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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Anthony's in the Catalinas

6440 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-299-1771

Description: FOOTHILLS. Dim lighting enhances the city views in this elegant setting that is perfect for celebrating a special occasion. Beautiful linens, crystal, china and formal service compliment the excellent food, which includes dishes such as lamb, pasta, seafood and a perfectly seasoned Steak New Orleans. Topping everything is the outstanding wine cellar, which offers an enviable 1400 excellent options.
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Beyond Bread

3026 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-322-9965

Description: NORTH TUCSON. For a quick bite on your way to work or a day of sightseeing, bypass all those fast food chains and stop at Beyond Bread. The cinnamon raisin French toast is unbeatable, but if you like protein in the morning, try a made-to-order omelette, stuffed full of your choice of meats, cheese and veggies. Lighter appetites might prefer a simple croissant, muffin or scone. Later in the day, opt for a cleverly named sandwich or salad, a slice of dark chocolate cake or a massive cookie. Breads range from specials like Ancho-Chipotle-White Cheddar and Brie-Scallion-Chive to more traditional varieties such as challah and baguettes ­ there are more than 30 breads in the regular schedule, about half of which are available on any given day.
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Blue Willow

2616 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-327-7577

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Tucked away in an old house, Blue Willow is renowned for its comfortable, home-style cooking and its charming patio. Shaded in the summer and heated in the winter, it's the perfect spot for a fun weekday lunch with friends or a relaxing weekend breakfast. The menu is chock full of omelettes and other filling morning meal favorites, all accompanied by fresh fruit and potatoes or rice. Lunch and dinner options range from soups and salads to delicate crepes and vegetarian dishes. The place is equally famous for its desserts, particularly the chocolate confection of the day, which never fails to impress and satisfy.
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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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El Corral

2201 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-299-6092

Description: FOOTHILLS. A rustic, Western style steakhouse, El Corral has been serving up fantastic prime rib, steaks, ribs and tamale pie for over 60 years. Huge wood beams, flagstone floors and fireplaces create a casual and inviting atmosphere where folks enjoy a hearty meal and traditional Tucson hospitality. If you've managed to reserve a little room for dessert, the Adobe Mud Pie is an absolute winner.
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Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

6360 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-529-5017

Description: FOOTHILLS. In true steakhouse fashion, Fleming's sports lots of dark wood and leather and features attentive service and top-notch food. Start with zesty Cajun barbecued shrimp or crab cakes with roasted red pepper-lime butter. Steaks are excellent, of course, but other main course options are just as good, from double-thick pork chops to bacon-wrapped seared curry scallops. Sides have a regional taste too, with jalapenos and chipotles making frequent appearances. Plus, Fleming's has some 100 wines available by the glass, along with numerous others available by the bottle.
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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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Kingfisher Bar & Grill

2564 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-323-7739

Description: NORTH TUCSON. This quirky seafood favorite serves up a great menu of fresh fish in a stylishly eccentric environment. The food says upscale but the vibe is fun and upbeat. Excellent wines, juicy rotisserie meats, hip martinis, hand-bottled bourbons and live jazz make this a great choice for a lingering evening. Oysters and chilled Gulf shrimp by the dozen, cornmeal-crusted pan-fried catfish are a few seafaring options. After 10pm, a light menu is served until midnight. Reservations recommended.
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Li'l Abners Steak House

8500 N Silverbell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743 520-744-2800

Description: MARANA. Li'l Abner's has been around for years, and it's easy to see why. The casual, Western-themed atmosphere is augmented by decades worth of graffiti scrawled on the walls ­ mostly things like "John Rules" and "Amy loves Mike," with the occasional proverb or bit of restaurant praise (and yes, you're welcome to add your own John Hancock or words of wisdom). And the steaks, well, they're the stuff of legend. Grilled over huge open mesquite fires out back, the steaks (and ribs and chicken) are big and juicy, whether you opt for the diminutive 7-ounce filet or the gargantuan 2-pound Porterhouse. The accompanying beans and salsa give the meal a Southwest flair, but for even more regional flavor, come on a Friday or Saturday night when there's live country-western music and dancing!
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Pastiche Modern Eatery

3025 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-325-3333

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Stylish and contemporary, Pastiche serves an eclectic variety of New American cuisine that's proven to be quite a hit with locals. The menu is wide-ranging, with dishes such as bruschetta topped with marinated tomatoes, brie and fresh basil, a wonderful "steak frites" salad, cioppino, a mushroom soufflé topped with asiago cream sauce, pumpkin ravioli in sage-brown butter, and some hearty pasta creations. Just about everything on the menu is available in half portions or so-called "bistro" portions, a boon for light eaters and folks who can't make up their minds!
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Sullivan's Steakhouse of Tucson

1785 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-299-4275

Description: FOOTHILLS. One of Tucson's favored destinations to wine-and-dine important clients, Sullivan's boasts a classic '40s-era steakhouse look and style ­ from dark wood furniture and accents to white tablecloths and a smooth-playing jazz ensemble. Expectedly, beef is the specialty, and Sullivan's chefs most assuredly know their cuts. Premiere selections include the New York strip, Kansas City strip, and a Gibraltar-sized porterhouse. Seafood is reliably good as well, and the roster of bourbon, single malt scotch and cognac is impressive. Reservations are a must.
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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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Ventana Room

7000 N Resort Dr, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ 85718 520-615-5494

Description: CATALINAS. Nestled among the Santa Clara Mountains, the elegant, sophisticated Ventana Room offers sparkling city views by night and rustic mountain scenery by day. Candlelight and soft music ensure you are worlds away from the wildlife outside. The contemporary American menu, full of Southwestern and French influences, features dishes like seared foie gras, duck confit ravioli, and a mixed grill of game with buffalo, partridge and venison. Extensive, well-chosen wine list and fantastic service. Jacket suggested. Reservations recommended.
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Wildflower Grill

7037 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-219-4230

Description: FOOTHILLS. This stylish cafe, full of sleek furnishings and modern art, has a reputation for understated elegance and great food. Take in breathtaking mountain scenery from the attractive patio while enjoying dishes that range from trendy to traditional. Try the succulent meat loaf and mashed potatoes, Tuscan white bean ravioli, or the popular and luxurious warm lobster salad dressed in white truffle vinaigrette. Reservations recommended.
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