Tucson - American Southwest - page 371

At Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Dr. & 520/615-5494. www.ventanaroom.com. Reser-
vations highly recommended. Jackets recommended for men. Prix-fixe $95 ($175-$250 with wine). AE,
DC, DISC, MC, V. Tues-Thurs 6-9pm; Fri-Sat 6-10pm. Closed early June to mid-Sept.

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Moderate
Blanco Tacos + Tequila MEXICAN The retro Swedish-modern decor at this
restaurant is about as far as you can get from the usual perpetual-fiesta styling of most
Mexican restaurants. However, Blanco is far from an average Mexican restaurant. The
food here doesn't break any new ground, but the fish tacos are some of the best in Tucson.
Dishes are made with fresh ingredients, and even the rice and vegetables that come with
meals are well done. Service is friendly and there are great views from the deck. There's a
great tequila list, and the bar makes some fun cocktails.
In La Encantada Center, 2905 E. Skyline Dr., Ste. 246. & 520/232-1007. www.foxrc.com. Reservations not
accepted. Main courses $10-$19. AE, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm.
JAX Kitchen NEW AMERICAN With everything from steamed mussels with
frites and a brioche grilled cheese to duck-leg confit and tuna niçoise , JAX Kitchen seems
like the ultimate French bistro. However, most of the dishes here get a bit of an American
or Southwestern spin. The mussels are steamed with chorizo sausage, the tuna is pan-
seared for the niçoise, and duck-leg confit might be served in a salad with citrus, straw-
berries, goat cheese, and spicy almonds. Think of it as comfort food with a French accent,
and the ultimate comfort dish here is the whole salt-crusted roast chicken, which takes
an hour to prepare. Order it as soon as you walk in. There's a good selection of wines by
the glass, and prices tend to be reasonable.
7286 N. Oracle Rd. & 520/219-1235. www.jaxkitchen.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses
$9-$13 lunch, $11-$21 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Tues-Thurs 11:30am-2:30pm and 5-9pm; Fri 11:30am-
2:30pm and 5-10pm; Sat 5-10pm.

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J Bar SOUTHWESTERN The mouthwatering culinary creations of celebrity
chef Janos Wilder at half-price? Sounds impossible, but that's pretty much what you'll
find at this casual bar and grill adjacent to the famed foothills restaurant. Ask for a seat
out on the heated patio, and with the lights of Tucson twinkling in the distance, dig into
the best nachos you'll ever taste—here made with chorizo sausage and chile con queso.
No matter what you order, you'll likely find that the ingredients and flavor combinations
are most memorable. Who can forget spicy jerked pork with cranberry-habanero chutney
or Yucatán-style plantain-crusted chicken with green coconut-milk curry? You won't
want to miss sampling one of the postres (desserts). The dark-chocolate-jalapeño sundae
may sound unusual, but it's delicious.
At the Westin La Paloma, 3770 E. Sunrise Dr. & 520/615-6100. www.janos.com. Reservations highly
recommended. Main courses $15-$28. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 5-9:30pm.

Vivace Restaurant NORTHERN ITALIAN With a beautiful Tuscan-inspired
setting, this restaurant serves reasonably priced, creative dishes. The atmosphere is lively
and the food down-to-earth. For starters, consider indulging in the luscious antipasto
platter for two, containing marinated vegetables, prosciutto, roasted red peppers, grilled
asparagus, and herbed goat-cheese mousse. Pasta dishes, such as penne with sausage and
red pepper-tomato sauce, come nicely presented and in generous portions. But it's the
crab-filled chicken breast that is most memorable. The wine list has plenty of selections,
many fairly reasonably priced.