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 worth a visit.
We had a wonderful dinner at Vecina. Everything was fresh and delicious and the service was fast, helpful and so friendly. We had the romaine salad and Elote to start and skirt steak tacos and spicy shrimp with toasted Nobel bread for our main courses. As if that wasn’t enough, we then went on to have their banana bread dessert. So great.... Can’t wait to go back!
Outstanding food and service. The food had great depth of flavor and superior presentation. If you have not tried it go! Best food we have had in a very long time.
My husband and I are foodies! We like to travel to places, check out places with great reviews and eat amazing food. We traveled to Scottsdale last weekend for our Anniversary and fell in love with Vecina. If I’m being honest, it was our last night in Scottsdale and we had come to expect top notch places with great ambiance and when we pulled in we almost left because of the strip mall feel on the outside. Don’t leave! You walk inside and you can see how much work they have put into this place! We sat outside which we loved. We had the best server who served us amazing food per her recommendations. She was so passionate about the food which in turn made us so excited to dine there. Hurry over to this place before it becomes impossible to get reservations at. We thought less than 300 reviews meant not enough people had tried it yet. Not true. Run to Vecina, it’s fantastic!!
It is honestly a toss up of what we enjoyed more...the delicious/creative food or our experience with Blake and friends. From the moment we arrived and were welcomed at the bar (by Blake’s roommate no less!) and introduced to the food experience, it was a delight! Blake made great suggestions off the menu and paced the shared plates at a leisurely pace so that we could relax and thoroughly enjoy the delicious flavors! Certainly the fried banana bread and peanut butter mousse is not to be skipped! Thank you for a fabulous night...until next time!!
Our server Blake was fantastic. Dude did such a great job explaining food and setting up service, not just for my wife and I, but for other tables. The food was great all around. Flavor was really developed and thought of. The white bean dip was probably one of the best things on the menu. We want to come back for dessert because we were too full when it was time. Definitely try a little bit of everything if you can.
My first time and WOW, phenomenal! The restaurant is small, but the atmosphere is so lively. Granted, it is loud, but that's part of the fun. Good luck with the parking. The parking lot is Itty bitty. Food, outstanding! If you aren't into spicy, this is perfect for you. I love the twists to Latin cuisine. Everything was delicious! I will be going again!!
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 still great.