Vecina — Restaurant in Phoenix

Vecina - A Gluten-Free Gem with Layered Flavors and Classy Ambiance

After hearing rave reviews about Vecina, I decided to see what all the buzz was about, particularly their renowned salmon tacos. Specifically, I tried the Faroe Island Salmon Tacos with Yuzu Kosho Aioli, Seasonal Citrus, Toasted Peanut, and Corn Tortilla. The combination of flavors was nothing short of spectacular, with the rich and fresh taste of the salmon perfectly complemented by the bright citrus and subtle heat from the Yuzu Kosho Aioli. The texture of the toasted peanut added a delightful crunch that made every bite interesting.

In addition to the tacos, I also tried the Karaage, which, despite the menu not explicitly stating it, is a Japanese-style fried chicken. As someone who follows a gluten-free diet, finding fried chicken that I can enjoy is a rare treat, making this dish an absolute delight. It was crispy on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside, with a balanced flavor that had just the right amount of seasoning without being overwhelming.

What truly sets Vecina apart is its impressive gluten-free menu. As someone who appreciates gluten-free options, I was thrilled to see such a wide array of dishes to choose from without compromising on flavor or quality. The thoughtfulness in crafting these dishes is evident, and the result is food that is not only accommodating but also incredibly flavorful and satisfying.

Beyond the food, the ambiance of Vecina adds to the overall experience. The restaurant has a classy and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for a nice dinner out. Whether you’re gluten-free or just a lover of good food, Vecina is definitely...

We've been to Vecina twice and loved the food both times. I love the butternut squash soup a lot. There are shrimp and pepitas in it so for me it's almost a meal. That and their elote are winners on the menu. My husband has the mussels and rib eye special and both were delicious! Our friend got the salmon tacos and loved them. I tasted her salmon and it was really top notch farroe island salmon cooked to perfection. I'll probably get that next time. And we will definitely return since it's great to have a wonderful restaurant in the neighborhood.

Love the food here but they are quite rigid about making any minor changes to any of their menu items. I do not eat carbs and asked them to make their Faroe Island Salmon Tacos with lettuce instead of the tacos and they refuse to do it whereas in the past they would make the substitution for me. They claim it changes the way the chef intended for me to experience the dish thereby dictating to me how i should enjoy it. But for me it made the dish much better. I have a hard time understanding this prima donna mentality since I grew up in a 5 star gourmet restaurant where we bent over backwards to please our customers. Also, we ordered chips and salsa and appetizers which seemed to be taking forever and they delivered our entrees before we even received the apps.... of course we sent them back so we could have our appetizers first but this is just an example of our server not paying attention to how the food comes out and maybe a mix up in the kitchen which could happen and we can be forgiving of that. The food is good so we will come back but I would go more often if they...

Amazing food and amazing service! Every dish is clearly crafted with so much care, and it is refreshing to eat food so unique. I have come twice each bringing different groups of people and we all loved this restaurant.

The guac is some of the best in Arizona, and the sauces with the salsa trio are to die for. We loved the karaage, elote, and papas verde as well.

The shrimps are a MUST from Vecina. Easily one of the tastiest shrimps I’ve ever had. The sauce is super flavorful and has some spice, and it’s served with delicious crusty bread to soak it up. I feel it’s a bold addition to a restaurant like this and it absolutely pays off.

We also had the mussels which again were delicious and came with a tasty buttered bread that paired wonderfully. The salmon tacos were great (save the aioli from the salsa trio it tastes amazing with this). The chicken mole sauce was so good though the chicken was a bit salty, and the harimasa collar was topped with a flavor packed chimichuri-like sauce which we loved. I’ve had the concha and banana bread with peanut butter mouse desserts and both were demolished in seconds despite us being so full from the main courses.

Highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. It’s not so pricey for the quality of food! 5 or 6 plates would fill up a group of 4 (though we got 7 to try more!). The vibes are nice and classy and it would be a great space to go with friends, family, or on a date! They also were able to accommodate a range of dietary restrictions (I have gone with a halal groups and a group that doesn’t eat beef or pork) and everything was...