LATHA — Restaurant in Phoenix

Overall impression: Food was delicious, atmosphere was unique, service and execution were very poor. I came for Sunday brunch with my partner and family. We were excited to try upscale African cuisine in Phoenix, but the experience fell short. I'll divide the review into good and bad parts:

Good: Flavor and presentation of (most) the food was on point Unique and fun ambiance for downtown Phoenix Woman running the shop inside was very friendly and welcoming. She gave my uncle a birthday bracelet from her shop, which was very sweet.

Bad: Reserved an inside table online they day before. While checking in early, was told there were none available. We agreed to sit outside in the heat under misters and was told by waitress they will take us inside once a table opened up. We were there for almost 2 hours. They never brought us in. Uncle ordered Hypha Mushroom Criolo. Asparagus was substituted in the dish without anyone informing us beforehand. Luckily my uncle likes asparagus, but what if he didn't or was allergic? There also looked like nuts in the dish which was also not mentioned on the menu. Any substitutions should definitely be discussed by staff before a guest orders it. We ordered Whipped Goat Cheese appetizer that comes with chapati bread. The inside of the bread was very cold. They possibly refrigerate the pre-baked bread then heat it up with each dish, but did a poor job. We asked for new bread. Instead, they reheated our partially eaten one and brought it back. Additionally, we were charged for an additional order of chapati bread on our bill when in fact they brought us back the SAME partially eaten bread. Hypha Mushroom dish was supposed to come with its own chapati bread per the menu. They never brought the bread. Upon sitting down waitress offered us sparkling or still water. We ordered still, guessing that meant free tap water. We found out on our bill later we were charged $5 per bottle of water. I find this a bit shady as we were never offered the option of tap water. The same thing happened to the table next to us and they complained to the manager. The waitress kept bringing silverware, plates, and cups, etc in multiples of 3 when there were 4 of us. We had to keep reminding her. Thank god she only brought 3 bottles of water or we would have been charged another $5 for the fourth.

This restaurant has promise with the flavor of the food and ambiance, but the training of staff and execution of getting the food from kitchen to table accurately needs serious work. Hopefully, they make these changes. Until then, we won't...

I’m not one to typically write reviews, but what Latha is doing is truly phenomenal. It goes beyond just amazing food.

Firstly, the food is fantastic. It’s very apparent how passionate Chef Digby is about flavor and working with different elements to make truly exquisite dishes. Every single thing we tried topped the last.

Secondly, the staff was remarkable, not just friendly but warm. It feels like you’ve entered a family member’s home for dinner. There’s a strong sense of kinship. It’s a relatively new establishment, and it wasn’t busy, so we were able to chat with Evelia, Ashley, Will, and Digby. Everyone was very welcoming and willing to walk us through the menu and their mission. Everything at Latha is intentional in a genuine and authentic way.

Last but notably not least, Latha is truly an homage to the diaspora. Food brings people together; my fiancé and I are from different parts of the world; I’m from the Dominican Republic, and he’s from South Africa. We walked into Latha because we heard South African house music and were intrigued. To our delight, the menu had food that made us feel nostalgic for our motherlands. The peri peri wings (with a Caribbean flair) reminded him of home, and the shrimp escabeche with tostones (a staple in Dominican cuisine) was a familiar food with an elevated twist. Two opposite sides of the world coming together in one meal. That is incredible.

The overall experience was something that truly cannot be expressed in words. We went to Latha twice during our very short visit to Phoenix and are still talking about it. We will absolutely make our way back, and we hope that everyone that eats here really takes a moment to appreciate the beautiful execution of their mission to celebrate the flavors of Africa and...

I could rave about LATHA for days. It is a 10/10! From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royalty. The impeccably dressed host noticed my friend, and I were wearing heels and gracefully assisted us up the stairs. We were then introduced to the owner, Evelia, who offered us a tour while we waited for our other two friends. The hospitality we received was unmatched by any restaurant in Scottsdale or Phoenix. As Evelia showed us around, it became clear this place was special. The welcoming bar featured friendly and talented mixologists, and the beautifully curated shop immediately captivated my friend, who found a must-have dress in under three seconds. The dining areas felt like the coziest home, filled with delectable aromas wafting from the kitchen. Even before we sat down for our meal, I knew I would be coming back, a rarity for me as I always seek new dining experiences. Our group ordered a few rounds of craft cocktails, several appetizers, and a few main dishes to share. Each cocktail was thoughtfully crafted, and the flavors reflected the care put into them. The dishes were incredible, with highlights including the whipped goat cheese, the watermelon and avocado salad, the turmeric and cumin chicken, and a fish dish with crispy rice (whose name escapes me). What I love most about LATHA is the evident passion and excellence of everyone there. It didnt stop at exceptional food and service. Because it was three of our birthdays, they presented us with bracelets bearing our African names based on our birth day. It was a fun to learn my name is YAA! I can't say enough good things about this gem my friend discovered. LATHA is where hospitality, ambiance, and culinary artistry converge to create an unforgettable dining experience. Can't...