» Restaurants

Recently reviewed

Char's Thai Restaurant — 5039 E. Fifth St. Lots of dishes at Char's Thai have "yum" in the title. Yum Neau. Yum Yai. Yum Tar Lae. That's apt. It's hard not to mutter "yum" at meals at the Thai restaurant. Many dishes here are of the hot variety. If you long for the not-hot, and your tastes lean toward the not-exotic, consider the pad Thai, a kind of national dish of Thailand. Tucson casual. 795-1715. $

Grill — 100 E. Congress St. The funky, friendly diner in Downtown Tucson makes food that practically jumps with freshness, and servings are very excessive. The restaurant is open all the time. Got that? All the time. Tucson casual. 623-7621. $-$$

Across the pond

Aladdin Middle Eastern Restaurant — 3699 N. Campbell Ave., at East Prince Road. The food's authentic, the service friendly, and the ambience comfortable. The tabbouleh was a real treat. Tucson casual. 320-0468. $$

Joel's Bistro — 806 E. University Blvd., in Geronimo Square. A little slice of Paris here, with authentic French bistro fare at reasonable prices. Tucson casual. Smoking on the patio. 529-7277. ¢-$

New Delhi Palace — 6751 E. Broadway. Tasty array of Indian food with an atmosphere that puts you right in Punjab. Reservations accepted. High casual. 296-8585. $$$ .

Olive Tree Restaurant — 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road, west of North Sabino Canyon Road. The Tucson mainstay scoops up Greek food in a dark, cozy setting. Try the Lamb Bandit, a meaty lamb shank wrapped in aluminum foil and steam-cooked with celery, carrots, potatoes and kefalograviera cheese. High casual. 298-1845. $$$ .

Tork's Café — 3502 E. Grant Road, east of North Country Club Road. Middle Eastern restaurant and grocery also has a good selection of vegetarian items, including stuffed cabbage rolls and fava bean combination dishes. No alcohol. Tucson casual. 325-3737. $ .

Zemam's — 2731 E. Broadway. Exotic spot serves Ethiopian cuisine to eat the Ethiopian way (no forks, folks). No alcohol; BYOB. No reservations. Tucson casual. 323-9928. $$ .

Le Delice — 7245 E. Tanque Verde Road, east of North Sabino Canyon Road. This casual French restaurant is also a bakery. Check out the meals, but save room for the scrumptious baked goods. Tucson casual. 290-9714. $$-$$$.

Kon Tiki — 4625 E. Broadway. It's the fruity tropical drinks here at this longtime Tucson establishment that keep 'em coming back for more. Steak and seafood are on the menu, too. Tucson casual. Smoking in the bar. 323-7193. $$.

Make mine meat

OK Corral — 7710 E. Wrightstown Road, at East Tanque Verde Road. Cowpokes love it here: It's casual, it's Western, and it has mighty fine steaks cooked over a mesquite fire. Tucson casual. 885-2373. $$-$$$

Pinnacle Peak — 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, in Trail Dust Town. Old West hullabaloo can put you right in the mood for a thick, juicy steak cooked just the way you want it over a crackling mesquite-wood fire. But don't expect peace and quiet once you sit down to eat. Oh, no. That's not the Pinnacle Peak way. While food is important here, so is having a Western good time. Which means, pardner, no ties. Wear 'em and they'll cut 'em off. Tucson casual. 296-0911. $$

Rod's K.C. Barbecue — 601 N. Fourth Ave., south of East University Boulevard. Friendly dining spot with a down-home ambience serves savory, lean and tender ribs. No alcohol. Tucson casual. 623-0182. $ .

Border crossings

Crossroads — 2602 S. Fourth Ave., south of East 36th Street. From camarones to carne, this South Tucson landmark serves authentic Mexican fare — Old Pueblo style. Reservations on weekends. Tucson casual. 624-0395. $

Guillermo's Double L Restaurant — 1830 S. Fourth Ave., south of East 22nd Street. Mainstay on South Tucson's Mexican restaurant row serves traditional menus prepared with plenty of queso and care. . Reservations accepted. Tucson casual. 792-1585. $

El Cubanito — 1150 E. Sixth St, west of North Campbell Avenue. Bright, small storefront spot on the edge of the UA campus serves Cuban sandwiches, island specialties and refreshing tropical fruit smoothies. No alcohol. Tucson casual. 623-8020. $

Special Settings

The Gold Room at the Westward Look Resort — 245 E. Ina Road, east of North Oracle Road. The menu offers classic choices, along with nouvelle ones. Atmosphere is quiet and upscale with eye-catching city views. High casual. 297-1151. $$$$

Fuego — 6958 E. Tanque Verde Road, west of Sabino Canyon Road. This comfortable, Southwest-style bar and restaurant offers personality with its fresh seafood, steak, veal and ostrich dishes. Dinner only. Reservations recommended. High casual. Smoking on the patio. 886-1745. $-$$$$

Ventana Room, 7000 N. Resort Drive and North Kolb Road, in Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. This is the definition of "fine dining" — near faultless food, stunning wine list, warm, hospitable service. Dressy. 299-2020. $$$$

Eye-openers

A Great Location — 20 N. Sarnoff Drive, north of East Broadway. Busy, small East Side eatery serves breakfasts starting at 6 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Sundays, it's a 7 a.m. start time. Checks and credit cards accepted. Tucson casual. 733-1388. $

Bread and Butter Café — 4231 E. 22nd St., west of South Swan Road. The pancakes here could start your day right. The simple, down-home comfort food is served for breakfast and lunch. No credit cards. Tucson casual. 327-0004. $

Breaking the Code

What to wear

Dressy: Fancy. Dress to impress.

High casual: Polish up. Polo shirt and khakis are OK.

Tucson casual: Just about anything goes. Shirts and shoes, of course.

Smoking

By ordinance, smoking is restricted inside restaurants within the Tucson city limits.

Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that restaurant dining areas and 5 percent of fixed table be accessible. For information on specific accommodations, contact the restaurant. For information on public accommodation requirements, call 1-800-949-4232.

What you'll pay

Price-range estimates are for dinner for two. Drinks, tax and tip are not included.

¢ = Cheap! About $10

$ = $10-$20

$$ = $20-$30

$$$ = $30-$40

$$$$ = above $40