Restaurants near Papago Golf Course

There's something decidedly civilized about dining al fresco in December when the rest of the country shivers through winter's early descent. Gertrude's at the Desert Botanical Garden understands this privilege, and on a balmy 80-degree afternoon, they orchestrated a lunch service that would make even the most jaded restaurateur take notice. The true mark of excellence in service isn't in the grand gestures, but in the subtle dance of anticipation and delivery. Bryce, our server, demonstrated this art with remarkable finesse – present when needed, invisible when not, maintaining that delicate balance that separates the professionals from the merely competent. The menu, while firmly rooted in southwestern sensibilities, shows flashes of innovation that catch one's attention. Their hummus duo – a roasted red chili version paired with pipian verde – arrives with an array of pristine raw vegetables and house-made tortilla chips that crack with satisfying precision. It's the kind of dish that makes you wonder why more restaurants don't take such care with seemingly simple preparations. The chicken posole, while generous in portion, needed a bolder hand with seasoning – a rare misstep in an otherwise carefully considered meal. However, the gertie burger more than compensated: eight ounces of quality Angus beef, properly handled and cooked, topped with sharp cheddar and caramelized onions that had been given the time to develop their full potential. The black pepper-ranch aioli showed restraint and judgment, while the accompanying fingerling potatoes arrived with the kind of crisp exterior that speaks of proper technique and attention to detail. The draft Irish Red Ales proved an inspired choice for the season – refreshing enough for the desert air while carrying the weight and complexity appropriate for the holiday season. It's this kind of thoughtful curation that elevates a good restaurant to an excellent one.

We were impressed with the wonderful service from start to finish of our delicious meal. According to our son, who is a fan of fresh fish- “The fish was cooked to perfection and is the best seafood I’ve had in Arizona”. My husband and I shared the wedge salad, 22 oz 45 day aged prime rib & we indulged in the family style sides: sautéed mushrooms, creme brûlée corn, stuffed hash browns & Mac n cheese. We had a lot of food for the 3 of us , and no regrets. We shared a bite of the key lime pie at the restaurant- which in our opinion beats the many key lime pies we have tried in Florida. We took home a coconut cream pie- it was incredible. We now have to get back on our diets after enjoying this feast. What a great experience. We would highly recommend Oceans 44.

Fantastic meal, service and vibe! Entire staff was friendly - not just our servers. No complaints about a single thing. Our main server, Jeffrey was very nice to chat with and he was so attentive, it seemed he was always at our table when we needed anything. Don't skip the guacamole or grits! We all had beef entrees which were cooked perfectly and couldn't have tasted any better. Our birthday dessert was a pumpkin bread pudding and it was so delicious I might even like bread pudding now!

We had a wonderful experience. The cocktails were so good and fitting for the holiday season. Our meals were excellent (chicken avocado salad and the turkey French dip). We also had the brie toast appetizer along with a side of the spicy rice. Everything was delicious. The service was very attentive but not over the top, thanks Leanna. We will dine there again.

Such a wonderful place to eat. Would definitely recommend.