Took a special trip from west valley just to try, and we were not disappointed! We ordered the…read moregoulash, a beef burek slice, krempita, and baklava, and every single thing was incredible. The food was so flavorful, and tasted homemade. It's rare to find a place where every dish you try is a hit, but Cafe Balkan delivered. We'll definitely be back!

I grew up summering at my family's home in Montenegro, and it's no exaggeration that I teared up…read morewith nostalgia and joy when I walked in to the smell of real čevape and the warm welcome from all the staff. The menu, from grilled meats to salads to desserts, maintains authentic dishes, and the prep and freshness are I immediately took photos of our meals and the dessert display to send to family, and was replied to with a resounding (translated) "wow they're not kidding around, looks like home! Bravo!" Bravo indeed! Hvala for an amazing experience and taste of "home". xxx

This place has all the ambiance of your babushkas basement with all of the creature comforts dining…read morein the desert of Arizona. The menu features enough sausage options to think there was a factory out back. There were over 10 varieties to choose from, and after a brief existential crisis, I settled on the two sausages with sauerkraut. They were so good I immediately regretted not ordering a few more links. That's the missing link in my decision-making process. Then came the potato and cheddar pierogies. Naturally, I smothered them in bacon, sautéed onions, and sour cream because moderation is for people eating salads. Each bite tasted like a warm hug from someone's Ukrainian (grandma) who also wanted to make sure you never skipped a meal again. Just when I thought my arteries had filed for divorce, dessert arrived: a cottage cheese crepe with berry sauce that was somehow light, rich, sweet, and ridiculously good all at once. This isn't a place that wastes time trying to impress you with Edison bulbs, reclaimed wood, or a menu that describes water as "locally sourced." They let the food do the talking, and the food basically says, "Sit down, you're too skinny."

Man, not what I was expecting…read more Soup and cabbage rolls tasted good. Portions on cabbage rolls were tiny for the price. We got these fried dumpling things that were good but desperately needed a dipping sauce. The dessert was their like specialty cake. It was frozen and the food dye icing ruined it badly. Staff seemed irritated we asked for a food to be cooked in olive oil or butter. So we just said cook it how you normally do. 2 people, soup, mains, dessert $55. Wasn't close to enough food. Unique but overall a disappointing experience

Friendly service for our traditional Easter meal. Walking in the door you instantly smell the…read moresmoked meats. It feels like walking into grandma's. The pierogi are delicious and the family loves the kielbasa. They also had nut roll that was very good. It was the perfect finish to our Easter basket. We have been shopping here for years and will be back.

Great homemade European sausage! Served by friendly,…read moreknowledgeable staff. Rye breads available on Fridays.

would have to say, out of all the fine dining restaurants I've been to in the Valley, this one…read morewould be at the top for me. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with the open kitchen right at the bar, and the views through the wraparound glass are amazing. All of the food was great. I had the goat cheese salad, and it was perfectly fried with a light vinaigrette dressing. The duck was the best I've ever had. It wasn't greasy or gamey at all and had a really nice smoky flavor from the wood-fired grill. The desserts were amazing as well. The soufflé was one of the best I've ever had--not overcooked like so many others, but still soft and creamy inside. The chocolate mousse was great too. I loved the texture of the shell combined with the smoothness of the mousse. The service was top-notch. We never had to ask for anything; the staff was attentive throughout the entire meal without being overbearing. For the quality of the food, atmosphere, service, and overall experience, I thought the price was perfect. You could easily spend more at a high-end steakhouse and not get an experience this good. I would definitely come back and highly recommend it.

We dined here last night for our 28th wedding anniversary and it was an incredible experience…read more Part luxury, part gourmet meal and part magic show (but in a very classy way)... it was a stunning evening. For those familiar with Kevin Binkley's former projects, there are hints of what we used to experience at his restaurants but this takes it over the top. The evening was full of surprises, culinary theater and the gorgeous view makes it unforgettable. We used to eat at Christopher's at the Biltmore and it was wonderful to see this playful and stylish iteration. The food was phenomenal, interesting, well-excuted and so very enjoyable. There were a few service hiccups. We were served the same course twice (which was promptly removed when we notified our server). There was a significant gap between two of the courses (maybe 20 minutes or so) and it felt odd. The kitchen knew that I am pescetarian and they beautifully accommodated me except when a plate of lamb appeared in front of me (it was quickly rectified). This is definitely a special occasion meal and if you're looking for something unique and delicious, this is it.

