Foodie Friday: The Sedona Scene

by  Anne Roderique-Jones | Apr 19, 2013

Sedona may not come to mind when you think of great food cities. It's not Paris, New Orleans, or New York City, but there are the beginnings of a food scene here and enough great dining options to fill your vacation. Here are three of my favorites:

Elote Café
Ask anyone where to eat in Sedona and they'll tell you hightail it to Elote Café – Chef Jeff Smedstad's award-winning Mexican cuisine warrants the sometimes multiple-hour waits. I arrived early on a Monday evening and was kindly told that it would only be two hours. Luckily, there's a tiny window serving fresh margarita and gratis spicy popcorn to keep guests satiated. Two (or was it three?) ginger margs later, the chef's innovative Mexican cuisine beckoned. My vote? The Elote appetizer is incredible and Lamb Adobo pairs perfectly with a local beer. You can pick up the Elote Café cookbook as a souvenir – beats the pants off a dream catcher any ol' day.

View 180 Enchantment 
Whether or not you have the luxury of staying at the Enchantment Resort (lucky you!), don't miss View 180. This high-roller's paradise is off the beaten path, but I recommend map questing the hidden gem and grabbing a drink and tapas at this chic lounge. My husband and I snagged a seat near the fireplace on a cool November evening, and cozied up with cocktails and light bites while gazing at the Sedona red rocks. There are sofas and fire pits for outdoor lounging, with blankets to keep you toasty while enjoying the sunset.

Ken's Creekside
Though most guidebooks won't tout Ken's Creekside as the greatest culinary treasure of Sedona, locals love it for Chef Mohr's famous smoked pork chop and legendary peach cobbler. (I can attest that both are pretty spectacular.) But, I must admit that it was the ahi tuna tartar I went back for twice on a five-day trip to Sedona – by far the best I've had – and totally surprising for a land-locked state.

Up next...

Thirsty Thursday: Brisbane Brew Tour

Brisbane
Find The Best Cruises
Find a cruise

Find the best deals!

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices