Fez was the first to open among the trio of Central Phoenix restaurants that also includes
Switch and
Ticoz. Fez is located along Central Avenue at the north end of Midtown, just
a few blocks from both the
Indian School / Central Avenue and the
Osborn / Central Avenue stations. Fez's name suggests a Moroccan influence, and when the restaurant first opened, some local diners hoped it would fill the void created when Scottsdale's Moroccan restaurant closed in the '90s. Fez does not fill that niche, but it is an enjoyable place on its own terms.
The menu and decor both have clear North African influences, but Fez is by no means an "ethnic" restaurant. Instead, it's a contemporary lounge and restaurant serving an accessible menu of salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, and kisras; the last item is a sort of flat bread with assorting toppings. The Italo Kisra (right photo below) is the one most obviously like a pizza with toppings of fresh mozzarella and oven-dried tomatoes. Other kisras feature toppings such as grilled chicken or even lamb in another nod to a North African influence.
Those wanting a lighter meal or an appetizer can sample from two soups and several salads. The carrot soup is creamy and smooth without being overly heavy. The tomato-lentil soup is assertively flavored and not out of place among the quasi-Middle Eastern offerings. Among the salads, most choices lean more toward the sweet than the savory, but all are well prepared. The Fez salad (center photo below) features goat cheese, marinated pears, dried cherries, and almonds. Most other salads on the menu are similarly laden with ingredients that add crunch, flavor, or heft to the greenery.
Fez offers a full bar with an emphasis on specialty drinks, including several varieties of "martini" that bear little resemblance to anything James Bond would have ordered. A good selection of beers and wines are also available. The atmosphere is contemporary but not over-the-top. In fact, despite the atmosphere of deliberate urbanity, Fez is a place where it is not unheard of to see decidedly uncool office workers or even the occasional family with children. The friendly and efficient service adds to the welcoming atmosphere. The only downside to the ambience is that smoking is permitted on the patio facing Central Avenue.
In addition to its normal lunch and dinner service, Fez also serves brunch on weekends starting at 8:30 AM. Midnight is the closing time seven days a week. Finally, for those who wish to experiment and help the restaurant keep its menu fresh, there is a "Fez Foodies" program on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. New menu items are accompanied by drink specials and comment cards to facilitate feedback on the latest creations from the Fez kitchen.
3815 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012
1 comments:
I just had breakfast there for the first time. It was very good and very filling. No one was there except us at 10:30 but the later it got, the more filled it became.
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