Nine|05: Stand Out Asian Fusion in Downtown Phoenix
By J.E. Pizarro, Chief Executive Foodie
Traditionally, Phoenix has never had a downtown restaurant scene that I frequented. This fall at Phoenix Cooks event at the Westin Kierland, I happened to come across a new restaurant called Nine|05. We chatted up Jennifer with Nine|05 who convinced us to venture into downtown and see what the buzz is about!
Although the food they were sampling was excellent, I thought, “If I’m going to drive myself anywhere near downtown, the food better be damn good or I’m going to be irritated!”
Well folks, the food is an excellent and incredible dining experience. I’ve been back twice since.
Rarely do I give glowing, wholehearted endorsements of restaurants, but Nine|05 definitely knew how to push my foodie buttons!
This Asian Foodie Gem is located on the corner of 4th Street and Garfield in a quaint corner made up of three historic houses (2 currently undergoing renovations) that comprise the entire restaurant, dining patio and bar.
Don't miss the sign! You'll regret it!
It has a beautiful outdoor dining area that overlooks a circular bar that has a great lateral view of downtown Phoenix. So great in fact, that we named Nine|05 one of the best places to dine outside in Phoenix!
One of the coolest patios in the Valley! Check out the wrought iron "Spirit Tree!"
Parking was a bit “dicey” once I found a good spot and walked into Nine|05 I stopped worrying about the safety of my car.
The restaurant portion is in a remodeled historic house, with polished hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and a see through kitchen. The stark white chairs and accents of green and yellow give it a “Chicago” type feel that I certainly did not expect in “near” downtown Phoenix.
We love the interior! We feel like we're in Chicago!!
On to the food…. Simply its one of the best meals in you will find in Phoenix.
We opted to order some random items from the menu as well as some of the house favorites of Chef/Owners Matt Carter and Jay Bogsinske.
The cuisine is a mix of different Asian cooking styles and we noted a distinct Mexican influence. This eclectic mix results in very unique and savory dishes to please all types of foodies. Susie is not a fan of Asian food at all, and she thoroughly enjoyed her meal. Now that’s saying a lot!!
Our food journey started out with Crispy Rock Shrimp (lettuce wraps and sambal glaze). Rock Shrimp is one of Susie’s top three favorite things to eat in the world. Two words on her behalf “LOVED IT” (sang in a “hark, the herald angels sing” type harmony). The shrimp was savory and coated in delicate tempura batter that is whipped in a can (to infuse air into the tempura).
Crispy Rock Shrimp Delights!
My personal favorite (the BEST in Phoenix) was the Korean Chicken wings served with pickled radish and a spicy soy garlic sauce. These babies are both spicy and sweet with a crispy texture topped with saffron strings.
Super flavorful Korean BBQ Wings! Go ahead, eat 'em with your hands!
These wings were meaty (non-messy, a big plus in my book) and exploding with flavor. These wings are not your ordinary bar food wings. However, we feel they should be the #1 thing you order at Nine|05.
I am not a fan of eating with my hands, however these wings are so splendid, that towards the end, I was actually enjoyed it!
Another favorite of mine (although an acquired taste) was the BBQ eel that “sandwiched” foie gras in the middle. I could hardly contain myself having two of my favorite items together in a dish such as this. Yes..Yes.. I know.. there is a big to-do these days about eating foie gras, but I happily eat it anyway.
Eel & Foie Gras Sandwich! YUM!
The next item was the Shrimp and Pork Pot Stickers with a pickled melon and peanut sauce) – Susie piped up and said it was the best thing she’d eaten so far in our meal. I, being a fan of pot stickers would have liked some jalapeños inside of the pot sticker, but still quite delicious and well presented.
Pot sticker heaven!
For those foodies who like mussels, the Red Curry Mussels served with a coconut and lemongrass sauce are a foodie favorite according the restaurant.
Red Curry Mussels--Spicy and unique flavors!
Since Susie and I eat for a living, we are often too full to try everything on the menu! However we gave a good run at Nine|05.
Bogsinske and Carter say their food at Nine|05 is French in technique but Asian in deliverance. They hit the farmers market twice a week to buy ingredients. Together they boast vast culinary training and these experiences give, Carter’s and Bogsinske’s dishes a strong depth of flavor.
Bogsinske has been chefing in the Valley of the Sun for years and said his “culinary father” is Michael DeMaria (of Heirloom).
Ironically, a few minutes after he said that De Maria walked in Nine|05 for an early dinner! He happily obliged us and posed for a picture.
Bogsinske & DeMaria showing each other some chef love!
Nine|05 is bringing foodies to downtown Phoenix. Long gone are the days where there was no culinary talent downtown.
Nine|05 is breathing new life and vitality to the restaurant scene to Phoenix. We can’t wait to try the two other restaurants that will occupy the space with Nine|05.
We are delighted to have met Jennifer at Phoenix Cooks and even happier she asked us to try out her Asian pride and joy!
Do you want to know what other culinary adventures we are having? See what we’re cooking up at www.foodieslikeus.com
Nice review. It’s good to see Foodies Like Us venture Downtown; I hope you’ll do so more often. Right now, the area seems to have a better ratio of restaurant openings to closings than other parts of the metro area, and Downtown is finally assuming the role it always should have had as a dining destination.
A few thoughts and reactions:
I agree that the decor is great, although I’m not sure I saw anything particularly Chicagoan about it. With the large patio, I saw this restaurant’s look as Phoenix as its best.
As for your car, keep in mind that Downtown has a lower crime rate than many other parts of the metro area. Some of the vacant lots in the Evans-Churchill area may look creepy, but Downtown streets are less frequently targeted for auto theft than many suburban mall parking lots. Of course, you could always just take the train to Roosevelt/Central and walk a few blocks to Nine|05. That would be an emulation of Chicago in the best possible way.
Cheers.
Thanks for the comments David and the kind words!
We said we felt Chicago on the interior of the restaurant because of the exposed brick and of course the fact that a very old house had been redone and put to good use. As a kid, my parents took us into the City almost every weekend and places like Andersonville or Lincoln Park are rich with similar looking restored homes.
We SOOO wish the Light Rail went to Scottsdale…if it did, we would be on it and leave our cars behind every time!!
Have a great holiday!
I think your review of NINE|05 was spot on, I love walking and dining there as I live right around the corner but it’s simply “the best option in downtown” food is made fresh everyday and there are tons of items to choose from for me I go for the good stuff Eel & Foie, Duck & Foie Potstickers, Pork crepes but for my non-foodie vegan boyfriend he eats a a tofu steak which is actually delicious (but I would rather eat the foie… anyways it’s nice to go out to a restaurant where there is something for everyone and I don’t have to feel guilty about my man making up his own dish. Yes, the chicken wings are amazing if I could eat them everyday I really would. In fact I may go to lunch there today! But I really liked the review I hope more people give NINE|05 and Downtown a shot… it’s worth it! (Especially for the food)
I feel the same way about Scottsdale restaurants. If I’m going to drive from central Phoenix to Scottsdale, the place better be good. Alas, few are worth the drive. I like FnB, Rancho Pinot Grill and that’s about it. Binkley’s is wonderful but that’s a trip and a half. I’m happier at the downtown restaurants-like the friendly neighborhood feeling and the food is great.
Thanks for your comment Sharon–we are actively looking for more great places downtown to check out. Check out some of the other great ones in Scottsdale we’ve reviewed on our blog!