You’re a successful businesswomen — executive, CEO, owner, partner, entrepreneur. Though the office affords a place for every day dealings, the business lunch is prime time for courting a client, sealing the deal, developing partnerships, launching new ventures and the like.
       Where will your next crucial business lunch take place?   
       Sure, you could go to one of those homogenous chain restaurants, where everything is middle-of-the-road. Not too impressive, though. Something brought in? Really not impressive. Or you could “chance it” with collective suggestions from “the group.”
       But that’s not your style. Following are five restaurants where deals are done daily and impressively so. When you need a remarkable restaurant in which you can show your stuff, here’s where you can book a reservation without reservations.  

Bistro 24
2401 E. Camelback Road, The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, Phoenix, 602-952-2424
Salads: $8.50 – $14.50
Entrees: $21 - $33
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday 

While Phoenix’s Biltmore area offers lunch spots galore, a midday meal at Bistro 24, within the ritzy Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, is indeed tres elegant and a favored eating establishment for the area’s business successful. The décor is cheery and bright; service is friendly and professional. It’s like a chic Paris bistro, without the attitude.
       Bistro 24’s menu features French-inspired fare that deserves exploration. Don’t miss the classic French onion soup with caramelized onions, sherry, port-scented beef broth and topped, of course, with a Gruyere-crusted crouton island. Pair the soup with the frisée, asparagus and portobello mushroom salad with mustard vinaigrette for a marvelous meal. Many patrons partake of the restaurant’s roasted halibut, served with artichokes, fingerling potatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and chevre (mild goat cheese).   

Elements 
5700 E. McDonald Dr., Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Paradise Valley,
480-607-2300
Big Salads: $11 - $17
Entrees: $12 - $25
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday - Saturday  

Need to wow a client in downtown-to-midtown Scottsdale? Make your way to McDonald Drive and sojourn to Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, an exclusive resort in the posh and plush community of Paradise Valley. Element’s, the resort’s restaurant, is where simplicity is elemental in the ambience and award-winning cuisine. Prime time lunchers check in around half past noon, so schedule your midday meal meeting accordingly. Table number 14, a corner booth on the upper level of the restaurant, is the best spot to show off what makes this valley paradise. Affirming your cuisine knowledge, suggest the Cobb salad or the sweet mustard-glazed grilled salmon, presented on organic spinach with shiitake mushrooms. 

Geordie’s at the Wrigley Mansion Club
2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix, 602 955-4079
Salads: $9 - $14
Entrees: $10 - $16
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday 

If your last name doesn’t happen to be Wrigley, don’t fret. You can still entertain and be entertained at Phoenix’s Wrigley Mansion, the former home of the chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley Jr., who built the palatial place in 1932. It was purchased in 1992 by Geordie Hormel. Yes, that Hormel, the son of the packaged meats and Spam® man, George A. Hormel. So why did he shell out the clams — I guess that’d be “cans” in this case — to buy the mansion? A source says he bought it so it would always be a place where anyone can be a guest and enjoy one of Phoenix’s landmarks. A requested room for favorable lunching and viewing is the veranda. Better yet, asked for one of the smaller private dining rooms for your meeting (up to 10 people), such as the Pasadena or Geneva, done up in period décor and offering splendid views of the Biltmore area. Sure to impress is the award-winning lobster and tropical greens salad. Or go for the seared halibut with garden risotto, punctuated with roasted corn and asparagus spears.  

Kincaid’s – Fish, Chop and Steak House
2 S. Third St., Phoenix, 602-340-0000
Big Salads: $10.95 - $16.95
Entrees: $10.95 - $19.95
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday - Friday 

Many a deal is done in downtown Phoenix at Kincaid’s. Visually appealing, with plenty of booths for “privacy” and a kitchen that delivers good eats, Kincaid’s is listed in the Rolodexes of many for “where to impress a client,” “seal the deal” and other such affirmations. I’m told the restaurant is bulging with business types daily, who “set up shop” in the booths ringing the restaurant. A top dish? The fresh fish o’ the day, simply grilled. Depending on the season, choices can include halibut, mahi mahi or salmon, seasoned with salt and pepper and a little lemon juice before its tableside delivery with basmati rice and steamed veggies. Prefer a salad? Check out the Hollywood cobb or the maple chicken salad with baby greens, sliced pears, toasted pecans and grilled chicken, tossed with maple vinaigrette. Prime time lunching is between 11:45 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.

The Grill
17020 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, TPC of Scottsdale, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, 480-585-4848
Salads: $10 - $12
Entrees: $9 - $15
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily 

Generally, most folks picture The Grill at the TPC of Scottsdale (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess) as primarily a temple to testosterone, given its golf clubhouse designation and such. Not so! Businesswomen in the northeast Valley have known about The Grill for some time. In addition to the welcoming décor of warm woods, richly upholstered booths and crisp, white linen-dressed tables, The Grill has a serene and pastoral panoramic vista of the lush, manicured 18th fairway and green. Such a scene, even in Scottsdale, is rare. Expect professional, friendly service and fabulous fare. Favorites include a grilled swordfish club sandwich with red and yellow tomatoes, lemon chicken salad with olives and basil vinaigrette and a salad of coconut shrimp and spinach leaves with macadamia and pineapple dressing.

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