Sedona Monthly Magazine | Sedona Arizona art, restaurants, hiking and feature stories

Sedona Restaurants

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René at Tlaquepaque SR 179, Sedona 86336 928.282.9225


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ABOUT THIS GUIDE These listings are a selective guide to area restaurants. All were visited anonymously, and the blurbs reflect independent judgments; no fees were paid for inclusion. Price ranges, necessarily somewhat subjective, are: Inexpensive = $10 or less, Moderate = $11-20, Expensive = $20-30, Very Expensive = $30 and up.

Uptown Sedona

The Cowboy Club Grille and Spirits/The Silver Saddle Room

Cowboy Club cuisine is high-desert style, the very definition of “popular gourmet.” Start with the appetizer sampler, a tasty collection of regional treats that will have even the most jaded city slicker yodeling. As a main course we took aim at the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, a Texas-sized portion that hit the bull’s-eye; the creamy cumin gravy adds just the right touch of chuckwagon ambience. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for lunch;
5-9:30 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx • 241
N. SR 89A (928-282-4200) (Moderate to very expensive)

Hiro’s Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant

Hiro’s has been feeding sushi-starved Flagstaff residents for years – now it’s Sedona’s turn. This large Uptown hot spot boasts incredible views of Snoopy Rock, and a menu that’s surprisingly varied with luscious salads, tempura, teriyaki and delicately delicious sushi. We started our meal with the Edamame and the Cucumber Sunomono. Both were tasty and light, whetting our appetite for our main courses: Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura and a number of Hiro’s special sushi rolls. Our favorite was the Spider Roll with eel sauce. The restaurant also offers 20 varieties of Nigiri sushi and 40 kinds of specialty sushi rolls. Here’s an insider’s tip: Part of the fun is sitting at the sushi bar and watching the skillful Japanese chefs create beautiful handcrafted rolls. The expert chefs make it look easy, but trust us, you don’t want to try it at home. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, Amex, Disc • 101 SR 89A at the Hyatt/Shops at Piñon Pointe (928-282-0992) (Inexpensive to EXPENSIVE)

Hitching Post Restaurant

Established in 1930, the menu rounds up a selection of quintessential Americana as wide as the open range, from biscuits and eggs to Reubens to barbecued brisket. If homemade beef stew and pot pie remain the staples by which to judge any good luncheonette, trot in here, Hoss, for maximum comfort food. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa • 269 N. SR 89A (928-282-7761) (Inexpensive)

Hundred Rox

White linen tablecloths and flickering votive candles adorn each table at the modern yet intimate Hundred Rox. We devoured a Baked Flat Bread appetizer, a pizza-like dish piled high with toppings. Next came the smoky Grilled Beef Rib-eye and the Butternut Squash Tortelloni & Duck Confit, a mouthwatering concoction of flavors, colors and textures. The perfect evening was finished off with a light tiramisu. Open Monday through Sunday, 7-10:30 a.m., for breakfast;
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for lunch; 5-9 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 100 Amara Ln. at Amara Hotel, Restaurant and Spa (928-340-8820) (expensive)

L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek

World-famous L’Auberge de Sedona has a creek-side restaurant and outdoor patio for dining right on the water. For dinner, we selected the chef’s tasting menu, which included ahi tuna sashimi placed atop a dollop of chilled mango-pineapple soup; a tiny puff-pastry-encased pan-seared foie gras; a mild and pleasant grouper; and braised short ribs in an herb demiglace. The evening ended with a mocha-chai panna cotta, a caramel-infused creamy pudding flavored with chocolate mocha and chai spices. Open Monday to Saturday, 7-10:30 a.m., for breakfast; 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for lunch; 5:30-9 p.m., for dinner. Open Sunday, 9 a.m to 2 p.m., for brunch; 5:30-9:30 p.m., for dinner. Reservations required. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 301 L’Auberge Ln. at L’Auberge de Sedona Resort (928-282-1661) (Expensive to very expensive)

Mago Café

This small, quaint Korean café has a menu that includes traditional salads along with Korean-inspired salads made with a variety of nuts. If you’d rather tempt your taste buds with something hot – in both senses of the word – go for the Spicy Shrimp & Seafood dish, with fish, squid and veggies mixed in a ginger-chile sauce. Every bite gets spicier and spicier. If you’re not an adventurous eater, take note: Mago Café offers sandwiches as well. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, DC • 207 N. SR 89A (928-204-1047) (Moderate to expensive)

Oaxaca Restaurante & Cantina

Its authentic decor will remind you of Old Mexico, but the rooftop dining room’s picture windows overlooking 89A present a bird’s-eye view that’s unmistakably modern-day Sedona. The owner takes great pride in using the purest ingredients, ensuring health-conscious diners tasty options in genuine southwestern and Mexican fare. Patio dining available. Open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday,
8 a.m. to 9 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 321 N. SR 89A (928-282-4179) (Moderate)

Open Range Grille & Tavern

Lasso up an all-natural Angus burger or kettle of chili at this casual Western eatery with jaw-dropping views of Sedona’s “open range.” Start with the Red ‘Castle’ Rock Petite Cheeseburger Trilogy – gourmet sliders with sweet Maui onions – followed by the delicate Sautéed Calamari Salad topped with crispy plantains and a sweet citrus vinaigrette, or dive into the Moonlit Campfire Burger with ranch-cut bacon and smoked provolone. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (9 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 320 N. SR 89A at Sinagua Plaza at Sedona Center (928-282-0002) (Inexpensive TO EXPENSIVE)

The Orchards Bar & Grill

Along with the expected salads and filet mignon, the Orchards heads down some less-traveled roads. The Phyllo Dough Wrapped Salmon, stuffed with artichoke, spinach and dill cream cheese, is more than an interesting diversion. If you’re feeling playful, check out the Stone Fired Aloha Pizza, loaded with sunny islands of ham, peppers and pineapple. Open daily, 8 a.m. to
9 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc
• 254 N. SR 89A (928-282-7200) (Moderate)

