The Valley is celebrating Restaurant Week, patio date nights, pastrami deals, more football fun, and Michelin-level dining (who knew football and Michelin could belong in the same sentence?). Have a news tip? Send us a note via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com. 

The 411

Restaurant Week is Back 

Menus get a little sizzle and spice when the biannual Arizona Restaurant Week hits the Valley. From September 18 to 27, around 260 restaurants are serving prix fixe menus ranging from comfort food to luxe dining for $33, $44 or $55. 

There are almost too many good ones to choose from, including three-course menus from JING Scottsdale (try the tuna pizza), Fire At Will (one of my favorite hamburgers in Phoenix), and The Dust Cutter (we’re eyeing the blackened seared salmon). 

More Football Fun

We recently shared a football roundup of where to watch games, participate in trivia and join fantasy leagues, but wait, there’s more! Diego Pops is also serving up a “Game Day To-Go” special for watch parties, tailgates, or anyone who just wants more tacos. For $35, guests score 10 street tacos with chicken or steak and two take-home margaritas. How’s that for a good time?

Deals at the Deli

Miracle Mile Deli, which has served Phoenicians New York-style since 1949, has a few September-long specials. The line up includes Pastrami Sliders, which come with two small sandwiches and a side for $15. There’s also the $100 Miracle Mile Deli “back-to-school” gift card for only $77.

Restaurant Birth Announcements 

Last week, we shared some restaurant obituaries bidding adieu to a few longtime Valley staples. This week, we have happier news. Please join us in welcoming these bouncing baby restaurants to the Valley dining scene. 

• It’s a pho! Pho Sedona in north Phoenix serves up Vietnamese favorites. Proud new parents are showing off specialties like shaken beef and rotisserie chicken.
• Sweet baby Zane! Zane’s Pizza & Ice Cream in northwest Phoenix is a little bundle of joyful New York-style pizzas, plus 18 flavors of nostalgic Thrifty Ice Cream.
• The family is growing! Mendocino Farms just welcomed its third Arizona location to serve up more of its chef-driven sandwiches and salads.
• Another Luna landing! Luna Grill welcomed a fresh Arizona location at Pointe 17 in north Phoenix, bringing Mediterranean bowls, wraps, salads and grilled proteins to the growing area.
• Heritage Park is expecting…quadruplets! Four new restaurants will soon join the family at Heritage Park, expected in the second quarter of 2027. The brood includes PopUp Bagels, marking the popular East Coast bagel shop’s Arizona debut; the coffee and tea shop, La La Land Kind Cafe; seafood-and-martini spot Hudson House; and the scoop shop Salt & Straw. 
• Baby on board! News is Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill is expecting its first Arizona location at SanTan Village, taking over the former State 48 Tap House space. 

Save the Date for Summer’s Last Hurrah

Save September 22 for James Beard Award-nominated chef Gio Osso and chef Stephen Jones’ four-course paired dinner, the finale of the summer-long Devour Summer Chefs Series at Virtù Honest Craft. Tickets are $250 and available online.

On the Menu 

And They Call it Bella Noche

Virtù Honest Craft is hosting “Meet Me in the Courtyard” this fall, inviting guests to dine on the patio every Tuesday and Wednesday. Chef Osso offers a seasonal three-course menu for two, paired with a sommelier-selected bottle of wine. New dishes include the “manzo,” a classic steak tartare with cornichon and capers, and rigatoni in a short rib ragù. For dessert, chocolate sticky toffee cake or butterscotch budino round out the evening nicely.

Burgers, Sandwiches, Soups, Oh my! 

The Delicatessen by Chef Joey launched a new menu that includes blinged-out cream cheeses like Abuela’s Hot Chocolate and specialty coffees in seasonal flavors. And yes, that means pumpkin. Also look for a list of new breakfast burritos, sandwiches, burgers, and soups.

Don’t Miss This Week

Need some dining out recommendations? 

Friday: Did you hear the news that Miracle Mile Deli is calling our name with that pastrami slider deal? But honestly, its stacked hamburger is a beast, too, with one-third-pound chuck and yes, even more pastrami. Warning: You will need napkins! 

Saturday: I just tried Wolf by Vanderpump at Caesars Republic Scottsdale, and it delivers an over-the-top, sexy Vegas vibe—even at 11 a.m. for lunch! The fried goat cheese balls and truffle fries are worth the indulgence. I also tried a steak wrap with cotija cheese and mojo sauce, a Southwest twist on classic American fare.

Everything, down to the whiskey balls imprinted with “Wolf” and the chairs adorned with wolf heads, is a fun surprise. I plan to return, but next time for dinner when I’m wolfishly hungry for all things comfort food. 

Sunday: Need another Restaurant Week recommendation? We’re headed to LATHA Restaurant & Bar after news of its great special menu. For its $55 prix fixe menu, we’re eyeing the Salmon Kafta, Pineapple Piri Piri Chicken, and Southern Pound Cake. As one diner recently told me: “Order anything. You can’t go wrong here!”