Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At Tlaquepaque, 336 Hwy. 179, Ste. 118.
&
928/282-9225.
www.rene-sedona.com. Reservations recom-
mended. Main courses $9-$19 lunch, $19-$45 dinner. AE, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11:30am-2pm and 5:30-
8:30pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-2pm and 5:30-9pm.
Moderate
Café Elote
MEXICAN
Elote
is a Mexican preparation of corn on the cob that is
made with freshly roasted corn that is slathered with spicy mayonnaise and sprinkled
with white
cotija
cheese. Squirt on a little lime, and you have the ultimate south-of-the-
border street food. Here at this treat's namesake restaurant, the
elote
is sliced from the cob
and served as a sort of dip. This dish alone, maybe with a side of guacamole and a mar-
garita, is reason enough to eat at this highly creative Mexican restaurant. For an entree,
try the braised lamb in sweet-and-spicy ancho-chile sauce. This is a casual and colorful
spot, and feels a bit like a Mexican beach bar.
At King's Ransom Sedona Hotel, 771 Hwy. 179.
&
928/203-0105.
www.elotecafe.com. Reservations only
for 5 or more. Main courses $17-$21. AE, DISC, MC, V. Tues-Sat 5-9pm.
Cucina Rústica
MEDITERRANEAN/SOUTHWESTERN With its various
distinct dining rooms and numerous antique doors, this sister restaurant to west Sedona's
wonderful Dahl & DiLuca (see above) feels like a luxurious villa. One room here has a
central dome that is lit by what appear to be thousands of stars, but for a genuine starlit
dinner, you can ask for a seat on the patio. Start with the
bruschetta pomodoro,
a tomato-
and-basil appetizer that tastes like a bite of summer; then, when it comes time to order
an entree, just ask for the
gamberi del capitano.
These grilled prawns, wrapped in radic-
chio and prosciutto, are among the best prawns you'll ever taste—positively ambrosial.
7000 Hwy. 179, Village of Oak Creek.
&
928/284-3010.
www.cucinarustica.com. Reservations recom-
mended. Main courses $12-$32. AE, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm.
Dahl & DiLuca
ITALIAN A faux-Tuscan villa interior, complete with a bar in a
grotto, makes this the most romantic restaurant in Sedona, and the excellent Italian food
makes it that much more unforgettable. Be sure to start with some of the
pane romano,
which, as far as I'm concerned, is the best garlic bread west of New York's Little Italy.
Pasta predominates here, and portions are big. The linguine Siciliana with calamari and
mushrooms is a perennial favorite. The kitchen also serves deftly prepared seafood,
chicken, and vegetarian dishes. The eggplant Parmesan and portobello
alla griglia
are real
standouts. Keep in mind that during the high season (spring), this place stays packed
with tourists and service can, at times, be brusque.
2321 W. Hwy. 89A (in west Sedona, kitty-corner from the Safeway Plaza).
&
928/282-5219.
www.dahl-
diluca.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $13-$31. AE, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5-9pm; Fri-
Sat 5-10pm.
519
15
Kurt's Main Street Café
NEW AMERICAN Although this restaurant is right in
front of the Super 8 Motel, it is a sophisticated yet casual place serving some of the more
creative food in Sedona. For a starter, try the green-corn tamale with chipotle cream
sauce, and among the salads, the blue-corn chicken salad is a good bet. While there are
plenty of southwestern dishes on the menu, there are also some well-prepared comfort
foods, including a wonderful bacon-wrapped meatloaf and a chicken pot pie. At lunch,
the ahi tuna club sandwich should not be missed, but you can also get the green-corn
tamale as an entree.
2545 W. Hwy. 89A.
&
928/203-7878.
www.kurtsmainstcafe.com. Reservations recommended. Main
courses $8.50-$13 lunch; $16-$29 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-2:30pm and 5-9pm; Fri
11am-2:30pm and 5-10pm; Sat 5-10pm.
