Fusion in Phoenix

4701 N. 20th St. East Phoenix

602-761-4750

American, Bar Food, Fusion, Health, Bars and Clubs, Recommended

When you're thinking about going out to watch the game, you probably aren't thinking about going to Whole Foods. However, if you're a craft beer lover, you might want to change your tune. Brews from Mikkeller, Dragoon, Mother Road, Dogfish Head, and more make the ever changing tap list, so you'll likely love exploring the menu. However, if you can't take the shame of Ubering to a grocery store, you can opt for a four beer flight to test out some different styles without over-imbibing. Plus, if you have vegetarian or vegan friends, you can all find something to eat on the full menu, which features pizza, sushi, and sandwiches.

3 articles

Amuse Bouche Gourmet Bistro & Catering

17058 W. Bell Rd. Surprise

623-322-8881

Bistro, French, Fusion, Critics' Pick, Best Of

Call it a stroke of culinary good luck that French-trained chefs Snir and Kierstin Mor landed in Surprise, an exurb of Phoenix hammered by chain restaurants, to open Amuse Bouche, their BYOB country-French bistro. Open for lunch, dinner, and offering one of the best Sunday breakfasts in the Valley, the tiny eatery features short and carefully crafted menus that change with the seasons. Be on the lookout for exquisite quiche Lorraine, a mouthwateringly moist Berkshire pork chop, heady cioppino, and noteable desserts like an intensely rich dark chocolate pot de crème and a shareable hunk of spongy bread pudding drizzled in a woozy homemade caramel sauce.

15 articles

Chino-Mex

140 W. Chandler Blvd., #2 Chandler

480-690-1010

Fusion, Chinese, Mexican, Readers' Choice

2 articles

Coal Burger

7131 W. Ray Rd. Chandler

480-785-0530

American, Burgers, Fusion

Courtyard Cafe at Heard Museum

2301 N. Central Ave. Central Phoenix

602-251-0204

Fusion, Mexican, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

The Heard Museum’s restaurant serves Southwestern-inspired fare, often including dishes that complement the museum’s current exhibitions. Favorite house-made items include the Tepary Bean Hummus and some pretty popular posole; diners can also choose from salads and sandwiches. The best part is, Courtyard Café is open to the public, meaning it does not require museum admission. Weather permitting, diners are free to enjoy the courtyard patio with a glass of Twisted Cedar wine — a brand owned and operated by the Paiute tribe of Utah.

6 articles

Cyclo Vietnamese Cuisine

1919 W. Chandler Blvd. #2 Chandler

480-963-4490

Vietnamese, Asian, Fusion, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

With over a decade in the business, Chandler's Cyclo definitely must be doing something right. With both fusion and classic Vietnamese fare, you can enjoy a range of options, including vegetarian and gluten-free upon request. Favorites include bun cha Hanoi and bun bo xao, though the pho at Cyclo is also on point. Owner Justina Duong has kept her modern Asian fusion spot open with love and dedication over the years, though her extremely casual, friendly, and welcoming personality is what has earned her the adoration of many regulars. If you stick to those rice noodle-based dishes and can handle a heavy dose of sass from Duong, you'll be a Cyclo devotee too.

8 articles

Elements

5700 E. McDonald Dr. Paradise Valley

855-245-2051

American, Asian, Fusion, Recommended, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Directed by executive chef Beau MacMillan, Elements celebrates high cuisine in bold, uncomplicated style -- fancy fare that leaves pretension at the door. The ever-changing cuisine is seasonal American, but with gutsy Asian accents. Specialties include fresh seafood, organic produce and dramatic dishes like prime beef carpaccio with maytag blue cheese and smoked walnut vinaigrette.

59 articles

Fusion Burritos

546 N. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert

480-507-7446

Fusion, Mexican

Fusion fare tends to be on shaky ground, particularly in the fast-casual sector. But we have to admit that Gilbert's Fusion Burrito offers a solid meal, especially at such an affordable price. The fact that there's a drive-thru window gives the operation all the more appeal. The menu includes creations that range from "Okay, that doesn't sound too bad" to "Really? That can't be good." Consider the Gilbert burrito, which features housemade chicken salad with dried cranberries, almonds, celery, and greens. It's more wrap than burrito, but we can get behind the idea.

