Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Tempe

Fantastic sunset views from the outdoor patio if you're able to visit when the time and temperature is right. Our November visit was 72 degrees at 5:30pm sunset, dropping down to mid 60s after. Patio heaters available for each outdoor table if desired. Great city lights views after dark. Indoor seating has great views as well. Food and craft cocktails were fantastic, service was good, prices were as expected for an upscale resort restaurant. Take a walk around the resort (whether staying there or not) before or after for some nice views. Great anniversary dinner and experience for the wife and I.

Always a great experience at Arcadia Farms. Food and our service from Peggy is always fabulous, it’s our favorite place for a girls luncheon.

Cafe Monarch was a outstanding experience. Starting with free valet parking, the restaurant has a peaceful fountain by a French door entrance. The hostess greeted us kindly and showed us to our seats at the bar. We prefer bar seating as we can sit side-by-side and have a more personal experience with the staff. The bar has an amazing assortment of liquor including full ranges of gin, vodka, whiskies and scotches and accompaniments. Our two bar tenders were very friendly without being intrusive. They let us get settled in with complementary bubbles and explained the dinner menu. The menu is a Prix Fix offering with a choice of either four or eight courses. The quantity of food on the two menus is nearly the same, so we chose the eight course dinner with more small bite choices on offer. As we needed to make modifications due to gluten and caviar allergies, the kitchen did an excellent job of adjusting the courses. We had chefs treat oyster, the autumn soup; sesame tuna; shrimp with grilled pineapple, avocado and radish; diver scallop with squash and pine nuts; a pleasant palate cleanser with lemon sorbet, berries and hibiscus; pork belly with apple, current, peppers and goat cheese; lamb chops with carrot, spinach and brioche; and A5 Wagyu filet mignon and short rib, bell pepper, and broccolini. Desert was a Chocolate cream with cookie. We had the Petite Fours with coffee and tea. At $290 it was a worthwhile and outstanding feast. We are planning to return to Cafe Monarch when next in Phoenix.

Had a really nice time went for happy hour didn’t necessarily order off that menu but had a wonderful time with my girlfriends food was great service was great atmosphere is awesome 

Have not been to the Desert Botanical Garden for awhile but always try to enjoy a meal or at least a drink and snack at Gertrude's. They have expanded the menu, which was needed for those who frequent the restaurant. I had the Lamb Mole Enchiladas, which looked as fabulous as they tasted. The mole was perfect with a deep, savory chocolate sauce. My friend had the Lentil Chop that was beautifully plated with varying textures, very lightly dressed. The wait staff is experienced and gracious. We were fortunate to have a server who has been with the cafe since it opened. Book well in advance. Everyone loves this place.