Lovely, lovely, lovely. Set in a pretty little old house just two blocks off Mill Avenue, House of Tricks has that sunny garden vibe that's all too rare here in Tempe.
When I want to ditch the office for a leisurely lunch (all too rare these days), House of Tricks is my hands-down favorite spot. A glass of wine, a shady spot in the garden, a gourmet sandwich or salad and some gossip with a friend. Perfect.
Lunch at Tricks gets five stars, easy. But Tricks has two downsides:
- Closed on Sundays, when I most want to pair my pedicure afternoon with a fancy lunch and pretend I'm a lady.
- Dinner is only good, not great -- and it's very pricey (entrees alone range from around $20 to $35).
Go for the atmosphere. Go for the sun-filled patio. But if you ask me, just go for lunch.