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I have been remiss in not writing my review sooner; Razz's is now closed for summer. I enjoyed the best meal I've ever had in my 7.5 years living in Phoenix at Razz's earlier this year. I couldn't even tell you all the delicious things I ate now, but that's exactly the point. I didn't order for myself - I sat at the bar and ordered the Chef's tasting menu. Razz himself decided what he wanted us to have and stayed with us thoughout the entire meal. He is quite the entertainer and a very interesting man, to boot. He knows his food is good and he will certainly be happy to tell you! The time he takes off during the summer he spends traveling the world and tasting food from all over, so he knows how his cuisine measures up.
Don't let the strip mall location fool you - the inside is quite quaint and if you're going to spend the money to get a good meal in this town, turst me you won't be disappointed!
Four stars for the Phoenix area, probably only 3-3.5 in New York, for this 'Mediterranean' (whatever that means) upscale dining spot.
One real blow-away item - the Duck Cake appetizer. This is like a Crab Cake,very tasty duck meat and no discernable filler. Would be a winner anywhere. The other appetizer we had was a very ordinary ceviche.
My main course was a special that night, Short Ribs, very well cooked, tender and seasoned just right. But it was served over a clicheed mound of mashed potatoes. Add another star if Razz gets a little more inventive, polenta, or something more southwestern or Mediterranean.
The other main course at the table was Double Roasted Duck. Since I like my duck breast rare, I didn't think double-roasting would do it. I was right. The skin was crisp, as advertised, but the meat was overdone and somewhat tasteless. Why not do a quick high-heat grilling to crisp and seal the skin, then a gentle roasting to medium rare. And why serve it already sliced, allowing whatever juices and flavor were there to escape? Do they think their duck is so tough, or their diners so dense, that it can't be cut by the eater?
The service was friendly and helpful, the drinks were good, but the place wasn't packed for a Friday night. Maybe they all go for the Buy one, Get one free Monday through Thursday special. Check their website before you go.
What??? This place is fantastic!!
Like many others, I hesitate to write about it as it is such a little gem in the middle of strip mall hell and sometimes it is hard to get a reservation! But, Razz's is so special that I felt he was due a review!
I have and will only eat at the Chef's Table as Razz is hilarious!! He is total entertainment and I just delight in everything he says and creates!
So how this works...you sit down, tell him what you like, don't like, food allergies etc and what you want to drink...the rest is in his hands! He is totally accommodating for food allergies (which the GF BF loves!) and he has some great unusual wines at fair prices!
And then the gluttony begins....course after course comes out of AMAZING food! Everything is superb and I am always painfully stuffed when I leave as I just want to see what he makes next! We have never had the same thing twice, which is something Razz prides himself in, and we really enjoy the whole experience! Finally, when you decide to throw in the towel (my record is 7 courses!), a fantastic desert assortment comes out just to finish off a fantastic meal! One thing to remember - don't eat the bread until he tells you it is okay!
Razz does close down for the summer (leaves in May, returns in October) so be sure to try it before he is gone and always check their website as they often have great coupons available. He also stays open late too!
Love it!!!!
Razz is a real gem!
This neighborhood charmer, offers a cozy atmosphere with a touch of class.
Everything that came out of the kitchen was a work of art & delicious. The Tomato Vegetable Salad displayed well with a refreshing blend of textures and tastes. The entree vegetables were crisp and flavorful, delicately tied together in a beautiful display. My mango/berry sorbet was served in a unique wedge with a wonderful presentation of colors. The was a great way to finish off a delicious dinner.
The display of art throughout the entire restaurant is very fun.
Razz, I'll be back.
great place for atmosphere and interesting food. if you can, sit at the chefs table ! Razz, the chef owner, will continue to place spectacular food in front of you until you can not eat another bite. He is guaranteed to entertain you through the entire dining experience. One of the great chefs in the valley!
Razz always offers interesting wines and amazing desserts!
in scottsdale, this place is a must !!!
It was grand opening night. The space is lovely and filled with great art every where you look. Razz and his wife were excellent hosts as if you were coming in to their home making sure everyone was having a good time. The service was impeccable. I guess this place is closed during summer months I had no idea this was even here I had no idea what to expect. The only complaint I have is there wasnt enough non meat options but I bet on a regular day the regular menu would have more to chose from.
The Sepetember Wine Dinner as follows
Oxtail Hash with Truffle Glaze
Baby mixed green bundle, toasted Macadamia nut vinaigrette
Paired with Pouilly Fusse 04
The presentation was so neat pics coming soon. I could not get enough of the greens and dressing.
Scallop en Croute (The hugest scallop I have ever seen EVER) Seared with Fois Gras duxelle in pastry, roasted strawberry & rhubarb compote with a Mersault '04. This was so frikn good HELLO YUMGASM!!
I didnt have the rest of the pairing but they seemed to go over pretty well. There was Veal Loin en Papillote steamed in a parchment bag with wild mushrooms, asparagus & morbier cheese and the main course was a Peppered Beef Tenderloin w french green beans & almonds, spinach pancake, roasted potatoes with garlic.. I didnt care for the pancake and I hate pepper and beef lol but the green beans were spectacular seriously the best I have ever had, I dont usually like garlicy things and the potato was awesome I didnt waste any.
