Caffe Daniel

Gone due to arrogant owner with no people skills… too bad…

Sadly Caffe Daniel has closed. We will miss the quiet vibe, great food and awesome service.

Food was delicious, well prepared. Salmon was great, pork tenderloin special exceptional. Bread and tomato cucumber salad were also really good.
Our only complaint is about the service. They seemed overwhelmed although there were only two other tables there besides us on a Saturday night at 700. Forgot request for more bread and another item. Still thinking we’ll come back because food was so good.

The food and service were great. It is too bad that they were not more busy. That has got to be a tough location.

We are longtime fans of Chef Daniel dating back to his days on Camelback. We were so disappointed to see him leave us. However when we learned he had returned we couldn’t wait to try Café Daniel. We did wonder if this might be a cae of when you have fond memories and when you experience someting again, it’s never quite as good as you remember.
Well I am thrilled to say that Chef Daniel hasn’t missed a beat and his food is as good as ever, maybe better.
We have dined here 3 times since he opened and each time was a fantastic evening, from the quality of the meal to the warmness of Daniel and his staff.
On our last visit, he had a duck risotto special, which the table next to us had. When we asked how it was, the woman offered us a bite, and it was fantastic. I ended up having their branzino special, likely the best branzino dish I have eaten, including Mario Battagia’s. My wife had the grilled prawns with mushroom risotto. Fantastic!
I couldn’t resist the dolce de leche crepes and my wife had a pineapple coconut tart that she said was perfectly cooked.
It’s great to have such a reliably delicious restaurant back in the valley.

In searching through reviews, I decided to give this place a chance during my business trip in Phoenix.
This is truly a hidden gem here.
The waiter addressed me immediately and was extremely friendly. He provided much appreciated details on each dosh, including the daily specials. He made recommendations based on my personal taste and this place didn’t dissapoint.
I got the stuffed portobello much room appetizer cooked in their wood fire stove, a duck risotto entrée and their house made lemon cocktail. Would order all again.

Café Daniel has the best pasta and paella around. Great service with a nice casual feel.
Daniel’s special night are a real treat, try him out… won’t be diappointed

The food at Caffe Daniel is consistently amazing and the menu has enough variety that everyone is going to find something they want. The décor is almost as attractive as the artistically created dishes. Check out the oven if you want to see something truly beautiful.
While I haven’t been lucky enough to attend, friends have raved about the seafood and paella themed nights. I plan to give them my email address next time I’m in so I’ll be the on list and first to know about upcoming theme nights.

In keeping with my «Review Strategy» (Good review after a minimum of two visits — NOT so good Review after only one visit, as I am NOT going back) I am VERY dissapointed to have to write this Review, as I looked forward to Café Daniel with GREAT ANTICIPATION, based on so many stellar Reviews here.
To say this was an underwhelming dinner experience would be an understatement. The Restaurant is quite lovely and the menu so promising. I had two dishes, which were presented quite nicely. The problem? Each dish lacked taste, although they were certainly unique enough. NOT at all certain if Café Daniel is French or Italian, but seems to have failed on each count. Pâté had very nice texture but was virtually tasteless. Candidly, I have enjoyed Farmers Liverwurst more! The stuffed figs? OMG, dried would be an understatement. Try eating the sole of your shoe!
One note regarding The Proprietor, who as previous Reviewers had mentioned, was in attendance. With only five tables active he managed to visit each of the other four tables, but apparently an older man dining alone was of no interest to him. NOT A WORD.
Sorry to be so negative.

This place is special. Daniel is a true artist and takes pride in giving you an experience not just a meal. Flamenco and paella night is a must. The seafood is incredibly fresh, the entertainment is soulful, the staff is friendly and Daniel is always gracious and happy to see you. Wonderful — an instant favorite!

Quiet little place for lunch would have been great for a lunch meeting. Owner Daniel and server were both very attentive. The melon cucumber and crab salad was refreshing. The melon was the best I’ve had all season. The crepes; you’ve got to try them.
I’ll definitely be back can’t wait to try wine and dinner.

What a great time tonight. Amazing food, flamenco and incredible energy in this place tonight.
Paella was delicious and the entertainment was really special. Looking forward to another evening like this here again soon.

Saturday night was my first visit to Caffe Daniel. My girlfriend has been friends with Danny for many years, and had raved about his food so I set up a reservation for «date night» and was SO IMPRESSED! Danny greeted us at the table and after a couple of informational questions as to likes and dislikes the food began to arrive.
I started out with the snails… not your typical rubbery escargot! These tender morsels are braised in butter, fennel and garlic, and are just melt in your mouth delicious! My girlfriend started with the sun dried figs stuffed with Gorgonzola and wrapped in prosciutto — so good! Danny brought me a taste of the Duck Pâté, so simple with just the right hints of black truffle and cognac. I could have made a meal of it on bread drizzled with olive oil. A butter lettuce salad with orange sections, hearts of palm and asparagus dressed in a simple citrus vinaigrette came next. Refreshing and just right. Next came main courses… Spaghettini Sorrentino — think simple Italian comfort pasta with tomatoes, basil and mozzerella — for the lady, and Duck Confit for me. Perfectly tender, fall off the bone Duck Confit in a Crème de Cassis sauce… AMAZING! Then came coffee (Danny’s own blend and served in a small French press) and crepes with a heavenly Dulce de Leche sauce that Danny’s grandmother used to make him as a child in Buenos Aires.
Props to Chef Marcel and the kitchen staff and to Danny — the ultimate host! We will be back… often!

