The stultifyingly slow redevelopment of downtown notwithstanding, our urban core is still a worthwhile place to visit--especially when you're hungry. Downtown is home to a host of diverse eateries, and this upscale gem is one of the best. Café Poca Cosa, presided over by the ever-gracious Suzana Davila, is perhaps a symbol of Tucson's urban aspirations, having morphed from its brightly colored, south-of-the-border-style digs in the now derelict Santa Rita Hotel to its ultra-chic location on Pennington Street. Inside, it feels like New York or San Francisco, but the art of Daniel Martin Diaz is unequivocally Southwestern. The menu changes twice daily, so, with hundreds of recipes in the kitchen staff's repertoire, it may be a while before your favorite dish reappears. In the meantime, you might try the plato Poca Cosa, a surprise concoction prepared just for you.
Runners up:
2. Guadalajara Grill, 1220 E. Prince Road, 323-1022, ggrill.com
3. Mi Nidito, 1813 S. Fourth Ave., 622-5081, minidito.net
4. El Charro Café, Various locations, elcharrocafe.com
5. La Parrilla Suiza, 2720 N. Oracle Road, 624-4300; 5602 E. Speedway Blvd., 747-4838; 4250 W. Ina Road, 572-7200; laparrillasuiza.com
Vote of note: "How do you choose this in Tucson?"
