Summary: Seasonal pastas and seafood arrive with bright, crunchy textures and lively flavors.
Rioja stands out with a festive dining room and a seasonally driven menu that blends Mediterranean influences with bold, bright flavors. The kitchen crafts handmade pastas, seafood, lamb, duck and steak entrées, each plate aiming for a little crunch, a little cream, and a dash of sweetness or tartness. The wine list runs globetrotting with many Spanish picks, and the weekend brunch buzzes with a local crowd. Rioja has earned a James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef Southwest.