Best Fine Dining '98

Best Fine Dining

Anthony's in the Catalinas Restaurant
6440 N. Campbell Ave.

READERS' PICK: What do our Readers like about Anthony's? It's the view, stupid! Wherever you're seated, you'll see two-thirds of the 360-degree view (you figure it out) of either the twinkling Tucson skyline or the devastatingly beautiful Catalina Mountains. Our readers also like the attentive waiters and the fact that a real human is playing the piano, and even plays requests. They like the complimentary garlic hummus with house-made wheat crackers, served with your cocktail before dinner. They like the way the waiters draw the sunshades up at Just The Right Minute before the Maxwell Parish sunset. They like that you can also catch the sunset on Anthony's west patio. And then there's the food: lovely sauces and glazes by chefs Stephan Michallet-Ferrier and Peter Budich. Their entree menu offers seafood, pastas, quail, beef (the Steak New Orleans is a winner), chicken, duck, pork, veal, a vegetarian platter and lamb. Anthony's is known for its lamb. And an incredible wine cellar. Certainly the best wine list you'll see in Tucson, Anthony's received the "Grand Award" by the prestigious Wine Spectator.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Ventana Room, 7000 N. Resort Drive

CLUE IN: A cozy dining room of just a dozen-odd tables, The Dish Restaurant, 3200 E. Speedway Blvd., is the closest thing Tucson has to an authentic European-style bistro--but with none of the snootiness. The front-room staff seems to cultivate a relaxed attentiveness, with a server present when needed to offer well-placed advice on the best the house has to offer that night. Among the perennial favorites are eggplant ravioli, shrimp cakes with pepper sauce, salmon cassoulet, and some of the best mussels this side of the coast. Tucked away at the back of the Rumrunner, an upscale wine and liquor store just east of the intersection of Speedway and Country Club Road, The Dish enjoys a fine selection of wines, with a recent emphasis on Australian and Chilean varieties. All in all, it's a fine place to take a first date, long-time friend or anyone else with whom you might enjoy and luxurious, unhurried evening of elegance.

1997 Winner: Janos
1996 Winner: Janos
1995 Winner: Janos