5 articles

J-Licious Tasty Teazy Taqueria

610 E. Roosevelt Central Phoenix

602-931-8455

Fusion, Mexican

2 articles

Kaizen PHX

515 E. Grant St., #100 Downtown Phoenix

602-432-0752

Sushi, Japanese, Fusion, Best Of

Kaizen PHX serves Instagram-worthy sushi and sashimi from inside the modern red-brick Lawrence Building in the warehouse district of downtown Phoenix. The restaurant, complete with concrete floors, modern art, and windowed garage doors that open to a patio, is adjacent to Galvanize, a coworking space for tech entrepreneurs. But don’t let the seemingly corporate atmosphere sway you — Kaizen is far from an afterthought inside a business complex. The dishes and flavors are bright and beautiful, from Tuna Poke Cones stuffed with big eye tuna and avocado and rimmed with black and white sesame seeds to Hotate Aguachile with thinly sliced scallops topped with serrano peppers in a spicy, limey, emerald green emulsion. Kaizen pulls inspiration from Japan and Latin America to concoct its versatile creations. Snag a few for half price during happy hour, Tuesday through Saturday, 4-6 p.m.

3 articles

My Slice of the Pie Pizzeria

3724 E. Indian School Rd. Central Phoenix

602-956-2098

Pizza, Southwestern, Fusion, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

This neighborhood pizza serves New York-style pizza that’s heavily influenced by Southwestern and Mexican flavor. With slices available during the day and whole pies at night, the restaurant tops its thin-crust pies with toppings including fire-roasted jalapeno puree, house-made carne asada, sweet and smoky al pastor, and green chiles. There’s also a BYOB policy from noon to 10 p.m., and the restaurant offers delivery within the surrounding neighborhood. Owner Randy Bortin bring plenty of street cred to the restaurant; his sister-in-law is America Corrales of America’s Taco Shop.

1 article

Pa'La

132 E. Washington St. Downtown Phoenix

602-368-3052

Tapas, Fusion, Best Of

This restaurant is a temple to simple food in the form of a 24th Street bungalow. Or maybe it's more of a low-key barracks: There's a spartan rigor to the approach to ingredients. The very best and often the most obscure, commonly from Italy: olio nuovo, heirloom beans, Tuscan pecorino, high-end polenta, heady wines. There's also the best of what's locally available, including marine life like skate and scallops from Nelson's Meat + Fish, and sausage and steak from Arcadia Meat Market. Dishes have few parts. The food is solidly Italian, but not tied to any one region or regular classic preparations. Pa'La is small, almost half patio, and the heart of the eatery is a wood-fired oven. Beautiful breads emerge from its flames. Cast iron pans of colored zucchini frittata and crisp-skinned bluefish emerge, and once you bite in, the olden rusticity of the food washes you in a timeless warmth. You can taste the commitment in plates as humble as grain bowls, or as starters of bread, cheese, and cured meat. Seating is limited inside but takeout is always available.

1 article

Sapporo

14344 N. Scottsdale Rd. North Scottsdale

480-607-1114

California, Chinese, Contemporary, Fusion, Hawaiian, Health, Japanese, Polynesian, Seafood, Sushi, Thai, Vegetarian, Bars and Clubs, Best Of

A place to see and be seen, and suck down some topnotch sushi while doing so. This glitzy palace is packed with fine young professionals crowding a hip watering hole, but the chefs take their mission seriously. The concept is split into three themes: teppanyaki, Pacific Rim and sushi. With a special chef for each area, the results are outstanding all around. Anything with ahi is excellent, and dishes get creative, with plates like hoisin-glazed barbecue or misoyaki black cod with lobster cognac and kabayokie sauce. However, you can also always just pop in to get one of their refined, light, and fresh cocktails or enjoy a glass of wine or sake from their list.

10 articles

Social Box Neighborhood Eatery

1371 N. Alma School Rd. Chandler

480-899-6735

American, Bar Food, Fusion, Menu

5 articles

Stadium Sports Grill

2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe

480-966-4774

American, Bar Food, Burgers, Fusion

2 articles

WTFExp

1024 E. Buckeye Rd., #180 South Phoenix

602-595-6666

Fusion, Eclectic, Best Of

3 articles

Fusion in Phoenix

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