12 Superb Spring Dishes to Try in Tucson


April 12, 2019
a man wearing a hat
By Jackie Tran
By Jackie Tran

Here are fresh plates local restaurants have shared with us.

Forget about all the allergies for a second and remember that spring is one of the tastiest seasons.

Local restaurants are finding creative ways to utilize the season’s bounty. Here’s what local restaurants have shared with us.

The Dutch Eatery & Refuge

943 E. University Blvd.
Bruschetta Board from the Dutch Eatery & Refuge (Photo courtesy of the Dutch Eatery & Refuge)
Bruschetta Board from the Dutch Eatery & Refuge (Photo courtesy of the Dutch Eatery & Refuge)

The Dutch created a new bar menu, including a section for a Bruschetta Board; choose any three bruschettas for $12. Pictured here are the pickled curry cauliflower, strawberry and Brie and chicken, bacon, blue.

For more information, visit thedutchtucson.com.

Caffe Milano

46 W. Congress St.
Guazzetto di Gamberi at Caffe Milano (Credit: Alfredo Ferrero)
Guazzetto di Gamberi at Caffe Milano (Credit: Alfredo Ferrero)

Caffe Milano’s Guazzetto di Gamberi features shrimp with a splash of wine sauce on a polenta crouton.

For more information, call (520) 628-1601 or visit lafuficaffemilano.com.

DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails

135 S. Sixth Ave.
Salmon Belly + Hamachi Aguachile at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails (Credit: Tim Fuller)
Salmon Belly + Hamachi Aguachile at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails (Credit: Tim Fuller)

The Salmon Belly + Hamachi Aguachile features candied jalapeños, pickled cholla buds, jicama, orange-scented prickly pear/Jamaica broth, lime, and mint syrup.

For more information, visit Downtown Kitchen. 

PY Steakhouse at Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.
Dry-Aged Berkshire Pork New York at PY Steakhouse (Photo courtesy of PY Steakhouse)
Dry-Aged Berkshire Pork New York at PY Steakhouse (Photo courtesy of PY Steakhouse)

The Dry-Aged Berkshire Pork New York features 18-day dry-aged pork with fennel seed, carrot and pea purees, crispy chicharron and shallots, and mustard demi-glace.

For more information, visit casinodelsol.com.

Fiamme Pizza

4706 E. Sunrise Dr.
Primavera Pizza at Fiamme Pizza (Photo courtesy of Fiamme Pizza)
Primavera Pizza at Fiamme Pizza (Photo courtesy of Fiamme Pizza)

The Primavera Pizza brings a taste of Italian spring with bacon, olive oil, mozzarella, buffalo ricotta, avocado, parsley, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

For more information, visit fiammepizzatucson.com.

Ghini’s French Caffe

1803 E. Prince Rd.
Florentine Croque Madame at Ghini's French Caffe (Photo courtesy of Ghini's French Caffe)
Florentine Croque Madame at Ghini’s French Caffe (Photo courtesy of Ghini’s French Caffe)

The Florentine Croque Madame also has a touch of Italy with baby spinach, bechamel, Gruyere, and Parmesan on box French bread.

For more information, visit ghiniscafe.com.

Sushi on Oracle

6449 N. Oracle Rd.
Spring Sashimi Salad at Sushi on Oracle (Photo courtesy of Sushi on Oracle)
Spring Sashimi Salad at Sushi on Oracle (Photo courtesy of Sushi on Oracle)

This Spring Sashimi Salad features Asian pear, brie, and yellowtail sashimi with a locally-sourced dandelion green, mustard green, kiwi, extra-virgin olive oil, wasabi oil and kizami wasabi emulsion, daikon, and micro greens.

For more information, visit sushionoracle.net.

Rollies Mexican Patio

4573 S. 12th Ave.
Friday Shrimp Tempura Tacos at Rollies Mexican Patio (Photo courtesy of Rollies Mexican Patio)
Friday Shrimp Tempura Tacos at Rollies Mexican Patio (Photo courtesy of Rollies Mexican Patio)

Rollies’ Friday Shrimp Tempura Tacos are topped with habanero slaw and avocado. Order two with a side of beans for $6.

For more information, visit rolliestucson.com.

Monsoon Chocolate

234 E. 22nd St.
Spring Vegetable Hash at Monsoon Chocolate (Photo courtesy of Monsoon Chocolate)

Monsoon Chocolate removed their beloved Avocado Toast from the spring menu to live up to their sustainability-minded ethos.

Although it might not return, the new Spring Vegetable Hash highlights kohlrabi, turnips, Yukons, roasted shallots, baby cress, sunny farm egg (Beck’s Best), and a green garlic caramel.

For more information, visit monsoonchocolate.com.

Tito & Pep

4122 E. Speedway Blvd.
Spring Kampachi Aguachile at Tito & Pep (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Spring Kampachi Aguachile at Tito & Pep (Credit: Jackie Tran)

The spring version of the signature Kampachi Aguachile features a combination of strawberry, habanero, shiso, and hibiscus.

For more information, visit titoandpep.com.

Tavolino Ristorante Italiano

2890 E. Skyline Dr.
Spaghetti alla Liguria at Tavolino Ristorante Italiano (Photo courtesy of Tavolino Ristorante Italiano)
Spaghetti alla Liguria at Tavolino Ristorante Italiano (Photo courtesy of Tavolino Ristorante Italiano)

For spring, Tavolino launched a lunch menu featuring spring dishes that can be prepared quickly for guests tight on time. The Spaghetti alla Liguria features salmon, capers, kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes in a white wine garlic sauce.

For more information, visit tavolinoristorante.com.

Feast

3719 E. Speedway Blvd.
Verrine from Feast (Photo courtesy of Feast)
Verrine from Feast (Photo courtesy of Feast)

Feast changes their menu monthly, so naturally they had a new dish. Their Verrine dessert features whipped pistachio cream, crumbled rice cookies, lemon peel and tahini butterscotch layered into a glass with dried roses and lemon verbena.

For more information, visit eatatfeast.com.

Know of any more new spring dishes? Let us know in the comments.

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Article By

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon...

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