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Categories: Burgers, Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional)
606 N. Fourth AveTue-Thu. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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I was really pleased with my entire experience here...with the exception of the name of the restaurant. The name is too "brown bag," too generic for this little gem in the middle of the city.
It is quaint but not so quaint that those with testosterone would not see its great qualities! The atmosphere was ideal: old bungalow home, great patio--very large--with shade for the heat of day and heaters for the cool of night. The food was excellent, VERY reasonably priced, and the service was outstanding!
We happened upon this restaurant by accident so were really glad to see that they serve brunch until 3PM. And we were so impressed with brunch that we will return for lunch and dinner.
We tried to grab breakfast at Matt's, but the wait was too long so we headed over to LB and really enjoyed our breakfasts. I'm not really sure why they're open for breakfast during the week as there were only a few people there, but the food was really good.
I got the third plate, which was over easy eggs served over potatoes, onions, peppers, with gouda cheese. It was more food than it needed to be, but the combination worked really well and the potatoes were spiced nicely. My girlfriend got the challah french toast, which was also good - really thick slice of challah. I was scared away from the egg pizzas that other people have complained about but our meals were great. Coffee could have been hotter, but it tasted good.
The service was solid and the setting itself is a nice, relaxed outdoor area that makes me want to go back and have drinks there soon.
The best thing you can ever do for a restaurant you like is to bring others to it. That's how I got to Local Breeze in the first place, and that's what I do now for my friends.
A such, I've tried several different items.Their cheeseburger is fantastic. Great lavosh combos. Just had a three-variety hummus with pita bread and olives that was really fantastic. 4 people served well off the hummus plate.
The drink menu is wonderful, bartender Preston's spin on a lemonade based mojito is really tasty. I've seen the inside and it's very nice, but that's not why I come here.It's the fantastic outdoor dining/patio/bar that floats my boat.
This is a great place to have a conversation, an informal biz meeting,a group discussion. Tell your neighborhood association that you've found a great mellow place to have your next subcommittee meeting. You don't have to tell the other members how nice it is, just say you worked hard for them!
The staff is great and attentive, it's on the list of what Ilike about living near downtown Phoenix.
Cheers!
I hate the heat. HATE. Yet I am doomed to reside in this heat haven so when my best friend raved about a place where you can sit outside in Arizona and not feel the heat I had to check it out. By the time I ventured downtown to glance at this place Phoenix was experiencing a cool down so the patio was very comfortable without the fans and misters.
Our waitress was great and even chatted about our night and my favorite bar, SideBar. We got the L.B. favorite lavosh and I okayed the bacon even though it didn't sound too appetizing. It wasn't. I ordered some chicken sandwich that was on a french roll. The salad on the side was better than the sandwich. My friend ordered the classic turkey which was large but average. BUT I think ordering the classic sandwich was a boring mistake of its own. The fries that came with the turkey were greasy and when I ordered a amber ale and some guy brought a pale ale. I like pale ale so it wasn't too bad but it made me yearn for the amber. Yes, or course I ordered the amber next.
The waitress told us that the island bar was opening the next day but there were still ladders and paint cans lying around. I failed to notice until my friend mentioned it. The only really cool thing about this place is that it is in a historic building with strange bathrooms. Other than that I would skip it.
Moving from artfag central to the warehouse district and I run into these newly appointed downtown hipsters at the location formerly known as the paisley violin. The two dudes are part of local breeze. I have never eaten at a restaurant that so motivated me to create a false identity on yelp. One dude truly spent 45 minutes explaining why Denny's was good food. Neither had ever heard of Pallatte "pause, sigh, thank you Ed McHale" but they were positive their cisco food was worthy of praise. Really - you call yourself a chef? Do you know the difference between béchamel and béarnaise? Sadly you don't care because you are bringing your Scottsdale clientele with you.
