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The Arcadia News features restaurant reviews each month.
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Uptown 713 Bistro
713 E. Palo Verde Drive
602.274.1332

Uptown 713 is a hidden neighborhood bistro which would be hard to spot unless you know someone who knows someone who tells you about it. I was lucky enough to find out about it from the guy who cuts my hair. My associates and I visited on a Saturday night which was a brisk 80 degree evening and perfect for their patio.

Once securing a table, the wine list fell into the capable hands of my personal sommelier, G.B., who put his faith in the bistro and decided on a Pinot Noir from Oregon we had never tried. It was a great pick, reasonably priced, and most importantly, it arrived with an almost unnoticeable chill just as all reds should be served. This isn’t a big deal to most people and there are lots of restaurants in town that don’t seem to bother getting this right. But just imagine a balmy evening under the misters when the wine is a few degrees too warm. It’s a disaster which is hard to correct. One bottle too warm, all too warm, you’re doomed.

Uptown describes itself as an American Bistro. I would agree. I have seen some of the items on their menu pop up in other bistros before. I wouldn’t call them “classics” but they are popular American dishes that experienced chefs can throw some of their own tricks at and generate a loyal clientele. There are six items on the appetizer list: Seared Tuna, Chicken Potstickers, Calamari Friti, Shrimp Scampi, Drunken Clams and Bruschetta. We decided on the Clams ($11) and the Calamari ($9) The winner of these two was most definitely the Clams which came in an absolutely over the top wine broth which was too complicated for me to deconstruct. Usually I can tell you what’s in a broth like this after a few tastes. My best guess would be: white wine, garlic, sherry?, capers?, pepper, salt, clams. I’m lost. It’s a mystery that still haunts me, but the easy way out of asking seemed like giving in.

The 16 oz. Boneless Pork Chop ($18) arrived for my wife browned and dredged in spices. It was every bit as juicy as my favorite Neiman Ranch chops. I chose the 8 oz. Filet Mignon ($26) and was very happy with it and the wine reduction sauce it came in. The bottle we chose to match up to our meals was a Cline Zinfandel, another awesome selection from the list. There is something about a tender filet and the moments between bites when you are drinking a wine you really like which will keep me eating beef long into the final hours of arteriosclerosis.

The Ahi Tuna Steak ($19) was G.B.’s immediate choice when he sat down. It was tender and most importantly, moist and rare, with a tart mustard soy dressing accompanying it on the side which I appropriated for at least one bite of my steak. The Chicken Napoleon ($16), a thin breast of chicken prepared with spinach, red peppers and buffalo mozzarella was juicy and flavorful, which is something I have never been able to accomplish with chicken breast.

My assessment of Uptown is probably just what they hope for. A small, elegant but comfortable, bistro with an outstanding wine list and a broad but accessible menu. The execution from the kitchen and the service are exceptional. It’s also the kind of place to go and wind down. The pace isn’t hurried, patrons can enjoy themselves and their company.

Uptown 713 is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.