Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [48]
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DETOUR
It’s a long way to go for a steak, no matter how grand, but what really seals the deal are the views – without a doubt the most magnificent of any restaurant in Arizona, if not the country. Set on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the El Tovar Hotel Dining Room has big picture windows seemingly set on the very edge of the canyon. The filets are almost as good as the views. Reservations ( 928-638-2631) are required for dinner.
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If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would feel like to have a super-luxurious house far away from the travails of civilization, sleep off dinner at La Zarzuela B&B, where fantasies of escaping to a remote artsy enclave come true. Imagine a mansion in the middle of sandy hills carpeted with desert trees and bushes. Set in the foothills of Tucson and only for adult guests, there are five spacious casitas here.
Once the trip has ended, rest assured: Dr Atkins would be proud.
Josh Krist
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TRIP INFORMATION
GETTING THERE
Phoenix is about 150 miles south of Flagstaff and 115 miles north of Tucson. Phoenix and Scottsdale share a border.
DO & EAT
Cowboy Club
Try a beef or buffalo filet mignon or the elk tenderloin. Or just enjoy the rattlesnake skewer. 928-282-4200; www.cowboyclub.com; 241 N Hwy 89A, Sedona; mains lunch $9-16, dinner $15-25; lunch & dinner
Durant’s
With red-velvet wallpaper and overstuffed red-leather booths, the steaks are as sumptuous as the decor. 602-264-5967; www.durantsaz.com; 2611 N Central Ave, Phoenix; mains from $20; 11am-10pm Mon-Thu, 11am-11pm Fri & Sat, 4:30-10pm Sun
Greasewood Flat
Cash only at this outdoor bar, next to Reata Pass Steakhouse. On cold nights they blaze up the fire pits. 480-585-9430; 27375 N Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale; 11am-11pm
Janos
Try the New York strip steak rubbed with coffee, molasses and Mexican chocolate. The attached J Bar is good for an after-steak drink. 520-615-6100; www.janos.com; 3770 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson; mains $28-50, tasting menu $85; dinner Mon-Sat
Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse
Seasoned servers, good steaks and an upscale setting that strives for comfort more than pretense. 480-941-4700; www.mastrosrestaurants.com; 6991 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix; 5-10pm Sun-Thu, 5-11pm Fri & Sat
Rawhide Steakhouse
Good steaks in a 1880s frontier-town theme park. Check ahead for sundown cookout times. 480-502-5600; www.rawhide.com; 5700 W N Loop Rd, Chandler; admission free, per attraction $4, day pass $15, adult/child cookout $45/19; 5:30-9pm Wed-Thu
Reata Pass Steakhouse
Reservations are recommended. Try the 24oz porterhouse and you’ll see why. 480-585-7277; www.reatapass.com; 27500 N Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale; mains from $15; 11am-9pm Tue-Thu, 11am-11pm Fri & Sat, noon-9pm Sun
SLEEP
Enchantment Resort
A country club–style resort tucked into beautiful Boynton Canyon. Sometimes even ostentatious names accurately describe the feeling you get at a place. 928-282-2900; www.enchantmentresort.com; 525 Boynton Canyon Rd, Sedona; r from $450
Flying E Ranch
The place to try your luck penning a steer. There’s no bar, so BYOB. Rates include activities and meals. 928-684-2690; www.flyingeranch.com; 2801 W Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg; r $310-390 minimum, seasonal; Nov-Apr;
Hermosa Inn
The best place in the world to enjoy a food coma, thanks to the soothing Spanish-Colonial decor. 602-955-8614; www.hermosainn.com; 5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Scottsdale; r incl breakfast $140-460, villa $310-700
La Zarzuela B&B
An adult-only mansion with five colorful casitas for guests. Set in the middle of acres of virgin desert; quiet and luxury abound. 520-884-4824; www.zarzuela-az.com; 455 N Camino de Oeste, Tucson; r $275-300; closed