Pecan Sponge Pie with a bunch of different berries was totally heavenly. All in all I really cant wait to go back when I can pick what to try!! If you have the money to splurge you need to try this place fa sho!!
Everything was superb. It all blew me away. The wait staff was attentive to every need, the wine selection was very large, and most of all the food was to die for. There was nothing I had, from the appetizers, wine, main dish, and dessert that wasn't worthy of 5 stars. I do have to agree with others in saying that the price is better than other fine dining establishments that don't have as good of service, food, or presentation. .
I had the Cashew and Rosemary encrusted Salmon (see pictures). The fish was perfectly prepared and melted in the mouth. It had a mildly sweet but rich sauce that complimented the richness of the fish. My date asked the chef to surprise him. He made him roasted duck with vegetables and new potatoes. We also had french onion soup as an appetizer and another appetizer not on the menu...both were amazing.
The open kitchen made the experience unique, as you could see everything being prepared and plated. The owner was extremely gracious as he laughed and chatted it up with EVERY table in the restaurant. It was a very special experience. I can't wait to go back!
My first time at Razz last night with a group of 25. They really brought their "A" game to service us. I'm told that they are always busy...even on a Tuesday night. Hate going to a restaurant and it's 1/4 full. Scares me. This place was hoping and we added to it.
The space is done just about right...contemporary and not pretentious. We had plenty of choice on entree's (not the whole menu) and with 25 people in our group...I think I saw the bulk of the menu. I had the Bouillabaisse and guest to the right had the halibut and to the left had the short ribs. Immpressive portion was my first immpression on my dish and others as well. The broth was light, not chunky and heavy, perfect consistency as this is a soup and not a stew necessarily. Well, it was cooked perfectly and seasoned well- flavors were subtle, no one flavor overpowered the soup, and the tomato base was light. I like a little more wine flavor coming through but was not disappointed. I wish I knew how to give a half star here because Razz is not at a 5 but it could get 4 stars here.
Oops....salad, very imaginative, and combined 8 or 9 ingredients and again, the portion was very immpressive. They have a long life in the restaurant business, get there and enjoy.
Having made it a passion to dine at the best restaurants in the Phoenix area, I have found Razz to be the best. I have been going here for 5 years now and find it best to sit at the bar and let him cook for me whatever he wishes. At the bar, the service is excellent and the ambiance is wonderful. It is hard to discern which is more captivating, the chef or the food.
If one should choose to order from the menu, there is a vast array of excellent choices: from the Portuguese clams to the duck, or the bouillabaisse, the phenomenal specials...can't go wrong.
This establishment is overlooked as the onslaught of newer, flashier, trendier, albeit inferior, and more expensive places take the attention.
One last note, it is closed in the summer because he travels around the world. However, this can be good because he always brings back new, amazing recipes for the menu.
This is certainly a must.
Razz's is among my favorite places in the Valley. The food is impeccable, the wine list superb. I can't pick a favorite item, though I'm a sucker for the short ribs. FYI, I know Razz can do terrific vegetarian entrees, and according to the menu, they will create one for you on request. Razz's catered my wedding, and even I, a devout omnivore, opted for the meatless dish. Three years later, people still talk about the food at our wedding.
Parelez vous en francais? Moi aussi!
Ok so I love the French but I usually don't do french because moi= vegetarian. I am not sure if this place is really considered french but the menu sure seemed like it to me.
French Onion soup........done as well as it can be done. Perfect blend of onions and cheese....the best I've had in awhile. I will go back just to have it and to lick every spoonful of cheese off my spoon ever so seductively.
Wine list= fabulous.
Scallops= hmmmm I can't really remember because of that great wine I had which I forgot what it was called because I drank too much of it. But they were really good in some sort of lemon-y sauce.
I loved the art for sale on the walls. I think because of all the wine I drank I almost bought the naked women tile on the back wall. Today I am glad I didn't buy it because it would clash with my decor.
The only negative thing I have to say is that the table's kinda reminded me of a grandma's table.... could use some updating. The lovely art I thought did clash with the grandma's tables.
Besides that... J'adore!!
Razz, the owner and chief chef, stands behind the bar and drinks wine with his patrons as the food is prepared in the open behind the bar. If you get the opportunity, sit at the bar to eat. The food is delicious, and Razz knows his wine. The ambience is excellent. The menu changes with time as new dishes are added, but the whole experience is a treat.
You know you are in a great restaurant when it's 6:30 pm and the tables are filled. Even better is looking over at the open kitchen, complete with seating along the bar, to see the gregarious chef opening a bottle of wine and toasting (and imbibing) along with the customers seated there - I was green with envy, as I wanted to sit there too! Aside from that - a really fantastic range of well executed meat dishes: from rack of lamb to braised short ribs and steak Helene (sliced thin and served with truffle laced bordeaux sauce and bernaise on the side). The wine list was comprehensive and included a range of little known wines from New Zealand and Washington to all the big California players. It would garner 5 stars if we didn't have to keep asking for our waiter and if the place was vented a little better. Other than that, the food was great and the other service staff (hostess, bus boys, other wait staff) seemed to be totally on top of it.
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Phoenix, AZ
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Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Steakhouses
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Pizza
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Chinese
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Coffee & Tea