My best meal here - my dining companion's omelet was molten hot in the center and rubbery cold on the edges - sure sign of being nuked. The asparagus was freezer burnt and the proscuitto tasted like canned ham. My chop salad which I asked for with no cheese and no pig arrived with 1/2 cup of cream cheese with a lavosh cracker stuck in it and enough bacon to clear a synagogue. Never mind the white balsamic dressing where I think white referred to the amount of sugar in the dressing. Perhaps if I had acquiesced to the cocktail being shoved at me at 7am (really?) it all would have been tasty. Would it have been fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, Chopin vodka rimmed with lavender seasalt? Somehow I doubt it.
Thank you - you have motivated me to write something on this site. I realize I am unbearable as I worked as a sous and a sommelier. This town has great food. Local breeze is not part of that.
Absolutely loved the atmosphere - my party sat outdoors on super comfy chairs and couches and enjoyed the weather. When I went indoors to use the restroom, I was so impressed with the interior - it was cozy with hardwood floors and candlelight. The food was original and the portions were extremely generous. I used a http://restaurant.com gift certificate, and they were more than happy to honor it. The wait staff and management were really nice and you could tell that they really care about making this restaurant work. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I really tried hard to go to Local Breeze with out thinking of Palette, but failed miserable and resolved that there will never be another Palette. But at least I can now review local breeze knowing that I can separate LB from Palette. That being said:
I actually got about what I expected from LB. I ordered the Cajun Chicken Lavosh, which was tasty and very large, even for a half. My server happened to be the baker as well and she did a very nice job despite telling me that everything was good, when I asked for a recommendation. The atmosphere was nice, although I can't really approve of there sub par music mix (honestly, Rod Stewart?).
The crown on this occasion and probably the main reason I am giving them a 4 our of 5 was for the Key Lime Pie... which is really a lime meringue type thing. Whatever it was, I will dream about it tonight.
I plan on going back and trying the hummus.
And the Bathroom is awesome too!
I met a couple friends for drinks and appetizers and WOW, the food was amazing! Very friendly staff, love the managers! Atmosphere was perfect. You must try the Greek Olive Lahvosh...the half order is huge! Three of us shared it. The Firecracker Shrimp is also a must try...I expected it to be spicy, but it was not and the flavors...well, it's just too good for words.
Can't wait to visit again!
Local Breeze Patio Cafe is one of the coolest restaurants you'll ever visit in downtown Phoenix!
The wife and I literally stumbled into Local Breeze, 606 N. 4th Ave., Phoenix (on the corner of 4th Avenue and Fillmore Street), several days ago and felt like we found a little gold mine.
Local Breeze opened in May 2009 and is quartered in a restored, historic home that was built in 1914. Even though the home was built almost 100 years ago, it has a modern, unique feel to it. Sorry, I never heard of Palatte!
In the patio area which is expansive, I felt like I was thrust into a little piece of the Caribbean in the desert. There was a large lattice patio cover, trees, string lights, fans, candles and comfortable outdoor furniture everywhere.
The outdoor patio is perfect for having a drink with close friends - especially at night. In fact, I think I want to have my next http://PhxSoul.com happy hour there!
The interior is compact but interesting. It felt like I walked into an art gallery - paintings and other viewables adorned the walls and the soft lighting gave the place a homey feel. The men's bathroom was a trip! There was bottle sticking out of the wall (on purpose) and some funky wallpaper. The stall looked like an old, rusted trash bin but it was real cool! Almost made me want to ... errr uhhh ... never mind!
The best part about the place was the customer service! Our host Melody was probably the most welcoming host I've had at any restaurant! She really took pride in her job and the restaurant itself. I enjoyed talking with her - kind of felt I like I was talking to an old friend. I also had an opportunity to talk with the owner Sid Campbell - he was very gracious! I love restaurants with that mom-and-pop feel!
As for the food and cocktails, wifey started off with a "Low Tide" Pina Colada and I had the LB Signature "Mojito" Lemonade. My bebida went down smoothly - not too strong, not watered-down. Wifey enjoyed her drink too.
