When you think about trendy and up-and-coming restaurants, you might picture them in cities like Los Angeles and New York. However, Gilbert, Arizona, has a growing scene of emerging restaurants that can compete with anything you find in larger cities. When you’re interested in savoring an incredible meal with a cool vibe, check out these top trendy restaurants in Gilbert.
Nico Heirloom Kitchen
Opened by James Beard-nominated Chef Gio Osso, Nico Heirloom Kitchen is located in downtown Gilbert’s first upscale restaurant. When you stop by for dinner, you’ll discover West Coast-inspired Italian cuisine featuring hand-rolled pasta and fresh produce. Although the menu changes with the seasons and the availability of local ingredients, you’ll always find a nice selection of pasta, chicken, fish, and beef. Another popular menu item is the grilled asparagus, which comes with bacon, egg, feta, and a foie gras hollandaise sauce.
Clever Koi
If you’re in the mood for an Asian-inspired meal, you need to head to Clever Koi in historic downtown Gilbert. As soon as you step inside, the sizzling woks and wood-fired grill in the open kitchen greet you with exciting sights, aromas, and sounds. If you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner, the vegan spring rolls are ideal for sharing. For your main course, consider the pork belly steamed buns or spicy seafood hot pot. However, to really understand what makes Clever Koi popular, you need to order one of the creative drinks off the cocktail menu.
Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grille
Open for lunch and dinner, Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grille serves a great selection of traditional Mexican and indigenous New Mexican cuisine. What makes Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grille different from other Southwestern restaurants in the area is chef and founder Jose Cruz Leyva’s ability to bring out the unique spices and flavors of the food. You’ll notice the difference right away with the complimentary pecan-smoked salsa and tri-colored corn tortilla chips. Other popular dishes include the pecan-grilled chicken and panko-breaded beef tenderloin relleno.
Barrio Queen
Barrio Queen is a fresh and exciting restaurant in the Heritage Marketplace district of Gilbert. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant seeks to transport you to Mexico City using iconic family recipes. Popular options include the made-to-order tacos served on hand-pressed corn tortillas and award-winning cochinita pibil, which is slow-cooked pork marinated in sour orange and achiote paste and topped with pickled red onions and homemade pico de gallo.
Union Grill & Tap
A modern and urban decor welcomes you the moment you step inside Union Grill & Tap. When you open up the menu, you’ll find options focused on local and fresh ingredients. One of the most popular items on the menu is the fried chicken, which is maple brined and served with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Kilt Lifter beer gravy, and a side of smoked agave. To make your meal complete, make sure you save room for the bread pudding served with Kahlua caramel sauce.
No matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to have an amazing meal when you dine at these trendy restaurants in Gilbert.
“Fusilli dried cherry tomatoes, oregano and muddica” via Flickr by Luca Nebuloni. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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