Up the Creek Bistro Wine Bar — Restaurant in Arizona

My husband and I just celebrated our 9th anniversary (and both of our birthdays...they all fall in the same week) with a truly beautiful dinner at Up the Creek. We had never been here before so I stopped in mid-day last week to make reservations (pro-tip: reservations recommended/required). The hostess was gracious and let me wander around to check the place out. It is really lovely; a great mix of rustic and elegant. Most tables have a lovely view of the creek, but I really fell for one of them and she was happy to note my preference when she took the reservation.

When we got there tonight the place was PACKED, but our table was immediately ready for us...a quiet two-top with a perfect window-view of the creek and two hummingbird feeders hanging up outside. We got there quite a bit before sunset and loved watching multiple species of hummingbirds enjoy the free meal--literary--1-2 feet from our faces while we enjoyed a before dinner drink. Behind them was a gorgeous riparian area with the flowing creek, ducks, starling, red-winged black birds, and a great blue heron!

Now for food: appetizers: the duck liver paté and grilled artichoke were perfect compliments to each other (sorry I didn't get a picture!) and even my husband (who generally avoids paté) raved about it! For entrées: he had the Louisiana Gumbo and I had the Roasted Lamb Loin. He was in AWE of his gumbo (I could really only taste the sauce--shellfish allergy--but it was amazing! ) The lamb loin was perfectly cooked and the presentation was beautiful. If I ordered it again, I would ask for the mint chimichurri on the side (I love the flavor of lamb and this was beautiful lamb, but it's flavor was mild enough that I found that much chimichurri to be distracting). I also would have liked twice as much of the parsnip/carrot mash, as it is one of my favorite things--and the reason I chose this dish over the duck breast, Roasted quail, or elk rack. I mean--really--when your four favorite meats are on the menu, it's the little things that make your choice! We chose (from a menu of 400+ bottles) a bottle of Stag's Leap Petit Sirah to accompany our meal and it was Stellar.

Finally, for dessert we he a slice of the buttermilk pie (amazing!) and the pistachio Crème brulée (even better!).

On the way out, we met one of the owners, Jim. He was so gracious and welcoming! We just wanted to sit and hear him talk about wine all night!

This was out first time here, but as locals, we know that we will be back...

It seems like you're asking for a review of the restaurant "Up The Creek Bistro Wine Bar" in Cornville, Arizona. Here's an overview:

Up The Creek Bistro Wine Bar is a well-regarded restaurant located near Oak Creek in Cornville, Arizona. This place is known for its beautiful, scenic location by the creek, which enhances the dining experience with picturesque views, particularly during sunset.

Ambiance: The restaurant has a rustic yet elegant atmosphere. With large windows overlooking the creek, diners often comment on the serene and relaxing environment. The outdoor seating is particularly popular, especially in good weather, allowing guests to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Food: The menu at Up The Creek Bistro Wine Bar is diverse, offering a range of American and Southwest-inspired dishes. Many guests appreciate the freshness of the ingredients and the creativity of the dishes. They are known for their seafood, steaks, and an impressive selection of wines. Portions are generally well-sized, and the presentation of the food is often noted as thoughtful and appealing.

Service: Service at Up The Creek is usually described as friendly and attentive. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list, often providing helpful recommendations. Some reviews mention that service can be slow during busy times, but this is often offset by the enjoyable setting.

Overall Experience: Up The Creek Bistro Wine Bar is often recommended for special occasions or a nice evening out. It's a bit more upscale than some of the other dining options in the area, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists looking for a memorable dining experience.

Conclusion: If you're looking for a combination of great food, excellent wine, and a beautiful setting in the Cornville area, Up The Creek Bistro Wine Bar is a strong contender. The combination of the peaceful creekside location and the quality of the dining experience makes it a standout...

This place, IMO, is a hidden gem right next to Oak Creek. My wife and I came here after staying a night at Lolo Mai Springs camping area, which is up the road from here. In one sentence, we would rather visit this place and enjoy their culinary creations, instead of any place in Sedona or Jerome.

We visited this place around the early summer of the pandemic year, and we were super lucky to get a table as a walk in. Granted it wasn't the best table in the house, the table we got was still very beautiful and memorizing. We had a view of the creek and could see humming birds visiting feeders out the windows. It's funny because we both thought this place would be more of a dive place with some decent food, but the food was to die for.

We had the best venison of our lives, which is a lot to say considering I am a hunter, aka butcher that provides very fresh meat, and my wife and her dad love to do their best chef recipes at home. For example, we've had cherry and oak wood smoked elk brisket, green chili deer stew, and deer tenderloin marinated in mustard & red wine with a blackberry sauce.

My only suggestion for this place, is nothing, in fact my suggestion is that anyone who is not sure this place is worth it and is reading this, it is definitely worth it and you are making a mistake by not making a reservation here or just popping in to see if any tables are available.

Unfortunately my wife and I no longer live in Northern AZ, but once we move back, this will definitely be our first place we make a reservation to. An amazing gem, great staff, super friendly atmosphere, and nothing like seeing the water of life flow by and within you, in Oak Creek at Up the Creek Bistro Wine Bar. Ayoo'...