RedStone Cabin at The Cowboy Club

From Thursday through Sunday, this little house behind the Cowboy Club presents gourmet seatings for its Specialty Prix Fixe/American Plan – constantly changing menus of invariably high quality served in an exquisite rural Western atmosphere. Reservations required. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 260 Van Deren Rd. (928-282-4200) (Expensive to Very Expensive)

Takashi Japanese Restaurant

We like the beef-and-sashimi combo: the light, savory teriyaki sauce retains its strong origins of mirin sake, yet never overpowers the meat’s fine flavor. The sashimi was fresh, firm and flavorful, served on a bed of very tangy razor-thin strips of daikon radish. For a cool finish, try the slightly grainy, gently sweet red-bean ice cream. Patio dining available. Open Tuesday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for lunch; 5-9 p.m. for dinner. Open Saturday to Sunday, 5-9 p.m., for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, DC
• 465 Jordan Rd. (928-282-2334) (Moderate to expensive)

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West Sedona

Angel’s

Traditional Mexican favorites dominate the menu at this unassuming dining spot. We enjoyed the shredded-beef taco in a crispy homemade shell and the cheese enchilada combination piled high with rice and beans, as well as the large Fajitas Burrito, a flour tortilla stuffed with chunks of chicken and sautéed bell peppers and onions. A children’s menu is also available. Open daily,
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visa, MC, AmEx, Disc, DC • 2245 W. SR 89A (928-282-1693) (INEXPENSIVE TO Moderate)

A Pizza Heaven

Surrounded by sumptuous pizzas and calzones, we veered from the obvious to try a Rollatini with very, very thinly sliced eggplant delicately breaded and stuffed with sautéed spinach and provolone. We also reeled in a Dijon Salmon with a dusting of crushed pecans atop a crispy-like-cellophane sautéed spinach bed. For dessert, try the seven-layer chocolate cake dusted with powdered sugar. Open Tuesday to Thursday, 4-9 p.m., for dinner. Open Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa • 2675 W. SR 89A (928-282-0519) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Barking Frog Grille

We settled into a long room with a fireplace on one end and shared a fresh Rotisserie Chicken Club Salad along with the delicious Plantain-Encrusted Swordfish. The fish was topped with a mango-pineapple salsa spiced with red chile sauce and complete with a side of saffron rice and crisp green beans. The evening was topped off with a gooey cookie sundae. Indulge in a long list of wines, draft beers and seven specialty margaritas. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 2620 W. SR 89A (928-204-2000) (Moderate TO EXPENSIVE)

Cafe José

Coffee shops are the great equalizers, where a working man on a budget can feast like a king, and a billionaire can eat to his heart’s content, extending his fortune for having saved a few bucks. The selection here is tremendous, and so are the portions. Open daily, 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 2370 W. SR 89A in Park Sedona Plaza (928-282-0299) (Inexpensive)

Casa Bonita

This reasonably priced menu balances classic Mexican fare like taco and enchilada plates with less-predictable choices. We tried the T-bone Ranchero, a hefty 12-oz. cut of meat marinated and charbroiled; the Mexican Trio of a flavorful carne asada and charbroiled chicken under grilled tomatoes; and Portuguese shrimp tastily wrapped in smoky bacon, ham and cheese, and slathered in a creamy sauce. Despite the gargantuan helpings, we were glad we shared a rich and warm chimichanga with manzanas. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc
• 164 Coffee Pot Dr. in the Sedona Village Shopping Center (928-282-2728) (Inexpensive TO MODERATE)

Coffee Pot Restaurant and Gift Shop

If you’re a breakfast lover, there’s no spot in town quite like the Coffee Pot, which has been giving Sedona mornings a jump-start since the 1950s. It’s all comfortingly familiar; what you might not expect is the inventiveness of the 101 omelets that are the Coffee Pot’s signature. We love the fluffy, veggie-rich Zucchini, Mushroom, Spinach, Tomato and Cheese, served with a choice of crispy hash browns (our pick), home fries, grits or cottage cheese, plus toast or a homemade biscuit. Patio dining available. Open daily, 6 a.m. to
2 p.m., for breakfast and lunch. MC, Visa, Disc
• 2050 W. SR 89A (928-282-6626) (Inexpensive)

Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano

One look at the lush interior – part intimate stone wine cellar, part luxurious rococo Italianate villa – and you’re in another world. We loved the seafood-rich Cioppino – fresh homemade fettuccini cooked al dente and awash in giant prawns, green-lipped New Zealand mussels, bay scallops and clams – and an intensely rich, beautifully presented Vitello Botticelli, with shrimp delicately arrayed over thinly sliced, perfectly sautéed veal with mushrooms, tantalizingly spiced with thyme, basil and garlic in marsala sauce. Open daily,
5-10 p.m., for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 2321 W. SR 89A (928-282-5219) (Moderate to Expensive)

D'Lish

D’Lish’s vegan menu displays a high artistry of flavors, colors and textures. Soups are a D’Lish hallmark, with 65 recipes rotating as soup of the day. For a main course, we loved the mildly spicy red-bean chili, made with a classically textured hamburger substitute and seasoned with garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne and tamari. But the biggest hit was the BBQ Southwest Sandwich, a “follow-your-heart burger” coated with a delicious organic barbecue sauce and sitting on an organically sprouted sesame seed bun, lavished with classic fixin’s. D’Lish? Absolutely! Open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday,
9 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa • 3190 W. SR 89A (928-203-9393) (INEXPENSIVE TO MODERATE)

