Barrio

135 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 520-629-0191

Description: DOWNTOWN. Barrio appeals to a wide variety of people. Young professionals enjoy the trendy atmosphere and inventive Southwestern cuisine after work, the post-theater crowd enjoys the variety of late evening offerings, and nine-to-five types appreciate fresh and reasonably priced lunch fare. Menu standouts include an Anaheim chile stuffed with roasted garlic, black beans and goat cheese and topped with roasted red bell pepper cream sauce; Ensalada de pescado which pairs mixed greens, sunflower sprouts and pineapple relish with papaya-cilantro vinaigrette and pan-blackened fresh fish; a taco salad with lots of extras tossed with a kicky chile-cilantro-lime vinaigrette; pan-seared venison on shoestring potatoes with ancho chile aioli; and Dijon crusted rack of lamb. Barrio also offers flights of wine or spirits, perfect for sampling!
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Flying V Bar & Grill

7000 N Resort Dr, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ 85750 520-299-2020

Description: CATALINAS. The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort has several top-notch restaurants, including the elegant Ventana Room and this, the tastefully casual Flying V Bar and Grill. Overlooking the Tom Fazio-designed golf course, with the Tucson skyline as a backdrop, the restaurant brings a bit of the outdoors in with natural stone, metal and leather décor. The Southwestern cuisine consists of grilled steaks, fish and fresh veggies like squash, corn, peppers and tomatoes. Hearty and robust flavors that avoid being heavy or overwhelming. The best views are from the deck, so if the weather is fine, ask to dine al fresco!
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Gold Room

245 E Ina Rd, Westward Look Resort, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-297-1151

Description: FOOTHILLS. The Gold Room has long been considered one of the finest restaurants in the city. The excellent location in the foothills offers great city views, but the wonderful Southwestern and Continental cuisine is what has made this restaurant a revered classic in Tuscon. Fresh herbs, produce and vegetables from the restaurant's own garden add a flavorful accent to each meal. Try the antelope, or go for classic beef Wellington. Reservations are suggested.
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HiFalutin Rapid Fire Western Grill

6780 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-297-0518

Description: FOOTHILLS. Lively and fun, HiFalutin fully embraces the Western aesthetic with rough hewn woods, horse prints on the walls and the scent of mesquite smoke wafting through the air. The theme carries through to the servers' uniforms, which are "capped off" with cowboy hats, and to the food. This is comfort food with a Western twist, and often a clever name like Dawg Gone Great Flank Steak, City Slicker Shrimp Scampi, or Cattleboss Pot Roast. Ranch hands of yore had hearty appetites acquired through long hours of hard work on the range, and this is the kind of food they'd appreciate. Wear your boots, and bring an empty stomach!
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J Bar

3770 E Sunrise Dr, Westin La Paloma Resort, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-615-6100

Description: FOOTHILLS. Janos Wilder is a well-known restaurateur in Tucson, and this restaurant is a more casual and affordable version of Janos, his upscale eatery next door. Here you'll find great Mexican cuisine with an international slant. On the beautiful grounds of La Paloma resort, the patio affords breathtaking views. The food is family-style, with hearty portions of grilled meats and fish, fresh vegetables and homemade tortillas passed around the table. Wash it all down with a festive Mojito, a rum drink invented by Ernest Hemingway.
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Janos

3770 E Sunrise Dr, Westin La Paloma Resort, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-615-6100

Description: FOOTHILLS. Janos Wilder, award-winning chef and owner of this lovely restaurant, offers spectacular views and spectacular food to match. Focusing on Southwestern cuisine created with a decidedly French flair, meals here are prepared with local ingredients at the peak of freshness. Every dish is a complex yet rewarding combination of flavors ­ try lobster with papaya in champagne sauce or green tea smoked duck with stir-fried bok choy and spiced plums. Savor each with a complimentary wine and you have what many call the best dining experience in Arizona.
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Jonathan's Cork

6320 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715 520-296-1631

Description: NORTHEAST. Although it's changed hands a few times over the years, Jonathan's Cork has maintained a loyal following, both for its rustic, retro décor and its non-standard steakhouse menu. The atmosphere is decidedly old-Southwest, with beehive fireplaces and old DeGrazia prints on the walls, but the food is decidedly more modern. In addition to great steaks and fresh fish, guests enjoy a selection of more uncommon meats such as ostrich, buffalo and venison. Most are char-broiled, sautéed or blackened to bring out the inherent flavors. There's also a good choice of beers and liquors.
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Ocotillo Café

2021 N Kinney Rd, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ 85743 520-883-5705

Description: WEST TUCSON. If you're fortunate enough to be in Tucson sometime during January-April you are in for a treat. Those are the only months that the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Ocotillo Café is open for lunch, and a better foray into Southwestern cuisine is rare indeed. The menu is short and changes frequently, but exceptionally fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grace every plate in some combination, giving color and zing to every dish. For example, a chile-cured sirloin is served alongside roasted garlic-chevre polenta and grilled machengo cheese, napolitos, scallions and red and yellow tomatoes; a vegetarian concoction sings with chile-flecked orzo, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, napolitos, roasted peppers, fresh corn and eggplant in chipotle chile cream sauce. Food simply doesn't get much more flavorful.
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Old Pueblo Grille

60 N Alvernon Wy, Tucson, AZ 85711 520-326-6000

Description: EAST TUCSON. Owned by Bob McMahon's highly regarded Metro Restaurants group (which includes other Tucson favorites McMahon's Prime Steakhouse and Firecracker), Old Pueblo does the Southwestern concept very well. Authentic, atmospheric décor contributes to the overall experience, which might start with a bowl of creamy poblano soup or rattlesnake eggs (bacon wrapped jalapenos stuffed with smoked shrimp and cream cheese). For the main course, try an Arizona spiced flat iron steak with garlic butter and green chile mashed potatoes, or the 16-ounce "El Jefe" NY strip steak with huitlacoche bordelaise. Tex Mex favorites like fajitas, enchiladas and tacos round out the menu, but if you're hankering for a burger, try the OPG, topped with roasted green chiles, pepper jack cheese and guacamole. Great margaritas and a huge tequila list, too.
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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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Tohono Chul Tea Room

7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-797-1222

Description: FOOTHILLS. Tohono Chul Park's café is set amidst desert cactus gardens in a Spanish Colonial house ­ an absolutely lovely and peaceful place to enjoy a meal or a snack. In the morning, opt for traditional pancakes or a Southwestern breakfast dish like huevos rancheros. Midday meals take a mostly Mexican/Southwestern approach with options such as tortilla soup, grilled raspberry-chipotle chicken and enchiladas, plus some fresh and tasty sandwiches and salads. A charming afternoon tea spread includes finger sandwiches, pastries and scones with jam and cream. If you're visiting the park, plan to do so around mealtime!
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