I ordered the Cajun Chicken Fettucine and my wife had the Fire Island pizza. Man, they served up some healthy portions! Unless you are REALLY hungry, you're probably going to be asking for a to-go box.
My dish was tasty - didn't need to put any salt or pepper on it. I was glad that it wasn't too spicy. My wife said her meal was very good - the cheesy was gooey and the dough was filling. I wouldn't say that we were "blown away" by our entrees but we'll be back to sample other items on the menu.
I have to admit that my bill was higher than I expected it to be but you'll always take a hit when you order cocktails at dinner.
I'd definitely recommend this spot for anyone who's lookin' for a chill dining experience in downtown Phoenix.
Y'ALL know i don't give out 5 stars often if ever so when I tell you I dig this palce It's all I can do to drop by everyday for a french fry fix. DA BEST!!! chili lime YUMMMMMMMMMY and I just tried the Lavosh w/ bacon OMG Fab. I always get the CC Ham and love it each time. I think the portions are getting bigger. Good for me. love it love it love it
Just one more thing............ I miss the Palatte sweet potato pancakes anyone know if they are reopening someone else? ps boycotting over easy terrible place Yelp to come on that
Thanks Local Breeze you renew my faith in ham sandwiches
First trip to the new Pischke's spinoff was solid. For those of you who never had the privilege of visiting the original Scottsdale Pischke's when it was quality, it was a place with a beachy feel in Old Town Scottsdale that served unique sandwiches, salads and lahvosh "pizzas" all day long. They served light fare before it was hip. It was good stuff.
So drop your waah waahs about Palatte being gone (yes, I cried too) and be glad that someone's trying something old and new in that beautiful space.
We got the tons-of-shrimp and pesto lahvosh, which was luxurious and brought back memories. My Atomic Burger, with horseradish, was zingy and delicious, on a decent bun. Fries were great, chile-lime spiced. We also ordered the Fernando's Chicken sandwich, a tangle of wine, chicken, jack, tomatoes and pepperoncinis. Not as awesome as the burger, but good--I think the bread overwhelmed the fillins.
Service was friendly, food was piping hot. Atmosphere was fine, could probably use a little more character somehow but I don't know what that'd be. We'll definitely go back to try the salads, sandwiches, fish tacos, and a different lahvosh.
Today was my first time at LB. I was really hoping to LOVE this place, since I live about three blocks away, and those of us in Roosevelt are truly lacking a great place to dine. I did not love this place...as a matter of fact, I didn't even like it. Damn!
I will start out with the positives. The service was very good. The host and the server were very attentive and very nice. The owner even came by to see how we were doing. I was impressed.
OK...here goes. There were only three tables (including our own) that were occupied at 10am on a Saturday. Now let me tell you why...
First off, the decor stinks. It looks like they hit the bargain basement at the restaurant supply warehouse. Yuk. Second-rate napkins that looked like they came from an old El Torito. Chairs and tables were decorated in super-blah colors and everything lacked the crispness and character that would normally dominate an island-themed restaurant. It was all so very...cheap, and it was clear that not much thought (or talent) was put into the overall presentation.
Second, the loud, crappy music blaring over the speakers. OMG it was absolutely the worst. Jimmy Buffet? How many parrotheads does it take to keep a restaurant going? More than will attend this establishment, I guarantee you. Besides, all the 50-plus year olds who love the Jimmy Buffet/Hawaii/Homer Simpson look live in the west valley, not central Phoenix. If they must play music, I wish that they would pay attention to the volume. The music should be there for the customers' pleasure, not to keep the staff moving and shaking. If I wanted the Hard Rock Cafe, I know where to find it.
Third...the drinks. I had the bloody mary, which only receives a "meets expectations" mark. The lemon and lime wedges that came on my glass both had brown sores on them. Yuck!! Pay attention, bartender! Don't serve that to guests!! It's rude, and it's icky!
