We happen to be marooned in the Valley of the Sun these days, and, as a consequence, I’ve recently subscribed to the Phoenix Business Journal. In this week’s print edition, there was a short capsule titled “Is Phoenix a Foodie City? Maybe [sic]” written by Managing Editor Patrick O’Grady. He says a friend of his recently posted something to the effect that “…Phoenix has become a foodie city.” which, IMHO, is a bit of a stretch.

Houston? Yup, definitely foodie city. San Francisco? Ditto. Los Angeles? Yes again. …even Seattle, (in spite of a smaller population than Phoenix), has a more exciting food scene than this sprawling metropolis we’re temporarily calling home. Oh right, to quell any concerns dear reader, yes, I have lived in every one of these cities, so don’t start in with the “…what do you mean? You can’t possibly have an opinion about these places if you haven’t immersed yourself in each first.” rebuttal. Believe me, I’ve immersed – boy howdy, have I immersed!

Are there bright spots in the Phoenix dining scene? Yes, most assuredly. But, alas, they are few and far between. For every Beckett’s Table or St. Francis or Cafe Monarch found, you have to wade through maybe two dozen mediocre – at best – eateries generating buzz of one kind or another, and after said experience(s), we invariably emerge uttering the all too familiar phrase “Well, that was a certainly a mistake! The chances of us coming back here are somewhere around zero.” …but we keep takin’ it for the team.

We hear this Sam Fox fellow is the Phoenix equivalent of Seattle’s Tom Douglas, and I will admit to being pleasantly surprised by The Henry, but let’s face it, this is one of twelve+ concepts! Guess a restaurateur is kinda like a venture capitalist – they both hope for a real winner every so often!