Anhelo

Nestled inside a 1930s art deco building downtown and helmed by chef Ivan Jacobo from the West Valley, Anhelo showcases some of the best local talent. Jacobo grew his successful pop-up into a sleek and modern dining room, where his menus are crafted from fresh and seasonal ingredients. Evergreen entrees like duck with Arizona honey and lavender or his signature beef Wellington are expertly executed. Scallop dishes showcase what wonders can be done with seafood in the desert. The young restaurant is already a Wine Spectator award winner for its carefully curated wine list, but the real win here is its wine dinners in which some of the world’s best wineries pair pours with Jacobo’s tasting menu. It’s no wonder tickets quickly sell out.

Romance abounds at Anhelo. Formerly located in Heritage Square, Anhelo has found a new home in Downtown Phoenix’s Orpheum Lofts, a historic landmark that was originally built in 1931. Anhelo’s new contemporary interior complements its extraordinary Gatsby-esque art deco era exterior effortlessly. Anhelo, which means desire, offers an intimate dining experience that is made complete with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and a wine list you’ll definitely want to consult.