Some of Arizona's most talented artists don't use brushes or paint. Dishes are their canvases, and menus are their art. Of course, we are talking about chefs, many of whom draw upon global inspiration from their childhoods, cooking careers, and particular ingredients when working on their culinary masterpieces.
Thanks to them, the Valley has evolved from a mecca for national chain and franchise restaurants into a melting pot of diverse flavors and ingredients around every turn.
Certainly, authentic Mexican food tops the list of global cuisines most readily available here, with icons like James Beard-nominated Silvana Salcido Esparza and her Barrio Café, as well as The Original Carolina's Mexican Food and Los Reyes de la Torta leading the way. New kids on the butcher block, including Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno, who have created a love letter to food from across the Sonoran Desert with their James Beard-nominated Bacanora, also come to mind.
Outside of those locations in Phoenix, locally we also have a celebration of epicurean adventures from around the world. Here are some worth a taste.
Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine
Where: 3491 W. Frye Road, Chandler
What: Feringhee aims to open guests' eyes to the vivid tapestry of flavors and spices from across India's many regions. Certainly, there are kebobs, but also a seemingly never-ending list of delicacies, including several vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free offerings.
Contact: Feringhee.com or 480.534.7178
Moreno's Mexican Grill
Where: 4981 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler; 2100 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler; 601 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler; 85 W. Combs Road, San Tan Valley
What: Moreno’s was once a simple Sonoran hot dog cart. Word spread quickly about the family-owned business, and within a few years, they had their first brick-and-mortar location. Today, they serve their beloved tacos, rellenos, tortas, and of course, the Sonoran dog.
Contact: MorenosMexicanGrillAZ.com or 480.782.1988
Café Lalibela Ethiopian Cuisine
Where: 849 W. University Drive, Tempe
What: Café Lalibela has been introducing guests to the spicy stews and vegetable-forward dishes of Ethiopia for two decades. Whole Foods Market and Natural Grocers also carry several signature Lalibela dishes to-go.
Contact: CafeLalibela.com or 480.829.1939
Shimogamo
Where: 2051 W. Warner Road, Chandler
What: Co-owner and chef Daisuke Itagaki is a native of the Shizuoka Prefecture and a graduate of the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Japan. His deft technique and referential nods to his heritage make every bite at Shimogamo equal parts authentic and opulent.
Contact: ShimogamoAZ.com or 480.899.7191
Cuisine & Wine Bistro
Where: 4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler
What: Family-owned Cuisine & Wine Bistro, a French bistro, is the brainchild of Mairead and Fabrice Buschtetz. The European couple delight in every element of Old World hospitality, and the menu is a showcase of chef Fabrice’s most popular dishes of the past 30 years, notably escargots, quiche, and nightly inspirations.
Contact: CuisineAndWineBistro.com or 480.275.6700
All Pierogi Kitchen Restaurant & Euro Market
Where: 1245 W. Baseline Road, Mesa
What: One of Arizona’s only true Ukrainian kitchens, each recipe pays homage to the owner’s grandmother, Anna, who spent her life in the small village of Kopychyntsi. There are a variety of exquisite Eastern European dishes, but those in the know do not leave without a variety of pierogis.
Contact: AllPierogi.com or 480.262.3349
Alison Bailin Batz
Best-known as @ABSeesItAll online, Bailin Batz is a writer on travel, wine, food, and spirits for media across the Southwest. “AB” truly does want to “see it all,” and then share it all with you.