Restaurant Progress is the best dining experience we've had in Arizona. Went for the first time last night, for our anniversary. Our waitress, Dresden, was fantastic, and Chef Pierce Vargas was working right next to us. Every dish was so incredible that we had to tell him personally. We don't usually leave plates this clean, but we practically licked every one. The 5-course tasting menu for $75/person is one of the best values we've ever had. They gave us different dishes, so we were able to try almost the entire menu--from the steak tartare and yellowtail aquachile to strawberry/tomato, asparagus, chicken croquette, branzino, chicken, and two knock out desserts. Every course was outstanding, and the portions left us perfectly full. We also splurged on the wine pairing, and Zac, the wine director, absolutely nailed it. Every pairing elevated the meal. The most surprising part? The tasting menu hasn't gone up in price since they opened in 2017. They could easily charge three times as much, and we'd gladly pay it. Incredible food, incredible service, and an unbelievable value. We can't wait to come back. read more

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The 5 STARS are for about a week ago. A young owner/operator who is passionate and creative, Lovely small place. I went in solo tonight and the restaurant was busy but not full. I was acknowledged after a minute with a promise to be seated as "I will be back" GOOD, --- But he never returned to me but went behind the bar and never said a word or looked at me for about 5 minutes. BAD I left and went to The Manor down the street, Greeted quickly and sat,. I hope this newer Melrose addition will do well and they will if they shore up the hostess /FOH issues. I wish them luck! read more

Enticed by an Instagram flyer for Sunrise Service on 3/1/26 7a-12p, I stopped by on that Sunday late morning excited to enjoy the coffee, pastries, and sounds of the event. I ordered a cajeta latte $7 by @bullyphx. They are in a new coffee cart on the scene, and I have ordered from them before. I love the coffee taste and sweet flavors they offer. Again, I left at the latte I ordered from them. Will definitely continue to follow them at what ever pop up events they participated in! I ordered a brown butter pecan paris-brest $7 at the front cashier baked by @crystalkasserole and @tj_culp. I have never had this patient before, but the brown butter pecan feeling was absolutely delicious, with a balanced salt sweetness ratio. It was more cream feeling that I was used to though, so I was unable to finish all of it. I enjoyed my coffee and pastry sitting outside at the back patio, enjoying the ambient sounds provided by @introverted______ All in all one of the best Sunday afternoons I could have asked for. Amazing ambulance. Always proud to support the small business community of Phoenix and they do not disappoint read more

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This restaurant is absolutely disgusting. I'm so confused as to how they have a 4.7 rating. There's genuinely no way these are legit. I went here a while back and got the oysters. The oysters had 10,000,000 fish eggs on them and the same amount of fried onions. I could barely taste the oysters and whoever's idea it was to combine all of these textures has never been in a kitchen for more than 5mins. I also had the beef tartare and it tastes like expired beef infused with a nasty spicy mustard. The flavors were so mismatched I couldn't believe it. On top of that, it comes with some weird cracker that a gross taste and texture. Almost stale and kind of peppery. This entire dish is completely off. I also had the fried green tomatoes that were barely fried and they came sitting on top of some type tomato sauce that was grossly textured and ruined the crispiness of the fried tomatoes. If I could give this restaurant a -10 million I would instead give it a -100 million. This food is cooked by people who don't know how to eat. They smash a bunch of textures and favors together bc they are not a real cook, eater, or a person with good menu ideas. This place is an utter waste of time and money. These people are just in the kitchen playing and doing random stuff. I see alot of reviews based on the ambiance of this place rather than its intended purpose - the food. This crap is atrocious. read more

Just go. Not clear why more people don't go or talk about this place. We live in Scottsdale so it's a schlep but our 2nd visit exceeded expectations. The drinks, food, wine, prix fix menu, STAFF all exceptional. Can't wait to go back. read more

Went here for dinner - Service was great and inside is cute, but the dishes were a mixed experience. We had the burrata with fried green tomatoes and neither of us loved it. I did enjoy the carrot tostada though. Then we had the branzino, the lasagna and the special of the night which was a short rib pasta. The Branzino and pasta were pretty good but the lasagna was way too salty! The branzino was on the salty side too but still enjoyable. read more

Restaurant Progress - Lasagna and short rib pasta special - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Phenomenal. Haven't eaten that well since I was in Mexico and it's not even Mexican food. They nailed the ambiance, flavors, and hospitality. Did the 5 course kitchen option. Loved the frisée salad, seabass was delicious but the sauce(s) on the chicken were next level omg usually a tiramisu person and not a cake person but the crunchy bits they had in it + salted caramel was what I didn't know I needed. Will be back read more

Restaurant Progress - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We come here off and on over the years. Great conversation with staff on recommendations. The staff suggested things not in our comfort zone but always tastes great and accomplishes at taste expectations beyond what you think. Talk to you your staff..... It is casual and relaxing. Please support our local owned establishments. read more

Stopped in for an appetizer and a some cocktails during the Melrose street fair. We sat at the bar and were greeted and helped promptly. The cocktails were fabulous! They had a perfect amount of fresh citrus. The carrot tostada was a good appetizer to share we really loved the combination of the tender carrots and feta. Would love to come back for a full meal I could see this place being a wonderful date spot! read more

Restaurant Progress - Spicy margarita and island in the sun - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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The place is kinda small so recommend a reservation. We shared around 6 plates and we were 3 people. Not pictured but has a lasagna which I wasn't a fan of but other people liked it. We were pretty much full. Staff is friendly as well. Some plates are pricier than others. I wasn't a fan of the chicken either because it was burnt in some areas. read more

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I made a reservation a few days in advance with no issues. Service and ambiance were great. Parking in front of the restaurant can be tricky and limited. The food was decent but not very memorable. Would visit again to try other dishes. read more

Went to Progress for a Saturday night dinner in January. The interior is cozy. We purposely booked an indoor table because we don't like dining in the cold. However, we were seated right next to the front door which separated from the table by a thin screen. Theoretically this is ok but in practice every person going in and out would bump the screen to the point where it would almost topple onto our table. Our server never showed up (maybe busy with the large party in the adjoining room?) and after about 20 minutes of being ignored we had our order taken. At this point they seemed rushed and we were never explained the tasting menu as subsequent tables, who arrived when the rush had passed, were told about. For appetizers we had an endive Cesar salad and a burrata salad. Both were good, especially the latter. For mains we had the fish (quite salty but the fregola was nice) and the rack of lamb (very dry with a dry sauce just did not work). I think if we ever go back we would just have more of the small dishes and skip the larger plates. At nearly $100 a head this meal did not live up to our expectations. read more

Looking to celebrate New Year's Eve with close friends and was able to get reservations at Restaurant Progressive in Phoenix. RP has been on the radar, but just not checked them off the list. Tonight that ended. All dressed up and entered a softly lite small restaurant space with a direct view of the kitchen. A hustling wait staff moved quickly, but under control throughout the restaurant. I love the restaurant theater of a busy / visible kitchen. The first seating was packed. The menu was price fixed at four coarses and a good selection. We ordered drinks and our dining selections. The first course was tuna carpaccio with lemon garlic vinegarette, chive and cilantro. The slices of tuna were thicker than usual and a knife was needed to get through them. The second course was chicken fried quail with jalapeno cornbread and red eyed gravy. It was scrumptious and quite tasty. The third course was the flat iron wagu with brocolinni, horseradish and pomme puree. Again, it was delicious and the brocolinni was perfect. The dessert, a chocolate tart, was fair, a bit dense and dry. I understand New Years Eve is a busy night and we felt like the dishes were flying out of the kitchen. We requested the food presentation be slowed down as we were having a lovely evening with friend and good food. I would have to give Restaurant Progressive another chance, but not on a crazy holiday service. The food was good but not the level that our friends had RAVED about. Thanks for making the evening enjoyable. read more

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Everything from the food to service was so perfect! This restaurant had so many local ingredients and flavorful menu items. I highly recommend doing their "Chef's Choice" 5 course menu. I did this with my husband and the 5 courses were different for each of us! I loved this because you got to try different menu items. Their chicken is so tender and juicy and it will be the best chicken you'll ever have. I loved the daily stuffed pasta too because the sweet potato with the homemade pasta made it for that home cooked feeling providing that fall flavor profile that warms your insides. Chais was such an amazing waitress and so friendly! Loved how she provided her recommendations and was so welcoming and kind. It is casual on the inside yet felt upscale without the stuffiness Highly recommend for a nice dinner, date, or special occasion read more

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Finally made it to Restaurant Progress! This place is awesome. Relatively small, but they have a seasonally rotating menu that keeps it exciting and new. I will preface this by saying nothing we had was bad. Our servers, Joel and Chase were wonderful. Chase got us a celebratory bubbles for the table, and Joe recommended a wonderful bottle of wine that paired well with everything we ordered. It's definitely a romantic, moody vibe. We came for a date night and it exceeded our expectations. Very unassuming from the outside. I loved the rustic meets soft, modern vibe. We decided to do the leave it to the kitchen as it is a five course meal for only $75 per person... That is unheard of for the quality of food you get. We started with the Crudo and the beef tartare. The Crudo definitely had a little bit of spice from some Serano peppers, but it was a very bright acidic dish, whereas the beef tartare was more rich and umami forward. We very much enjoyed both. The salads were next. The Caesar was pretty good. Interesting lettuce choice but I wasn't mad at it. I liked the tomato salad. With the addition of the blue cheese on top, I thought that was unique and paired very well. We then got the pastas. One of us got the lasagna the other got the fresh pasta. The lasagna was definitely not traditional and more unique being artichoke in there and not a red sauce. However, I appreciate the creativity and it was very good. Still nice creamy and rich. The fresh pasta I believe was a tortellini. It had a wonderful creamy filling with a hint of pistachio, but the mint garnish really tied this dish together, and added a nice freshness and herbaceous was. That one was definitely a crowd pleaser. For entrées, we had the Bronzino and the roasted chicken. The roasted chicken definitely stood out to me. The Japanese sweet potato was phenomenal. The chicken was very tender and juicy, and the chimichurri brought such a nice brightness to this dish, cutting through some of the richness and contrasting that creamy lemon feta. I also appreciated the textural element of the pepita. For dessert we had the cheesecake and a mango sorbet. The mango sorbet was definitely lighter and acted more as a palate cleanser and the basil in there complemented it well. I very much enjoyed it, especially if you're looking for a small, sweet treat that isn't a commitment. The cheesecake was traditional with berries and nice and fluffy. all in all, we spent around $206 before tip, which included a bottle of wine. This place is definitely high ranking on my list for the atmosphere, the quality of food, the quality of service, and the fact that it is a rotating menu. I definitely see myself coming back here. It's definitely a place that can be dressed up or more casual if you like. The bar looks like a cool area to grab a drink. read more

