St. Francis

Driving down multi-lane East Camelback, you can’t help but think that St. Francis is in the strangest location, but once arrived, the restaurant-lounge wins you over immediately. The lounge is al fresco, framed with Christmas light and centered around a massive fireplace, with comfortable sitting areas (at night, they show silent black and white movies on a screen, another great touch). The restaurant menu centers around the wood-fired oven, and everything that emerges from it (chicken, vegetables, meat) is delicious. Expect a cool crowd, a young, hip wait staff and a wonderful small-plate menu to go with the very generous happy hour. You leave wishing that St. Francis would magically appear in your hometown.