AAA Arizona has been around since 1927. Probably originally best known for their automobile services, like 24-hour roadside assistance, they also provide other services. These include mobile battery service, rental car delivery, insurance services and travel services.
You can also look to AAA for recommendations about the best places to eat. In November 2007, AAA Arizona selected 22 dining establishments in the greater Phoenix area as either 4 or 5 Diamond rated restaurants.
There are many restaurants in metro Phoenix that provide fine food. According to AAA, a 4 Diamond Rating means that "menus reflect a high degree of creativity and complexity, using imaginative presentations to enhance high-quality, market-fresh ingredients. The proficient service staff demonstrates a strong desire to meet or exceed guest expectations."
The 5 Diamond restaurants are "renowned and consistently provide a world-class experience. This is 'haute cuisine' at its best. Menus are cutting edge, using only the finest ingredients available....A maître d’ leads an expert service staff that exceeds guest expectations by attending to every detail in an effortless and unobtrusive manner."
You might notice that most of these fine restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale are associated with hotels or resorts. I have marked the restaurants that are not on hotel properties with an asterisk, in case you prefer that type of restaurant. The number in parentheses next to the restaurant name represents the number of years it has been awarded that particular number of diamonds by AAA.
Of note, most of our finer restaurants are in central Phoenix or on the east/northeast side of town. There are only two restaurants on the list (both at the same resort) that are on the west side of town. That's an improvement. Last year there was only one!
Notably missing this year is Marquesa at the Scottsdale Fairmont Resort, which closed, and had been on the list as a 5-Diamond restaurant for many years. The Chaparral Room at Camelback Inn closed after many years on the 4-Diamond list. Michael's at the Citadel also called it quits last year. Although Acacia (Four Seasons) and Vu (Hyatt Scottsdale) were on the list, they have since closed.
The bottom line is that if your budget is not restricted, you are certain to have an elegant and memorable meal at any one of these Phoenix area dining establishments.
AAA 5 Diamond Restaurants in Greater Phoenix
Chandler
Kai (2) Read my review of Kai.
Scottsdale
Mary Elaine's (9)
AAA 4 Diamond Restaurants in Greater Phoenix
Carefree
Latilla Dining Room (14)
Fountain Hills
Alchemy at CopperWynd (5)
Litchfield Park
Arizona Kitchen (11)
Red's Steakhouse (1)Paradise Valley
Elements (6)
Lon's at the Hermosa Inn (2)Phoenix
Different Pointe of View (18)
Latitude 30 (2) Read my review of Latitude 30.
Ristorante Tuscany (5)
T. Cook's (4) Read my review of T. Cook's.
Wright's (6)Scottsdale
Asia de Cuba (1)
Deseo (5) Read my review of Deseo.
La Hacienda (15)
Mosaic (4)*
Palm Court (4)
The Terrace Dining Room (13)
Windows on the Green (2)
You can find links to all these restaurants' web sites at the About.com Phoenix Restaurant Listing.
