Pa'la

The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix | Eater Phoenix

"Over the years, Pa’La has shifted from a fast-casual concept to something more ambitious and grounded — a wood-fired neighborhood restaurant with deep roots in coastal cuisines from around the world. Chef Jason Alford leads with fire: dishes are kissed by flame via a handmade oven and Japanese robata grill, inspired by the traditions of the Mediterranean, Japan, and South America. The original 24th Street bungalow feels like a hidden garden escape, with a leafy patio and intimate interior built for lingering. Weekly tasting menus — including a vegetarian omakase and a community dinner with wine pairings — offer a more fine-dining feel, but even a quick lunch delivers that same attention to detail, with ingredients sourced from a tight-knit group of local farmers and producers. Hot tip: The menu changes constantly, but the wood-fired cooking and bungalow patio never miss — and the weekly omakase dinners are quietly some of the city’s best." - McConnell Quinn