Citrus Cafe

05/29/2008 Posted by junior007154

I usually am not compelled to take time to write food reviews but this one is particular. There is a small boutique restaurant in Chandler called Citrus Café. It has been there for 18 years and has been traditional old school French. About a year ago, a new owner chef took over and I must admit I was reluctant as we had enjoyed this restaurant for so long. Let me tell you, we have been going to Citrus Café for 15 years and boy were we surprised. The décor is still the same, but the food is incredible. The menu is so diverse and accommodating as well as the chef. We spoke with him and one thing that stood out to us was he promised to make us anything we wanted as long as we gave him a days notice. Almost like having a private chef, so in jest I asked him if he could make an etouffe. To my luck his background started in Cajun and southern and promised to have the best etouffee next time I came in. As for this visit, we had the Arizona chopped salad with cactus dressing and grilled cornbread with mole butter and then moved on to the grilled salmon with sun dried tomato and octopus orzo, a Mediterranean triumph. My wife had the duck sandwich which was duck confit, fennel, pate mustard and duck fries, what a treat. It has certainly mellowed out with the ambiance, but the food is deserving of much praise.

Pros: Food is amazing

Cons: Should be in scottsdale

05/29/2008 Posted by phoenixfoodcritic

My husband and I went to citrus café last night and have been there for many years as it is a chandler institution. We were very pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant had changed owners and in turn chefs. We received small clipboard menus as opposed to the old easels and read it realizing that the restaurant has caught up with 2008. It is no longer a classical French/ country club type restaurant, but a menu full of international flare including French, Italian, Spanish, asian, Mediterranean and even local fare. We were greeted with a complimentary appetizer that was a spoon of chilled zuchinni soup with fresh tomato and parmesan. It was fantastic. Our server informed us that although not on the menu, escargot was readily available, so we had it and it was just as good as paris. The Arizona chopped salad was outsatanding, so refreshing and the grilled cornbread with mole butter was very cool. For entrees, the prosciutto wrapped halibut was very good and fresh and the rabbit sausage pasta with home made pappardelle was outstanding. We were also informed that if there was ever anything we were craving to call the chef one day and advance and it would be done. That’s quite a compliment to the chefs skills and understanding of guest service. We will be back and maybe for something off the menu.

Pros: the food

Cons: not more well known

02/15/2008 Posted by JonM918

My wife and I visited the Citrus Cafe last night for Valentines Day and the food was cold. I had read good things about the restaurant but it did not live up to its reviews. There was a six course meal especially for Valentines and the first two courses were OK. The third course was a fish that tasted as if it had been prepared hours before and just sitting. It was cold and not appealing. The fourth course was chicken and it must of been in the oven for hours, it was completely dried out, and the fifth course the filet mignon tasted like they had cooked it earlier and then put it in the refrigerator for an hour. I would of had a better dinner going to a cafeteria. People might say that they were busy and had to prepare the meals early but when I am paying for a meal I like it prepared after I have arrived. Even Jack in the Box will do that.

Pros: The service was ok.

Cons: The food was cold.

10/13/2007 Posted by coepian

I've been looking for a good French place for a while, and I think my search may be over. This place was just excellent, from the muted lighting to the classy tables to the attentive waitstaff. My girlfriend and I went there without reservations but we were seated instantly, no wait at all. Our waitress was attentiveness personified, and her recommendation of the bisque was right on the money (she also promised that if we didn't like the bisque, she would switch it to something else). The entrees we ordered were just perfect, and the kitchen sent us a couple of complimentary samples. It's a little bit pricier that one might choose for a normal dinner - most dishes are over $20. This is definitely for special occasions. All in all a really wonderful experience and we'll definitely be back.

