TUCSON & SOUTHERN ARIZONA DINING WITH A VIEW BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON In Southern Arizona, dining out often comes with views of mountains, desert and golf courses. Against a backdrop of craggy Pusch Ridge, Epazote Kitchen at El Conquistador Tucson Hilton serves up locally inspired dishes like duck confit quesadillas and chipotle calabacita pasta. Get a table on the patio to hear Larry Redhouse play Native flute music at dusk. Nearby, The Grill at Hacienda del Sol provides ringside seats for views of desert, golf course and the Catalina Mountains, not to mention fine dining and a Wine Spectator -lauded wine list. Try the gnocchi, zhuzhed-up Southwest style, with guajillo chile sauce. Set in a 49-acre botanical garden, Tucson’s Tohono Chul Garden Bistro is surrounded by wildflowers and palo verde trees—plus views of the Catalina Mountains. Peruse their daily brunch menu for choices like prickly pear margaritas, avocado toast and pancakes with a “charcuterie” of topping choices. Just north of Tucson, Noble Hops in Oro Valley also has va-va-voom views of the Catalina Mountains from its ample patio. The gastropub tours the world with its ever-changing selection of craft beers and offers comfort food like burgers, wings and gravy-smothered fries. South of Tucson, Stables Ranch Grille at Tubac Golf Resort is a historic setting surrounded by views of golf greens, towering cottonwoods and the Santa Rita Mountains from its spacious patio. In between gazing, dig into brown rice penne pasta with chicken and vegeta-bles or the signature pork schnitzel. Epazote Kitchen, Tucson The Grill at Hacienda del Sol, Tucson ARTIST’S ESCAPE A DAY TRIP TO TUBAC BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON TOP TO BOTTOM: EL CONQUISTADOR TUCSON, A HILTON RESORT; HACIENDA DEL SOL GUEST RANCH; CASA MAYA DE MEXICO Casa Maya de Mexico, Tubac Framed by the Santa Rita Mountains and enormous cottonwoods along the Santa Cruz River, Tubac has long attracted artists who come for the scenery as well the many historic adobe buildings. Less than an hour’s drive from down-town Tucson, the charming town makes for an easy day trip. Morning: Tubac is Arizona’s oldest European settlement, with a Spanish garrison established near the river in 1752. Meander through 1 Tubac Presidio State Historic Park , which preserves the garrison’s ramparts. The museum offers a Tubac timeline, while a gravel path leads to other buildings featuring art exhibits and more history. Lunch: Sit on the patio at 2 Soto’s Pk Outpost and order Mexican special-ties such as fajitas, chile relleno, chimichangas and tacos, and maybe even a mango margarita or two. Afternoon: Take time to browse Tubac’s many galleries and artful shops. Established in 1961, 3 Tubac Center of the Arts is the epicenter of the community’s art scene, with exhibits, a shop, live performances, workshops, speakers and more. Just off Tubac’s central plaza, 4 Casa Maya de Mexico ’s colorful interior is stocked with handmade crafts from south of the border, while nearby Old Presidio Traders is filled to the rafters with American Indian jewelry and arts. A short walk away, 5 La Entrada de Tubac offers a mix of shops, restaurants and galleries, including Feminine Mystique Art Gallery , which champions the work of women. Dinner: Founded in 1927 in Nogales, Mexico, 6 Elvira’s Restaurant in Tubac is dark, sexy and modern, providing a sophisticated spot to sample chicken mole poblano or salsa-topped grilled shrimp. Toast your Tubac trip with a tamarind margarita. Cam Otero 2 Plaza De Anza Calle Baca 5 6 I-19 Frontage I-19 Rd. Burruel St. Plaza Rd. 3 4 Hesselbarth Ln. Tubac Plaza Tubac Rd. Luger Ln. Calle Iglesia Burruel St. 1 55
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2021-22: Page 55
