The Mission
Old Town’s The Mission reaffirmed our love of south-of-the-border fare with its Modern Latin cuisine. The flavors are as impressive as the beautiful minimalist presentations and the sweet-and-spicy margaritas are among the best in the Valley. After a meal of crispy rock shrimp tacos and Mission fries, the pumpkin bread pudding, topped with crunchy pepitas, is an absolute must. 480.636.5005, www.themissionaz.com.

Cork
Chandler’s Cork, an unexpected shopping plaza standout, doles out comfort food with an elegant twist. Although the menu varies seasonally, certain staples remain a permanent fixture. Cork’s mac and cheese is a delicious spin on the childhood favorite, while the organic buttermilk fried chicken will delight just about any mouth. 480.883.3773, www.corkrestaurant.net.

BLT Steak
Add American steakhouse and French bistro plus a modern flare and you’ve got BLT Steak. A feast of meat, seafood, signature sauces and unbelievable desserts wait for you straight from the mind of Chef Laurent Tourondel. The pre-dinner popovers alone merit a visit to the Scottsdale steakhouse. 480.905.7979, www.bltscottsdale.com.

Salt Cellar
Looking for the best seafood in the Valley? Well, look no further than Salt Cellar, which has been getting seafood right since 1971. Down three flights of antique wooden stairs, a piece of new England awaits, where they have all the classics including shrimp cocktail, oysters, clams, mussels and crab cakes. 480.947.1963, www.saltcellarrestaurant.com‎.‎