07/16/2007 Posted by rodg284

The great experience started before we had even set foot in the place. When we called for a reservation, we asked about the beer choice (one of our party is not a wine drinker). They did not stock our wine, normally, but informed us that they would secure some for our party and have it on ice when we arrived--they did. WOW. THe food was wonderful. We had the escargot, the baked brie and the tartar as appetizers. All were outstanding. The duck entre was delicious, the scalopini thin, tender and perfectly seasoned. Steak au Poirve was a melt in your mouth tenderloin with a delicious sauce. The salmon entre was wonderfull and a huge serving. Each of our party of 5 were overwhelmed by the food. It is a bit pricy, but be aware that your entre price includes the starter of a choice of soup (two choices that night) OR a starter salad. All the starters were wonderful as well. I feel it was an excellent value for the money. The service was attentive without seeming to rush us or being snooty. Our young waiter was very knowledgeble of both the food and the EXTENSIVE wind list. I had read a negative review here, so was a little concerned, but the food and service were well above par. Let it be noted that we did find out that the restaurant has new owners as of 4/07 and that may have had an impact, but our particular server has been there for some time and I would expect his service to be consistently outstanding. Definately will return. OH and the Hazelnut Creme Brulee was an amazing end to a perfect meal.

Pros: Romantic, intimate setting. Great food and service. Plan for desert you ownt be disapointed

Cons: Hidden in the back of a strip center behind Chinese buffet

05/18/2007 Posted by wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

My wife and I had dinner here for the first time. We found the listing in Frommer's guide to Arizona. The description was accurate...white table linens, quaint, private. The cosmo martinis we had were perfect. Grey Goose with a tinge of pink, not a deep red from a mix or large quantity of cranberry juice to hide inferior vodka...and for only $7, not $12 as I've had elsewhere with the bartender trying to sneak in some Absolut. We agreed with Frommer's, the food was fantastic. Perfectly balanced, not too sweet, not too savory, not too salty, not too tart. The duck was tender, fat rendered to a firm texture, not rubbery or waxy. The pinot from Monterey went well with the sour cherry and sherry reduction. The escargot was good. Surprisingly, the garlic, though generous, didn't overpower the escargot, and with few other flavors, allowed the escargot to stand out. I still prefer escargot with a little cheese baked on, but this was refreshingly different. The salad was fresh, no wilted greens. Attention to detail was evident in one of the simplest ingredients, the string beans. Not a speck or dent. To put that much attention to string beans is reassuring. The rest of the meal was the same. The roasted potatoes were properly made, but could have used some salt. I would have liked to have seen tarragon used somewhere, maybe in a salad or the bisque. The bread seemed pre-made but hot and soft so no complaints. The crepes were delicate but had enough strength to hold fresh strawberries. The service was attentive and friendly though followed a slow pace which can be typical of French dining, slow and purposeful to enjoy your food, we aren't usually in a rush. However, come 2-4, not a group of 10. Pros: The drinks and food are stellar. Cons: Though clean, the decor could use a makeover. If the environment matched, this could be a very serious table to get.

Pros: Fantastic drinks, well priced. Thoughtful food.

Cons: Decor could be updated.

07/18/2006 Posted by caneuman

I was one of 3 couples that went to the Citrus Cafe in May, and we had all heard great reviews, so we were excited to go. Having dine in NY, Paris and Chicago, as well as the French Laundry, we anticipated a great experience. We had to wait for a table, even though we had a reservation, however, that was not the issue. We started with a bottle of white wine, which was served at 70-75 degrees versus 55-60 degrees. When I questioned the waitress, I was told, it will cool off in the cooler. We all had different entrees--cassoulet, which was dry and tasteless, fish wwith a lemon sauce that overpowered the flavor of the fish, Lamb shanks that were overcooked and dry, salad with wilted lettuce, duck that was dry. The waitress was less than knowledgeable, and was borderline indifferent. I wrote a note to the restaurant afterward to expess our dissapointment and never received any type of response. I know of at least 6 other people who have had the same type of issue. I do not recommend spending your money here--there are too many other good restaurants.

Pros: parking

Cons: wait staff, food, service