Say hello to Executive Chef Mel Mecinas and the chefs that create the marvelous food for both Talavera and Crescent Moon at the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North aka @FSScottsdale on Twitter.
In my five years of blogging, I have to say that taking this shot ranks as one of the most heart-warming moments of my career, seriously. When I asked Chef Mel if I could take his picture he said, "Sure, but I want everyone else in it too." In my book, this is classy. Right away, Miss Team Builder in me is getting teary.
So, we went to the kitchen and Chef Mel gathered everyone. I happened to come in on a special day when all the chefs were in because they were training for the new Fall/Winter menu which debuts today actually.
They didn't know this at the time, but I had a lump in my throat. I was so touched by the display of leadership, warmth, and big smiles. The Talavera kitchen definitely has a very positive feeling in there, and I can't say enough how honored I felt to be able to spend time there with these wonderful people.
I picked Talavera because at Phoenix Cooks, a Phoenix food event featuring the talents of local chefs, I tweeted that Talavera had the best dish at the show - a gnocchi with garlic shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil in a lobster sauce.
I don't know what magic they put in that gnocchi, but I went to their booth 5 times...I'm not ashamed to say because every morsel made me that much happier. Talavera saw that tweet and invited me over, and I was so there!
I love this place so much, I don't even know where to begin, so how about we just start with a first course that is offered on Talavera's ARW Menu - Salmon Tartare and Semi-Carpaccio with Citrus and Arugula.
It was fun to be in the kitchen to watch Chef Mel make the dish.
A second option for a first course is this Corn Bisque with Snow Crab, Bell Pepper, and Fennel Pollen. There is just a hint of cream in the bisque. Chef Mel places the snow crab in the middle of the bowl and then pours in the bisque. I'm feeling really spoiled at this moment so everything is tasting fabulous. I want to take a bowl of this soup and curl up in a plush blanket in front of a fireplace.
For a second course option, here is a Cedar River New York Steak with Mushrooms and Marsala. For me, they paired the steak with a Paso Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. I haven't had steak in a long time, and boy was this a fine piece of meat...forgive my dating innuendo, but it's true, the meat was a hottie...for beef that is.
For $39 for a 3-course meal/person at a $$$ restaurant with a <3 view of some mountains and sunset, I'm thinking this is a perfect date night idea.
Okay enough meat talk and onto something much sweeter...dessert! Pastry chef Brianne Maggiore came out with two of the most interesting looking desserts I've seen since moving to Phoenix.
The first dessert has wait for it....bacon and Jack Daniels in it. Yes, I said bacon and JD! Okay ladies, I'm thinking it's not going to be that hard to convince your man to go to Talavera. We have here a Malted Waffle with Caramel Apples, Candied Bacon and Jack Daniels sauce. I was truly fascinated by the long bacon stick on top!
Another dessert option is this Fig Tart with Citrus Salad, Ricotta Cream and a Honey Sauce drizzle. The second I see figs, I'm doing cartwheels. Okay not literally but in my head because I LOVE figs. Any dessert or dish that has figs or dates in it, I'm loving it.
I've been to a few Four Seasons hotels back in my road warrior days, and typically you get frou-frou which you should because well it's Four Seasons. This Four Seasons in Scottsdale Troon North is equally eloquent but it has a warmer and more down to earth feel to the place. Perhaps it's because the property is surrounded by cactus, desert terrain, and mountains.
I was shocked to discover that their happy hour drinks and dishes were pretty cheap, so if you want to cocktail before dinner at Talavera or just in general, definitely check this deal out.
I'm always expecting Four Seasons to be high-priced, but the happy hour in the Onyx bar from 3-6pm has plenty of beer and nosh options for $5 like Jicama Crab Tacos which are dairy-free and gluten-free because they use jicama as the taco shell. Brilliant and back in skinny jeans type nosh. On Monday nights, it's Industry night. If you bring a business card, it's happy hour all night.
The deal gets better with a spa special
Last but not least, this is the most amazing deal of all. It just so happens that it is Spa Week this week 9/13-9/18 which overlaps with ARW 2010 9/18-9/26 by two days which is this weekend. In this sweet deal you can get a massage for $50 at the Four Seasons spa called, "The Spa," and then go to Talavera for dinner for $39 as mentioned above.
I'm in heaven just thinking about what a wonderful weekend that would be! So go now!
Visit the Four Seasons at Scottsdale Troon North on Facebook.
