From the outside, this hidden gem in Tempe, Arizona could easily be overlooked. Tucked away in an assuming strip-mall, you could easily be fooled about what your tastebuds will find inside. A local favorite AND locally owned, this French-Asian inspired independant steakhouse has not only a unique ambiance but a unique dining and cocktail menu sure to keep you coming back time and time again.
The Peppermill is owned by a local chef with an impressive resume. His name is Chad Bolar and he's known for his stints at Christopher’s Crush, Wrigley Mansion, Meridiem Kitchen and Lounge, and Pesto’s. And while the menu is mouth-watering all in itself, you're going to want to push it aside and trust Chef Bolar with your meal. Ask for the "Chef's Whim" and you will be surprised with an appetizer and entree curated directly from his magical whimsy, straight to your plate. But be warned...because it's made on a whim, you likely will never get to taste it again. So enjoy each savory bite.
On my most recent visit we were enchanted by a seafood pasta plate of scallops, crawfish, shrimp and more drown in a delectable red sauce and fresh cheese, as well as perfectly cooked duck with a maple bourbon polenta that I will be dreaming of for the rest of my life. Our appetizer included fried frog legs which was a new cuisine I'd never tried before, and the cocktails were vibrant and included notes of everything we said we loved and our belly's left full and happy.
The Peppermill is a date-night must and if I could give it more than five stars I would.
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