Fourth....oh, the food. The poooooooor food. It is the beginning of August in Phoenix, right? Why would anyone in their right mind want a two inch thick slice of toast in 110 degree heat? I ordered their "signature dish" which was a thick piece of pizza dough with some cheese sauce glop served on it....kind of like the casseroles of the 70's. Not very appealing, kind of a cheesy-greasy mess that looked like it had already been eaten. I ended up picking out the chicken pieces and leaving the rest on the plate. Very heavy, and (again) not something that is good to eat in the heat of Summer. I had three companions with me and the most successful dish was the scrambled eggs and bacon. It would be nearly impossible to mess this up...it was OK but for 10 bucks I could have fed four people at home.
OK, now that I 've thoroughly trashed the place I have to say this: they are definitely working on things, and are open to suggestions. The owner came out with a cinnamon roll pastry thing and asked us to try it and give him our opinion. It really wasn't very good, and it was served cool, not even at room temperature, which is kind of yucky for a cinnamon roll with frosting....but he did take our suggestions and also did the same at other tables.
Since these guys are truly trying, I would love to give them a chance to get off the ground by going a couple more times. I would love to have a good restaurant near my house that I could just walk to. It would be SO convenient, and so much fun....especially on First Fridays!!
we went here for brunch on sunday. we got the PB&J french toast and the eggs benedict.
the french toast was exactly what you would expect - large pieces of challah topped with peanut butter and dolloped with jelly. very tasty, especially if you're a fan of the childhood classic.
the real star (and my meal) was the eggs benedict. it was bread made fresh daily, 8oz filet mignon, and 2 eggs over easy with a bearnaise sauce. i got the sauce on the side, and was glad i did. i think if it had been on top it would have been overwhelming.
overall, it was very very good. we'll be back for brunch sometime soon!
Took my girl to @localbreeze for her birthday last night (not that it's a celebration-type restaurant, more that it's a quaint downtown spot without a wait and decent outdoor seating). It was our second time there and we had a great time.
They're pretty light on vegetarian faire :(, but I enjoyed the hummus and lavash (minus the bacon). They make a decent margarita too.
Our guests enjoyed the spicy shrimp appetizer. A peach-flavored, creamy cocktail was delivered to our table by the bartender(?) along with an apology (apparently many order it and expect something else), but the drinker said it was great.
The outdoor seating is very casual and southern-feeling; misters were appreciated.
First impression, this place rocks!! It's in the space that used to house Palette.. the space has a very "breezy" sort of Caribbean plantation feel that's easy to relax right into.. not to mention the moment you walk through the gate you're greeted by friendly smiling faces.
LB has a massive outdoor patio complete with tables, well appointed outdoor sofas and chairs where you can leisurely sip a cocktail or beer. While their grand opening isn't truly until Tuesday (12th of May) they seem to be ironing out their kinks pretty quickly with only a few minor hiccups mostly due to computer errors rather than human.
The menu is made up mostly of burgers, salads, lahvosh pizzas and a few entrees. We ordered a few starters, the LB Favorite (bacon and roasted corn lahvosh pizza, half $9) as well as the Queen Creek Olive Oil (kalamata, tomato, fresh basil and feta lahvosh, half $9). You know you can put bacon on just about anything and have it taste awesome but paired with the right flavors the good becomes great! The sweetness of the roasted corn with the savory saltiness of the bacon sent me into piggy heaven! Was so good I didn't want to share but alas, I'm a good guy like that. The Queen Creek Olive Oil lahvosh was very tasty, the lahvosh being crispy and light but sturdy enough to hold the ample toppings. I love olives and olive oil paired with cheese and the feta was a great idea. The cheese being strong enough to stand up to the kalamata, the tastes were right on.
Meanwhile we were all sipping on Nimbus Brown Ale ($4) which was ice cold, rich and complex. Nimbus is certainly one of my favorite craft beers and at 4 bucks, nice! LB also has a full bar and while cocktails around 8 bucks they pours are generous. We didn't have wine service but the manager Eric used to be the sommelier at The Grill at TPC back in the day when it was one of the best steak houses in town. He knows his wine so I look forward to next time when I can enjoy a glass or 6.
