This week on Check, Please! Arizona: Flagstaff Foodie Favorites

Thur. Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Fat Olives

Fat Olives stands as one of only four VPN (Vera Pizza Napoletana) certified pizza places in Arizona, delivering an authentic taste of Naples in the heart of the state. The wood-fired oven, imported from Italy, adds to the traditional charm that sets this pizzeria apart. Owner John Conley, a long-standing figure in Flagstaff with decades of experience, brings the essence of Naples to Arizona. Notably, Conley also owns the well-regarded Mexican restaurant Salsa Brava.

Shift Kitchen and Bar

At the helm of the kitchen is Christian Lowe, a 2023 James Beard Award semi-finalist in the Emerging Chef category. Known for infusing a southern touch into her ever-changing dishes, the star of the menu is the iconic pickled French fries, a dish that has captured the taste buds and admiration of patrons. According to “Check, Please Arizona” guest Randy McGrane, the pickled fries are “cooked perfectly, crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside.”

Forêt Flagstaff

Forêt is a French-inspired breakfast and lunch spot owned by Chef Sam Greenhalgh and his mother. Nestled in the old Anderson Feed store, Forêt caters to a diverse clientele, including NAU students, workers, and tourists. Greenhalgh, classically trained in French cooking, passionately embraces it as the best way to enjoy breakfast. “Check Please Arizona” guest Pamela Carter describes the atmosphere as “fun to watch” with an array of people.