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Dining About Town with a Sedona Eye Foodie

Sedona AZ (October 27, 2014) – This weekend we visited the Saltrock Southwest Kitchen at the Amara Resort in uptown Sedona, Arizona, a Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant which recently underwent a $1 million redesign. Amara’s new look is comfortable contemporary. Its Saltrock Southwest Kitchen outdoor eating area offers unspoiled Oak Creek red rock or starry sky views. We chose outdoor seating near the firepit, perfect for the crisp autumn Sedona evening, and enjoyed live classical guitar.

Chef Keith Hedges prepared an eight course sampler food experience. This was without a doubt one of the best dining experiences we have had to date.

saltrock soup

Saltrock Southwest Kitchen Roasted Corn Soup with Grilled Corn side

Prior to our eight course sampler, we were served a tasty yucca roll made with, among other ingredients, Menonita, Oaxaca and Cotija cheeses. It was served with Saltrock’s in house salsa fresco. Each diner at the restaurant is served this tasty appetizer. Then our memorable dining experience began.

Sampler course one was Deviled Eggs served on a base of whole grain mustard or on a pasilla syrup. It was the base, when combined with the deviled egg, that allowed the full flavor of this dish to be experienced. Next was one of our favorites of the evening, Roasted Corn Soup with a Grilled Corn side dish made with kaffir lime leaves, chipotle aioli and other delicious ingredients. This delectable dish prepared the pallet for each dish that followed.

Saltrock Southwest Kitchen Lamb Tostada

Saltrock Southwest Kitchen Lamb Tostada

Course three was Yucca Fries served with Poblano tomatillo salsa and another delicious sauce made in part with citrus garlic aioli and casa cotija cheese. Course four, again one of our favorites, was Lamb Tostadas. It included red wine braised lamb belly, smoked tomato sauce, smoked goat cheese and apple tomatillo salsa on a crispy tostada with lime zest.

saltrock 3

Chef Keith Hedges very own Saltrock Southwest Kitchen Hot Sauce recipe is for those who like it hot!

Course five was achiote marinated Shrimp served on a bed of lemon grits with smoked poblano tomatillo salsa with lemon zest. Course six was a deliciously moist Achiote Chicken, one of the Chef’s favorites, cooked with the skin on. It was served on a bed of a wonderful mixture of jalapeno-cilantro risotto, grilled asparagus, pignon sauce, pomegranate seeds and toasted pine nuts.

And now to perhaps my favorite, courses seven and eight. S’Mondae, a dessert dish with vanilla bean ice cream, toasted marshmallow, crumbled graham crackers and a spicy chocolate syrup was served with an amazing chocolate cake with caramelized bananas. The chocolate cake was the most fascinating dish, a cross between a moist brownie and a moist chocolate cake. Every now and then you would taste the spice and wonder where it came from, the cake or the ice cream creation. Ultimately, we discovered it was the cake, but not in every bite.

In addition, we tried Chef Hedges in house Saltrock Hot Sauce, a must for those who like it hot.

Dining at the Amara Saltrock Southwest Kitchen is a must for those who enjoy fabulous food at a reasonable price, with spectacular daylight views of beautiful Sedona red rocks.

This SedonaEye.com article was written by our guest foodie. If you would enjoy a similar restaurant critique, or would like to share a positive Arizona dining experience with our readers, send a request to Editor@SedonaEye.com.

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

14 Comments

  1. A nice FB review. Your beautiful wife is very gracious and kind to everybody. The musician is Eric Miller. Your e fine waitress was Danelle. We hope that your wife and you will be seen soon again.

  2. Scott says:

    —-went there a long time back, will go back now

  3. MH says:

    We went a long time back and will go again to see the changes after reading these comments, Brent. Greetings for your best half!

  4. Enjoyed this article.

  5. Timing IS EVERYTHING & we give it 3 of 4 stars! Review didn’t mention quiet inside seating & Bar superb Margaritas! Nice. We’re going again. Hint use valet bcuz steep hill to walk! Best restaurant this trip & maybe well stay here next trip to beautylicious Sedona.

  6. concierge suggested checking out the site & went to Salt Rock… thumbs up…. before taking off to Glendale Sunday it’s lamb again with Sedona red rocks and weather

  7. ESM says:

    Nice, refreshing contribution to this myriad of controversy. Having never been to the Amara I’m unable to agree or disagree with the critique. However and for sure I will vote “yes” on all positive comments referring to the writer and his charming companion.

  8. Day Trippers says:

    Weather turned/stayed in. Tweens liked nonalcoholic drinks on menu. Good call.

  9. HI!

    So glad you enjoyed your dinner at Saltrock! Thanks for the great piece.

    Thanks!
    Jan

  10. Bob says:

    good food, great gal, lucky guy!

    No one could or should want for more in life if smart!

  11. May the stars align in the universe//food for the soul is what’s necessary.

  12. Sue, uptown says:

    Went yesterday & enjoyed, thanks for letting us know about its redo –like food pics. (Sent to friends & told them it was nice–we’ll meet for lunch there next week.)

  13. Hi Bob, you’ve nailed it. Food like people present it & themselves but hide defining flaws. What defines great soul & Truth in people or food? Cosmic and beautiful universal truths should be nurtured & savored in your home. Outside a home is like restaurant food, thrilling and fun sampling but when the reality of the outside is recognized and the thrill is spiritually evaluated (before flushing it away in the toilet bowl of life) a person is left needing superficial fixes over & over. Delight in the substance, stability and beauty of your own home! Fix thyself from the home love cupboard. Appreciating and glorifying at home raises friendship & advice to others with universal purpose purity & substance. Now an official senior I know & feel this Truth to the depths of my soul. Discovery happens every day in ways people don’t expect. Nothing is better than home, but it takes wisdom to know that.

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