The 38 Essential Restaurants in Phoenix

"Situated in the heart of Old Town, this intimate, softly lit Italian restaurant, which features live music Thursdays and Saturdays, has the vibe of an old-fashioned supper club. Although chef-owner Marcellino Verzino’s menu offers plenty of classics — Caprese, carpaccio, and gnocchi Sorrentino, for example — it doesn’t read like every other Italian restaurant in town. To really appreciate what this chef can do, order from the specialties section, where you’ll find tortelloni, stuffed with pureed filet mignon and bathed in butter sauce with black truffle shavings as well as thyme-infused pappardelle with red wine-splashed rabbit ragu." - Nikki Buchanan, Chris Malloy