioli to add spice and texture. ZTejas.com
Marcellino Ristorante
This Zuppa di Pesce ($38) is an authentic Italian fish soup, bursting with sauteed shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, salmon, and scallops. The rich combination is bathed in a bowl of tomato sauce, garlic, and white wine, and paired with fresh bread. MarcellinoRistorante.com
Collins Bros. Chophouse
The family-owned restaurant offers Shucked Oysters ($22 and up) sourced from the Pacific Northwest daily. They are presented over ice, along with champagne mignonette, house-made cocktail sauce, lemon, and parsley. CollinsBrosChophouse.com
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Among its best summer dishes, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant’s Shrimp & Scallop Risotto ($28.99) begins with seared scallops, rice, asparagus, sweet corn, and rice as its base. Cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter are added as the risotto finishes cooking, and the plated dish is finished with peas, spinach, and truffle oil. CHWinery.com
Bourbon & Bones Chophouse Bar
While known for its high-end cuts of aged beef, Bourbon & Bones’ Alaskan King Crab Legs (market price) are a must. They are specially imported and cooked just long enough for the iconic sweetness to emerge before being chilled and plated with lemon, cocktail sauce, and ample butter. BourbonAndBonesAZ.com
The VIG
Available at all six VIG locations, the Salt Seared Tuna ($20) starts with a brick-shaped block of scalding-hot salt. Fresh tuna is placed on top, as is yuzu-soy sauce, pickled onions, and wonton chips, cooking to the diner’s preference tableside. TheVIG.us
The Mission
There is an otherworldly Smoked Fish Tostada ($5) offered exclusively at The Mission's Kierland Commons location during Guac-Tail Hour (3 to 5 p.m.) daily. Featuring a house-smoked white fish topped with fermented green pepper and piquant pickled onion, it is finished with colorful trout roe for that perfect pop of brine. TheMissionAZ.com
The Spot at Arcadia
The Lobster Roll ($24.99) at The Spot—made with knuckle and claw meat slow-poached in garlic butter and cream, cooled, and tossed in spiced aioli before being piled into a butter-toasted roll with tomato, lettuce, and herb vinaigrette—is a perfect homage to the New England classic. TheSpotArcadia.com
Chula Seafood
To beat the summer heat, try Chula’s chilled Korean Poke Bowl ($17 and up). It features your choice of salmon, ahi, spicy tuna, and/or spicy scallops, as well as sushi rice, nori, masago, greens, sesame, daikon, jalapeno, crispy tempura, and mouthwateringly good spicy red chili sauce. ChulaSeafood.com