I ordered the Fire Island ($10) which is one of several classic Pischke dishes on the menu that made it over from the old days. Oh yes, the owner Sid Campbell was a cook at Pischke's Paradise for over 12 years before it was ruined by new owners. The Fire Island is a pizza with chicken breast, red onion, green chilies and a cream cheese sauce that is absolutely finger licking tasty! Be sure to ask them to add 2 over easy eggs on the top, outrageous!
The Mr ordered the Roasted Green Chile Cheeseburger ($10) which is served on MJ's Breads giant English muffin. The beefy flavor combined with the soft texture of the English muffin was excellent, you can taste the quality and the smokiness of the green chile. An order of house fries comes with the burgers and sandwiches and let me just say, they were seasoned so well that you could have chowed them down plain. However, the bread and butter pickle ketchup is simply amazing with its dice of bread and butter pickles, never knew ketchup could be elevated to another experience!
First impressions last nearly forever and this one was great! I think LB has a bright future in front of them. This will be a great place to hang out on the patio after work with friends, drinks and cool conversation. Excellent addition to the neighborhood.
It's really hard not to compare this to Palette. I liked this place because it gave me a place to go and pretend I was at Palette. I wonder if they know about the big shoes they have to fill?
Overall, the brunch experience was very nice. Killer bananas-foster French toast, and I also had an egg-white omelet (I can't remember what it was called, but it was the one with shrimp and a green-chile cream sauce). It was certainly tasty, but very heavy, and lacked a certain refinement that Palette nailed.
The service was great, which had been my only complaint about Palette (whose service was slow, inattentive, and once they dropped food all over my friend and didn't even apologize).
Local Breeze seems to be going for a Hawaiian theme, I think? They seem a little confused about their identity.
I will go again, but I will always miss Palette, and unfortunately for the folks at Local Breeze, the building will be a constant reminder, like looking into the face of the twin of a long-lost lover who jilted you for your best friend.
To be completely fair, Local Breeze really isn't open yet. Well, sorta. They're officially open on Monday, but they opened the doors to us kind neighborhood folks last night in test run, and I must say, the results were surprisingly smooth. Yes, they have a liquor license. Yes, the food is just as good as the fare at Pischke's. Yes, it still is the old Cavness House, just less cluttered and slightly more Bahamian. All of these things make this place good. Sure, they have a lot of kinks to work out, but they're on the right track.
First things first: They seem to give a heavy pour on the liquor, but are quite stingy about their wines. Perhaps those that follow me should recommend a heavier hand on the vino. Second, the food is quality stuff. Think Pischke's, but updated. I had the Olive Lavosh with fresh tomatoes, olives and Queen Creek Olive Oil. Their appetizer menu is chock full of the lavoshes, and they don't disappoint. Then I followed it up with the Fire Island, a Pischke's classic, and it is still at the top of its game. Get it with a poached egg on top to mix with the peppery chicken, creamy sauce and veggies. This one packs a good punch spicewise, so be aware.
Also be aware that those this is the old Cavness House, built in 1914, and we're in downtown Phoenix, it kind of seems like Key West when you walk inside. Gone are the days of the cluttered antiques and strange pieces of junk that filled Palatte. The inside is airy, clean and very simplistic. They may have knocked down a wall or two... I can't really tell. Thankfully, they left the bathrooms completely intact -- the stall in the men's room still looks like a rusted out side of a steam engine. Well done.
Things that weren't so good: They service was understandably a bit lacking. But damn, they need to photocopy more than one "unofficial" wine list for the evening. Our waiter had to continually return to claim it, only to bring it back later with someone else's grubby prints all over it. Most of the wait staff hadn't tried half of the menu items, which is sort of ridiculous, but hopefully that will change quickly. I also feel like the outside patio area lost a bit of its flair from the Palatte days. It's all stucco-y and less ancient. Perhaps it fits in with the loose island theme.