Fournos Restaurant

Renowned chef Ivan Flowers presides over this Sedona landmark. If you’re feeling adventurous, call in advance for a special multi-course tasting menu paired with wines from Fournos’ small but excellent wine list. We started with the creamy and delicate Lobster Bisque before moving on to tasting portions of the Curry Braised Breast of Veal with Confit Tomato and Sweet and Sour Smoked Napa Cabbage; the Vegetarian Slow Baked Vegetable Fricassee; Pan Seared Maine Diver Scallops with Wild Mushroom Stuffed Tomatoes; and Rack of Lamb with Basil Oregano Persillade Crust. We finished the evening by sharing the light and perfectly sweetened Fresh Seasonal Macerated Berries. Open Thursday to Sunday, 6-8 p.m.
(8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for dinner. Reservations recommended. Cash and check only. • 3000 W. SR 89A (928-282-3331) (Moderate to expensive)

Golden Goose Cafe & Bistro

If you’re honking for inexpensive but tasty comfort food in an upscale atmosphere, take a gander at the Goose’s menu. The extensive lunch selection offers nine salads as well as sandwiches (both meat and veggie), burgers and a nice bunch of southwestern favorites. All-American dinner entrées include steak, chicken and meatloaf dishes that come with your choice of soup or salad, potato and vegetable. Open Tuesday to Sunday,
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (9 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, Disc • 2545 W. SR 89A (928-282-1447) (Inexpensive)

Heartline Cafe

No matter what you crave, you’ll have plenty to choose from at this favorite local spot. We began by sharing one of the smaller dishes, a half-portion of vegetable fettucine made on-site and topped with chicken, bacon and oyster mushrooms, all in an alfredo sauce. Next we shared the signature Heartline pecan-encrusted trout, which is grown locally. The fish came with a salad of simple greens drizzled with a Southwest ranch dressing. When the main dish arrived, the trout was beautifully butterflied atop a serving of rice and grilled baby asparagus. For dessert, we opted for a sampler plate featuring mocha sorbet, mango ice cream, New York-style cheesecake with fresh berries and a rich flourless chocolate cake. Easy to share, it was the right ending to a fine meal with great service. Patio dining available. Open daily, 5-9:15 p.m., for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc
• 1610 W. SR 89A (928-282-0785) (Moderate to very expensive)

Heartline Café Gourmet Take Out

Far from a fast food joint, Heartline Café’s sister restaurant has garden seating and a charming indoor dining area with a fireplace. The daily specials are handwritten on brown paper bags. We love the Torta Rustica and Shaved Roast Turkey Breast sandwiches with sides of sweet-potato chips. If you’re in the mood for a salad, you can’t go wrong with the Salad Sedona, an enticing mixture of grilled chicken, fresh berries and red cabbage slaw. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for breakfast and lunch. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC
• 1600 W. SR 89A (928-282-3365) (INEXPENSIVE)

India Palace

How great it is that Sedona has this excellent Indian restaurant with fresh and healthy food? We savored a chef’s specialty, Karahi Fish Palak, a delicate fresh whitefish flavored with fresh ginger, green peppers, onion and a bit of tomato in a dish thick with creamy spinach. We also love the Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Dinners because they allow us to sample a bit of everything. Don’t miss three classic desserts: Indian Kheer, a milky rice pudding flavored with almonds and pistachios; and two mango classics – Lassi, a mildy sweetened yogurt smoothie; and Kulfi, individually molded, dark pumpkin-colored ice cream with fresh mango pulp whipped in for creamy-smooth spoonfuls of delight. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for lunch; 5-10 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 1910 W. SR 89A in the Sedona Village Shopping Center (928-204-2300) (Inexpensive)

Judi's Restaurant & Lounge

Stepping through the unpretentious entryway into a garden patio, it feels like we’re guests in someone’s home. A keenly fresh appetizer platter of tempura-battered snappy zucchini, plump mushrooms and large succulent shrimp feels like it came from the garden. But it got even better with the star attraction main course: fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth ribs lightly covered in homemade barbecue sauce with just the right bite. Try to save room for Judi’s homemade desserts. At the risk of being accused of heresy, we’ll say it: The decadent butter-brickle chocolate-chip cream-cheese pie is better than cheesecake! Open Monday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday, 4:30-9 p.m., for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 40 Soldier Pass Rd. at LaPasada Plaza (928-282-4449) (Moderate)

Keiser's West

Go hog-wild for the mouthwatering barbecued ribs, or full-blown loco for the Mexican goodies, both dinner specialties of this cozy, unpretentious brick adobe standby. Frequented by locals and visitors alike, the dandy breakfast of traditional American blue-plate fame opens tired eyes wide, and the lunch menu takes care of business for those who crave laid-back, yet seriously good sandwiches. Go West, young man, indeed. Open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., for breakfast and lunch. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 2920 W. SR 89A (928-204-2088) (Moderate)

Olde Sedona Bar & Grill

Olde Sedona’s menu includes southwestern specialties, steaks, ribs and fish. We stopped in for lunch and sampled the Homemade Chile Rellanos smothered in a smoky enchilada sauce and stuffed with cheese, served with rice and beans. We also tried the crispy fish tacos in soft flour tortillas – both dishes were more than we could eat for lunch, but they hit the spot. The bar, out of view from the dining room, features live entertainment and dancing seven nights a week. There’s also rooftop and patio seating. Open daily, 11 a.m. to
2 a.m., for lunch and dinner. Visa, MC, AmEx
• 1405 W. SR 89A (928-282-5670) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Picazzo's

