Dining at Adobe Grand Villas might be Sedona’s best-kept secret, though chef Michael Merilli, who has been in Sedona for more than 10 years, does have a devoted local following. Need a staycation? Think Adobe Grand Villas. Looking to impress your out-of-town visitors? You guessed it: Adobe Grand Villas. If you’re staying at the luxury bed and breakfast, Michael can prepare dinner in your private villa. For the rest of us, reserve a table on the patio with its pool views and colorful potted plants.
We took a seat in the dining room where Michael set the stage for a memorable evening by adjusting the music to our preferred volume and lighting a fire in the fireplace. The restaurant is BYOB, and there’s no corkage fee. We started with a crispy potato cake crafted with leeks and bacon and garnished with rosemary. For the next course, we opted for the warm spinach salad that featured a house-made crouton, apple and a rich bacon dressing. The dressing’s salty lardons combined with the tart apple for a remarkable salad.
For the main course, one of us had the pretzel-crusted salmon accented with Creole mustard and buerre blanc. It was every bit as good as that description sounds, showcasing perfectly cooked salmon accented with the carefully constructed textures of the grainy mustard and silky buerre blanc. Another of us had the asparagus and shrimp risotto. It was surprisingly light but full of vibrant flavor with a generous portion of shrimp. We also enjoyed the filet mignon. The beautifully seared filet was stuffed with a blend of roasted garlic, cream cheese and goat cheese. It was one of the best fillings we have ever enjoyed, balancing the heartiness of the steak and its expertly executed black-pepper crust.
The relaxed evening finished with a velvety flourless chocolate cake and crème brulee. The crème brulee was cooked like an extraordinary chef from New Orleans – Michael’s hometown – would prepare it. In other words, flawlessly. – A Sedona Foodie. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.
reservation only. MC, Visa (928-203-7616) (VERY EXPENSIVE)
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