By the time we left Hideaway House, we had met the couple sitting next to us, and the couple behind us. It’s a place where old friends gather at a very lively bar and new friends meet to enjoy “curious country Italian,” as the restaurant dubs itself. We ate on the patio, a beautiful outdoor space that includes sweeping views of the forest and red rocks.
We started with the Roasted Vegetable and Polenta Tower, which features roasted eggplant, ricotta, red peppers, tomato, onion and asparagus, all towered on warm, grilled polenta in a feat of culinary engineering. The dish was finished with an aged-balsamicvinegar drizzle and creamy, fresh goat cheese. The chilled vegetables provided a sensory balance for the warm polenta. When we mentioned the Hideway House in conversation, almost everyone seemed to have a different favorite entrée. We ordered the Brick Chicken, a slow-roasted half chicken that was literally finished on the grill with a brick. Why a brick? The technique creates a crispy skin and a glistening, juicy interior all at the same time. The chicken had that wonderful grill flavor throughout and was plated with crispy breaded onions, sautéed vegetables and roasted potatoes. We also had to try the Meatloaf Italiano, and we weren’t disappointed. Imagine a savory meatloaf stuffed with fresh mozzarella, vegetables, pancetta and sundried tomatoes. The bite you want features the tang of the sundried tomatoes combined with the beef and slightly salty pancetta. It was the ideal hearty meal for those who spent their day on the trails.
All throughout dinner there was serious lobbying for the dessert selection. Not without effort, we narrowed it to Mama’s Calabrian Zeppole. These delicate fried pastries were similar to sopapillas, and the airy bites were served with caramel and chocolate dipping sauces. Half were dusted in cinnamon sugar, and half were finished with powdered sugar. The zeppoles were satisfying, sweet and light. It was the perfect ending to an evening filled with laughter, great ambiance and wonderful food. – A Sedona Foodie. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.
dinner. Visa, MC, AmEx (928-202-4082) (Moderate to Very Expensive).
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