Marked by consistently good food, quick service and loud, happy chatter from all sides, Picazzo’s is welcoming and a good bet at any time of day for delicious eats. We began with a homemade meatball appetizer in a rich red tomato sauce with mozzarella and artichoke hearts. With a flourish, the waitress delivered our main course: Shrimp Scampi Pizza, tiny tender shrimp awash in alfredo sauce, flavored heartily with olive oil, garlic and green onions on a crispy crust. For dessert, we chose the macadamia nut version of the classic Picazzo deep-dish pizza cookie – more than enough for two to share. It arrived warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream melting over the cookie. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., for lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, DC • 1855 W. SR 89A (928-282-4140) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Red Planet Diner

Look beyond the fun Mars/Alien/Space theme and you’ll find an old-fashioned, all-American eatery, the good ol’ roadside diner shot into higher orbit with quirkier fare than most, like Cajun specialties. Open daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 1655 W. SR 89A (928-282-6070) (Inexpensive)

Red's Restaurant

Harboring any doubts that Sedona has been growing seriously cosmopolitan lately? Dispel them by sampling the classic American chow reinvented as Nouvelle Cuisine and served in sexy, modern ambience. Sure, some chic dishes like Seared Guajillo Dusted Salmon and Cedar Plank Portabello Mushroom squeezed onto the menu, but traditionalists like ourselves will gleefully jump to the yummy Meatloaf every time. Open daily,
7-10:30 a.m., for breakfast; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for lunch; 5-9 p.m. (10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 2250 W. SR 89A at Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa (928-340-5321) (Inexpensive to expensive)

Relics Restaurant & Nightclub at the Historic Rainbows End

While the name Relics harks back to the past – and the building is one of the more storied in Sedona history, having served as a stagecoach stop in the early 1900s and an exterior in the 1965 film The Rounders – the cuisine coming from the kitchen is very much of the here and now. One thing that never gets old is a satisfying Prime Rib, the pot o’ gold at this Rainbows End. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for lunch; 5-9 p.m.
(10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for dinner. Open Sunday, noon-3 p.m., for lunch. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 3235 W. SR 89A (928-282-1593) (moderate)

Savannah's

Walking into Savannah’s at dusk feels magical, with every table aglow with small tea lights. We were emboldened to try something different: a rabbit appetizer, seared in brown butter and doused in a creamy sauce over garlic-whipped mashed potatoes. We delighted in two entrées: The herb-encrusted filet mignon was melt-in-your-mouth prime Midwestern corn-fed beef, drizzled with gorgonzola and a maple, citrus and balsamic glaze; a delicious jumbo shrimp scampi was cooked perfectly in freshly chopped garlic in butter. Wrap up with a warm chocolate soufflé, the house specialty, which takes 25 minutes to prepare and totally justifies the wait. Open daily, 5-9 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 2611 W. SR 89A (928-282-7959) (Moderate to expensive)

Sedona Airport Restaurant

This homey little restaurant sits atop what was once Tabletop Mesa – until TWA’s Jack Frye eyed it as a landing strip in the 1940s and Airport Mesa was born. Three nights a week, all-you-can-eat specials roll out of the hangar; we arrived to find crab legs flying in all directions. Platter upon platter roared from the kitchen, landing in front of diners dipping king and snow crab legs to hearts’ content – a first-class deal. The regular menu soars too; the flight plan includes a grilled papaya appetizer with cilantro butter, fried cactus with tomatillo salsa, buffalo quesadilla with orange sour cream, and a full slate of pasta, vegetarian dishes, chicken, meats and seafood. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa • 1185 Airport Rd. (928-282-3576) (Inexpensive to expensive)

Szechuan Restaurant

We studied the chef’s specials for an unusual dish and chose a blend of fresh-tasting scallops and tender, thin-sliced succulent beef strips sautéed with broccoli in the chef’s secret brown sauce. It arrived sizzling hot and colorful with vegetables. Milder-tasting fare, more familiar to American palates, is also in the mix, as is sushi – we tried a Rainbow Roll appetizer, including the deep burgundy of tuna, the rich coral of salmon and the yellow tints of yellowtail, wrapped diagonally so each slice added color to live up to the Rainbow name. The fish was firm and fresh; we felt it was a good if small test of the sushi bar. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 1350 W. SR 89A in Old Marketplace (928-282-9288) (Inexpensive to EXPENSIVE)

Thai Spices

We visited this tiny, 19-year-old establishment on a weeknight, and it was bustling with diners. We started with a simple dinner salad aptly titled Sprouts and Garden Green Salad. It was a high pile of tender greens, sprouts, tomatoes, red onions and shredded carrots. Next came the soup: Tom Kah, an ingeniously delectable blend of spices, vegetables, lemon grass, cilantro and lime juice in a coconut milk broth. Our main course was Thai Duck Curry. We happily feasted on the dish – moist duck pieces swimming in coconut curry with chunks of pineapple as a sweet counterpoint to the spicy garlic, lime, basil and onion. We had to taste the Thai iced tea. The strong, sugary tea was a perfect foil for the spicy food, and it satisfied our sweet tooth. Open Monday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for lunch; 5-9 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa • 2986 W. SR 89A at the White House Inn (928-282-0599) (Inexpensive)

Tii Gavo

Relaxing at sunset on the patio of Enchantment Resort’s Tii Gavo restaurant, there’s no need to count calories: You’re gorging on the incredible views. Better yet, the food meets the standard of the magical setting, from an appetizer of fried jumbo shrimp encrusted with tiny multicolor tortilla chips to a refreshing Asian noodle salad filled with grilled scallops and shrimp to barbecued pork ribs. Don’t skip creative desserts like the chocolate-raspberry cheesecake. Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 525 Boynton Canyon at Enchantment Resort (928-282-2900) (Moderate)

