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Paul Mercer

Paul Mercer

Dining Trends Editor · Top of Phoenix

Paul follows the openings and the momentum: who just landed, which formats are catching on, where the Phoenix conversation is heading next. He covers the new and the next, and tells you which of it is worth your night.

25 guides on this site · How we work

Guides by Paul Mercer

Best Date Night Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)
Date Night

Best Date Night Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)

12 rooms
 Best Steak in Scottsdale (2026)
Steak in Scottsdale

Best Steak in Scottsdale (2026)

11 rooms
 Best Steakhouses in Scottsdale (2026)
Steakhouses in Scottsdale

Best Steakhouses in Scottsdale (2026)

9 rooms
 Best Sushi in Scottsdale (2026)
Sushi in Scottsdale

Best Sushi in Scottsdale (2026)

11 rooms
 Best Thai Food in Scottsdale (2026)
Thai Food in Scottsdale

Best Thai Food in Scottsdale (2026)

6 rooms
 Best Seafood Restaurants in Scottsdale (2026)
Seafood

Best Seafood Restaurants in Scottsdale (2026)

6 rooms
 The Coolest Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)
The Coolest

The Coolest Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)

12 rooms
 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)
Fine Dining

Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)

12 rooms
 Best Patio Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)
Patio

Best Patio Restaurants in Phoenix (2026)

12 rooms
 Best Restaurants in Scottsdale (2026)
Restaurants in Scottsdale

Best Restaurants in Scottsdale (2026)

12 rooms
 Best Restaurants With a View in Phoenix (2026)
Restaurants With a View

Best Restaurants With a View in Phoenix (2026)

12 rooms
 Best BBQ in Scottsdale (2026)
BBQ in Scottsdale

Best BBQ in Scottsdale (2026)

12 rooms

Five rooms, every Friday.

The new opening, the sleeper the score just flagged, and the one room worth booking this week. Free.