Sonoran Summer Menu at Loews Ventana Canyon

Through the end of August, experience the Sonoran Summer menu at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort’s Flying V Bar & Grill. The three-course dinner highlights the indigenous ingredients in the Sonoran Desert, specifically mesquite and prickly pear.

The mesquite pods and prickly pear fruit are harvested on-site, which is why the two were selected as the key ingredients by Executive Chef Ken Harvey and Chef de Cuisine Tyler Lapotosky. To complement the menu, General Manager Ralph Avella created Casa Amigos cocktail pairings.

Since the Sonoran Summer Menu is only available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, I recommend making reservations on Resy. Once seated, you can order the dinner with ($60) or without the cocktail pairing ($45).

Alex and I experienced the dinner with the cocktail pairing and it was fantastic! There’s also a wine pairing, but I would recommend the cocktail pairing. Read more about the menu and staycation promotions down below.

July’s Sonoran Summer Menu: Mesquite & Mesquite Flour

This past week, Alex and I booked a night at Loews Ventana Canyon to experience the Sonoran Summer Menu. We love that we have a getaway right here in Tucson that is tucked away in the Santa Catalinas!

The menu is three courses, which we felt was plenty! Especially, when you indulge in the complimentary green chile corn bread with the honey chipotle butter. But if you think you may need something else, then I recommend ordering the famous, tableside guacamole and chips!

Now, let’s go over the menu!

First Course:

Mesquite-Fired Blistered Citrus and Beet Salad, Carrot Purée, Finely-Sliced Fennel, Crushed Candied Pecans
Cocktail Pairing: El Primero
Casa Amigos Blanco, Prickly Pear Sour, Canton Ginger,

Second Course:

Organic Salmon, Summer Vegetables, Mesquite-Battered Tempura Chili Relleno Stuffed with Pepper Jack, Cilantro, Chorizo
Cocktail Pairing: La Picante
Casa Amigos Reposado, Ancho Chile Reye Liquor, Agave Sour

Third Course:

Mesquite Grilled Olive Oil Cake, Honeycomb, Blistered Strawberry & Saguaro Syrup
Cocktail Pairing: La Baya
Casas Amigos Mezcal, Grand Marnier Berries and Peach, Hibiscus Liquor

As beet lovers, the first course was our favorite. The candied-striped beets were steamed until slightly tender then blistered by the kitchen’s hibachi mesquite grill. From the second course, the chile relleno was most memorable, I loved how the batter was made using mesquite flour. I would also have to say the second course cocktail pairing was my favorite. From the third course, I knew I would enjoy it since I’m a fan of olive oil cakes. If you’ve never had an olive oil cake before, this is a savory and sweet cake that is typically dense. The saguaro syrup contrast is unique and similar to a balsamic glaze.

Things to Know:

• Three-Course Menu: $45
• Casas Amigos Cocktail Pairing: $15
• Only available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings
• Make a reservation on Resy

Staycation Promotions

• For any two-night stay booked directly through Loews Hotels, from now to Labor Day, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort will donate to DonorsChoose.org to help fund Tucson school projects for the 2021-2022 school year. DonorsChoose.org is an online non-profit that makes it easy to help teachers and students in need.

• Take advantage of the “Live Like a Local” summer offer to receive the following: $50 daily food & beverage credit, waived resort fee and late check-out until 3 p.m.

Visit my Instagram for videos and more photos from my visit!