Best New Restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona, Spring 2025 | Eater Phoenix

"Downtown Phoenix hasn’t always been known for boundary-pushing high-end restaurants, but Pretty Penny shows how far the local dining scene has come. Chef Marcelino Ramos runs the kitchen, where he dishes out plates like lamb ragu with paccheri, braised lamb neck, pomodoro, Parmesan, and basil; a hefty 44-ounce, $185 ribeye that’s worth the splurge; and a braised octopus tostada on blue corn, topped with Oaxaca sour cream, avocado, and black sesame salsa macha. Owners Sam Olguin and Brenon Stuart, after trying multiple concepts in this space, seem to have found their groove: The cocktail menu is divided into “fizzy,” “delicate,” “shaken,” and “sophisticated,” featuring inventive options like the Yuzu Clover Club made with yogurt-washed gin and a charred tomato martini that shouldn’t work — but does. Caviar at cost and a solid wine list round out a place that’s cocktail-first yet still serves ambitious food — another sign of downtown Phoenix’s growing appetite for inventive dining." - McConnell Quinn