Having a bite to eat and a couple of drinks while making one full circle high over the city atop the Hyatt Regency has become a tradition for Bob and I when we find ourselves in Phoenix. We usually come between lunchtime and dinner, before sunset. It’s like watching a show as we slowly revolve, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the buildings below and around us. Being 24 floors above ground level allows for a bird’s-eye view of downtown and beyond. There’s something soothing about the motion of the circular restaurant and visually stimulating reflections in the highly polished and windowed neighboring skyscrapers.
There’s always something new to see. Between 1995 and 1998, we saw Bank One Ballpark (also known as BOB) going up. Last year, a street fair was livening up the Civic Plaza east of the Hyatt. This year, that entire block is in disarray, fenced off with little ant-sized workmen and a giant crane for major expansion and refurbishment.
March 2005: The manager seated us in the lounge at a window-side table. This section has dining areas on either end of it, and others were enjoying their lunches in these. The decor is minimalist black and white. Your eyes are inexorably drawn to the windows and scenes far below. All the tables are near or right at the windows. The central non-rotating core contains the kitchen and entry lobby.
We decided to try scallops with strawberry chutney, aioli, and leeks, accompanied by two Buds ($4 apiece). We sipped our beers and enjoyed the scallops awash in sweet chutney when they arrived about halfway through our rotation. Later, when we were handed the tab, we were surprised to find that the charge for the scallops was listed as $13, when we’d thought it was $10. We then discovered that the corner of the menu-holder covers the price of the top-listed item, making it confusing. Bob is a stickler for that kind of thing, and got the price lowered to $10. Views and the setting eclipse shortcomings, but I’ve got to say that the cocktail forks required a lot of pressure and back-and-forth sawing to cut the scallops (too big to eat in one bite). They should have either had sharper edges or should have included small knives.
No question that Hyatt’s a chain hotelier, but does that make the Compass one? My definitive answer is sort of but not really. No doubt it’s a classy joint, about as classy as we ever get. The appetizers and main course menus constantly change, featuring the creations of chef Norbert Roesch. The cuisine offered is international/American/Southwestern, and the restaurant features an impressive wine list. In 2004, they won awards for most romantic and best brunch. Full meals (not including tax or tip) average $32 for adults and $19 for children.
Hours:
Lunch: Monday-Saturday 11:30am - 2:00pm
Dinner: Monday-Sunday 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Lounge: Monday-Saturday 11:30am - 12:00midnight; Sunday 5:30pm - 12:00midnight
Champagne Brunch: Sunday 10:00am - 2:00pm