southern rail is top on my scale!. kudos to chef justin beckett, southern rail’s foodist awards 2013 top chef who made it food and wine’s places to eat in phoenix and zagat’s #1 of 11, not to mention #8 restaurant on seftel’s top 10 and his staff! but the awards are meaningless lest the eatery equals the significance of the honors – and by jove the “rail” does just that. since moving to the area, i had been hankering for some really good comfort vittles, refreshing southern cuisine that is, and restaurant week helped make that happen! our weekly date night at the southern rail recently was started with a fantastic local wine, a lawrence dunham vineyards viognier 2012. awinerendition bringing back memories of the lush viogniers we enjoyed while living in virginia. this version is full bodied yet with a lush and easy character are expressed the apparent longer growing seasons in arizona. with the wine, we began the incredible tastings with their cornbread muffins made with black pepper and honey butter – an incredible muffin. for starters, we gave in to ordering “rail’s” appetizers of a great tasting and extremely well prepared fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and pea tendrils and their smoked chicken and andouille gumbo ya ya with white rice and green onions – a fanciful rendition of a southern standard. i loved every single spoonful – i was sorry it was gone so soon. for the main courses, my wife thoroughly enjoyed the grand mama’s meatloaf – my wife summing it up best said... “this has been the best meatloaf i’ve ever had!” meanwhile, i had the brilliantly prepared portion of cider brined pork loin served over brown butter whipped nicely sweet potatoes, sided by very nicely prepared collard greens – no, not vinegary. we both enjoyed a sampling of their home-made “super” creamy grits. so much enjoyed, that i can honestly say, i cannot remember when was the last time i had them this good. i even asked for the recipe nicely, but was courteously denied access to it – ‘bummer’! we finished off the meal with an order of beignets with powdered sugar. i must say though, that of the total delightful dinner extravaganza, only the beignets were not what we expected – but nobody can be perfect! for anyone who has a love of southern cuisine, whether as comfort food or nouveau cuisine, southern rail will astonish your taste buds. the location is a fabulous piece of restoration, redesign and history along with a comfortable, homey and yet modern atmospheric approach that is desirable, laid-back, and aesthetically pleasing to both the ambiance and comfort! the initial views on approaching the location, is as if reaching a circa 1950’s new drive-in-style structure, but once inside, everything from the incredible bar area, to the tables and seating areas, not to mention their airy and nicely landscaped and appointed outdoor area are fabulous and appealing. their desire to combine great food, great atmosphere, great service and great ambience has been flawlessly accomplished, and reserves us the right to continue to frequent this chef’s masterpiece. chef beckett and staff, please continue to amaze the gourmét and the novice of your splendid artistry, as we plan to continue to enjoy it. gástro ecléctico rates southern rail at the top of the heap. bon appétit ya’ll!