About This Guide
These listings are a selective, rotating guide to area restaurants. The summaries reflect independent judgments; no fees were paid for inclusion. Price ranges, necessarily somewhat subjective, are: Inexpensive = $ or $10, Moderate = $$ or $11-20, Expensive = $$$ or $20-30, Very Expensive = $$$$ or $30 or up.
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Camp Verde
Moscato Italian Restaurant (Italian)
Some restaurants are special enough to warrant a short trip. Moscato is one of them. Located on Camp Verde’s Main Street, Moscato makes some of the best Italian food in the entire Verde Valley. Head inside this dining room that resembles a small home complete with large dining room tables and colorful art on the walls. We sat outside on the patio featuring soft yellow walls, burgundy cushions, white light-wrapped trees and mountain views in the distance. To start, we ordered the Burrata Dolce. This appetizer was topped with seasonal jam and served with salame and crostini. We loved the presentation and the delightful mix of savory and sweet flavors and how they came together. The extensive menu features risotto, a long list of pastas, fish, chicken, meat and soup. Next, we ordered a pasta entrée. Our Al Salmone – Northern Pacific salmon, lemon, caper, cream sauce and fettuccine – was hearty and decadent. The fish was moist and perfectly cooked. The lemon gave the sauce a nice zing, and the pasta tasted fresh. For dessert, we had to try the classic Tiramisu. Served in a glass cup, this spongy, espresso-laced cake was sweet, and we savored each bite. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m., for lunch and dinner. • 368 S. Main Street in Camp Verde (928-567-7417) ($$$ TO $$$$)
Verde Brewing Company (American) 
Verde Brewing Company was founded back in 2013 using money generated from a Kickstarter to purchase brewing equipment. Over a decade later, the Northern Arizona brewery pours eight beers on tap at its Camp Verde location. To start, we tried the sweet Watermelon Sour that had a refreshing, tart finish. Next, we tried the Dark Lager. This beer had a dark caramel color with a light body and an earthy finish. Food-wise, look forward to plenty of hearty brewery fare. On our last visit, we dove into the Elote Bowl. We couldn’t get enough of the flavorful mix of smoked corn and jalapeno aioli dip served with cotija cheese and cilantro that we enjoyed with crisp tortilla chips. The nachos here are epic. There are three options: traditional, elote or BBQ that are available in a personal or family size. We opted for the traditional style. These fresh chips were topped with a heaping pile of mixed cheeses, bell peppers, jalapeno, red onions, tomatoes, guacamole, crema and green onions. These over-the-top nachos are a must-try and great if you’re dining with a large group. On another visit, we just had to try the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. The tender, easy-to-pull apart apple and cherry wood slow-smoked pork shoulder was topped with a smoky, sweet BBQ sauce that perfectly complemented the meat. When the weather’s good, enjoy your fare and brews outside on the dog-friendly covered patio. Sipping a beer alfresco and talking with friends on the spacious outdoor patio at Verde Brewing Company is easily one of the best ways to spend a few hours in Camp Verde. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., for lunch and dinner. • 724 N. Industrial Dr., Unit 7a, in Camp Verde. (928-300-6724) ($ TO $$)
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