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 2007, AAA Arizona selected 24 dining establishments in the greater Phoenix area as either 4 or 5 Diamond rated restaurants.
There are many restaurants in the metro Phoenix area 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.
One other item of note. While Carefree and Fountain Hills are often lumped together with Scottsdale, since they are all on the east side of the Valley of the Sun and attract similar upscale residents and tourists, there is only one restaurant on the list that is on the west side of town. The Arizona Kitchen at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park has been on the list for many years.
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 (1) Read my review of Kai.
Scottsdale
Marquesa (16)
Mary Elaine's (8)
AAA 4 Diamond Restaurants in Greater Phoenix
Carefree
Latilla Dining Room (13)
Fountain Hills
Alchemy at CopperWynd (4)
Litchfield Park
Arizona Kitchen (10)
Paradise Valley
Elements (5)
Lon's at the Hermosa Inn (1)
Phoenix
Different Pointe of View (17)
Latitude 30 (1) Read my review of Latitude 30.
Ristorante Tuscany (4)
T. Cook's (3) Read my review of T. Cook's.
Wright's (5)
Scottsdale
Acacia (7)
Deseo (4) Read my review of Deseo.
La Hacienda (14)
Michael's at the Citadel (3)*
Mosaic (3)*
Palm Court (3)
The Chaparral (17)
The Terrace Dining Room (12)
Vu (2)
Windows on the Green (1)
You can find links to all these restaurants' web sites at the About.com Phoenix Restaurant Listing.
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