content: I've been putting off writing this review for a few weeks. I'm very torn on NOCA because I wanted it to be a 5 star experience, but it just wasn't. While it was very good in some aspects there were places where it fell short. I just can't sit here and say that this was the best dining experience of my life, in all honestly I'm not sure it cracks top 10. \n\nI found the dishes that I sampled to be hit or miss. I chose to not order an appetizer because my duck allergy prevented me from ordering 4/6 that are offered and I don't like beets. Which is not the fault of NOCA, but really left me with the green salad so I decided to forgo the appetizer entirely. We were presented with two chef's tastings. The first, Gougere with mushroom duxelle and port wine syrup, did not impress me, the pastry was entirely too hard and the plating was awkward. The second, Spinach Mezzaluna , which is essentially a ravioli, was absolutely divine. \n\nThey ran out of several menu items before we could even order. Once our entrees arrived I found my scallops to be very good, but not perfect. Some were gritty and they still had a chewiness factor to them, not a melting factor. I do think they may have been the best I've had in Arizona, but not the best I've had in my life and not nearly as good as the ones I had enjoyed at SW in Vegas the previous week. The butternut squash gnocchi that they were served with didn't taste like gnocchi at all, but rather tasted like butternut squash balls. I sampled my companion's dishes and thought the skate was very good but I found the halibut to be dry. In addition to the cotton candy they give everyone we tried two desserts which were good. (We were also given a cookie to take home). My dining partners enjoyed the apple risotto dish we shared, however, I think the poached apple at Sol y Sombra is much better. I did think the doughnuts were well done, I've been running into a lot of bad doughnuts in restaurants lately so I was pleasantly surprised by them. \n\nThe service was fantastic, although I found it amusing when our server explained to us what day boat scallops are....not just because I know what they are but, um, where are those day boats docking here in Phoenix? Elliot, the owner, was incredibly nice and kept coming over to talk to us. It is clear he is passionate about the restaurant. \n\nBut for me it was lacking in that extra something. Its not a romantic place. Its loud. I think it would be great for friends. It kind of reminded me of one of my favorite places in Boston, Union, except the finishing touches weren't there. The mirrors on the walls didn't have frames, the leather booths did not look like the kind that should be in a restaurant of this caliber, the bar is in an awkward spot, the patio seating is directly on the sidewalk of the strip mall. Which may seem trite but for $3O an entree these little details should be considered. \n\nUnfortunately I am falling into that \""in Phoenix this is good, but in Boston or NY it wouldn't be as good\"" situation, which is one that I absolutely hate to be in. I think NOCA could be great and there is a definite lack of a restaurant like this in Phoenix but for me it wasn't quite there. I've definitely had better food and enjoyed better atmospheres. I do plan on returning for one of their Simple Suppers to try them out again.