I'd definitely recommend everyone checks this place out, but give it a few weeks to work out the kinks. The outside area is still great for brunch and dinners after the sun sets. I'm hoping they really do integrate the live music thing that Palatte kind of hinted at. It'd be nice to use that courtyard effectively.
Ask most people about their heritages and they'll cite many different backgrounds. The same can be said for many restaurants. Newcomer Local Breeze combines two distinct origins. First, it follows in the steps of Palatte, the original restaurant to make the historic Cavness House its home. Palatte had a two-year run characterized by a start with a fast-casual service model that did not work well in the house's myriad small rooms, an eventual transition to full service, and an unexpected closing soon after. It was a premature end for a restaurant that showed so much promise with its French-inspired brunch menu. Second, Local Breeze continues the legacy of Chris Pischke, a popular Scottsdale restaurateur whose apparent suicide in 2006 left his Old Town restaurant adrift. After an unsuccessful attempt at a second life under Robert McGrath, the Scottsdale restaurant closed its doors entirely last year. Fortunately, the owners of Local Breeze have seen fit to resurrect Pischke's Islands-themed approach in another venue, even if it is located 15 miles away from Old Town Scottsdale on the edge of Downtown Phoenix.
The location lies in the slowly gentrifying northwest quadrant of Phoenix's core. It's a neighborhood of intact old homes alternating with vacant lots and the occasional high rise where preservation efforts failed. It's a reasonable walk from Central Station, but the slightly longer walk from the Roosevelt/Central light rail station might be a better choice due to a route that offers more shade through less fallow territory. When Local Breeze replaced Palatte, there were some changes, most notably a removal of some of the frillier French elements and their replacement with streamlined and contemporary decor emphasizing natural woods and abundant light. Thankfully, some of the best elements were left alone. Among them is the generous patio, which is functional even on hot summer days due to both extensive canopies and mist cooling. One nice addition is a prominent and continuously staffed host station.
The old Pischke's restaurant in Scottsdale was known for its in-your-face "no sniveling" sign, and Local Breeze features a similar sign in its dining room threatening a $5 fine for whining. Both the old and new restaurants, though, seem to have more bark than bite. The service couldn't be friendlier at Local Breeze, and reasonable requests for ingredient deletions and substitutions are handled graciously. As at the old Pischke's, the portions are huge to the point that they rival the servings at the Claim Jumper chain. In some cases, the portions are not as huge as they appear at first glance. The lavosh pizzas are relatively light due to their airy, cracker-like crust. Still, one person would have to be hungry to polish off a half serving. Only a group should attempt a full lavosh. The generous servings also tend to highlight the peaks and valleys in ingredient quality. The classic turkey sandwich features supple whole wheat bread and applewood bacon, but the salty turkey meat can be cloying in such large proportions.
Still, the hits greatly outnumber the misses on the menu. A trio of hummuses (hummi?) makes an excellent starter. A traditional version of the classic dip is paired with arugula pesto and roasted red pepper varieties. All work well with the housemade pita bread wedges. Salads are all entree-sized, but a small house salad not listed on the menu is available on request. Either way, the greens are crisp and the champagne vinaigrette, usually the first dressing offered by the servers, is the best anointment. Entrees rely on familiar ingredients: chicken, shrimp, bacon, beef, and ahi tuna. These are generally solid preparations without a lot of frills or innovation. For the most part, that's just fine. Local Breeze is clearly designed to come across more like an old friend than a glitzy trendsetter. Still, a catch of the day or some sort of daily special might reinforce the theme of island freshness.