Troia’s Pizza Pasta Amore

Roasted Garlic and Roasted Red Pepper Soup makes a glorious beginning. The Four Cheese Lasagna is love at first bite; ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan and Romano meld into a singular sensation, topped off with fresh basil and zesty marinara, to melt in our mouths. Our better half declared that the Chicken Cannelloni, a basil crepe filled with rotisserie chicken, spinach, porcine mushrooms, onions and a “secret” cream sauce, could only be the handiwork of a master. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5-9 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 1885 W. SR 89A (928-282-0123) (Moderate)

The Yavapai Restaurant

One of the greats. As stunning as the 180-degree view of Boynton Canyon is, don’t overlook the food – what comes out of the kitchen is as inspired as the setting is inspirational. Take advantage of the generous tasting menu to sample the breadth of the kitchen’s creativity. Open daily, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for brunch. Reservations are suggested and can be made up to a year in advance. Semiformal attire. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 825 Boynton Canyon at Enchantment Resort (928-204-6000) (Very expensive)

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SR 179, South of the "Y"

Elote Café

Chef Jeff Smedstad, long revered in Scottsdale, brings his skillful, original creations to this intimate space at King’s Ransom Inn. We loved our platos chicos (small plates) – a Quesadilla de Costilla (braised short-rib meat, hearty and flavorful, with Oaxacan cheese) and Huevos de Cabra (two goat cheese rounds crusted with finely ground pumpkin seeds, sitting in a savory cooked salsa) – and plato grande (full dinner) of pepita-encrusted snapper. Of course, we had to try the signature roasted elote – fresh corn off the cob in a sweet crème fraîche and cotijo-like cheese blend. Stuffed as we were, we still ate all our dessert – creamy lime brûlée with fresh berries, plus a sample of Pastel de Elote. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to closing, for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc
• 771 SR 179 at King’s Ransom Sedona Hotel (928-203-0105) (MODERATE)

El Portal Sedona

El Portal Sedona guests get first dibs on breakfast at the comfy seats in the warmly decorated dining room, but there’s also limited seating for the public, with advance reservations. From first bite, it’s clear owners Steve and Connie Segner bring to the fine-dining experience the same meticulous excellence that makes El Portal one of the most luxurious U.S. bed-and-breakfast inns. Open daily,
8-10 a.m., for breakfast. Reservations required. MC, Visa, AmEx • 95 Portal Ln. (800-313-0017) (moderate)

El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano

“Arizona Style” – Mexican traditional with a decidedly Navajo influence. The menu offers the “whole enchilada,” with virtually any Mexican dish you can think of. The interior design of Spanish Colonial influence is as lovely as the outside courtyards of Tlaquepaque itself. Seasonal patio dining. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday, 8 p.m.), for lunch and dinner. Evening reservations suggested. MC, Visa • 336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (928-282-4648) (Moderate)

The Hideaway Restaurant & Lounge

Easy to find? Not necessarily. But if you want a great place to eat, this is your spot. Favorites include the Sausage Soup, a spicy tomato-based soup filled with chunky vegetables. Thick slices of decadent garlic bread, buttered and covered in melted cheese, come with the soup. We also love the Antipasto Salad. A famous local choice, the chilled plate arrives heaped high with crisp cold greens, cubes of mozzarella, kidney and garbanzo beans, and various salamis – all generously drizzled with a classic Italian dressing. Open daily,
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (2 a.m., Thursday to Saturday), for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 251 SR 179 at Country Square (928-282-4204) (Inexpensive to moderate)

The Inn on Oak Creek

The Inn serves up a four-course breakfast to hotel guests and locals that’s as incredible as the views of Oak Creek from its terrace – and you know that’s saying something. We feasted on granola and maple yogurt, warm cinnamon pear crisp, Italian almond coffee cake, bacon and Gruyère muffins, and chocolate-stuffed french toast with raspberry sauce and the best pepper bacon we’ve ever tasted; $12 per person seemed like a bargain. Open daily, 8-9:15 a.m., for breakfast. Reservations required for non-guests. Visa, MC, AmEx, Disc • 556
SR 179 (928-282-7896) (MODERATE)

Javelina Cantina

Blessed with classic Sedona views through the window, there’s a lot of eye candy inside as well: huge Mexican-style platters. Try the burrito stuffed with grilled boneless chicken bites and herbed grilled green and yellow zucchini. If that doesn’t tickle your taste buds, opt for the Rocky Point Tilapia fish tacos with puffy, batter-covered chunks of firm, mild whitefish in soft flour tortillas, with salsa picante, cabbage and spicy “southwestern” tartar sauce. Leave room for Bavarian-crème-filled churro pastries, served with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate. Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, DC • 671 SR 179 at Hillside Sedona (928-282-1313) (Moderate)

Joey Bistro

Faced with a packed house, we sat at the bar for an “informal formal” meal – and what an intoxicating experience: fine linens, good food set on polished black granite and personal attention from the veteran barman. Our main courses were creative and
complex: pork loin filled with prosciutto and provolone, sautéed with onions, garlic and fresh herbs in white wine and covered in a fresh tomato demi sauce; and a delicate veal stuffed and layered with mascarpone, mozzarella and cream cheese, with peas and spinach over potato cake, all flavored with marsala. For dessert, we loved a silky, white, orange-flavored cream concoction that looked like a flan, but was truly unlike anything we’ve had before – delicate, light, yet richly textured, with a creamy hint of fruitiness. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 5-9 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 160 Portal Ln. in Los Abrigados Resort & Spa (928-204-5639) (Moderate)

Ken’s Creekside American Bistro

Snuggled up right next to Oak Creek, Ken’s provides water views, a cozy fireplace, a stompin’ bar area, and a menu with selections from hot and cold tapas and salads to sandwiches and main courses. Standards include the grilled salmon with homemade garlic red mashed potatoes with a few skins in for color and artistically arranged fish with fresh vegetables. Don’t leave without trying the Life by Chocolate dessert. Open daily, 7 a.m to
9 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 251 SR 179 at Creekside Plaza (928-282-1705) (Moderate TO EXPENSIVE)