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After hearing all of the hype, my friend and I were happy to be able to get in for dinner one evening. Unfortunately, the experience was thoroughly disappointing. Like the food was not even cooked - and not on purpose - disappointing. The ambiance was great, with soft candlelight and a lovely setting, but that is kind of where the "great" ended. The service was perfunctory, and I didn't feel like we were much of a priority. The server almost left before we even had finished ordering, just taking the food orders and almost stepping away before we could say we wanted wine, too. The food was where they fell off a cliff. We ordered shrimp crudo and a burrata dish with fried eggplant. The shrimp was very blah, and my friend noted that she has had a lot of shrimp crudo and this was the worst. But the other dish.. wow. When I picked up a slice of eggplant, I noticed it was not just not fork-tender, but I couldn't cut it with a knife. That is because the eggplant was FROZEN SOLID. (I have to admit I was seriously worried that we had just eaten raw shrimp from a kitchen that couldn't properly cook eggplant, but I am still alive to write this, so...) We could not get anyone's attention, so my friend had to get out of her chair and flag someone down. They immediately whisked it away (as well as my share plate that had my portion of burrata I didn't get to finish), and they returned later with a short "sorry" and a new plate - that was noticeably smaller in portion than the original. (It is wild they couldn't just replace the whole portion but did some weird accounting for the prior portion of burrata, which you took before I could eat anyway!?) While this new dish tasted good (the eggplant was delightful once actually.. you know.. cooked), it was surprising at a restaurant with this reputation that no manager came to apologize or even address the issue. I didn't expect the dish comped, but no discount was offered, and it was never really mentioned than a brief "sorry about that," like they had accidentally served the wrong glass of wine, not gave us severely undercooked food. In the end, we left $80 poorer for 2 small plates of mediocre food and 2 glasses of wine, which really was not worth it at all. (Plus we were both still hungry, ironically.) We were not dressed up (because we hadn't initially planned to go there), and I really hope that is not why we were treated as we were, especially in one of the most welcoming areas of the city. I could not help but notice the table next to us were treated much better, even being offered oysters on the house. read more

We went here a few weeks ago and had an absolutely spectacular meal. Everything was perfection. Our server was kind and communicative. All suggestions led to delicious options. We were even serenaded by a live band that was performing for a wedding at the Thunderbird Lounge. It never feels like a mistake to go to Restaurant Progress. Always happy to go back. read more

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Stopped in for drinks and a quick bite during the Melrose street fair! We lucked out as this spot is not usually open during lunch hours. We sat at the bar and were welcome right away by the bartender. This spot has such a warm and intimate atmosphere. Would love to come back for dinner service. read more

Restaurant Progress - Carrot Tostada - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Wow, what an amazing place. Everything we ordered was amazing! Great service too! Everyone was very knowledgeable and helpful.

The food was overall delicious! We shared the warm Brie and radicchio salads and they were delightful. My husband enjoyed the branzino but found the skin overly salty. My friend enjoyed the octopus and I enjoyed the fresh pasta (ricotta filled in a lemon butter sauce). A big thank you to Taylor for such great service. However the pricing felt excessive for the portions on our plates. $31 for 7 small pieces of pasta is a bit steep. We love the cozy, intimate atmosphere of this restaurant but the high prices make it had to justify the value if what you get. We were there to celebrate a birthday and our friend got his carrot cake with a candle and we ordered one too. It was very tasty. read more

Food, beverage, and service were all excellent. Get the cappelletti and soft shell crab.

So we went for our anniversary 10 years, nothing was good, not true the wine was good, none of the food was good. We spent 200$ on food we hated and shotty service. It was kinda vile read more

What a nice dining experience! This kind of rustic/industrial restaurant was charming and intimate for a date night. Our wait staff were great--everyone was very nice and had a good balance of checking in often but not too much. We did the Leave It to the Kitchen 5 course meal and everything was paced very well; we were able to finish each plate without feeling rushed but soon after the plates were cleaned, the next course would come out. One thing to note though, is that we thought the Leave It to the Kitchen option would be totally unique, but most if not all of what we got was already on the normal menu. Overall, the food was very good but nothing blew me away. I loved the tuna crudo and the crispy brussel sprouts (they were perfectly crispy and I liked the spicy sauce + Burrata with it). The beef tartare and ribeye were good, but a little too pickled/vinegary for me. The squash and the salads (not pictured) were also good but I probably could've done without. Would still recommend a visit, especially for some wine or cocktails (we had multiple rounds of drinks and loved them all)! read more

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We rang in New Year's Eve at Restaurant Progress, and it was truly a night to remember! The 5-course prix fixe menu was absolutely incredible, every dish was beautifully presented, savory, and thoughtfully prepared and paired perfectly with some delicious French champagne!! A huge shoutout to our server, Garret, who mentioned he was new but did an AMAZING job. He was attentive, kind, and incredibly accommodating, especially with my gluten allergy, which made the experience feel extra special and stress-free. The fact that their in-house baker even prepared gluten-free dessert options so I could enjoy the same dessert as my husband, meant so much to me. From start to finish, the food, service, and atmosphere were exceptional. We highly recommend Restaurant Progress, especially for any special occasion! read more

Progress was a fun experience. I wouldn't say it's a must-try or that it was worth the over $300 bill for two compared to other $300ish restaurants we've been to (felt more like $200ish?), but it was nice to do. My husband and I did the "let the chef decide" option, so we each got five different courses. It was cool to share ten plates off the menu and get a breakdown of the ingredients from our waiter, Anthony! One negative was that they don't have high chairs or changing tables. I get it's not a kid-friendly place and the vibe is on the modern and trendier side, but ours behaved well enough and I wish they made parents feel a little welcome. The things we were served were crudo, steak tartare, squash tostada, curried carrots, tomato salad, burrata, chicken, branzino, cheesecake, and mousse. Everything was created and plated so carefully! My favorite was the chicken, and I think my husband's favorite was the tostada. Overall, the food was incredible. Be warned, they charge for bread and butter! It's worth it, though! I also ordered the gruner wine and my husband got the Of Wolf and Man cocktail. He made his impressed face so it was a win. read more

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I loved the omakase menu. My wife and I are vegetarian and the chef accomadated us well. Each of the dishes were well crafted and enjoyable. The pacing of dishes was well-spaced and not too drawn out like some omakase experiences can be. This place has a relatively relaxed atmosphere compared to other fine dining I've been too, which was pleasantly surprising. My wife and I received two lasagna dishes, one after the other. We finished the first and looked forward to the next dish only to find more lasagna - I expect that we would have eaten slightly different had we known multiple rounds of the same dish would be served. read more

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The tasting course here offers some of the richest flavors you can find for a fair price. You get a lot of bang for your buck at $75. Our tasting menu as of early October 2024 offered some really rich fruits and greens. The Caesar salad in particular was one of the best things we ate all night and packed so much flavor. The later courses were also phenomenal! We loved the Japanese-style prepared steak and the octopus right after. Both came out at the same time so we were able to try both sea and land flavors together. The staff here is very inviting and nice. Our waitress was very kind and super enjoyable to talk to! You need essentially walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom and the staff makes sure you don't have to say "ope" or "excuse me." Walking past the kitchen is very interesting as you can see your next course getting made from scratch or something you've already tried getting made for another table. I can't recommend this restaurant enough! Pop next door to the Thunderbird Lounge afterwards. read more

Restaurant Progress - Octopus! - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Some parking across the street. Very attentive service. Vegetarian friendly options. Opted in for the multi-course chef's choice option. Delicious food. Such interesting flavors and ingredients. Went in a group of 4, with 2 vegetarians--my only complaint is that we got lasagna twice, which was disappointing. read more

Restaurant Progress - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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This is an amazing little restaurant. Delicious menu items (seasonal menu) that are beautifully plated. Rarely order dessert when we dine out but is worth it here! read more

Ate here about a week ago for my friend's birthday dinner. We had a table of 8 and were well accommodated by Dan and Chais! I personally got the NA beer, hiramasa crudo, fall salad and fresh pasta. My friend got the chocolate mousse for dessert! What a culinary experience this place was:) We've all been about a year ago and I love how they change the menu Fantastic service and energy. The little side room was perfect for our dinner and I love the lighting in there as well! read more

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I don't have enough good things to say about Restaurant Progress! I had a priceless time with my best friends here. The atmosphere is is incredibly intimate and cozy, with a sophisticated touch that makes you feel like you've stepped into a restaurant outside of Phoenix. We opted for the chefs tasting menu which was well worth the $100 for the 5 courses You could tell each dish was crafted with care and detail The fact that you can pick out a bottle of wine yourself from the fridge adds a personal touch to the dining experience I also got the espresso martini with mezcal which is also worth mentioning because it was so good! I highly recommend this to anyone thinking about stopping by read more

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Hands down one of the best places we've eaten in Arizona! The menu is amazing and I love how it changes from time to time to give you variety. They also have tons of gluten free and vegetarian options. The atmosphere is so quaint and eclectic and the staff is amazing. One of our favorite spots for a date night or special celebration. Also the wine and cocktail options are fantastic! If you are looking for a nice dinner spot in Arizona that isn't a chain and has amazing local vibes, food, and overall experience - this is the place! read more

I am so thankful to Matt Kelin, Restaurant Progress and Scottise for their thoughtful donation to Phoenix Children's Hospital for our annual holiday event. Our department received gift cards for the staff raffle, which were among the most generous of those received from the community. The staff who won those prizes reported an incredible experience when they visited your restaurants, with delicious foods and beverages, excellent customer service, and an environment that was both romantic and elegant. Not only do you provide great dining, but also a commitment to giving back to the community- and it truly made a difference to our clinical staff and providers. Thank you again for your generosity! read more

My wife and I went here for our first wedding anniversary two years ago and were blown away--we came back two weeks ago for my 30th birthday, and were blown away again! Every dish they prepare has some of the most decadent flavors I've ever had. Each has its own unique background flavor and punch that I simply haven't been able to replicate at other restaurants. I had a part of 10 for my birthday, so I was a bit nervous about whether or not my guests would enjoy, but everyone at my table was just as impressed as I was! Party was a hit. Dan, thank you for making that day so special for me and my group. I can't wait to come back soon!! read more

I have been looking forward to this place for a very long time so maybe it's the hype leading up to going that really made them fall flat for me but it just wasn't what I expected. The food was mediocre to me however my wife loved the chicken croquettes. My swordfish was overcooked and had the texture of a pressed patty due to it being overcooked and dry. The flavors were good just as I said fell very flat for me considering they present themselves as a top shelf restaurant and I wanted it to be that for me too. Service and space I will say is amazing the back patio is beautiful and the wine room is quant and we were able to be all by ourselves for the duration of the meal which felt really cool. I just keep coming back to the food and I'm just so sad. Seems like it was a rare occurrence as most everyone else loves it here so do wish them the best read more

Restaurant Progress - Chicken croquettes - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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We came here after a long day at the hospital and enjoyed the great service and environment. The food was all delicious. It is more of a share style restaurant which was nice because we were able to try many things. Our favorite was the chicken croquettes. They were full of flavor and had a nice crunchy outside. read more

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Small dishes, but amazing and satisfying. We did the kitchen choice which at $75 each seems a little pricey, but it's a splurge that's memorable. Nothing was bad. Most of the five dishes each were extraordinary.. 200 bucks well spent. read more

The current menu is amazing! Fall flavors, perfect for patio weather. Of Wolf and Man cocktail is nice and smoky. Ceasar salad and pasta are both fabulous and full of flavor. The samlon conserva was my fave. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend. read more

Restaurant Progress is one of my favorite Phoenix establishments. I've gone four times now, and each time is a treat. The staff are incredibly friendly, and know how to take you through the menu that is always a bit new, but with some mainstays. read more

Had a great meal at Restaurant Progress! We were seated outside and initially was hesitant because of the cold weather. Thankfully they had plenty of heaters so it made no difference than if we were seated inside. The staff were really attentive and made some great recommendations on the menu. Menu thoughts: - If you love burrata, their take on it was delicious. - Get the maple panna cotta if you're having a maple kick like I am. It was the perfect amount of sweet for a dessert without because too much. read more

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