It's hard to put into words how great this place is. Have you ever been somewhere when everything…read morejust feels "right, balanced, happy"? That is Farish House. The cozy, intimate comfort of what used to be Coup des Tartes blended seamlessly with the deep, peaceful, gentle "love" you felt from House of Tricks into one calm, warm, easy spot. Farish House is a real, soul-warming experience across the board. The service, care, comfort, ambience, food, value and clear love they put into everything make Farish House our new favorite place. We walked through the front gate, up onto the front porch and inside where we took one of three small tables in the cozy front salon of this soul-warming 1899 French Bistro. *Food: we started with a bottle of Australian Cab. Shockingly good. And not crazy expensive, especially on Thursday when bottles are 30% off, it was an amazing deal. Turns out, the owner, Greg, was in the wine distribution business for several decades, curating wine programs for top Valley restaurants, so he really knows his stuff and their vast wine selection is amazing. We were offered a basket of truffle popcorn, mmm, salty, crunchy, and rich. We ordered the Chef's Selection Charcuterie and Warm Noble Baguette & Marinated Olives to get started. Both were beautifully curated, balanced, and incredibly high quality. The flavors and textures blended perfectly. with cheeses broken from large wheels, rather than cut and sliced, house-made pickled grapes, unique and unusual ingredients, smokey meats, compound butters, just awesome! We then moved into one of the cozy dining rooms and ordered the slow roasted Peposo Short Ribs and fingerling potatoes pan fried in duck fat served with Moroccan spiced aioli. Both were rich, warm and delicious. For dessert, and yes we thought we'd explode from all this food, we ordered a massive slice of bread pudding, some of the best I've ever had, rich, gooey and incredible. Along with that we ordered a beautiful Espresso Martini and an off-menu banana cream martini. Their drinks are not "poured" or mixed here, they're balanced and expertly crafted. This is French Bistro comfort food at its finest and it's unmistakeable. *Service: it just doesn't get better. Everyone working there is "family". And that's how they make you feel; like family, cared for, wanted, welcomed. Service isn't a choreographed masterpiece, no tuxedos, cloths draped over arms, napkins frantically re-folded when you step away, dishes served and cleared in unison. No, it's relaxed, warm, friendly, kind, like being at your grandmothers house and knowing you're surrounded by people who care. Met Greg and Katherine, the owners, and their daughter Alexandra and several other "family" members taking care of us. Their appreciation for your presence is unmistakable. *Ambience: it's just plain comfy, cozy, easy, relaxed, warm, deep, gentle, worn (in a good way), wise, and calm, that's the best I can describe it. Hard wood floors, cozy rooms, soft, warm lighting. It's a non-pretentious, French bistro that feels like the home of a favorite grandma or great aunt living in a warm family cottage in the outskirts of Paris. *Value: it's perfect. It's not ridiculously expensive like Kai, Brinkley's, Cafe Monarch, Christopher's, or French Laundry where you go, "okay, that was fun but we'll only do this very occasionally/rarely and it's probably worth it, but dang that was pricey!" No, Farish House is 100% value to experience, not cheap, but not overpriced, the balance is just right. It's a place you can go often, and we will. Yes, our meal with apps, drinks and dessert, some on happy hour and the Thursday wine special, was around $200. I'd happily say this experience was worth every penny. *Overall: I can't recommend Farish House highly enough. Parking is on the street or in a nearby lot, and that's a downtown thing. There's a small lot in back. The food, ambience, service, quality, and experience were stellar. I wish I could rate them 6 stars instead of just 5. I'll return often and highly recommend Farish House to everyone. I genuinely hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Of all the restaurants I have tried during my recent visit to Phoenix, this establishment is a…read morestand out! We arrived just around dusk and since the weather was beautiful, we got a table on the patio. There is such a contrast of two vintage homes, one being the Farish House in a sea of highrise buildings in downtown Phoenix! If you like a restaurant with a great wine selection, this is your place. I was lucky enough to have both of the owners (Kathryn and Greg) come by and greet us. This bottle (pictured below) of Pinot Noir was suggested to us, and we decided to have with our meals since our chosen dishes were beef and pork. One of the best wines I have had recently. We had the stuffed date appetizers which were devoured so quickly I did not have a chance to snap a pho My friend chose the beef short rib dish, which was well presented and extremely flavorful. After carefully reading each item, it was very hard to make a choice. I ended up with the pork chop meal, see cauliflower/potato mash, asparagus, and the awesome sauce along with the perfectly cooked pork chop made my taste buds very happy! We had service by Ella who is fabulous and also got to meet the owners daughter Alexandria. But there's more! After much deliberation and compromise, we both decided to share the bread pudding. I have been to New Orleans many times where they make fantastic bread pudding. The Farish House bread pudding can stand up to the best of the bread pudding in New Orleans and that is saying a lot. If you are a foodie and like local family owned businesses, this is your spot. Since I am only visiting, I will not be here for their Saturday Tea Service! Thank you so much for providing me with another wonderfu and delicious memory of my Phoenix visit. As Arnold Schwarzenegger says "I'll be back!" Bob, the Farish House cat ‍ was a delightful "host" as well.

