“It was when I landed at a little French bistro that it all clicked,” explains Arizona restaurateur Chef Matt Carter. As a Scottsdale Culinary Institute graduate, he admits, “Before then, I had bounced around—I worked at a breakfast place, two or three different hotels, and Houston’s for a while. The food, the smells, the action, the discipline….suddenly everything made sense for the first time. I moved to France to learn more about the culture and the cuisine and spent two years there.”
Upon his return to the States, Carter continued to hone his craft under renowned chefs like James Beard Award winner Christopher Gross and in prestigious kitchens such as Napa’s French Laundry. In 2001, Carter realized his dream and opened Zinc Bistro. The charming restaurant in Kierland Commons still stands today and exudes old-world appeal, featuring a gleaming zinc bar, black-and-white tiled floors, and marble tables. Here visitors can picture themselves on the Left Bank of the Seine as they savor moules marinières and Sancerre on the sunny patio. Or dine indoors, where a miniature Eiffel Tower oversees the serving of classics like French onion soup, côte de boeuf, and dessert soufflés.
Carter’s global experiences also influenced him when he opened The Mission in Old Town Scottsdale in 2008 (and a second location in North Scottsdale in 2016). Inspired by travels to Mexico and South America, he created another award-winning concept, blending modern Latin cuisine with his European influences. This approach is evident in a menu where tableside guacamole sits comfortably alongside Peruvian clam stew, and empanadas are stuffed with duck confit and topped with foie gras.
In 2016, Carter’s culinary compass pointed toward Italy with Fat Ox, a sleek, modern steakhouse named for Piedmont’s historic cattle fair. Here, diners flock for dishes like spicy Calabrian shrimp with Marcona almonds and salsa verde aioli, cacio e pepe with handmade tajarin pasta, and juicy, wood-grilled cuts such as a 40-ounce bistecca Fiorentina.
Carter’s trio of distinct yet equally impressive concepts continue to define his legacy in the Valley. In 2024, he received the Arizona Restaurant Association’s Foodist Award for Food Pioneer, recognizing a career that has not only fed the Valley but also shaped its culinary landscape. What’s next for 2025? “I’m working on some new projects,” he says with a laugh, “but I can’t talk about any of them yet.”
Here, Chef Matt Carter steps away from his own kitchens to share three of his favorite Phoenix dining destinations:
Christopher’s at The Wrigley Mansion
Why: This is an easy pick, not just because Christopher [Gross] is my mentor but because I think it’s the most beautiful restaurant in town. That modern architecture set against vintage Wrigley Spanish architecture is just amazing. And, obviously, the food is gorgeous.
Favorites: I love the tasting menu and the service style where the cooks bring the food out. That gives it a comfortable feel, but at the same time, you’re enjoying a super high-end setting and views. I also like the bistro classics menu because that’s the food I cooked when I worked for him. The roasted red bell pepper soup, ABC foie gras terrine, and chocolate tower are so iconic.
𖡡 2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Dick’s Hideaway
Why: It has this cool vibe—dark and classic—and has been there forever. I was a regular at the original Richardson’s around the corner, especially late-night after I got off work at Zinc Bistro. We’ve done a few of our company parties there, and my 40th birthday party was in a private dining room at Dick’s Hideaway. It’s always been one of my go-to’s.
Favorites: My dish is the carne adovada. I don’t go as often now that I live in Scottsdale and work so much, but my dentist’s office is right down the street. Every time I go to the dentist, I call in my Dick’s Hideaway carne adovada order, and sometimes bring it back for the restaurant staff.
𖡡 6008 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Hot Daisy Pizza
Why: I’m going to give a shout-out to Tammie Coe because while there’s a lot of great pizza in town, I think hers is underrated. She converted her Tammie Coe cake shop to Hot Daisy Pizza, though I think you can still get some of her pastry classics like ooey gooey cupcakes and sugar cookies, which are lights-out amazing.
Favorites: Her pepperoni pizza. She just does a great job, and you can get some Calabrian chile on the side.
𖡡 610 E Roosevelt St Suite 145, Phoenix, AZ 85004
written by: christina barrueta
Be the first to comment