#(/7 3#!. 2DA 5AAGHU^O OAHA?PERA CQE@A PK 2Q?OKJ NAOP=QN=JPO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 bit of France, Ghini’s is the spot. With a lovely patio (pet friendly, mind you), and an eclectic menu, you’re sure to find something that pleases. Start with Ghini’s signature eggs Provencal, which works well for breakfast or lunch. Omelettes abound, as do sandwiches. (We like the croque Madame.) The crepes are tempting. There’s a long list of coffees and other beverages. We hear the lavender lemonade, which is only available in the summer, is not to be missed. (3-8-14) $$-$$$ LE RENDEZ-VOUS C 3844 E. Fort Lowell Road. 323-7373. Open TuesdayFriday 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 5-10 p.m. Bistro/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Le Rendez-Vous is one of Tucson’s most overlooked and underappreciated restaurants. For anyone who truly loves French cuisine, this is a must-visit. While a bit on the pricey side, Le Rendez-Vous has classic dishes like escargot, sweetbreads, duck pate, chateaubriand, filet au poivre vert and more. For a more casual experience and the same menu, the restaurant is now split in half, with a more modern, cozy bistro side. (3-14-13) $$$-$$$$
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GREEK HOUSE C 1710 E. Speedway Blvd. 323-1446. Open MondayThursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. The claims here are true: The food is authentically Greek, inexpensive and ready quickly. For the most part, the food is homemade, not cranked out in some far-away factory. The pita sandwiches are the stars here, although the salads hold their own. Daily specials include pastitsio and moussaka. Several desserts have a Greek twist, but order the baklava for a real treat. (12-05-13) $ IT’S GREEK TO ME NW 15920 N. Oracle Road. 825-4199. Open MondaySaturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Bistro/Beer and Wine. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. From luscious appetizers like the rich taramosalata, to savory entrées like the pastitsio and the lamb shank, and concluding with a heavenly honey cake or lovely baklava for dessert, the food at this Greek joint sings. These are the same people who run the wonderful Athens on Fourth Avenue, so you know the food’s going to impress. The atmosphere is casual, and the service is sincere and friendly. If you’re lucky, George, the chef and owner, will come out to share a glass of wine or a
little insight on how he prepared your dinner. It’s worth the drive to Catalina. (11-17-11) $$-$$$ PELIO GRILL GREEK TAVERNA & CATERING C 994 E. University Blvd. 777-4967. Open MondayWednesday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-8 p.m. Café/Beer and Wine. V, MC. At the southwest corner of Park Avenue and University Boulevard, Pelio Grill has a bright, airy space that is conducive to lots of small groups of diners. The food is tasty and served quickly, and the service is friendly. The classics (gyros, dolmathes, calamari, saganaki, etc.) shine, and though the entrées need a bit more polish, they’re still delicious and reasonably priced. The wine selection is limited to mostly Greek choices and there are a few beers on draft. (2-27-14) $$ YANNI’S THE LITTLE GREEK E 1101 N. Wilmot Road, No. 119. 288-4735. Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Bistro/Counter/BYO. Cash, checks. This cozy place is a nice addition to the mix of ethnic restaurants near Wilmot Road and Speedway Boulevard. The food has a decidedly homemade flavor. Moussaka, pastitsio, pilaf, souvlaki, spanakopita—they’re all here. Add the friendly service and you know you’re on to something. We especially liked the gyros, with a soft and warm pita packed full of tender, tasty meat. And the galaktobouriko was a delight. (1-24-13) $$
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MAYA QUETZAL C 429 N. Fourth Ave. 622-8207. Open TuesdaySaturday 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Café/Beer and Wine. MC, V. Maya Quetzal has graced the sidewalk of Fourth Avenue for more than 20 years, and it’s Tucson’s only Guatemalan restaurant. Flavors are subtle but complex, and the slow-cooked, tender meats are delicious. The menu is inexpensive, with reasonable portion sizes and a ton of vegetarian options.(10-3-13) $-$$
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LANI’S LUAU HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT E 2532 S. Harrison Road. 886-5828. Open TuesdayThursday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. MC and V. Enjoy an authentic taste of Hawaii right here in Tucson. Dishing up luau-style food (think lots of pork), the family-owned and -operated joint is a great place to
Govinda’s
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Now Offering Homemade Kombucha
