text: Sprawling private outdoor dining check Beer wine and cocktail menu spanning pages check Delicious complex and diverse food check There are many reasons to love House of Tricks these are just a few Others include excellent service a prime location in the heart of Tempe and a beautiful outdoor bar The restaurant is truly unique and a welcome break from the typical tan stucco box restaurants around Phoenix I have been eating here for years and keep coming back to sample new things on the menu My latest visit introduced me to the short ribs and they were rich moist just perfect For starters we tried the cheese platter the mussels and the wild boar all were excellent Dessert was also good a salted caramel gelato Expect to pay up for all this greatness but it is worth it It is a great spot for a romantic date night or a quiet business dinner in a unique setting I will be back soon