Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar (5 out of 5 peaks)
413 N. San Francisco St.
928-213-1021
Winter hours: Open M - Sat. at 5 p.m., closed Sundays
brixflagstaff.com
Brix has come into some national fame as of late. The youngest restaurant to the fine dining scene, its rise has been meteoric for good reason.
Brix features seasonal menus with an emphasis on local, organic, and small sustainable farm suppliers as much as possible. Start your meal with one of Brix's excellent artisan cheese plates and a spot-on wine recommendation. Brix's wine list and knowledge is truly superb.
As the modern American menu does change seasonally, it is difficult to recommend specific dishes. However, I can say with confidence there have never been any missteps I have ever encountered. If you come for lunch (offered in spring and summer), the Kobe beef burger is a must. The chocolate pot du creme is a must as well (at least for this reviewer), if you can get some before it is sold out! The ahi tuna special I ordered recently was the most perfectly cooked ahi I have ever seen. Lamb, beef or fish, all is prepared perfectly. Vegetarian dishes are always offered as well.
The staff is wonderful - attentive, yet low-key and always at the ready with the right recommendation, be it cheese, food or wine.
The room is small and reservations are a must for dinner these days. The atmosphere is warm, cozy and enjoyable. In the summer there is a lovely patio for seating. It all makes for a delicious and memorable lunch or evening.
The Cottage Place (5 out of 5 peaks)
126 W. Cottage Ave. (2 blocks north of Butler on S. Humphreys)
774-8431
Open W - Sun. from 5 - 9:30 p.m.
cottageplace.com
Open in Flagstaff since 1994 as THE fine dining place to go, owners Frank & Nancy Branham are still keeping its reputation going strong. The Cottage Place has won the Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Flagstaff category by the Arizona Daily Sun for many years running. More traditional and French in its cooking style than Brix, The Cottage Place is a relaxing and romantic dinner.
Located in a cozy, historic converted home downtown, the mood is warm and aglow. It is the perfect place to go to celebrate a special occasion or for a real treat. Reservations are recommended.
Here the menu also changes seasonally and everything is delectable. (Right now the Brie en Croute and the Stuffed Mushrooms are amazing appetizers.) A real specialty of the house are the seafood dishes. Again, staff recommendations are spot-on. A chef's tasting menu is also available for a six course meal with paired wines and is always a fine choice.
Cottage Place's wine list is extensive and is also superb. So much so that they have earned an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine every year since 1996.
Staff is exceptionally well trained and attentive without hovering. They are the most finely trained staff in Flagstaff.
Another note is Chef Frank Branham regularly offers cooking classes of some of his best dishes and hosts holiday brunches, dinners and catering for special occasions.
You will be soothed and pampered at The Cottage Place and will be glad you came.
Josephine's Modern American Bistro (4 - 1/2 peaks out of 5)
503 N. Humphreys
779-3400
Winter hours: Open for lunch M - F 11 - 2:30 p.m., dinner M - Sun. 5 - 9 p.m.
josephinesrestaurant.com
Josephine's Modern American Bistro is a treat in its own right. Housed in another historic, converted home, Josephine's offers a larger space than Brix or Cottage Place and often holds holiday brunches and dinners.
Josephine's cuisine is also seasonal and usually features daily food and wine specials. The food is outstanding, yet a bit simpler than the fare at Brix or Cottage Place and usually features a Southwestern bent. This statement in no way knocks the quality here, it is merely a different style.
Some recommendations I can make are the fabulous Southwestern Crab Cakes which are available as either an appetizer or as an entree. They usually remain on the menu regardless of season. Right now the Green Chile Pork Osso Buco is stellar. Josephine's also offers a nice wine list with good recommendations available from the staff.
A special mention goes to Josephine's flair for tasty after dinner coffee drinks and their dessert know-how. Some restaurants prepare the food well but falter on desserts; not Josephine's. Anything with their cinnamon flecked homemade whipped cream is divine. The chocolate pecan pie offered in fall and winter is sublime. I have tried many times to duplicate it at home without the same success.
Staff has a casual manner, yet is helpful and polite. If possible, try to request a downstairs table with your reservation or a patio table if the weather permits. To dine on Josephine's patio on a summer day is really living. Josephine's makes for a fine, yet casual luncheon or evening.
