Looking for restaurant recommendations in Sedona area

[maslovma]

My husband and I are going to be in Sedona next week and are looking for restaurant recommendations. Specifically, we're hoping to find a classic Southwestern spot. (We're coming from Washington, DC... I don't know if we even know real Southwestern food!) We are definitely foodies, so delicious restaurants only please! ;) No need for anything fancy.

[maslovma]

Thanks, everyone! I just did a post on a few of the places that we tried: http://eatniks.wordpress.com/2009/10/...

Los Betos, Elote Cafe, Coffee Pot Diner in Sedona (and another place whose name I don't remember that wasn't good)... 15 Quince in Jerome... and Chino Bandido in Phoenix... all terrific!

We also went to Cowboy Club which was good, Indian Gardens for sandwiches on fresh baked bread, and El Tovar in the Grand Canyon. I have to say that El Tovar was fine (and I don't doubt it is the best in that area), but not amazing.

[palmtree38]

WE cancelled our dinner reservations for El Tovar. One the entrees were not grabbing me to say oh I cant wait to try this and the mixed reviews of the price tag to the quality. I do read more good reviews to dine here for breakfast which we will do. The Arizona Room is a little less on the pocket but the entrees for my palate or more appealing.

do you go to TA too? as I read a post on there regarding chino bandido and the safety around the restaurant..
What did you try at Cafe Elote? We have reservations and it will be our first dinner in Sedona.

Was the Indian Gardens a place you picked up sandwiches to eat in GC on the rim FRESCO style? or did you eat there.

[Sherri]

"I read a post on there regarding chino bandido and the safety around the restaurant.."

I know this is off topic, with apologies to the OP, would you explain, please. I've eaten at the Chandler Chino Bandito dozens of times and cannot imagine there being a safety issue. This is one of our casual go-to spots for visiting CH friends since there is nothing remotely like it anywhere else that I've been.

Safety?
Safety of what?
Huh?

[hohokam]

I think that post was a reaction to a thread on Trip Advisor:

http://tinyurl.com/ygmgyc4

The OP on the other site didn't elaborate on what information she used to come to the conclusion that the neighborhood is sketchy and then didn't comment on it in her subsequent trip report. Third-hand (mis)information, at best, it would seem.

[palmtree38]

I too read the review on trip advisor and most said it was fine area to go dine at . Also the restaurant isnt much at all very very casual but food was fantastic..If we are in scottsdale near Fashion square would the phoenix location be clower or the chandler?

[Rubee]

Thanks for the report back! 15 Quince in Jerome sounded great - you made me crave green chili. I'll have to add it to my list to visit the next time we're in that area.

China Bandido has been on my list for a while; I really have to get there soon.

[palmtree38]

"A spot I like for lunch because the view is spectacular is the terrace at Tii Gavo (the casual restaurant at Enchantment Resort). Food is good (I get fish tacos"
just to let you know that the Fish Taco's are now not available on the menu.. They looked delicious but they said they change the menu every 6 mths)

[Rubee]

Two of our favorite restaurants for dinner that we visit every time we're in the Sedona area are Elote Cafe (Mexican), and Cucina Rustica (Italian).

Haven't been yet, but have heard great things about Garland's Lodge.

Info:
Cucina Rustica
http://www.chow.com/places/30365

Elote Cafe:
http://www.chow.com/places/27201

Also, here's a search for Sedona recs as this topic comes up often:
http://search.chow.com/search?query=s...

[palmtree38]

How would you compared Cucina Rustica to their other restaurant Dahl & Daluca??

I have been reading reviews on TA some say the DAhl is overpriced and its a dark restaurantl

[Rubee]

Haven't been to Dahl & Diluca; since we're such fans of Cucina Rustica we always go there. They have a couple of dining rooms, a popular patio, and lively bar area. On our last visit in April of this year, we went with friends visiting from Boston. The men had veal, my friend had the bolognese with homemade linguine, I loved my cioppino special, and we all raved about the meal.

