Orpheum (Phoenix, Mesa, San Carlos: hotel, restaurants, prices)

[texas7]

I will be traveling to the Phoenix area to visit with friends. I will be staying at a hotel in Mesa. While there I will be seeing a performance at the Orpheum. What are some good restaurants within safe, walking distance. Single female and will be attending the performance alone so close and safe proximity to Orpheum is important. Not looking for overly fancy or super trendy restaurants. Just a good dinner at moderat prices (entrees $14-20. Also, will be driving to Orpheum area for early dinner -- 5:00. Will it be a pain to get to that area from Mesa at rush hour time -- about how long should I allow time-wise for the commute? Thanks so much.

[observer53]

A lot of the downtown restaurants, particularly on and west of Central where the Orpheum is, are not open for dinner. Tom's Tavern (it's not a bar, but a restaurant-- the name comes from its historic predecessor) is close to the Orpheum and is open for dinner. The Renaissance Hotel likely has some options; there is a Vietnamese restaurant on Central and Adams (or Monroe) in the San Carlos Hotel.


Your drive from the east side is going to encounter heavy traffic. Afternoon traffic is worse westbound than eastbound. Where are you starting from? Depending on exactly where you are starting from,(how far west in Mesa, how close to the freeway(s) allowing an hour or even a bit more for traffic, parking, etc. would not be unreasonable

[texas7]

Thanks for input. It helps. I will be coming from the area near Mesa riverview shopping center. So near north Dobson road and loop 202

[observer53]

Originally Posted by texas7

Thanks for input. It helps. I will be coming from the area near Mesa riverview shopping center. So near north Dobson road and loop 202

That's an easy freeway access, an hour should be fine. You may need less, but you never know.

[pbenjamin]

Thai Basil is very close. Arrogant Butcher at Cityscape has entrees starting at $15.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Thai Basil is very close. Arrogant Butcher at Cityscape has entrees starting at $15.

More good choices. Arrogant Butcher is a couple of blocks further, but very doable.

[DetroitN8V]

The Phoenix Public Market Cafe would be a good option.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

The Phoenix Public Market Cafe would be a good option.

True, but getting a little farther away. I don't know for sure if the OP wants to park and walk to dinner and to the Orpheum, but this would require parking twice, I think., unless parking halfway in between, which might work.


To the OP--- you might also want to explore www.Yelp.com for the downtown Phoenix area. You can filter your search to narrow it down to the options you are most interested in.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by observer53

True, but getting a little farther away. I don't know for sure if the OP wants to park and walk to dinner and to the Orpheum, but this would require parking twice, I think.

True, it is further, but still only a 10 minute walk or so. There's lots of street parking near the Public Market though, so it would be easy to park at dinner, eat, walk to the venue and walk back.

Other than Blue Hound Kitchen, which may be too trendy for the OP, I haven't found any great restaurants at or near Cityscape.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

True, it is further, but still only a 10 minute walk or so. There's lots of street parking near the Public Market though, so it would be easy to park at dinner, eat, walk to the venue and walk back.

Other than Blue Hound Kitchen, which may be too trendy for the OP, I haven't found any great restaurants at or near Cityscape.

The OP may not want to walk by herself that far in an area she doesn't know, especially late at night on the return walk. I know the area, and I'd pick something closer. I had the impression she wanted something within 2 or max three blocks. Of all the suggestions, Thai Basil is the closest place. Don't know if the OP likes Thai food.