The 8 best spots in Phoenix for celebrating right now

Overlooking a big hunk of Paradise Valley and with stunning red-rock views of Camelback Mountain, this resort restaurant offers three squares by local favorite and Food Network star chef Beau MacMillan. Farm-fresh American cuisine with Asian influences is the order of the day. Oysters Rockefeller with lap cheong, melon salad with za’atar, and salmon with green harissa define a seasonal menu featuring local, organic produce, sustainable seafood, and hormone-free meat in all of its entrees and appetizers. Weekly “two-buck shuck” oyster specials make every Tuesday seem like a holiday.

There are two things to know about this family-owned favorite in the center of town: patio dining with views of the tree-lined Phoenix Mountain Preserve is difficult to snare without a reservation, and the linguine with clams is the best in the valley. Diners are greeted at the entrance as if they’re long-lost relatives and then served veal piccata, capellini pomodoro, and more classic Italian favorites.

Some restaurants offer pretty views of flora or fauna, but locals know to ask for a table with a view of Virtu’s open kitchen, where they can watch octopus grilled, spaghetti hand-cranked, and rib eyes seared. The extensive wine list and creative shared-plate menu, including an excellent burrata-and-toasted-garlic appetizer, set the stage for entrees that include squid-ink pasta and a house specialty of smoked duck breast and black plums, all served by a hyper-courteous wait staff who are happy to share how menu items are prepared.

A longtime special occasion spot, this former schoolhouse has been serving steaks and comfort food classics since 1937. The chateaubriand, carved tableside, is a house specialty, as are the many mesquite-fired steaks and hamburgers. The menu changes seasonally, though the signature flash-fried lobster tails and the shrimp pepper pot are usually available. Note: dining at El Chorro without trying the restaurant’s famous sticky buns is like visiting Paris without a stop at the Eiffel Tower.

Generations of Arizonans have marked everything from weddings to funerals at this traditional American steakhouse, which has been seating parties large and small since 1947. Restored in 2004, the building is included in the City of Phoenix Historic Register, hopefully ensuring it will continue to serve locals and tourists for generations to come. Its menu was recently revamped, and the New West cuisine features classic steakhouse offerings, including its signature corn-fed steaks and prime rib, with a nod to Southwestern flavors with grilled elk medallions and chorizo-enriched cowboy beans.

There is no lobster bisque like the lobster bisque served at this elegant resort dining room, though when that rich, sweet soup isn’t available on T. Cook’s seasonal menu, one can find delight in the hoisin-glazed octopus or the short rib with caramelized onion risotto. Dining indoors means cozy club chairs and a palm tree growing in the room and up through an opening in the roof; outside on the wide patio means outdoor fireplaces, views of the lush Royal Palms desert landscaping, and glimpses of Camelback Mountain.

Chef Bernie Kantak has nudged New American comfort food to a new level with his roasted corn salad crab cakes and bacon-fat-and-miso Caesar salad. Before lunch or dinner, stop at the stylish bar, stocked with more than 200 whiskies and offering craft beverages created with locally grown herbs. And then there’s the Commander burger, made from ground brisket and topped with a secret sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything.

This contemporary Mexican steakhouse helped popularize the farm-to-table concept in Scottsdale. Locally sourced ingredients with bold flavors are the rule here. Brunch starters include a truffle quesadilla and a snappy queso fundido. Dinner specialties such as Japanese wagyu and an oven-baked branzino can be paired with an impressive raw bar featuring oyster shooters and ceviche blanco. Signature sides include rice spiked with cilantro and lime and a truffle-infused mac-and-cheese that’s big enough to share.