413 N. San Francisco St.
928-213-1021
Winter hours: Open M - Sat. at 5 p.m., closed Sundays
brixflagstaff.com
Brix has come into some national fame as of late. The youngest restaurant to the fine dining scene, its rise has been meteoric for good reason.
Brix features seasonal menus with an emphasis on local, organic, and small sustainable farm suppliers as much as possible. Start your meal with one of Brix's excellent artisan cheese plates and a spot-on wine recommendation. Brix's wine list and knowledge is truly superb.
As the modern American menu does change seasonally, it is difficult to recommend specific dishes. However, I can say with confidence there have never been any missteps I have ever encountered. If you come for lunch (offered in spring and summer), the Kobe beef burger is a must. The chocolate pot du creme is a must as well (at least for this reviewer), if you can get some before it is sold out! The ahi tuna special I ordered recently was the most perfectly cooked ahi I have ever seen. Lamb, beef or fish, all is prepared perfectly. Vegetarian dishes are always offered as well.
The staff is wonderful - attentive, yet low-key and always at the ready with the right recommendation, be it cheese, food or wine.
The room is small and reservations are a must for dinner these days. The atmosphere is warm, cozy and enjoyable. In the summer there is a lovely patio for seating. It all makes for a delicious and memorable lunch or evening.
The Cottage Place (5 out of 5 peaks)
126 W. Cottage Ave. (2 blocks north of Butler on S. Humphreys)
774-8431
Open W - Sun. from 5 - 9:30 p.m.
cottageplace.com
Open in Flagstaff since 1994 as THE fine dining place to go, owners Frank & Nancy Branham are still keeping its reputation going strong. The Cottage Place has won the Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Flagstaff category by the Arizona Daily Sun for many years running. More traditional and French in its cooking style than Brix, The Cottage Place is a relaxing and romantic dinner.
Located in a cozy, historic converted home downtown, the mood is warm and aglow. It is the perfect place to go to celebrate a special occasion or for a real treat. Reservations are recommended.
Here the menu also changes seasonally and everything is delectable. (Right now the Brie en Croute and the Stuffed Mushrooms are amazing appetizers.) A real specialty of the house are the seafood dishes. Again, staff recommendations are spot-on. A chef's tasting menu is also available for a six course meal with paired wines and is always a fine choice.
Cottage Place's wine list is extensive and is also superb. So much so that they have earned an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine every year since 1996.
Staff is exceptionally well trained and attentive without hovering. They are the most finely trained staff in Flagstaff.
Another note is Chef Frank Branham regularly offers cooking classes of some of his best dishes and hosts holiday brunches, dinners and catering for special occasions.
You will be soothed and pampered at The Cottage Place and will be glad you came.
Josephine's Modern American Bistro (4 - 1/2 peaks out of 5)
503 N. Humphreys
779-3400
Winter hours: Open for lunch M - F 11 - 2:30 p.m., dinner M - Sun. 5 - 9 p.m.
josephinesrestaurant.com
Josephine's Modern American Bistro is a treat in its own right. Housed in another historic, converted home, Josephine's offers a larger space than Brix or Cottage Place and often holds holiday brunches and dinners.
Josephine's cuisine is also seasonal and usually features daily food and wine specials. The food is outstanding, yet a bit simpler than the fare at Brix or Cottage Place and usually features a Southwestern bent. This statement in no way knocks the quality here, it is merely a different style.
Some recommendations I can make are the fabulous Southwestern Crab Cakes which are available as either an appetizer or as an entree. They usually remain on the menu regardless of season. Right now the Green Chile Pork Osso Buco is stellar. Josephine's also offers a nice wine list with good recommendations available from the staff.
A special mention goes to Josephine's flair for tasty after dinner coffee drinks and their dessert know-how. Some restaurants prepare the food well but falter on desserts; not Josephine's. Anything with their cinnamon flecked homemade whipped cream is divine. The chocolate pecan pie offered in fall and winter is sublime. I have tried many times to duplicate it at home without the same success.
Staff has a casual manner, yet is helpful and polite. If possible, try to request a downstairs table with your reservation or a patio table if the weather permits. To dine on Josephine's patio on a summer day is really living. Josephine's makes for a fine, yet casual luncheon or evening.
