Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
518
WHERE TO DINE
Expensive
Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits
Kids
SOUTHWESTERN With its big booths, huge
steer horns over the bar, and cowboy gear adorning the walls, this restaurant is Sedona's
quintessential New West steakhouse. Start out with fried cactus strips with a prickly pear
sauce or perhaps some deep-fried snake strips. For an entree, be sure to try the buffalo
tenderloin, which is served with brandied peppercorn cream sauce. At lunch, try the
buffalo burger. Service is friendly and can be slow during the peak tourist season. The
adjacent Silver Saddle Room is a more upscale spin on the same concept, with similar
menu prices. The kids should get a kick out of the cowboy decor and, who knows, you
may even get them to taste your snake or cactus appetizer. It was in here in this building
in 1965 that the Cowboy Artists of America organization was formed.
241 N. Hwy. 89A.
&
928/282-4200.
www.cowboyclub.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses
$10-$45. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-10pm.
El Portal Sedona
NEW AMERICAN/SOUTHWESTERN Although El Por-
tal is primarily a deluxe inn, it also serves superb dinners on Friday and Saturday nights.
While many of the diners are guests at the inn, the meals are open to the public by res-
ervation. These dinners provide anyone who is not staying at El Portal a chance to lounge
around in the courtyard and living room/dining room, and get a sense for what it's like
to stay here. The menu is short and usually includes about a half-dozen entrees and an
equal number of appetizers and salads. Roast lamb loin with butternut squash ravioli and
rack of elk with hazelnut griddle cakes are just two examples of the sorts of entrees you
can expect. In the warmer months, there are Wednesday night barbecues ($29) in the
courtyard.
95 Portal Lane.
&
800/313-0017
or 928/203-4942. www.elportalsedona.com. Reservations required.
Main courses $34-$42. AE, DISC, MC, V. Fri-Sat 5:30-8pm.
15
The Heartline Café
SOUTHWESTERN/INTERNATIONAL The heart line,
from Zuni mythology, is a symbol of health and longevity; it is also a symbol for the
healthful, creative food served here. To start with, don't miss the tea-smoked chicken
dumplings with spicy peanut sauce or the Gorgonzola torte with caramelized pear. The
must-have entree here is the heavenly pecan-crusted local trout with Dijon cream sauce.
Those searching out variety in vegetarian choices will find it here. The beautiful court-
yard and traditionally elegant interior are both good places to savor a meal. Lunch and
gourmet takeout are available at the adjacent Heartline Gourmet Express & Market.
1610 W. Hwy. 89A.
&
928/282-0785
(cafe) or 928/282-3365 (Gourmet Express). www.heartlinecafe.com.
Reservations recommended. Cafe main courses $17-$35; Gourmet Express main courses $5-$15. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Cafe daily 4:30-10pm; Gourmet Express daily 7am-4:30pm.
René at Tlaquepaque
CONTINENTAL/AMERICAN Although a formal din-
ing experience and traditional French fare may seem out of place in a town that celebrates
its cowboy heritage, René's makes fine dining seem as natural as mesquite-grilled steak
and cowboy beans. Located in Tlaquepaque, the city's upscale south-of-the-border-
themed shopping center, this restaurant is the best place in Sedona for a special meal. The
house specialty is rack of lamb, and if you enjoy lamb, this dish should not be missed.
More adventurous diners may want to try the excellent tenderloin of venison with
whiskey-juniper berry sauce. Finish with a flambéed dessert. To save money, have lunch
here instead of dinner.