Local Breeze has a full bar and emphasizes tropically themed cocktails. Mojito lemonade, tart and accessorized with fresh mint leaves, is a winner in both rum and non-alcoholic versions. Enjoy the former if traveling by train and enjoying some time off. The latter works just fine for anyone driving or returning to work. Fountain sodas area available, but bottled Coca-Cola with real cane sugar is a nice alternative. Since opening with an emphasis on lunch and dinner, Local Breeze has begun to offer both weekend brunch and weekday breakfast service. Omelets and French toast made with challah are some of the standouts on the morning menu. Feel free to bring the kids along at any time; they'll especially appreciate the large patio with its bocce court. At this point, most criticism of Local Breeze seems to focus on the simple fact that it's not Palatte. It's not really Pischke's II either. Instead, the restaurant seems to be forging its own identity from the disparate influences of its ancestors.
Unfortunately this place will, for the foreseeable future, be compared to Palette (the former occupant of this space).
So I will start with the decor, and as expected, Palette took all the character with them leaving Local Breeze with a hollowed out core. Equally gone are the hip and beautiful staff. The way cool bathroom and outdoor patio dinning remain.
As for the food. Good!
I had the Firecracker Shrimp and a hamburger ... both were good. The fries weren't bad either. Beer prices at $4 seems fair.
I just don't know what to make of this place. I will update once I go back (and try the steak).
I was underwhelmed. I went for lunch with a friend an sat on the patio. While some of the bohemian 'charm' of Palette was definitely gone, the shaded patio is still a comfortable, welcoming space, even on a 95 degree day. (and perhaps more so, with some of the 'clutter' gone.)
What got to me was the slow and somewhat rude service. Despite several empty tables, we waited well over 30 minutes for our food, after waiting at least 10 minutes for our order to be taken. When we asked after our food, we were abruptly told it was coming, only to wait another 10 minutes. This is unacceptable for a weekday lunch when you have to get back to work.
When the food finally arrived, I was disappointed. I had the Cola Ham Sandwich and fries. The sandwich was mediocre and the fries were tepid and greasy. My colleague had the salad which he seemed to enjoy (although not enough to warrant any comments)
I understand everybody has off days, etc, , so I'll be back, especially to check out the brunch. It is great to have a locally owned non-corporate restaurant in an historic house with a great patio in downtown Phoenix, so I have high hopes my experience next time will match some of the better reviews on this site.
Went here for lunch. It's located in an old house, so it's a very cute/cozy setting. It was too hot for the patio, but on cooler days, I bet that's the best place to sit. We had the coca cola ham sandwich, which I thought was too sweet and couldn't eat much of. The lavosh on the other hand was super good. I'd definitely go back.
I wish I could LOVE Local Breeze; like several other reviewers, I was a Palatte regular. Oh sigh, I soooo miss my Sunday brunches at Palatte. Been to LB twice at lunchtime, and I've tried Sunday brunch at Local Breeze twice now. Major disappointment is: food is too big and too expensive and too rich. I think my server today might have been first day on the job so I won't gripe too much but, I'd like some fresh squeezed orange juice. "Okay." .... Back to the table: "We have fresh squeezed orange juice, but we didn't squeeze it, is that okay?" Huh? So it's not from concentrate, is that right? Right.
Next: I'd like a cup of hot tea. (I don't drink coffee, just tea.) "Sorry, we don't have hot tea, only iced tea." Hmm. How difficult to bring out a teabag with a cup of hot water?
No oatmeal. (I loved the oatmeal at Palatte.)
So I've had the french toast which was ABSURDLY huge. It was fine, but, soooo big. I could only eat about 25% of my serving. The waitress informed me at the end of the meal that I could have ordered a "half" order. Oh, that would have been nice to know ahead of time; it's not on the menu, you have to ask. Still got charged for the full order of course.
Next I had a shrimp omlette. It was quite good, but again - 4 eggs - HUGE. And $12. The shrimp were in an interesting sauce - flavorful, like a bearnaise perhaps- very, very rich. Came with huge piece of toast (no butter) and some pretty good rosemary potatoes - yummy because they were pretty greasy/oniony probably not good for you though.
