Best of Tucson 1996: Best Fine Dining

Best Fine Dining

Janos
150 N. Main Ave.

READERS' PICK: When you want to ensure a perfect evening, leaving nothing to chance, Janos is where you want to book your reservation. Located in a renovated historic home in the Tucson Museum of Art Plaza of the Pioneers, the kitchen at Janos more than lives up to its classy surroundings. The full-cover service by trained and knowledgeable waitstaff, Southwest nouvelle cuisine almost too beautiful to desecrate with fork and knife, and luxurious seating indoors and out are but three things to recommend this mainstay of Tucson's finest. See the extended pick on page 59 for details.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Anthony's in the Catalinas Restaurant, 6440 N. Campbell Ave.

STAFF PICK: We're sure that if Sammy, Dino, and the Chairman could be restored to life and youth here in Tucson, they would immediately head to KingFisher Bar and Grill, 2564 E. Grant Road, for some cool jazz, cute waiters and the best freakin' food in the Sonoran desert. They'd probably start with a round of highballs expertly mixed at the moody, '50s populuxe-style bar. Next, the Pack would be making rude jokes while they slurped down the freshest plate o' clams this side of the Chesapeake Bay. As soon as the last drop of clam sauce dribbled off Sammy's goatee, badabing-badaboom, Frank would be into the juiciest mound of smoked pork you've ever seen, baby; Dino would be eating lightly fried soft-shell crabs with his fingers as he ordered another Tom Collins, and Sammy would be licking his lips to taste the remains of a moist (not overcooked--a rarity 'round these parts) slice of the fish of the day. Finally, the zippy number blowing out of the trombone would make Frank grab the mike and belt out one from the old days. Dino and Sammy would smile and snap their fingers, thinking "Man-o-Manischevitz, what a happening joint!"