Continued (page 2 of 3)
Hideaway House
Lasagna Rollatini di Vegatali, $16
We are suckers for Italian food, and luckily it’s relatively easy to find vegetarian Italian dishes, but the Lasagna Rollatini di Vegatali at Hideaway House is a step above spaghetti marinara. Lasagna noodles are stuffed with eggplant, ricotta and mozzarella then topped with a sweet marinara sauce and oodles of sautéed spinach. A big piece of buttery garlic bread is served on the side. The entrée includes two large slices of lasagna, and we had to stop ourselves from devouring both in one sitting. It’s just that good.
Of course, the ambience at Hideaway House is equally noteworthy. Sit outside on one of two decks suspended above the sycamore and cottonwood trees that line the banks of Oak Creek. Birds and cicadas provide the background music. You’ll be treated to views of Snoopy Rock, the Crimson Cliffs, Schnebly Hill Road and the Mogollon Rim. It’s an environment that invites you to relax and order a refill on your green iced tea. It’s also a wonderful spot for wowing out-of-town guests.
Hideaway House, 231 SR 179 near the “Y” (928-202-4082)
HP Cafe
Foul Play Vegetarian Burger, $13.50
If you like beets, you’ll love the veggie burger at Uptown’s HP Cafe. The burger features a house-made black-bean-and-beet patty that is grilled and topped with tomato, Arizona-grown lettuce, red onion and Gruyere cheese. The bright purple patty is served on a fresh, soft bun with your choice of fries, sweet-potato fries or coleslaw on the side. We never pass up the opportunity to eat sweet-potato fries, so that was our choice.
HP Cafe, formerly the Hitching Post, was Sedona’s first full-service restaurant. It opened in 1930. The eatery has come a long way since then, and the dining room recently received a facelift. Gone are the vinyl booths – instead you’ll dine in a contemporary room with fresh flowers on the tables and giant, papier-mache kachinas on the walls. There’s an outdoor patio, too.
HP Cafe, 269 N. SR 89A in Uptown (928-282-7761)
Local Juicery
Acai Bowl, $9
Don’t know what acai (pronounced ah-sigh-eee) bowls are? Neither did we until we popped into the new Local Juicery organic kitchen one sunny afternoon and decided to order up a couple for lunch. The best way to describe it is a bowl of frozen yogurt that eats like a meal – minus the yogurt. The frozen concoction is made with unsweetened acai, bananas, strawberries, almond butter, coconut butter, almond milk, hemp seeds and honey-flavored vanilla. It’s then topped with granola and raw honey plus your choice of blueberries, strawberries, bananas, cacao nibs, coconut flakes or hemp seeds. One of our bowls was topped with strawberries while the other featured crunchy cacao nibs. We loved them both.
Enjoy your bowl for breakfast, lunch or as a snack on the outdoor picnic tables or inside at a window seat covered in colorful pillows. The bright, cheerful little shop features chalkboard walls, a blond-wood bar and a refrigerated case filled with healthy juices made on-site.
Local Juicery, 3150 W. SR 89A in West Sedona (928-282-8932)
René at Tlaquepaque
Mushroom Strudel, $12 for lunch, $24 for dinner
We think René at Tlaquepaque is one of the most romantic restaurants in Sedona, especially when the weather cooperates and dining on the patio is an option. Tucked away in one of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village’s most intimate courtyards, it feels a world away from daily life. There are several vegetarian options on the menu, but we’ve been fans of the Mushroom Strudel for years. The delicate dish features wild mushrooms sautéed in butter with garlic and thyme. The mushrooms are tossed with feta and provolone cheeses, and then wrapped in a puff pastry. Fresh veggies are served on the side. If you’re a true cheese lover like we are, you might also want to start your meal with the Sauté Brie with crusty French bread, caramelized apples and fresh fruit. We get dreamy just thinking about it.
René’s has been serving continental and French cuisine since 1977, and both items mentioned above are available at lunch and dinner. The restaurant is helmed by owner Deborah Leatherwood and Executive Chef Walter Paulson. Relax in the restaurant’s intimate wine bar before or after dinner.
René at Tlaquepaque, 336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (928-282-9225)
