Tempe Marketplace: Culinary Delights for All Tastes

Written by Kamilla Graham

February 21, 2018
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Have you ever been out and nobody can decide on where to grab a bite to eat? Well, look no further: Tempe Marketplace in Tempe, Arizona offers something for everyone!

 

Entertaining guests from out of town, or even in town, is always a treat. However, have you ever been out and nobody can decide on where to grab a bite to eat? We’ve all been there. Luckily Tempe Marketplace invited me to check out some of their restaurants that are the perfect place for a night out. I promise that Tempe Marketplace has something for everyone!

Kabuki Sushi & Saki

Kabuki serves up sushi for everyone! They provide sushi that is perfect for beginners and will be enjoyed by regular sushi eaters! I really love the very fun spin on traditional Japanese cuisine. They said their mission is to make everyone a believer in the fact that Japanese food is truly comfort food.

With fun cocktails like Saki Sangria, it is the perfect place to start a night out. This drink was delightfully deceptive—fruity and light but definitely a drink for adults.

Tempe Marketplace

Saki Sangria to start the night! Photo by Kamilla Graham

I also loved their sushi! The sushi was beautifully plated, but also tasted really good. They served us the tried and true Salmon Roll and their unique Cilantro Albacore Roll. They also provided their sesame chicken dish, which is perfect for those who aren’t quite ready to take the plunge yet into raw fish.

Tempe Marketplace

Cilantro Albacore roll at Kabuki in Tempe. Photo by Kamilla Graham

We cannot forget dessert. I personally loved their macha cheesecake drizzled with berry! Kabuki is a great place for a fun, classy dinner out. Plus, they have a kids menu that is just as adventurous.

Kings Fish House—Fresh Seafood & Big Flavors

If you are looking for a place that has a slower, more relaxed atmosphere, then look no further than King’s Fish House. Providing Arizona with fresh, flavorful seafood, this restaurant is perfect for an evening slowing down, catching up and laughing with people you love. With a menu based on what the sea has provided it is guaranteed to be interesting and unique every time you stop in.

For our dinner, they first served us a fantastic, spicy cocktail they called the Agave Sting, made of Silver tequila, fresh lime, Jalapeño, basil, and pineapple on the rocks with an ancho chili salt rim.

Tempe Marketplace

Agave Sting from King’s Fish House. Photo by Kamilla Graham

Then they brought us samples from their raw oyster bar. I personally loved the Farmed Peruvian Bay Scallops, which are served with a citrus pesto.

For a salad, they provided us with their Roasted Beet. This salad could stand alone as a meal.  Red and yellow beets, baby arugula, Drake Farms goat cheese, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and grapefruit red wine vinaigrette—it was delicious, flavorful, and not too heavy!

Tempe Marketplace

Roasted Beet Salad from King’s Fish House. Photo by Kamilla Graham

I tried the Macadamia Nut Crusted Alaskan Halibut as my main dish. Served with a side of balsamic drizzled asparagus I wasn’t disappointed at all. The crust played perfectly against the smooth flakiness of the halibut.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub: Beer, Ball, and Big Flavor

If you are looking for a fun, boisterous place to get a great meal and enjoy the game, head to Thirsty Lion Gastropub at Tempe Marketplace. This place is young and busy without sacrificing the comforts of fine food and great drinks.

Order the Bacon Wrapped BBQ prawns for everyone at the table to share. We all loved the smoky spicy bbq sauce and seafood combinations! I also suggest trying Thirsty Lion’s Artichoke Spinach Dip. It is seriously one of my favorites now, especially since it is served up with parmesan flatbread.

Tempe Marketplace

BBQ Bacon-wrapped prawns from Thirsty Lion Gastropub. Photo by Kamilla Graham

They jumped right in with samples of their Spicy Fried Chicken sandwich. I loved the combination jalapeño and buttermilk marinated chicken that was dusted with spicy flour, and then crispy fried and topped with chipotle Napa slaw and dill pickles!

I also recommend the seasonal Ahi Poke Bowl. Soy marinated Ahi tuna poke, sushi rice, Napa slaw, avocado, carrot, cucumber, pickled radish, jalapeño, fresh mango, daikon, nori, sesame seeds, ginger soy glaze, and Thai peanut vinaigrette. This is a filling dish without being heavy or deep-fried.

Tempe Marketplace

Ahi Poke Bowl from Thirsty Lion Gastropub’s seasonal menu. Photo by Kamilla Graham

When You Go to Tempe Marketplace

These are just three of the great places to eat at when you stop by Tempe Marketplace. Visit their website for even more delicious options.

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Written by Kamilla Graham

As a Phoenix native, Kamilla Graham loves finding the best wow moments in the Grand Canyon State. Kamilla believes that having five kids and living on a budget is no reason to not travel and expose kids to the world’s cultures. When she is not shuttling kids and working on local events for Wander, Kamilla enjoys spa days, great ethnic food and music festivals.

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