Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits is a casual yet fine-dining experience located inside The Westin Tempe in the heart of Downtown Tempe. The restaurant puts a unique twist on Southwestern classic dishes alongside astounding craft cocktails and has turned into one of Tempe’s hottest contemporary spots, resulting in winning the 2021 OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice award.
The atmosphere at Terra Tempe is bright and airy, with many modern and contemporary features. There are unique metal chairs as you enter the space, a modern privacy wall that separates the restaurant from the hotel lobby at The Westin Tempe, and sleek light fixtures above the bar. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow for natural lighting and the open-style kitchen gives guests an opportunity to watch their food being prepared. There is a back room for larger parties that includes a giant TV and lovely wall covered in plants, which enhances the ambiance.
Terra Tempe is perfect for those who want a more upscale date night, evening with friends or those staying at The Westin Tempe. It’s also a great option for a happy hour drink before hitting Downtown Tempe or for a late-night bite. Terra Tempe’s menu is “rich in history, utilizing indigenous ingredients and artisanal products from the best local producers,” making it a staple for the greater Phoenix area.
It’s clear how much love and attention to detail goes into each dish. One example is Terra Tempe’s hot stone, which is a featured starter on the menu that gives guests a hands-on and exciting experience and includes your choice of four slices of wagyu beef or Pacific ahi tuna and a hot stone that is 900 degrees. Guests proceed to cook the meat themselves to their liking, accented with cilantro, pickled ginger and serrano ponzu on the side. This dish is sweet, buttery, juicy and firm in texture. This is a true delicacy and a superb experience.
For a main dish option, the cilantro-dusted Chilean sea bass is a show-stopper. This popular dish is cooked to perfection with a crispy golden brown exterior and falls apart at the touch of your fork. The perfectly cooked bass has a juicy and buttery smooth texture with hints of lime. It is truly the definition of “melt in your mouth” and is served with avocado spread, sweet corn pico and arugula.
Another delightful option for an entrée is the bacon-wrapped bison meatloaf. This leaner take on a traditional meatloaf is still a very hearty and filling meal, so you won’t go home hungry. It is served with two large pieces of bison meatloaf seasoned perfectly, with a hint of spice and mesquite flavors. Each piece is wrapped in bacon and doused with barbecue sauce and is served with a side of mashed potatoes and asparagus.
If there is room for dessert, be sure to try the orange Creamsicle cheesecake and the Peanut Butter Crunch. The frozen cheesecake covered with an orange Creamsicle coating is served on a popsicle stick, so it brings you back to childhood. It is served with blood orange gel to pour over the dish along with fresh and freeze-dried mandarin oranges. The Peanut Butter Crunch has alternating layers of shortbread and peanut butter mousse, all completely covered in a hard shell of chocolate with roasted peanuts and pretzels to provide the crunch. It is served on a bed of salted caramel with macerated strawberries on the side, to balance the sweet with the salty. This rich and decadent dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and chocolate craving.
Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits is open seven days a week, and happy hour is from 2 to 6 p.m. daily. Guests of The Westin Tempe can also order in-room dining from Terra Tempe.
For more information on Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits or to make a reservation, visit terratempe.com.