Oak Creek Brewery & Grill

If you’ve lived in Sedona for more than 30 seconds, chances are you’ve sipped an Oak Creek brew. But you haven’t really sampled the beer until you’ve eaten at Tlaquepaque’s Oak Creek Brewery and Grill, where many of the recipes are cooked with beer that is brewed on-site. We grabbed a booth and decided to deviate from our usual favorite menu items (BBQ Chicken Salad, we’re coming back for you), and try something brew-inspired. That meant starting with an order of Wicked Pickles: six beer-battered fried pickle spears served with ranch dressing. In keeping with our beer theme, we ordered the Beer Battered North Atlantic Cod with Waffle Chips. The gnarled chunks of golden-brown fish arrived piled high on top of a mound of large waffle fries and with a dish of coleslaw served on the side. The Caroline and Erika dessert shouldn’t be missed, either. A slice of ice cream cheesecake is completely coated in a thick layer of Oreo cookie crumbs and served frozen. It’s a cool ending to a beertastic meal. Open daily, 11:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m., for lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (928-282-3300) (Moderate to Expensive)

Red Rock Family-Style Barbeque

Pig out at this traditional barbecue house where pork is king. The 1-lb. pork chop sandwich is served open face with the sauce on the side while the pulled-pork sandwich is piled high and smoked to perfection. If you’re extra hungry, full dinner orders of baby-back ribs and pork chops are also on the menu. All items come with your choice of sides – don’t miss the thick and tangy barbecue beans. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for lunch and dinner. Visa, MC • 150 SR 179 (928-204-5975) (Inexpensive TO MODERATE)

René at Tlaquepaque

Understated and elegant, René at Tlaquepaque feels like an intimate European café. René’s has a well-known signature Rack of Lamb dish, but we opted for other fare the evening we visited. We started with the Seafood Parfait appetizer and were treated to crab, shrimp and tender grilled scallops in a big chilled martini glass. New vegetarian selections were on the menu, so we chose the Eggplant Tower as a main course. It turned out to be a delightful mix of fresh spinach, ricotta and provolone stuffed between slices of lightly breaded eggplant and piled high. Our other main course was the Madame Oak Creek veal scallopini dish with wild mushrooms sliced into a rich and creamy Madeira sauce. The veal was a generous serving of two big cutlets with tender buttered broccolini stalks peeking out from under the meat. We shared a dessert made on-site: a trio of profiteroles, little puff pastries sprinkled with powdered sugar and stuffed with peppermint, cappuccino and vanilla gelatos. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for lunch; 5:30-8:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa • 336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (928-282-9225) (Expensive to very expensive)

Secret Garden Café

We have great memories of “Yesterday’s Soup,” a light broth with chunks of chicken, rotelli pasta and vegetables spiced just right and the rich, thick and fully flavorful “signature” corn chowder. We’re also fans of the Southwest Cobb Salad – a feast of fresh portobello mushroom chunks, free-range chicken, red peppers, corn, roasted tomato, cucumbers and asiago cheese topped off with an excellent balsamic-based dressing. For dessert, a delicate mango mousse cake, dusted with shredded coconut, makes an unusual and delicious end to a midday escape. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for breakfast and lunch. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (928-203-9564) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Shugrue's Hillside Grill

The fine cuisine here puts an emphasis on seafood – but you’ll find more than just fish. Lamb, steaks, chops, salads, even a quiche; we can barely attempt to adequately describe this huge menu. However, we will rave about the shrimp scampi – try it! The high ceilings, warm decoration and open floor plan are sure to please; the jaw-dropping red rock splendor visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, or from the outside patio dining area, alone is worth the trip. Open daily,
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for lunch; 5 p.m. to closing, for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, DC • 671 SR 179 at Hillside Sedona (928-282-5300) (Expensive)

Steak & Sticks Sports Bar & Celebrity Grill

The next best thing to visiting a racetrack, this multi-room hangout features 20 strategically placed flat-screen TVs for following the action, and betting stations to play your hunches. Dishes range from salads to sandwiches to porterhouse steaks. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 160 Portal Ln. in Los Abrigados Resort & Spa (928-204-7849) (INEXPENSIVE to VERY expensive)

T. Carls

Named after Sedona’s founding father, Theodore Carlton Schnebly, this casual restaurant tucked inside the Poco Diablo Resort has a surprisingly sophisticated menu and wine list as well as impeccable service. We sampled glasses of pinot noir from France before starting with crispy calamari paired with a tangy mango-jalapeno relish. Our entrées were the perfect size – the Grilled Flatiron Steak is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, and it arrived cooked perfectly and topped with caramelized onions and a smattering of artisanal blue cheese. The Big City Lamb was flavorful and paired with mashed potatoes and veggies. For dessert, we shared a mouthwatering house-made crème brûlée. Open daily, 7-11 a.m., for breakfast; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for lunch; and 5-9 p.m.
(10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 1752 S. SR 179 at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort (928-282-7333) (Moderate TO EXPENSIVE)

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Oak Creek Canyon

Garland's Oak Creek Lodge

Prix-fixe dinners in a bucolic setting that calls to mind upstate New York, but with an unmistakable southwestern touch at a hidden location across the creek. At 7 p.m., a dinner bell summons the limited group of 50 diners into the lodge. The four-course menu changes each night. On our visit, we started with a light and tasty Southwest-style corn chowder made with fresh corn and assorted vegetables, and a refreshing, colorful green salad. The centerpiece came next: tender scallops and shrimp, with scattered garden herbs imparting a subtle taste nuance and brightly colored sautéed vegetables alongside, all exquisite. For dessert, we love the homemade shortcake biscuits filled with fresh strawberries and blackberries in a sweet cream sauce. Prix fixe dinner served Monday through Saturday,
7 p.m.; cocktails, 6 p.m. Reservations required. MC, Visa • 8067 N. SR 89A (928-282-3343) (VERY EXPENSIVE)

