Now that the triple digits have arrived, it's time to abandon stews and soups and massive hunks of meat. Here are 20 places in metro Phoenix where you can cool off with a refreshing salad, a light dish that comes in many forms.
Phoenix
Hula's Modern Tiki
Modern indeed: this Caesar salad is made with blackened chicken, cubes of fresh mango, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and crunchy wonton chips ($14).
Details: 4700 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-265-8454. Also, 7213 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-970-4852, hulasmoderntiki.com.
Southern Rail
Chef Justin Beckett's new restaurant features Southern-style cuisine, so try the cornbread salad with grilled cauliflower, marinated tomatoes, pickled beets and okra over greens in a charred bell pepper vinaigrette ($11).
Details: 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-200-0085, southernrailaz.com.
Otro Cafe
Travel back to ancient times for the Inca salad, a mix of quinoa, fresh corn kernels, dried cranberries, pepitas, Mexican yulu seeds, tomatoes, arugula, mint, basil, cilantro, red onion, lime juice, all in an avocado and herb vinaigrette ($6 and $9.50).
Details: 6035 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-266-0831, otrocafe.com.
Tryst Cafe
We're planning a tryst with the signature seared ahi salad: Cajun-crusted, seared ahi tuna rests on organic greens, daikon sprouts, grilled Portobello mushrooms, carrots and grape tomatoes tossed with a honey lime vinaigrette and topped with a wasabi aioli and wonton strips ($13).
Details: 21050 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 480-585-7978, trystcafe.com/.
Chestnut Fine Foods & Provisions
The Green Goddess Salad ($12) is a bowl of rice noodles mixed with chopped kale and Swiss chard, dressed in a light Asian vinaigrette, dusted with toasted coconut shavings, cashews and sesame seeds. A little spicy, but more flavor than heat.
Details: 4350 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.602-708-7679, chestnutaz.com.
Northeast Valley
Arcadia Farms Cafe
Come for lunch and enjoy the lovely raspberry salad with warm goat cheese medallions, nested on baby lettuce with jicama, carrots and candied pecans in raspberry vinaigrette ($14, with chicken $16).
Details: 7014 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-941-5665, arcadiafarmscafe.com.
Pane e Vino
When you hear "caprese," think of the traditional simple but elegant Italian insalate, prepared with sliced tomatoes and sliced mozzarella in a stream of extra-virgin olive oil ($13.95).
Details: 8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-473-7900, paneevinoaz.com.
Boondocks Patio & Grill
If you're nuts for arugula, don't miss the arugula salad ($8), a nest of the peppery greens blended with pickled red onion, cubes of avocado, bacon, marinated tomatoes, dried cranberries and cotija cheese. The salad is dressed in a blue cheese vinaigrette.
Details: 4341 N. 75th St., Scottsdale. 480-949-8454, boondocksaz.com.
Tom's Thumb Fresh Market
It's a salad, but it's meaty. At this conglomerated grocery, coffee shop, car wash, gas station and cafe, the blue brisket salad is made with sliced brisket, tomatoes, red onions, blue cheese crumbles and toasted pecans on a bed of lettuce ($12.50).
Details: 9393 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-513-8186, tomsthumbfreshmarket.com.
Rare Earth
This is not just a beet salad; it's a "happy" beet salad: pickled beets, arugula, hearts of palm, oranges, goat cheese and some pistachios dressed in lemon vinaigrette ($10).
Details: 28190 N. N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale. 480-513-6252, rareearthwine.com.
Southeast Valley
Brunchies
Head to Boston Street (in Chandler) for the Boston Street salad, made with Romaine lettuce, chicken, fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, feta cheese and candied walnuts in raspberry vinaigrette ($5.25 and $8.95).
Details: 17 E. Boston St., Chandler. 480-899-5036, serranosaz.com/brunchiesmain.html.
La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen
Dig into a satisfying taco salad, a crispy taco shell stuffed with lettuce, pinto beans, tomatoes, guacamole and a choice of ground beef, shredded beef, chicken or adovada pork. Served with a side of poblano dressing ($8.99).
Details: 638 E. Warner Road, Gilbert. 480-545-2880, laristraaz.com.
Sakana
It's a little spicy, but be adventurous and stop in at lunchtime to try the calamari tempura salad: calamari (squid) tempura and jalepeño tempura in a citrus-soy tataki dressing on a mound of lettuce and garnish ($8.50).
Details: 5061 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix. 480-598-0506, other Valley locations at sakanasushi.co.
La Bocca Urban Pizzeria +Wine Bar
The goat cheese and pear salad on top of spring mix greens has a supporting cast of candied walnuts, cranberries and grape tomatoes in balsamic vinaigrette ($8).
Details: 699 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-967-5244, laboccapizzeria.com.
Princess Mediterranean Deli & Market
A true Mediterranean favorite is the Greek salad with chunks of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and black olives ($5). You can also have it with gyro meat ($7.50) or chicken or beef shawarma ($7.50).
Details: 2620 W. Broadway Road, Mesa. 480-894-1499, princessmarket.com.
West Valley
The Haymaker Restaurant Co.
With the grilled chicken salad, slices of chicken are arranged on a bed of mixed greens along with candied walnuts, red onion, feta cheese, dried cranberries and apple slices. It's all tossed with an apple cider vinaigrette ($11).
Details: 24762 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria. 623-566-1515, haymakeraz.com.
Siam Thai Cuisine
Taste a fruit salad that's a little more exotic: the papaya salad, which is made with papayas, Thai chiles, tomatoes, lime juice and fish sauce ($8.95).
Details: 5008 W. Northern Ave., Glendale. 623-931-2102, siamthaicusine.com.
Sal's Tuscan Grill
If you're craving meat but think you ought to be sensible and order a salad, Sal's chef salad is your best choice. On a bed of shredded lettuce, the chef piles strips of capicola salami, moist turkey, egg, Roma tomatoes, bell peppers and black olives ($6). Have it drizzled with such dressings as creamy Italian, ranch or vinegar and oil. Little slices of toast are tucked around the edges.
Details: 14175 W. Indian School Road, Goodyear. 623-535-4642, bellalunaaz.com.
Pita Kitchen
Haven't you been longing for a fattoush salad? Here's your chance: a bed of romaine lettuce, topped with tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, mint and sumac, and then dressed in a light lemon juice and olive oil vinaigrette. The salad is served with fried pita bread ($4.99 and $7.49).
Details: 9915 W. McDowell Road, Avondale. 623-478-8900, pitakitchen.net.
Irish Wolfhound
This pub isn't just for St. Patrick's Day. Leave your shamrocks at home and stop by for the grilled pub steak salad, mixed greens tossed with roasted red peppers, feta cheese, toasted pumpkin seeds, house dressing and slices of marinated and grilled steak ($12.99).
Details: 16811 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise. 623-214-1004, irishwolfhoundpub.com.
