So maybe it isnt the New York City of the Southwest when it comes to dining. Its not our states San Francisco.

Heck, its not even the Scottsdale of the south East Valley.

But the sleepy little farm town of Gilbert has woken up, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the dining scene.

Oh, it isnt even the same town, really, says Gregory Tilque, the towns director of economic development. There is so much better quality, and such a better selection than there was just a few years ago.

Tilque, who has lived in Gilbert for 17 years, doesnt need facts and figures to tell him the obvious: He and his fellow residents dont have to leave town to eat out anymore.
In and around downtown they have something they didnt have even four or five years ago. Thats choices, from the fancy to the down-home.

If you havent ventured into Gilbert lately, heres a small sample of some of the Gilbert eateries that have sprung up since 1997:

Ah-So (1919 S. Gilbert Road, [480] 497- 1114). Teppanyaki is teppanyummy at Ah-So, at least according to the Get Out Food Spies who visited it a while back. This is one restaurant that hasnt flown under the radar, though; go on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening and you can expect a wait. Its shorter, though, for the restaurant side than for the table grills.

Bola Thai (4341 E. Baseline Road, ). Grabbing dinner on the way home has never been as tasty or as healthful since Bola Thai came to town. The name is clever, the faces are friendly and the food is authentic but Americanized. Those new to Thai will be handled gently; Thai vets will appreciate Bolas nod to authenticity.

Cafe ah PWAH (207 N. Gilbert Road, ). Downtowns new Heritage Square is home to this French treat. The small trés chic menu, featuring items such as oven-roasted game hen served with fingerling potatoes, is masterfully handled by executive chef Mark Rubin. A restaurant whose time has come, Cafe ah PWAH deserves kudos for respecting Gilbert enough to assume its residents can recognize and appreciate fine dining.

Cafe Sahara (3641 E. Baseline Road, ). This eatery also was a big hit with our Food Spies, who raved about the fresh, creative Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine. Cafe Sahara is consistently fresh and tasty, and a welcome change for diners used to the same old, same old.

Carusos Italian Ristorante (4341 E. Baseline Road, ). This family-owned-and-operated restaurant has only been around since April 2001 but has already developed a loyal following. The mile-long menu has everything a pasta lover especially one who also adores seafood could want, including a fabulous baked Shrimp Oreganati.

Chopstixx: The Asian Eatery (725 W. Ray Road, ). Dynamite chicken potstickers and spring rolls are just the beginning at Chopstixx, where nearly everything on the menu is great. The fare is a lot lighter and definitely more creative than what youll find at most Chinese restaurants, and some items Thai Thai noodles and Mongolian beef, to name two really set themselves apart. The chic, fun atmosphere is a plus, too, as is the patio, currently under expansion.

Flancers Cafe (610 N. Gilbert Road, ). You simply cannot go wrong at Flancers, where everything pizza, sandwiches, calzones, soups and Philly cheesesteaks is top-notch. Owner Jeff Flancer has been so swamped since opening the restaurant a year or so ago that planned renovations had to be postponed. Still, space is the only thing lacking at Flancers.

Guedos Taco Shop (747 N. Val Vista Drive, ). The success of Guedos is virtually guaranteed if it can develop anything close to the following of its original store in Chandler. Guedos shares the original locations simple, authentic Mexican menu and its relaxed, casual atmosphere. When your cousin from Michigan flies in and wants to try the local grub, heres where to take him.

Joes Real BBQ (301 N. Gilbert Road, ). The granddaddy of Gilbert cuisine (Mahogany Run, listed later, is the grandma), Joes status was reached in an astonishing four years. Most folks are amazed to learn that big, laid-back Joes is so young, as it has the feel of a restaurant the town grew up with. In a way it did, since most of Gilberts growth has occurred since Joes opened.

Lolas Taqueria (4341 E. Baseline Road, ). A welcome addition to the Gilbert dining scene, Lolas follows in the footsteps of its big sister, located on Main Street in Mesa. The Mexican lemonade is incredible and the food is good and cheap, but what elevates Lolas above typical quick Mexican food are the little things: the mismatched stoneware and silverware, the fun decor and hidden gems such as the super gorditas.

Mahogany Run (302 N. Gilbert Road, ). Escargot in Gilbert? Itll never work. So said the naysayers when Mahogany Run opened its doors in 1998. But Gilbert residents have proved that just because you are a so-called bedroom community it doesnt mean youre a bunch of bumpkins. White linen tablecloths and goose liver? Bring it on.

Picket Fence Restaurant (397 S. Gilbert Road, ). Much of Gilbert was dismayed when its beloved Farmhouse Restaurant lost its lease and moved out of the quaint quarters it had always occupied. Now, though, the Farmhouse has a new home and the Picket Fence has moved in, and everyone is happy. Picket Fence also is a homey breakfast and lunch place. Judging by the taste of the food, this restaurant isnt in anyones shadow.

Siam Orchid (50 E. Guadalupe Road, ). The newest offering in the Gilbert dining scene, Siam Orchid has a lengthy menu full of authentic Thai delicacies for lunch and dinner. The prices are right, and the intriguing dishes offered make Siam Orchid worthy of a visit. Try the beef Rad Nar for lunch, the Goong Kra Prao for dinner.

In the neighborhood
Because of the weird boundaries around Gilbert, much of what residents consider to be part of their town actually isnt. But just because a restaurant doesnt have a Gilbert address doesnt mean locals dont claim it as their own.

Gilbert benefits most from the AMC Mesa Grand complex on Stapley Drive at U.S. 60. In addition to quickie choices right around the theater, other (mostly chain) eateries are popping up at a dazzling pace.

Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse sits across from its fellow Lone Star national, Texas Roadhouse. Both are notable newcomers to the area. Their neighbors include branches of Chilis, Charlestons, On the Border, Macaroni Grill and El Paso Bar-B-Que Company.

Up the road a little, at Val Vista Drive and U.S. 60, sits the newest Bucca di Beppo location, also technically in Mesa but considered Gilbert by most. Current construction makes it clear that this area, too, will be a hot spot for local diners.

Coming soon
The current development project in central Gilbert has brought the towns first movie theater and more than a handful of new restaurants to Gilbert Road. Theres still more to come, though.

The towns office of economic development reports that more than a dozen new eateries will be opening their doors in the theater complex, located at Gilbert and Warner roads, within the next several months. Most are fast-food spots, ice cream parlors or sub shops, but some are honest- to-goodness sit-down restaurants.

Those include Damons, a sports bar and rib joint; Pei Wei Asian Diner, a quicker, cheaper version of P.F. Changs; Arizona Mongolian Grill, a make-your-own stir-fry restaurant; and Chipotle Mexican Grill, home of two-fisted burros.