Junipine Café & Grill

Located on the tranquil banks of Oak Creek, minutes north of uptown, the all-pine dining room dominated by a huge stone fireplace provides a flavor of rustic folksiness, but the cuisine is as sophisticated as the setting is homespun. The trout is as fresh as if just pulled from the creek, and the Shrimp Avocado Salad, with its Mandarin oranges and raspberry-walnut dressing, is a favorite. Patio dining available. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., for breakfast and lunch. Reservations recommended. MC, Visa, AmEx
• 8351 N. SR 89A (928-282-7406) (Moderate)

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Village of Oak Creek

Blue Moon Café

A funky, down-home, finger-lickin’-good eatin’ place for when you’re in a hurry but still thinkin’ tasty. Low prices and no-frills decor here,
but who ever said good meant frilly? A wide menu with lots of different pizzas, salads, burgers and subs. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 a.m., Sunday), for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa • 6101 SR 179 (928-284-1831) (Inexpensive)

Café Jose at the Village

This eatery caters to locals with a breakfast menu showcasing omelets, egg platters, pancakes and Mexican favorites – we enjoyed the Ranch Breakfast featuring two eggs and choice of potato and meat, and a full platter of biscuits and gravy. The Health Lite Omelet choices are perfect for those counting calories. The homemade apple-cinnamon muffin made the meal even tastier. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa • 7000 SR 179 at Tequa Festival Marketplace (928-284-4123) (INEXPENSIVE)

Clubhouse Grille at Sedona Golf Resort

Casual dining before or after hitting the links at the Sedona Golf Resort. We visited for breakfast and enjoyed the mild Eggs Benedict and yogurt parfait with homemade granola and fresh fruit, all while basking in the breathtaking views of the course and Bell Rock. The grill also features a full bar and a large patio so you can have a round after shooting one. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., for breakfast and lunch. Visa, MC, AmEx • 35 Ridge Trail Dr. at The Sedona Golf Resort (928-284-2093) (Inexpensive to Moderate)

Cucina Rustica-Dahl & DiLuca

Easily one of the loveliest restaurants in the Verde Valley. Fine dishes include Penne Don Quixote, grilled chicken and mushrooms with a spicy chipotle cream sauce and, on request, homemade ribbon pasta and Veal Magellano, a thinly sliced veal with scallops sautéed in brandy sauce. For dessert, try a warm flourless chocolate cake with vanilla bean gelato, drizzled with hearty bourbon and more chocolate. Open daily, 5 p.m. to closing, for dinner. Reservations recommended. MC, Visa, AmEx • 7000 SR 179 at Tequa Festival Marketplace (928-284-3010) (Moderate to expensive)

The Grille at Shadow Rock

Rusty reds, dusky greens, browns and ochres evoke the high-desert beauty outside, giving the modern, yet classic-feeling room a southwestern style that complements the cuisine. Grilled ahi, usually a mild tuna dish, gets a Sedona makeover centered artistically over delicate spinach and mushroom enchiladas, and drenched in pungent poblano cream sauce. Fork-tender St. Louis-style ribs, cooked in Oak Creek Amber Ale and grilled with tangy tamarind barbeque sauce, were flanked by an anasazi bean relish and lightly seasoned cabbage slaw suiting both the meat and the locale. Open daily, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 90 Ridge Trail Drive at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa (928-284-4040) (Moderate to expensive)

Maria's Restaurant & Cantina

Mexican and Native American art and artifacts hang on the earthen-color walls trimmed with brightly stained wood paneling, lending an air of authenticity to this local favorite; it just feels real. The meals certainly are: delicious and bountiful, with much to choose from in both Mexican and American cuisine, including a luscious “Sedona Wrap” of marinated chicken, roasted peppers and assorted vegetables. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., for lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx • 6446 S. SR 179 at Castle Rock Plaza (928-284-3739) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Minami

A comfortable, relaxed atmosphere makes the sushi bar a perfect setting for striking up conversation. The sushi menu includes cooked, raw and vegetable selections; all those we sampled were fresh and tasty, with the Soft Shell Crab Roll a particular favorite. If sushi’s not to your taste, don’t overlook other fare, like the teriyaki dinners, tempura or yakitori. Steamers offer another tempting option. Open Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m., for lunch. Open Monday to Saturday,
5-8:30 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa • 6586 S. SR 179 (928-284-0684) (Moderate

MPC: Marketplace Café

You’d never guess you’d find an eatery with a Hollywood theme nestled in a corner of the Oak Creek Factory Outlet. We love the Catfish ’n’ Chips Basket complete with dill-flavored coleslaw and thin, crispy french fries. We also recommend the 8-oz. Char-broiled Sirloin, which came with a mound of skin-on mashed potatoes. But what made the entreé even more memorable was the mild chunks of blue cheese in melted garlic butter mixed between the potatoes and the thinly sliced onion rings atop the steak. For dessert, try cheesecake served in a large martini glass and piled high with whipped cream, strawberry slices, blueberries, raisins and sugar-dusted nutty bites. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx • 6645 S. SR 179 at the Oak Creek Factory Outlet (928-284-5478) (moderate TO EXPENSIVE)

Mulligans Grille on the Green

This warmly designed local hangout features perfect views of the Oakcreek Country Club golf course. As main courses, the Black Angus Rib-eye, served with mixed vegetables, led the field; while the luscious, tangy Barbecue Spare Ribs were so tender and moist that the meat practically jumped from the shank. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 690 Bell Rock Blvd at Oakcreek Country Club (928-284-3687) (inExpensive to expensive)

