special dinner in Phoenix: where?
 

Ok, I can afford two high-end restaurants during my trip to Phoenix. I'm considering Top of the Rock, La Hacienda, Michael's at the Citadel, Elements (at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain) and The Coyote Grill. I've heard that T. Cook's has an amazing atmosphere, but the menu I saw didn't knock my socks off.

I would like a romantic atmosphere with outstanding food. Cast your votes please!

topping

How about Mary Elaine's at The
Phoenician Resort?

Are you looking for continental cuisine? Italian? High-End Southwest or Mexican? That information would help.

If you want to have your 'socks knocked off' it might help to know what you're expecting. If you're used to dining in NYC you're going to have a hard time, as Phoenix, particularly given its size, is not a bastion of fine dining. Even relatively nice restaurants are much less formal and innovative than relatively nice restaurants in NYC.
On the other hand, if you're from a rural area, there will be plenty of places you'll likely be impressed with.
T. Cook's is a well run place. I'm not sure I'd qualify the atmosphere as 'amazing', but it's a very well done southwestern style restaurant geared for a nice evening out.
Mary Elaine's has often been the top rated restaurant in AZ and is among the more formal establishments in the state. Jackets are required for men (a real rarity in AZ).

I'm really just asking for opinions on the restaurants I mentioned. I believe most of these places have cuisine that tends toward the southwestern and/or mexican influences popular in the region.

I don't expect a NYC experience ? my intention is to find a place that provides great regional cuisine and a nice atmosphere.

Then you may want to check out the reviews of Los Sombreros, which is located in Scottsdale. If you go the Chowhound.com, Southwest discussion board, and do a Ctrl-F search for it, there are several good reviews posted.

We just came back from Phoenix. I really wanted to go to this place based in large part on the good reviews, but we were staying with friends who insisted we go to Macaya's in Mesa. Ugh. I wish we'd gone to Los Sombreros solo, it's supposed to be that good.