The Platinum Club offers an all-you-can-eat Chef's Buffet that is not to be missed.

The Tastes of AWA, Part 2

By Kayte Christensen,
Phoenix Mercury
Posted: May 4, 2004

Like with most things, there are different levels of dining at America West Arena. I wrote about the Italian eateries in-house last time, but there is much more to be experienced. There are two special places, in particular, which serve delicious menus on any given game night. However, these two places are not accessible by just anyone; they are meant for VIPs to the arena.

The Platinum Club, which I am sure most visitors to the arena have noticed, is on the north side of the lower bowl. This area is noticeable by the lush gray seats that set themselves apart from the purple folding chairs throughout the rest of the building. The seating is not the only thing that warrants the Platinum Club's VIP status, though. People who visit the are able to pay a $20 a person and enjoy the all-you-can-eat Chef's Buffet. The menu changes from game to game, but the one thing that you can count on is a great selection of salads, entrees, fresh fruits and snack foods. Also, the Platinum Club is equipped with a full service bar and a dessert table that offers just about every sweet delectable delight one could possibly imagine.

The food is not the Platinum Club's only desirable asset. The ambiance is also a feature that accounts for the club’s popularity. While eating your dinner, you are surrounded by big screen TVs playing not only the Mercury or Suns game but also other sporting events, be it baseball, college basketball, hockey and so forth. It is truly a sports lover’s haven.

The Platinum Club is just one of the places that one could consider an elite eatery in AWA. The other, known by guests of the Colangelos, former Suns' players and long-time supporters of the franchise, is the Chairman's Club. The location of the Chairman's Club is a bit of a secret, tucked away in the most unassuming area of the arena, guarded at both entrances by security. If granted access, inside you will rub elbows with Charles Barkley, Connie Hawkins, Mark West, Tom Chambers, Jerry and Bryan Colangelo, even Senator John McCain. There is an elaborate dinner buffet, full service bar and a dessert buffet, as well as comfortable overstuffed couches and chairs to enjoy your dinner and conversation. Like every other room in the arena, the Chairman's Club is outlined by numerous televisions so that you can enjoy the food and drinks while keeping up with the game going on outside. If you are lucky enough to visit this room, no money is ever exchanged. If you are granted entrance, you are considered a guest of the owners.

The first night of "Charles Barkley Weekend" this past March, I ate dinner in the Chairman's Club. Bruce the bartender and Jane the server take very good care of you and, like the security guards outside, make sure they know every guest by name. On the menu that night was a Mozzarella and Pesto platter, a Market Fresh Fruit platter with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, kiwi, grapes, as well as a whole fruit basket. There was also a Chilled Shrimp Cocktail with remoulade sauce and cocktail sauce. The salad that night was a Ditalini Salad made with tomatoes, vegetables and parmesan cheese. For a main course there was Chicken Breast Picatta with jasmine rice and a caper cream sauce, Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin over sautéed spinach and arugala, as well as a Penne Pasta Pomodoro with fresh shaved parmesan and roasted garlic. For desert, a four layer chocolate cake, New York-style cheesecake with strawberries, chocolate chip cookies and my very favorite… giant caramel apples. The menu, like the Platinum Club, changes every game night. However, one thing that you can always count on is the fact that you will definitely enjoy whatever the menu encompasses.

The Platinum Club and the Chairman's Club are without a doubt an experience in and of themselves. But for most fans that flood to America West Arena to see their favorite team play, there are other eateries worth frequenting. Given this fact, I thought it was important to test all the food in the many different booths throughout the facility. There are, aside from the Italian choices I wrote of previously, the Southwest Grill, McDonalds, Subway and the standard concession stands you can find around every corner.

The great thing about the in-arena eateries is there is something for everyone. If you are dieting, on a budget or just plain starving and in a hurry to get to your seat, you will find just what you are looking for. We all know that Subway offers a Atkins-friendly menu that suits the hordes of people now counting carbs. But not everyone count carbs, some people just try to eat a well-balanced meal. If you fall under that category, there is something in arena for you, too.

The Southwest Grill has a very tasty Southwest Tortilla Grilled Chicken Salad for just $7.50. This salad is loaded with grilled chicken, onions and just about everything else, and could feed two people easily. Also on the menu are Extreme Nachos (the name says it all), a Fire Grilled Chicken Quesidilla, a BBQ Beef Brisket Quesidilla, a Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Marinated Steak or Chicken Fajitas all ranging from $5 - $8.

McDonald's offers an abbreviated menu. You can get a Quarter Pounder, Double Quarter Pounder, For those of you who may want a quick, inexpensive burger and fries, you’ll be “lovin’ it!”

If you're like me, you want to go to a game and hit the concession stands. There is nothing better than a jumbo hot dog and a beer while you're watching a game! The arena’s assorted stands offer jumbo hot dogs, turkey dogs, polish sausage dogs, nachos, jumbo pretzels, popcorn, candy, sodas and beer. The prices range from $5 for large nachos, a bucket of popcorn or polish dogs, to $3 for turkey dogs.

When it comes down to it, basketball is not the only reason to go to a game. The food that you can get is as much a part of the entertainment as the game itself. Okay maybe not “as much,” but it certainly plays a part in your night of fun. The Mercury's season starts with the first preseason game tipping off this Saturday, May 8th. Come check as out and come hungry, because America West Arena has lots to offer, whether you’re a VIP or just a die-hard fan.