ROGER NAYLOR 2022-08-30 11:43:17
Arizona cuisine means farm to table—sometimes desert to table—as many restaurants put a modern spin on the past while using local ingredients and honoring local cultures. TURQUOISE ROOM Housed in Winslow’s elegant La Posada Hotel, the Turquoise Room is known for regional contemporary Southwestern cuisine using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. This is where you’ll find paper-thin piki bread from the Hopi mesas, tepary beans harvested by the Tohono O’odham and Churro lamb raised on the Navajo Nation. BOCA BY CHEF MARIA MAZON Chef Maria Mazon turns tacos into an art form at this lively Tucson joint, ranging from citrus-marinated salmon to anchorubbed spare rib to roasted duck topped with cactus salsa. Born in Tucson and raised in Sonora, Mexico, Mazon brings the borderlands to every table. Her housemade salsas are feisty and utterly original. TITO AND PEP While John Martinez pulls inspiration from his international travels, the menu remains rooted in Southwestern tradition. This neighborhood bistro reflects Tucson as the wide-ranging multicultural city it is today. Fresh fish, poultry and beef mixed with seasonal vegetables all receive the distinctive kiss of the mesquite-fired grill. TERRA TEMPE KITCHEN & SPIRITS The menu at this chic downtown Tempe establishment blends flavors from Spanish, American Indian and Mexican cultures. One shared plate features jalapeño cornbread, Native fry bread and a medley of luscious cheeses. Order Terra’s Hot Stone and choose between wagyu beef or ahi tuna seared at the table on a steaming heated stone. MARIPOSA LATIN-INSPIRED GRILL Perched atop a bluff in the heart of Sedona, Mariposa provides incredible views to accompany the warm atmosphere and chef Lisa Dahl’s exquisite dishes. Start with the flaky handmade empanadas before moving on to the creatively prepared steak, fish and chicken entrees. Although not required, this romantic venue is a place where it’s fun to dress up a bit. VALENTINE PHX This sweetheart of a restaurant shares space with a vintage furniture store in Phoenix’s always-hip Melrose District. The menu is laced with desert inspiration. Drought-tolerant tepary beans and the tart fruit of the wolfberry shrub enrich multiple dishes. You can wash your meal down with a martini made using cactus vermouth.
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