I went wild and ordered quite a lot of stuff because I had no clue what to expect or what I would…read morelike. Solyanka Soup, Hearty Chicken Boullion Soup, Potato-Cheddar Pierogies, Beef Caggage Rolls (WOW!), Heavy Smoked Sausage, Stewed Vegetables, and Potato Salad. Food was incredible and it turned out there was enough for dinner and lunch for two ppl and a couple little kiddos! This is definitely being added to my "favorites" list.

This is a fun spot and a bit 'fancier' than the other location. The meh is the same as the other…read morelocation but this also provides more of table service and a place for bigger parties. The food is authentic and delicious. It is full of deep flavors and rich tastes, and you can find something for everyone. Our group tried sausage, cabbage rolls, Olivia salad, vereniki (savory type dumplings) and borscht. All so full of flavor I wanted to order even more! The portions are generous if it does seem a bit pricey you get quite a bit with each dish. We love being able to go here and try the various flavors. I highly recommend it and if you don't know what to try they can give suggestions. Everything is delicious!

The restaurant's parking lot is the size of a postage stamp and its almost impossible to get a…read morespot. That's how the night started... I was pissed and angry!! I eventually parked a half-hour later and we got inside. The restaurant is small, but quaint. Kira, our server, made numerous recommendations, which we followed. The service was EXCELLENT and the food WAS BETTER THAN EXCELLENT!! What started as a pissed off evening ended in a WONDERFUL NIGHT of food and drink. Overall, the trip was well worth the rocky start!!

It's a cute little place. The service was really awesome. after we were eating and having drinks, a…read morecouple came in and the woman had incredibly strong smelling perfume on - just totally overpowered the whole end of the restaurant where we were sitting. The servers kindly moved us to a table on the far side of the room. That was really helpful. The food was ok. Creative dishes, but they were a bit bland generally speaking. The squash salad is a fabulous idea for a fresh salad that is different - but if they'd added some olive oil & lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt, it would have been great. It was a bit dry and not well dressed. Octopus salad was the same - I really wanted to like it, and I took half home (just because I was full) when I added olive oil and lemon juice and Salt & pepper, it was great. The meatballs were pretty flavorful. It's called a Wine Bar, but there was not a big selection of wines by the glass. Part of what makes a wine bar fun, is having a lot of choices, and perhaps a flight or two. They did have a few unusual wines. But there are so many wine bars (or restaurants with really good wine programs), you're going to have to expand your selection a bit to compete.