We try to support local, including Arizona wines, and a lot of the Sedona-area restaurants offer a few. At Cucina Rustica, we enjoyed two Arizona Rhone-style blends - Pillsbury Roan Red by the glass, and a couple of bottles of Arizona Stronghold Nachise (BTW, Sam Pillsbury just won "Best Local Winemaker'" in the latest 'Best of" Phoenix Magazine issue, and AZ Stronghold Nachise was rated an 89 in Wine Spectator).

[palmtree38]

This sounds appealing this restaurant.. Sounds a bit more child friendly then the other.
Did you try out Cowboy Club or Hideaway?

[Rubee]

I'm not sure how child-friendly it is as we've never seen children there (though we tend to eat late). It's upscale, with white tablecloths, etc. Pics of various dining rooms on website:
http://www.cucinarustica.com/1/main.htm

I've been to Cowboy Club twice for lunch (good spot for people watching on the patio), and once for dinner at Silver Saddle. Silver Saddle is attached to Cowboy Club but more upscale atmosphere - no children, white tablecloths and booths, cozy fireplace etc. It's the same menu though. Cowboy Club is definitely kid friendly.

Silver Saddle visit (second paragraph).
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/505146

Cowboy Club visit (that I posted on another site):
http://www.city-data.com/forum/8338432-post14.html

A new spot I've heard good things about is A Fork in the Road.
http://www.forkintheroadbistro.com/

[palmtree38]

I have now heard from 3 different travellers about this fork in the road. Just emailed them to see if child friendly and about their tapa nights
thankyou!

[palmtree38]

Love Fork in the roads new menu. and they have tapa bar opened 4-6. daily. half price drinks and $3-5 each tapa.. looks like a fun evening out.
dahl and daluca is not getting positive reviews for the price yoru paying so we are g oing to try this out instead..
Thanks for the tip!

[Rubee]

That does look good. Will have to add it to the list for our next visit to Sedona! Fork in the Road looks like it's in the same center as Cucina Rustica.

-----
Fork in the Road-American Bistro
7000 Highway 179, Sedona, AZ

[palmtree38]

Any feedback here on the Cowboy club? Value for the quality and atmosphere? True chowhounder spot to dine???

Our food agenda is Cafe Elote for first dinnner. REd Rock bbq for lunch. then Fork in the road for dinner, and then thinking of Cowboy club for last dinner.
Need one more lunch.. Breakfast is included at our hotel otherwise would try out the coffee pot.

[Rubee]

As I linked above - I've been to the Silver Saddle (next door and has the same menu as Cowboy Club), and a couple of lunches at the Cowboy Club. Those are my only visits. The food is good, can be inconsistent, and a bit touristy, so I don't consider it a Chowhound spot, but it's a lively place and very kid-friendly with a large menu.

A spot I like for lunch because the view is spectacular is the terrace at Tii Gavo (the casual restaurant at Enchantment Resort). Food is good (I get fish tacos, or the burger), and I've seen families on each visit. The menu for Kurt's Main Street Cafe Tastebuddy mentions above looks good too.

http://www.enchantmentresort.com/menu/restaurant_detail_id_2.aspx

http://www.kurtsmainstcafe.com/

[LisaSD]

For a casual but tasty breakfast, eat at the Coffee Pot Cafe.

A fun place to eat lunch with a good, solid menu is up at the Airport Cafe (next to Sky Ranch Lodge). You can sit there and watch the planes taking off and landing. I had a great Club Sandwich with a wonderful bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup today. My husband really liked his Bacon Cheeseburger. We plan to go to Shugrue's tonight. It always had consistently good food. Cucina Rustica has excellent Italian if that is what you are in the mood for...

[tastebuddy]

Try Kurt's Main Street Cafe on 89A in West Sedona. Excellent food and sit in the
Beeler Room.

Tastebuddy

[palmtree38]

Cafe Elote is suppose to be one of the most popular restaurants in Sedona. (mexican with a nice flare)

[johnbycz]

Somebody in this thread mentions reservations at Elote. Web site says reservations are only for parties of five or more.

[palmtree38]

YES they only take reservations for parties of 5 or more and they are closed monday's