Pago's Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine

The menu at Pago’s includes classic Italian favorites such as calzones, veal saltimbocca and chicken piccata as well as sub sandwiches and build-your-own pizzas with more than 15 toppings. For one of our main courses, we ordered the spinach lasagna, which arrived rich with ricotta cheese and tender noodles. We also chose the tortellini alfredo topped with grilled chicken – it was one of the daily specials, and it was superb. The creamy alfredo sauce was drizzled over cheesy tortellini and mixed with just the right dose of sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy sweetness. For dessert, there was no resisting the decadent tiramisu and chocolate chip cannolis. The melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu had a hint of hazelnut and mocha while the sweet cannolis were crispy and crunchy on the outside, hand-filled with ricotta on the inside and topped with dark chocolate chips. Now that’s amore. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. until close, for lunch and diner. Open Sunday, noon to 8 p.m., for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 6446 SR 179 at Castle Rock Plaza. (928-284-1939) (Inexpensive to moderate)

PJ's Village Pub and Sports Bar

This local watering hole serves outtasight bar food. Tender baby-back ribs and juicy, juicy, juicy prime rib score when they cross your plate. It’s all served under the faint glare of neon bar signs and lovingly assembled walls of baseball memorabilia. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa • 40 W. Cortez Dr. (928-284-2250) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Red Chopstick

From a menu offering a broad choice of three Chinese cooking styles – Hunan, Szechuan and Mandarin – with a sprinkling of dishes from Thai and Vietnamese cuisines, we selected two entrées that both impressed with intensely fresh vegetables, fragrant meats and fresh seafood. The Sizzling Plate Delight mixes sautéed chicken, beef, shrimp and pork with fresh mushrooms and a sauce that perfectly flavors the steamed rice. The Crystal Shrimp and Scallops in a light sauce was very satisfying. And we couldn’t resist the staff-favorite dessert, the fresh fried banana dusted with confectioner’s sugar or honey. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 65 Bell Rock Plaza (928-284-9088) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Red Rock Cafe

This comfy café features entrées with a twist. For breakfast, we created our own light and fluffy omelet from a long list of ingredients and delighted in the Southwest Benedict with black beans, green chilies, diced tomatoes and a poached egg piled atop an English muffin. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, don’t miss the giant cinnamon roll. Covered with walnuts and just the right amount of icing, it’s a meal in itself. Open daily, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 100 Verde Valley School Rd. (928-284-1441) (Inexpensive)

Tara Thai Cuisine

Within view of Bell Rock’s grandeur, accessible Tara Thai is unassuming, but that doesn’t mean it’s dull. A combination appetizer of tasty, delicately fried starters was big enough to feed two or three. We moved on to Pad Bai Kaprow – an intriguing blend of wafer-thin beef slices sautéed with fresh onions and garlic, red and green peppers, fresh green beans and Chinese chives, with chili and mint leaves – and Pad Thai, a western favorite of rice noodles with shrimp, chicken and egg that had sweet overtones with a slight sour undernote. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (noon, Sunday), for lunch; 5-9 p.m. for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 34 Bell Rock Plaza (928-284-9167) (Inexpensive to moderate)

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Camp Verde

The Gallery

Airy with high ceilings, it seems like a beautiful Native American lodge playfully disguised as a casino coffee shop. It’s a fun place to grab a bite, what with the whooping sounds of paying slot machines contrasting with the serene woven baskets, drums and great paintings of olden Indian life hanging throughout the room. Generous portions are tasty and bargain-priced; the menu has something for everyone, and the service is fast and friendly. What more can one ask for between rounds of video poker – besides a continued lucky streak? Open daily, all hours, except between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. MC, Visa, Disc • 555 Middle Verde Rd. at Cliff Castle Casino, Camp Verde (928-567-7903) (Inexpensive)

The Gathering

A small dining café with regional artists’ locally themed paintings hanging on the walls, purple linens on the tables and expansive mesa views out the windows. The simple two-page menu has familiar items with a creative twist, such as a grilled pastrami and Swiss cheese sandwich on rye, but piled with grilled onions and sweet red and green peppers offset by crispy salty bacon, accompanied by skin-on french fries. The Caesar salad with either chicken or shrimp is piled high and topped with fresh strips of Parmesan cheese. Even as familiar a fare as bread pudding moistly filled with raisins has the added surprise of pineapple. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m for breakfast and lunch; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m for dinner. Closed for dinner, Mondays and Tuesdays. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 333 Middle Verde Rd. at The Lodge, Camp Verde (928-567-6611) (Inexpensive to moderate)

Storytellers

Elegant and quiet, a room that evokes an ancient cave, this dark, intimate steakhouse at Cliff Castle Casino bids to transport you a thousand years back in time. The food, however, is here and now, a 21st-century fusion of classic and innovative cuisine that’s tasty, generous, and well priced. We gasped when the main courses arrived. A 12-oz. mesquite smoked pork chop marinated in achiote dwarfed the platter it sat on. It was accompanied by a gargantuan mound of redolent garlic and Boursin-cheese-filled mashed potatoes and baby asparagus, lightly dusted in a piquant chile flavor, and a beautifully structured chicken Wellington. The chicken was masterfully sautéed with Provençal-spice-flavored vegetables, spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms with a delicate flavor of olive oil, all artfully arranged inside a puff pastry shell, with Mornay sauce (and a fresh purple orchid) as an exclamation point. A dining experience marked by quality, quantity and intimacy all at the same time. Open Tuesday to Sunday,
5-9 p.m. (10 p.m., Friday and Saturday), for dinner. Reservations suggested. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 555 Middle Verde Rd. at Cliff Castle Casino, Camp Verde (928-567-7905) (Moderate to expensive)

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