By Shelby Tuttle

The Valley’s culinary scene boasts more than just delectable dishes. Many restaurants here  — too many to catalog in one list — reside in structures steeped in history, offering a unique blend of past and present. Here is a handful of our favorites. 

The House Brasserie: A Legacy of Hospitality

The House Brasserie in Old Town Scottsdale is an elegant gastropub that exudes a timeless Victorian charm, and is aptly named for its residence within a 1939 structure originally built by the Mowry family. The Mowrys, having weathered the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, sought new beginnings in Arizona. They established a Pima cotton farm on over 100 acres, and the home that became The House Brasserie was their family’s haven. 

Servers familiar with the restaurant’s history tell tales of the Mowry grandchildren climbing the property’s magnificent tree that resides along the western edge of the restaurant’s patio and will share that the pine tree behind the former home is the oldest in Scottsdale — the Mowry family’s Christmas tree, planted in 1943. Mrs. Mowry was well-known for her vibrant rose bushes that adorned the property, and her best rose bush was transplanted onto the grounds of The Hotel Valley Ho just steps from her home. Apart from the kitchen addition to the structure in 2014, the exterior construction is all original, allowing diners to imagine a simpler time as they’re transported to a bygone era. Rumor has it that the Mowry children continue to return to the property to celebrate birthdays within the property’s iconic walls.

www.opentable.com/r/the-house-brasserie-scottsdale

Casey Moore’s Oyster House: A Spirited Sanctuary

Venture further south to Tempe for a hauntingly delicious experience at Casey Moore’s Oyster House. The 1910 William and Mary Moeur family home brims with history, with William Moeur having held prominent positions within Tempe’s educational system along with others during the early years of Maricopa County. Today, the historic spot is lauded for its delectable oysters and a jovial atmosphere that fosters great conversation…but whispers of the past linger. William and Mary Moeur both died in the home and it’s speculated that their spirits can be seen dancing around the upstairs window in the early hours of the morning. But it’s the spirits of a somewhat darker nature that keep things interesting by sending forks flying off of tables upstairs. Following the Moers’ deaths, the home is said to have become a bordello, complete with parties, drugs, suicides, and murderous activity. In 1973, the building became a restaurant called Ninth & Ash and was sold in 1986 to become Casey Moore’s Oyster House, where servers report tables and chairs being rearranged when staff arrive at the restaurant in the morning, lamps swaying for no reason at all, and paintings even falling off the walls. Many have reported seeing the spirit of a young woman with black hair and light eyes and assume that she was a former resident of the bordello. Often, a soft glow can be seen in the window upstairs, but the light is reported to have been investigated on several occasions with no logical explanation. 

https://caseymoores.com/

Binkley’s

Moving into Midtown Phoenix, Binkley’s restaurant was originally built as a residence in 1928. According to Chef Kevin Binkley, not much is known about the history of the home, apart from the fact that the home’s pool was where the restaurant’s parking lot is now located. In 1989, the home was converted to a novelty store. 

“I was told where the private dining room is located was where they filled up all the balloons that they would use at large sporting events…like releasing at halftime shows,” says Binkley.

In 1989, the novelty store was converted to Sofia’s Restaurant, a cute country French bistro with a piano bar. Twenty three years later, Kevin and his wife, Amy, purchased the property to open Bink’s Midtown, and then transitioned it to the second home for Binkley’s Restaurant in 2016. 

This fall, the historic house and restaurant will become home to lauded Phoenix chef Stephen Jones. The James Beard-nominated restaurateur will bring his signature Southern style of cooking to the space, continuing in the Binkley’s tradition of offering an elevated, multi-course seasonal tasting menu.

Cibo Pizzeria: A Slice of History

In Downtown Phoenix, we find Cibo Pizzeria, a charming restaurant with a delicious menu that is housed in a restored 1913 bungalow. This former boarding house and naturopathic doctor’s office features exposed brick walls, gleaming hardwood floors, and a crackling fireplace that weave a tale of the building’s rich past. Today, the space buzzes with the energy and excitement of hungry diners who crave Chef Guido Saccone’s authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas and pastas. The restaurant’s charming tree-lined patio welcomes guests to sit under a sparkling array of twinkling lights, perfect for a romantic dinner for two. 

Geordie’s at The Wrigley Mansion: A Mansion Reborn

A treasure all its own, Geordie’s at The Wrigley Mansion was originally built by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. as a 50th anniversary gift for his wife Ada in 1931. The mansion has undergone several transformations and was saved from demolition by Georgie Hormel (the heir of Hormel Foods) and his wife, Jamie, in 1992. The couple lovingly restored the property, and although Geordie passed in 2006, Jamie remains the owner today. 

At Geordie’s, the mansion’s signature restaurant, diners can see glimpses of the home’s original design. From the south veranda of the restaurant, visitors can see the original roofline and outdoor fireplace, while the bar is meticulously designed around the home’s original columns. Upstairs, Geordie’s Gallery — once an open balcony with two primary suites — hosts private events for discerning clientele and is a testament to the mansion’s adaptability.