Acacia

4340 N Campbell Ave, St Philip's Plaza, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-232-0101

Description: FOOTHILLS. Artfully decorated with paintings, sculpture and atmospheric lighting, Acacia is ideal when you want to put on your most stylish clothes and linger over an enticing meal. At lunch, the professional crowd noshes on upscale greens and sandwiches, such as Crab Louis, a lavish wok-charred salmon salad, or the Prime Rib dip with shaved beef, roasted poblanos and emmental on a torpedo roll with natural jus. An elegant dinner may include golden tomato gazpacho with rock shrimp and avocado, filet mignon and wood roasted quail with shallot and wild mushroom sauce, or succulent grilled king salmon with tomatillo-kiwi salsa. If you visit for the trendy jazz brunch on Sunday, opt for the apricot and cream cheese stuffed French toast or chicken and mushroom crepes with Mornay sauce ­ superb!
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Arizona Inn

2200 E Elm St, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-325-1541

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Casual elegance is the mark of the Arizona Inn restaurant. Fresh flowers, live music and attentive service combine to provide a rewarding dining experience. There is an Old World charm to the 1930s inn, and the dining room includes gracious seating on the patio. Once on the edge of town but now in midtown, this restaurant offers the best in comfort, style and flavor. Reservations recommended. Jacket and tie suggested. Three-course prix fixe dinner $45.
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Bluefin Seafood Bistro

7053 N Oracle Rd, Casa Adobes Plaza, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-531-8500

Description: FOOTHILLS. Bluefin is the slightly more upscale cousin of the much favored Kingfisher. With exposed brick walls and white linen topped tables, the atmosphere is elegant but comfortable, and seats by the huge windows are in high demand. Standouts from the lunch menu are an inventive ceviche salad with marinated fish and roasted peppers on shredded romaine with a citrus vinaigrette, and a fabulous grilled salmon melt with caramelized onions, pesto and Swiss. Later in the day, try blue crab cakes with lemon-ginger aioli, or cashew-crusted mahi mahi. A selection from the oyster bar is always a wise choice as well. On weekends, live music draws crowds at the downstairs bar.
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Cibaria Cucina Italiana

12985 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 520-825-2900

Description: ORO VALLEY. Chef / owner Michael Veres has made a name for himself in the Tucson culinary scene, first at the celebrated Daniels and now at his own restaurant. And Veres certainly has a way with Italian cuisine. Farfalle con Uva combines farfalle pasta, grilled chicken, red seedless grapes, walnuts and spinach, all sautéed in a gorgonzola cream sauce. The traditional lasagna ­ layers of pasta, ricotta, peas, ground sausage, marinara and mozzarella ­ earns raves, as does the eggplant and sausage topped Polenta Capponata. Rustic, handmade pizzas topped with any of about 20 ingredients are also very good, and daily specials are always fantastic.
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El Parador

2744 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-881-2744

Description: EAST TUCSON. In addition to serving fantastic Mexican/Latino cuisine, this venerable Tucson restaurant has an unusual main dining room that has become quite a coveted spot for a meal. Once a courtyard, the room was enclosed, leaving the trees and plants intact. It makes a striking setting in which to partake of fantastic tableside guacamole, seafood stuffed rellenos, and platters of all the traditional favorites. The menu also features a handful of low-carb options for Atkins followers, plus good margaritas and Mexican beers.
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Govinda Natural Foods Buffet

711 E Blacklidge Dr, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-792-0630

Description: NORTH TUCSON. The only restaurant in town with a completely meatless menu, Govinda is located in the Hare Krishna Center and features an all-you-care-to-eat buffet. The offerings vary from day to day, but on Tuesday nights the menu is all Indian and on Thursday nights the choices are all vegan (no dairy). The variety is impressive, ranging from pastas to Mexican casseroles, and everything is fresh and healthy. Sunday brunch includes a selection of traditional breakfast dishes such as pancakes, home fries, fruit, and even tofu scrambles. Call ahead or check Govinda's website to see what's on the menu.
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La Fuente

1749 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705 520-623-8659

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Although it's considered by many locals to be a bit of a tourist trap, La Fuente does have fabulous mole sauce, the deeply layered chocolate-based sauce that originated in central Mexico. And the décor is about as appealing as it comes ­ colorful and bright with fairy lights and metal lamps, complemented by a lively mariachi band every night starting at 6pm. The restaurant has been in business for more than 40 years, and has hosted well-known folks such as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash, so it must be doing something right!
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Le Delice

7245 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750 520-290-9714

Description: EAST TUCSON. If your weakness is French pastries, you may want to skip this one! The selection of tempting treats ranges from chocolate topped éclairs, dainty cream puffs, colorful little fruit tarts, flaky napoleons, multi-layered tortes, and beautiful madeleines and palmiers. Truffles and marzipan figures offer bite-size satisfaction, and the array of freshly baked breads will make you want to give up your Atkins diet forever. Le Delice also serves full meals: eggs and waffles for breakfast; soups, salads and unusual sandwiches for lunch; and a full dinner menu of traditional French dishes such as steak frites, coq au vin and veal cordon bleu.
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Montana Avenue

6390 E Grant Rd, Tucson,, AZ 85715 520-298-2020

Description: NORTHEAST. Montana Avenue is one of the most attractively designed restaurants in town, with sophisticated earthy colors and sleek modern lines. In the dining room, a large expanse of beautifully etched glass separates the dining room from the kitchen on one side, while the other is flanked by the bar. The patio, with its large pass-through fireplace, is ideal for al fresco dining no matter the time of year. Inspired by the regional cuisines of the western US, the menu has wide appeal, offering everything from duck enchiladas to chicken crepes topped with Havarti fondue to steak with sweet potatoes.
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The Grill

5601 N Hacienda del Sol Rd, Hacienda del Sol, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-529-3500

Description: FOOTHILLS. Among The Grill's many accolades is Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence, won every year since the restaurant opened in 1997. The dining room, inside a gorgeous Spanish Colonial style building, is meticulously decorated and accented with fine art. And the cooking shows just as much care and attention to detail, right down to the artful arrangement of food and garnishes on the plate. Multi-layered flavors often show a hint of a Southwestern accent, as in the seared duck breast with a three pepper marmalade and dried cherry-guajillo sauce. Grilled meats are especially popular, such as the buffalo sirloin with bourbon vanilla peppercorn sauce and a pork chop with roasted corn and cuitlacoche bordelaise. Fans of Sunday brunch will be more than thrilled with The Grill's copious selection. Live music Thursday-Sunday.
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