NEW DELHI PALACE E 6751 E. Broadway Blvd. 296-8585. Open daily 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Bistro/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. New Delhi Palace is a great eastside spot for a quick, inexpensive and tasty Indian lunch buffet—as long as you’re not looking for super-spicy fare. Dinner is served fast and with a smile, and the menu offers an extensive selection of authentic and tasty Indian appetizers, entrées and desserts, as well as a great international beer selection. (11-4-10) $$-$$$ SHER-E PUNJAB C 853 E. Grant Road. 624-9393. Open daily 11 a.m.2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Café/Beer and Wine. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, this quiet Indian venue could easily be overlooked. We recommend you don’t. The long menu offers choices for every palate. We swooned at the sauces – especially the lamb shahi korma with its creamy texture and nutty flavors. Vegetarians will find so many choices but we recommend the mushroom chili that is rich with seasonings and meltingly tender. And whether you like your naan simple or seasoned you will be happy with Shere’s variations. Plates can be ordered at various levels of heat. Finish your meal with cool kulftee or a sweet bite of gulab jaman. (5-29-14) $$
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AMARSI RISTORANTE NW 12152 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. 297-9491. Open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 4-9 p.m. Full Cover/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. With a wonderful assortment of standards, servers who know their stuff and an interesting wine list, Amarsi rocks. Pasta offerings run the gamut, and there’s a nice assortment of veal, chicken and steak plates. We especially liked the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. Most desserts are house-made. (12-9-10) $$-$$$
DOLCE VITA ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Friday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 4-9 p.m. Full Cover/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. If your idea of a great Italian restaurant is red sauce, crusty bread, a mixed-green salad and a glass of Chianti, here’s your place. Dolce Vita is a throwback to the times when servers knew your name and what you were going to order even before you sat down. The list of pastas will please any craving and the entrees include meats cooked ala Parmigiana, Marsala, piccata and Florentine. We especially enjoyed the calamari served with both marinara sauce and lemon. Pizza here is also a winner soft, fluffy dough and plenty of topping to choose from. And if there’s room for dessert, order the house-made tiramisu. (6-12-14) $$
(East of 1st Ave., 2 Blocks South of Ft. Lowell)
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CURRY LEAF C 2510 E. Grant Road, No. 100. 881-2786. Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. Café/No Alcohol. DC, DIS, MC, V. Curry Leaf offers affordable lunch specials, as well as delicious dinner entrées. The food is fresh; the service is friendly; and the portion sizes are generous for the price. Be sure not to miss out on the soft, buttery garlic naan. (9-15-11) $$
E 7895 E. Broadway Blvd. 298-3700. Open Monday-
711 E. Blacklidge Dr. • 520-792-0630
624-9393
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CAFFE TORINO NW 10325 N. La Canada Drive, No. 151. 297-3777. Open Monday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Sunday 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Caffe Torino serves gigantic, shareable portions of beautifully executed entrées. Flavors are authentic, and the menu offers a wide range of options. A well-thought-out wine list and a beautifully decorated space complete the experience—but don’t expect a quick meal. (4-21-11) $$-$$$
• Lunch Wed thru Sat 11:30am - 2:30pm • Dinner Tues thru Sat 5:00pm - 9:00pm • Sunday Brunch 11:00am - 2:30pm
(NE Corner Of Grant & 1st)
cure that craving for laulau, kalua pork or chicken long rice. With a fairly extensive menu and a significant nod to the Filipino influence in Hawaiian food, Lani’s is definitely worth the trip to the eastside (2-16-12) $-$$
GUSTO OSTERIA E 7153 E. Tanque Verde Road. 722-9487. Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Full Cover/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. In this charming eastside spot, rustic Italian food is served in a most convivial atmosphere, and there’s a wine list with prices that can’t be beat. The tender manicotti is freshly made and stuffed with a delightful cheese mix; the eggplant sandwich is delicious. Service is top-notch, and the patio is the kind of place you could easily spend a couple of hours. Remember that the initial recipes are courtesy of the master, Joe Scordato. (3-22-12) $$-$$$ MAD MARIO’S ITALIAN DELI C 1710 E. Speedway Blvd. 325-3258. Open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. DIS, MC, V. While Mad Mario’s offers a wide variety of tasty Italian entrées, the sandwiches are the way to go here. The corned beef reuben is simply amazing—and so is the jovial service from Mario himself. The restaurant offers free delivery in the UA/midtown area for orders more than $20. (2-2-12) $-$$ NORTH ITALIAN FARMHOUSE NE 2995 E. Skyline Drive. 299-1600. Open Monday-
Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (brunch) and 5-11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (brunch) and 5-10 p.m. Full Cover/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Some might say this foothills eatery is noisy, but that just adds to the hip vibe. Meant to evoke the Italian farm country, the food here hits all the right spots. Part of the excitement is the work station that plays a central role in the décor and prep. A huge meat slicer cuts the spicy sausages and such paper thin. A pasta machine cranks out fresh tagliatelle and other noodles. The pizzas are unique and pretty, and the panini are crispy and full of flavor. This is a great spot to meet friends for a nosh and a glass of wine, but it’s also quite romantic in a big city, sexy kind of way. (1-10-13) $$-$$$ PIAZZA GAVI NE 5415 N. Kolb Road. 577-1099. Open SundayThursday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Full Cover/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. For anyone who loved the small trattorias that were the hallmark of the Gavi empire, this place may seem cavernous. But size doesn’t matter. Gavi brings all its wonderful touches to this roomy eatery: good food, giant portions and friendly service. The choices are plentiful; there are more than 20 types of pasta sauce alone. Pizza is on the menu. So is breakfast. Sandwiches are big enough for two (or three). The wine list leans toward the Italian side, but what else would you expect? Don’t miss the amazing happy-hour deals. (7-12-12) $$-$$$ TAVOLINO RISTORANTE ITALIANO
NW 2890 E. Skyline Drive. 531-1913. Open Monday-
Thursday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. Full Cover/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Tavolino is now a shiny, chic kind of place—and it didn’t miss a beat in the move. The appetizers are fresh and fabulous. The pastas will delight. (Try the tagliatelle alla Bolognese; it’s killer.) Other entrées, especially those coming off the grill, are great examples of how Italian food is supposed to be. Service is most professional. (8-12-10) $$-$$$ VITELLO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO
NW 15930 N. Oracle Road, No. 178. 825-0140. Open
Monday 4-8 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Café/ Beer and Wine. DIS, MC, V. What a pleasant surprise Vitello’s is. It’s cozy; the staff is friendly; and the menu has just about everything Italian you might crave. The sauces range from a house marinara to a creamy vodka to a rich gorgonzola to a briny white clam. The pizzas are also quite good; they’re simple and rustic. Panini, salads, veal, chicken, seafood and dishes are also available. The cannoli is like Nana used to make. (1-13-11) $-$$$
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CEEDEE JAMAICAN KITCHEN C 5305. E. Speedway Blvd. 795-3400. Open TuesdaySunday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Counter/Full Bar. DIS, MC, V. Yes, you’ll find jerk chicken here (and oh, what heavenly jerk it is), but there are plenty of other island specialties to choose from as well: curry chicken, oxtails, plantains and more. The side called festival is like a hush puppy, only bigger and better. Desserts are unusual but tasty; the cold drinks refresh. There’s Bob Marley music, and the staff is friendly. The only thing missing here is the beach. (10-21-10) $-$$ D’S ISLAND GRILL JA C 3156 E. Fort Lowell Road. 861-2271. Open MondayThursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.9 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. DIS, MC, V. For a taste of the islands—in this case Jamaica—D’s is the place to go. With fried plantains, jerk in many forms, cool drinks, great reggae and friendly service, it’s almost like you’re on the beach in Montego Bay. The dinners are fabulous and filling thanks to savory red beans and rice, a crispy festival and some slaw. Chicken comes jerked or curried; tilapia is crispy and moist and the desserts are the perfect counterpart to all that heat. There are also Jamaican tacos, a hamburger and beef patties. The prices are perfect. We’ll be heading back soon, for sure, mon. (11-14-13) $-$$
+/2%!.
KIMCHI TIME C 2900 E. Broadway Blvd., No. 186. 305-4900. Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday 4-9 p.m. Café. Beer, Wine and Specialty Drinks. AMEX, DC, DIS, MC, V. As you would expect from the restaurant’s name, kimchi is the star at Kimchi Time—and it’s good stuff. Adventurous diners will love the bibim bap and the kimchi chigae (kimchi soup with pork and tofu), while unadventurous types will love the katsu and the bulgogi. Go there; the five complimentary kimchi plates served with each meal are worth the trip in and of themselves. (9-27-12) $$ SEOUL KITCHEN E 4951 E. Grant Road. 881-7777. Open MondayThursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.9:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Bistro/Beer and Wine. AMEX, MC, V. Seoul Kitchen dishes up quick, affordable and authentic Korean food with a smile. The crab puffs are a can’t-miss item, and be prepared to be overwhelmed with tasty side dishes and banchan plates. Portions are generous, and the food is delicious; you definitely won’t leave hungry. (2-11-10) $-$$