Tucson - American Southwest - page 363

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variety of horseback rides are offered Monday through Saturday, and a petting zoo keeps
kids entertained. There are also nature trails, guided nature walks and hikes, hayrides,
weekly rodeos, and team cattle penning. Guest rooms vary considerably in size and com-
fort, from tiny, Spartan single units to deluxe two-bedroom suites. Renovated rooms are
worth requesting.
9251 W. Twin Peaks Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743. & 888/977-2624 or 520/297-0252. Fax [phone]. www.
wsranch.com. 42 units. Sept $254-$294 double, $316-$358 suite; Oct to mid-Dec, Jan to mid-Feb, and
late Apr to mid-June $320-$372 double, $396-$454 suite; mid-Dec to Jan 1 and mid-Feb to late Apr
$374-$454 double, $480-$550 suite. Rates do not include 15% service charge. Rates include all meals.
4- to 6-night minimum stay in winter. Children 2 and under stay free in parent's room. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Closed mid-June to Aug. Amenities: Dining room; lounge; free airport transfers; bikes; children's pro-
grams; concierge; exercise room; Jacuzzi; small outdoor pool; sauna; small spa; tennis court. In room: A/C,
hair dryer, no phone, Wi-Fi.

4 WHERE TO DINE

Variety, they say, is the spice of life, and Tucson certainly dishes up plenty of variety (and
spice) when it comes to eating out. Tucson is a city that lives for spice, and in the realm
of fiery foods, Mexican reigns supreme. There's historical Mexican at both El Charro
Café and El Minuto Cafe, nuevo Mexican at Café Poca Cosa and J Bar, and family-style
Mexican at El Minuto. So if you like Mexican food, you'll find plenty of places in Tucson
to get all fired up.
On the other hand, if Mexican leaves you cold, don't despair—there are plenty of
other restaurants serving everything from the finest French cuisine to innovative Ameri-
can, Italian, and Southwestern food. The last of these is almost as prevalent in Tucson as
Mexican food, and you should be sure to dine at a Southwestern restaurant early in your
visit. This cuisine can be brilliantly creative, and after trying it, you may want all your
meals to be Southwestern.
Foodies fond of the latest culinary trends will find plenty of spots to satisfy their crav-
ings. Concentrations of creative restaurants can be found along East Tanque Verde Road
and at foothills resorts and shopping plazas. On the other hand, if you're on a tight din-
ing budget, look for early-bird dinners, which are quite popular with retirees.
DOWNTOWN
Moderate
Café Poca Cosa Value CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN The cuisine served at
this stylish downtown restaurant is the creation of owner/chef Suzana Davila and has
been compared to the dishes dreamed up in Like Water for Chocolate. Although ostensibly
Mexican, this food is not just any Mexican food; it's imaginative and different and is
served in a bold and angular space that belies the location on the ground floor of a park-
ing garage. Expect such creations as grilled beef with a jalapeño chili and tomatillo sauce,
and chicken with a dark mole sauce made with Kahlúa, chocolate, almonds, and chiles.
The menu is posted on portable blackboards, so you never know what you might find
on any given day. Opt for the plato Poca Cosa, a trio of dishes chosen by the chef that
provides you with good idea of what the food here is all about.
110 E. Pennington St. & 520/622-6400. www.cafepocacosainc.com. Reservations highly recommended.
Main courses $13-$16 lunch, $18-$26 dinner. DISC, MC, V. Tues-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.

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