Five upscale Phoenix restaurants that exude sophistication

One of the pleasurable things about going out to eat (besides the food and drinks, of course) is the setting.

Enjoying a meal with friends or just with your significant other can make for a truly memorable night out.

If you’re looking to dine out in a sophisticated environment that will likely be sans children, here are five metro Phoenix restaurants that deliver. So put on your best outfits—leave those casual clothes in the closet—and get ready for an upscale night out.

Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion

2501 E. Telawa Trail in Central Phoenix

Instagram | Website 

Helmed by one of the city’s most decorated chefs and James Beard award-winning, Christopher Gross, Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion is essentially fine dining theater.

Let’s start with the setting. Located on a hilltop mere steps from the historic Wrigley Mansion, the modern restaurant features stunning Phoenix views that diners can take in from the floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the space. The restaurant also features an open kitchen and a ceiling that opens too.

The chef’s tasting menu is carefully curated and rotates regularly. Be prepared for plenty of surprises and a truly decadent, over-the-top experience. One item that does make a frequent appearance is the 3D-printed blue hand (yes!) that typically holds one course on its palm.

Reservations are required for the chef’s tasting menu. If you’d like to sample smaller plates or taste some of the chef’s classic creations, you can enjoy those dishes without reservations from Tuesday through Saturday.

Need to know: Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion’s website states that parties should allow at least two-and-a-half hours (and even longer for larger parties) to enjoy the full dining experience here.

We also just have to mention the impressive bathroom. It’s outfitted with a heated toilet and features those floor-to-ceiling views you can see of the city. Don’t leave here without seeing this gorgeous and expansive space that somehow still feels private.

Café Monarch

6939 E. 1st Ave. in Old Town Scottsdale

Instagram | Website 

Photo courtesy of Café Monarch via Instagram.

Only children 10 and up are allowed to eat at Scottsdale’s storied Café Monarch. The entrance sets the stage for a truly elegant experience. The restaurant features a fountain and an impressive arched entrance near the opening. Inside, find white tablecloths, chandeliers, and plenty of wine bottles displayed throughout.

Food-wise, you can look forward to fine cuisine like pork belly and scallops, venison, and branzino. Indulge in four or eight-course chef’s tasting menus. Vegetarians also can enjoy a special four-course menu. Café Monarch also serves caviar and a dessert menu. Diners can finish off their meals with options like sorbet, tiramisu, white chocolate passion fruit mousse, and chocolate cremeux.

Lastly, the award-winning wine list is nearly 300 pages and is guaranteed to include a bottle that pleases you.

Kai Restaurant

5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

At the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass Hotel in Phoenix

Instagram | Website 

Photo courtesy of Kai Restaurant.

Award-winning Kai is a one-of-a-kind restaurant in South Phoenix. Located in the Gila River Indian Community, Kai’s food is inspired by its location. Diners can look forward to Native American cuisine. In O’odham or Pima language, Kai actually means seed. The menu even features plants grown from seeds from the Native Seed/Search Foundation, a program that is devoted to preserving ancient, indigenous seeds. The tasting menu is coursed out as follows: The Birth, The Beginning, The Journey, and The Afterlife.

Look forward to dazzling presentations, as the Southwest influence is present throughout. As of press time, one of the dessert options is the Corn dish, made with sweet corn custard, blueberry compote, husk ash cream, vanilla cake, and juniper berry streusel.

The dining room is also a gorgeous setting. Expansive windows showcase the nearby mountain range. Tables covered in white tablecloths are outfitted with Native American-inspired plates. The dining room has a true Southwestern feel that comes complete with pottery on the tables and wood beam ceilings.

Need to know: The restaurant asks that guests with dietary restrictions contact the restaurant ahead of time so the chefs can accommodate their needs.

Top of the Rock Restaurant

2000 W. Westcourt Way in Tempe

At Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes

Website

The name of the Top of Rock says it all. Drive up a fairly steep hill on the grounds of the Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes to arrive at this restaurant, which features sweeping, breathtaking views of the Valley.

You can take in the stunning views as you enjoy stellar, creative cuisine. Specific menu items include miso glazed sea bass, agave salmon, Thai shrimp and chicken, and doughnuts.

If you’re interested in keeping the sophisticated vibes going all weekend, why not plan a staycation and enjoy the hotel’s Narande Spa, outdoor pools, hiking trails, and stylish rooms?

Dominick’s Steakhouse

15169 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale

Instagram | Website

In a city teeming with steakhouses, Dominick’s Steakhouse manages to stand out. For starters, the two-level restaurant is located in one of the city’s most upscale shopping districts, the Scottsdale Quarter. The top floor even features a reflecting pool (yep) and a ceiling that retracts when the weather’s good. Downstairs, guests can cozy up at a marble bar.

Look forward to a classic steakhouse vibe complete with white tablecloths, plush leather chairs, and red accents throughout. The menu is extensive and high-end. Diners can dig into a plethora of seafood like caviar, king crab legs, Maine lobster cocktail, Chilean sea bass, and Maryland-style lump crab cakes. Appetizers include the wagyu beef tartare, crispy shrimp deviled eggs, and braised pork belly.

And then there are the steaks. The meat is responsibly farmed and wet aged 28 days. The steaks are cut in-house by a master butcher. Guests can order filet mignon, a New York strip, or a grass-fed New York strip, among other cuts. Dominick’s also has a long list of wine, spirits, and other libations that guests can enjoy. Consider capping off a meal here with desserts like very chocolate cake, ultimate warm vanilla caramel cake, red velvet bread pudding, and a triple layer key lime pie.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

READ MORE: Grown-up getaways: 6 adults-only resorts in Arizona