We love Daniels Café and Daniel is the perfect host he’s come over to our table and explained everything to us he is the greatest person the food is excellent we had a great time enjoyed the wine enjoyed the food will be going back often it’s a neighborhood favorite love it.

Came here with my wife and one of her girlfriends. They were excited to try out a new place and it was recommended by a friend. Even heard some nice things about this restaurant on a Saturday radio show.
We were happily greeted by Daniel as we entered the front door. He was very polite and made us feel like we were in his home. Our table was near the wood fired oven and it was fun to watch items being cooked right before our eyes.
The inside décor was very elegantly done and used the very basic concepts of comfort and simplicity. There was also a very nice Specials Menu on the chalkboard and a smaller Dinner menu to select your choices.
We started off with some Braised Snails in Garlic Butter and a plate of dried Figs stuffed with Gorgonzola Cheese and then wrapped with Pancetta. They were both very tasty and left us wanting more.
For the main course the ladies split an order of Pappardelle in Bolognese Sauce and yours truly went with the stuffed Chicken Breast. They also bring you fresh baked bread and a mini pitcher of olive oil to the center of the table.
Food was very good and the ingredients were very fresh. The ladies did mention to me that the Bolognese sauce could have used a bit more seasoning and tasted a little flat. My Chicken was cooked perfectly and I had to stop short at licking the plate.
Service was very friendly and most helpful during the whole experience. Might be more of a elbow rubbing place for the typical PV crowd. Seen a lot of regulars being welcomed as they were being seated. Might even see me back for a tasty lunch.
Thanks Daniel for such a Swell Dining experience. TALLY HO!
4 STARS

I never thought I would be writing this horrid review but here it goes. Dined here tonight and ordered the porchetta. 50% of the meat was moist & tasty & the other 50% well, not so good for that matter. I thought I would leave my feedback to the server (not my original server) and he told me he had been there 7 weeks with no complaints… Yeah and? He said «are you full?» I said I’m fine. He then proceeded to tell me to come back next week & that there will be paella! Uh, what??? He also said he would have the chef come out. No chef came out so I went in. Met the manager who was a complete arrogant human being! He said «what would you like me to do?» I said I guess nothing! He went on and on telling me he was taking some porchetta home for dinner tonight & telling me I was wrong! Hmm the waiter just told me you were sold-​out of the porchetta. I will NEVER return here agai. What horrible bed side manners & food not worth paying for when there is far more better in town. Also update your menu on your website! We went there for 2 items that are not even on your menu!

This place is great!
My wife and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. The place is beautiful inside! It’s in an upscale part of Phoenix (close to the Biltmore).
We’ve been wanting to check this place out for awhile now and I’m glad we went! Their bruschetta was amazing. Seriously. SO GOOD.
I ordered chicken parmesan. The chicken was nice and juicy. The mashed potatoes were so creamy. My wife ordered lasagna and she liked it a lot too. I had a bite. I’m not much of a lasagna fan, but hers was really good.
Of course, we finished it off with tiramisu. It was good too.
The service was great. The owner came up to us to greet us!
It’s pricey, but worth it!

Daniel Malventano (owner)…is back in the neighborhood and once again… EXCELLENT food! The Biltmore area is known for outstanding restaurants and Caffe Daniel is one of the BEST in it’s relaxed, classic. well lit setting. Michel the chef– makes this duck that is so tender and delicious (and I’m not the biggest fan of duck. but Michel knows how to do it right!).
Stop in for a panini/​salad for lunch or experience Caffe Daniel’s amazing dinner menu…

Really great food here. I had the burrata appetizer and it was stunningly good… like I have dreams about it. Order that! It’s like a softer mozzarella with some pesto and fresh greens — so tasty :)
We also had the bolognese which was better than what I make at home — something that I think is hard to beat.
I want to try the paella night — that’s supposed to be really yummy! The chef here really knows what he is doing, so I’m sure it’s good.
I also really liked our waiter… I have been back twice since my first experience and she remembers us every time which is really nice.

Daniel Malventano is back! You may remember his previous restaurant on Camelback: Il Forno/​Acqua E Sale/Daniel’s. After 5 years off the restaurant scene he is back with a beautiful, cozy (44 seats) new place on Lincoln & 32^nd complete with a wood burning oven. Daniel has partnered up with his longtime chef, Michel Rastoll, who is putting out some pretty fantastic food! They have only been open 3 weeks (since May 6) but the place is already packed on a daily basis, mostly from the same folks who know Daniel from his previous restaurants.
At lunch there are several delicious salads. Even better are the panini’s and pizza’s cooked right in the wood burning oven! Dinner is a little bit more upscale and refined with a wonderful pork tenderloin dish and my personal favorite, the duck confit. The house made ravioli is also pretty incredible. There are new seafood specials daily, depending on the fresh product received. They have also brought back the classic whole roasted Branzino dish which is also cooked in the wood burning oven! Once a month they will be doing a Paella special which is a culinary event not to be missed and reservations are highly encouraged for.
I can’t say enough good things about Caffe Daniel! Excellent food & wine, excellent service, and a beautiful space to enjoy it in.