I'll be back, I'll keep trying. It's okay, and the atmosphere and location is still marvelous. I really hope this place succeeds but I'm not wowed so far. Next time I think we'll split our meals. I miss Palatte.
great service, great food, and great outdoor seating made for a wonderful first time experience at this charming little restaurant.
you would think that sitting outside eating in the middle of august summertime in phoenix would be practically unbearable. local breeze made it tolerable and i don't think my overly-sweaty ass ever felt uncomfortable once during the whole dining experience. they had fans, a swamp cooler, and misters going and it made for a comfortable and charming outdoor dining venture.
we started off with the greek lavosh which was to die for. the cheese they melted on top of it will make any cheese lover weak in the knees. their mojiot lemonade was crisp and refreshing. ok selection of beers, certainly not the greatest but i picked out a favorite, kiltlifter, to go with my coca-cola ham sandwich. my girlfirned (Rachel O.) went with the atomic burger as we are both fans of spicy food and this burger comes topped with horseradish. it even made her face scrunch up and me quiver in my seat the moment it hit my tongue and you better believe i enjoyed every second of it. the coca cola ham was HUGE and both of us only managed to eat half of it. leftovers are always good.
service was spot on, and i enjoyed the decor and atmosphere despite what many people have complained about before. get over it, it's no longer pallete, move on, and enjoy the local breeze.
Did they change the restrooms??? WHY?!!!
I don't know if I can visit after hearing that. Those things were art. ART.
Alas, I'm sure some day I'll wander down and check out the food. Photos make it look delicious and interesting... so glad to to see we're keeping the restaurant biz rolling downtown.
Since this place is conveniently within close walking distance I go there often for drinks and appetizers. Truthfully it was beginning to loose my interest. The food is good but I wouldn't say great plus it is a bit on the spendy side. Fortunately the staff has always been very courteous and quick so I can't complain. Well I went to brunch for the first time this weekend and was completely satisfied. Yes it is expensive and I am sure I could find a cheaper option but I will pay the price if it is worth it. I had the Cholla Bay omelet and wow was I surprised. First, it is a very large omelet (4 eggs) and it is filled with some of the best tasting shrimp. It is a very rich dish as it is cooked in a creamy cheese sauce so as always if you are looking to be healthy don't get this one! But who doesn't love a filling meal and some adult beverages on a chill Sunday morning after a night out at the bar?! I suggest their Sangria, delicious and refreshing. I think this place is most accommodating for large groups and I can't wait for the weather to be perfect enough to enjoy their fantastic patio.
One of the reviewers said this owner wants to run a restaurant - I completely agree. That has good sides and bad of course in short it isn't Palette ... We stopped in for brunch last Sunday - the French Toast is Challah [which I love] restaurant-baked I think - and seemingly not fully baked - the center was dough. The scrambled eggs were adequate - the restaurant-made salsa verde was excellent; the Schreiners sausage as expected. That was all we had - quality not a compelling reason to return ... until the service is factored in - crisp timely and friendly. I'll be back to try dinner.
Like everyone else, I went in with the pre-disposition of disappointment compared to Palette (I'm still sad I never got to try their breakfast), and while Local Breeze has lost some of the charm of the former restaurant, it's nice to see another unique independent take this space. And I must say, the food is pretty good. The LB Paradise Toss salad burst with the flavors of spiced chicken, mango, red peppers, and cilantro and came with a light, refreshing lime vinaigrette...the perfect salad for a hot summer day. The Coca-Cola ham sandwich was really flavorful too, although the toasted bread was a little too well done. For dessert, our server recommended the key lime pie, only to come back and inform us they were out. However, I can't imagine it being much better than their rum cake...you get quite a hefty portion for $5. Service is decent - our server had to check with the kitchen when asked what kind of lettuce our salad came with - but the people are friendly, and the cookies they bring with the check are a thoughtful touch. So I guess I'll stop dwelling on the Palette past and embrace the future with Local Breeze.
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
