Chelsea's Kitchen Awards

Chelsea's Kitchen Restaurant Review:

With its adobe-brick exterior, grassy front lawn and fireplace-furnished patio overlooking the Arizona Canal, Chelsea's has a comfortable, family-friendly vibe. High ceilings, a clattering exhibition kitchen and exposed ductwork hardly make this modern-day version of an Arizona roadhouse soothing, but it sure is fun. The focus is on generous portions of comfortingly familiar basics --- burgers, tacos, steaks and chicken --- with a sexy, sophisticated spin. A good example is the surf ‘n’ turf taco platter with French-braised lobster and grass-fed filet mignon. There's old-fashioned fried chicken and mashed potatoes, as well as a new-fashioned hash of ultra-tender short rib meat, fingerling potatoes, cipollini and seasonal vegetables in red wine reduction. Don't forget the desserts, the fanciful handiwork of pastry chef Monica Castillo. We like the Key lime pie, butterscotch pudding and vanilla pot de crème sprinkled with Grand Marnier-spiked berries. Order any sweet topped with gelato from Arlechino Gelateria, a sibling operation located down the street.