Restaurant Progress
Quick info
About Restaurant Progress
Restaurant Progress is a New American restaurant on W Montecito Ave in Phoenix, serving small plates and cocktails in the evenings only, Tuesday through Sunday. The kitchen offers a "Leave it to the Kitchen" chef's choice tasting menu with optional wine pairings, alongside an a la carte list that runs to about 30 dishes, including the Branzino. At the bar, the Mockingbird and an Old Fashioned are recurring orders, and servers guide guests through both the wine list and menu selections. Gluten-free options are available, with dishes adjusted accordingly. The interior is small with few tables, while a back patio offers communal outdoor seating. A step-free entrance serves visitors with mobility needs, and the food is also available for takeaway and delivery for those eating off site. Reservations are recommended given the limited seating.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Somewhat difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- DietaryServes organic dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
30 dishes · mains $3–35- Para Ti$14.00
- Stay With Me$13.00
- Aren't You Glad$15.00
- 1919$14.00
- Seven O'clock In The Day$15.00
- Mockingbird$10.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention tasting menu with wine pairing, branzino, old fashioned cocktail and outdoor patio seating.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention tasting menu with wine pairing, branzino, old fashioned cocktail and outdoor patio seating.
Customer Review Summary
The chefs choice tasting menu, often paired with wine, anchors most visits, with reviewers repeatedly praising the wine pairings and the staff's in-depth guidance through each course. Specific dishes draw consistent notice: the branzino, the beef tartare that won over a skeptic, the Fried Green Tomato and Burrata, and a rich lasagna, alongside standout cocktails like the Old Fashioned, an Espresso Martini, and the non-alcoholic Mockingbird. Several call out the patio seating and the closeness of viewing chefs at work. One reviewer, celebrating a birthday dinner, reports being served chicken that was raw inside and felt the server's response, telling them it was useful kitchen feedback, fell short given the meal's cost, with no apology or adjustment offered. A separate diner notes being seated uncomfortably close to another table. Otherwise, reviewers return repeatedly for occasions like anniversaries and describe buying the kitchen a round of beers to close out the night.
Customer Review Summary
The chefs choice tasting menu, often paired with wine, anchors most visits, with reviewers repeatedly praising the wine pairings and the staff's in-depth guidance through each course. Specific dishes draw consistent notice: the branzino, the beef tartare that won over a skeptic, the Fried Green Tomato and Burrata, and a rich lasagna, alongside standout cocktails like the Old Fashioned, an Espresso Martini, and the non-alcoholic Mockingbird. Several call out the patio seating and the closeness of viewing chefs at work. One reviewer, celebrating a birthday dinner, reports being served chicken that was raw inside and felt the server's response, telling them it was useful kitchen feedback, fell short given the meal's cost, with no apology or adjustment offered. A separate diner notes being seated uncomfortably close to another table. Otherwise, reviewers return repeatedly for occasions like anniversaries and describe buying the kitchen a round of beers to close out the night.
Featured reviews
- Hayley Platt
“We had a great experience at Restaurant Progress for a 60th birthday celebration for my Dad! The food was really outstanding and the sommelier made the experience more fun with his in-depth narratives about the wine - definitely a highlight! The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because we were eating the 4th course (we did the chefs choice 5 course and wine pairings), my dad took a bite of the chicken someone else had gotten, remarked it was strange, and we looked down to find completely raw chicken. The outside portion of the leg was edible, just the inside was raw (cold to the touch raw). Not a huge deal since we were able to eat 60% of it so we didn't send it back, but when we told our server, she just remarked that it was a great thing to tell the kitchen. We weren't asking for anything free, but it also felt weird for that to be the only thing said about being served (and probably also eaten) raw chicken from a restaurant of this quality. It would have been nice to have a little bit more response from the restaurant, in terms of either I'm so sorry or a reflection on the check. When paying $800 for a meal for 5, we didn't really think it was great to have to pay for a course where we were served raw chicken. Overall, the dinner was still great and I would definitely come back again, I would just probably ask for them to double check te chicken lol.”
- Carson Maiden
“Possibly the best restaurant I've ever been to. The food is just incredible, the service is the best you will find, and the whole vibe brings it together. For what you get the price is more than fair. You cannot find a bad plate of food on the menu. I brought my dad and sister here and they were equally as impressed.”
- Melanie Tylke
“Wonderful chefs recommendations and wine pairings. Super glad I found this spot while staying in midtown for a conference at the convention center. So much better than my experience at Wren and Wolf the night before. Every dish was delicious and right sized. A treat for a new mom on a work trip, made me feel like a queen. Happy early mothers day to me :)”
- Alexa Mouton
“We had a wonderful date night at Progress! Garrett was our server and he was super attentive, knowledgeable about the menu and kept water glasses filled throughout the night. We chose the tasting menu (GREAT value- the two of us received 10 total different dishes) with the wine pairing- Zach was our wine guy and wow he really impressed us with his wine choices and all the education about each wine. We will definitely be back!”
- Steve H
“Restaurant progress wins five stars across the board from food to service to atmosphere. The food speaks for itself from the quality of the ingredients, the creativity of the menu and the presentation can only be outperformed by one thing and that is the staff. From the moment you enter you're treated like family. As a pro tip, use them to assist you with food selection and definitely for a wine selection. Challenge yourself to try things that might be out of your comfort zone and your taste buds will be awarded. Thanks again to all the Progress staff who helped make a memorable night for my family.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Hip spot offering New American small plates at dinner & late-night craft cocktails in stylish digs.”
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for popular for dinner
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Offers delivery
- Offers takeaway
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Has bar on site
- On-site services available
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Offerings· 8
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves comfort food
- Serves healthy options
- Serves organic dishes
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Crowd· 1
- Good for groups
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 5
- Serves brunch
- Serves dinner
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Atmosphere· 4
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Somewhat difficult to find a space
- Highlights· 5
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for· 2
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Restaurants near Restaurant Progress
- Ocotillo Restaurant4.42,5371.3 mi$20–60Good for kidsReservations
ribs, eggplant meatballs, brisket
- First & Last4.57202.8 mi$20–70Reservations
little jerry sandwich, fresh focaccia bread, the maestro sandwich
- The Gladly4.71,8142.9 mi$20–70Reservations
burrata, espresso martini, chopped salad
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant ProgressReservations | 4.7533 | — | $60–70 | tasting menu with wine pairing, branzino, old fashioned cocktail |
| Ocotillo RestaurantGood for kids · Reservations | 4.42,537 | 1.3 mi | $20–60 | ribs, eggplant meatballs, brisket |
| First & LastReservations | 4.5720 | 2.8 mi | $20–70 | little jerry sandwich, fresh focaccia bread, the maestro sandwich |
| The GladlyReservations | 4.71,814 | 2.9 mi | $20–70 | burrata, espresso martini, chopped salad |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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