With the completion of Poco Diablo Resort’s renovation and the opening of its new restaurant, Willows Kitchen & Wine Bar, Sedona offers the perfect wintery escape.
Willows Kitchen & Wine Bar opened earlier this fall at Poco Diablo Resort, marking a significant component of the Sedona resort’s $22-million renovation project. (It is a good idea to carve out some time to check out the remainder of the 18 acres of resort grounds, too, which were transformed from a golf course to a stunning garden oasis, complete with a pond, creeks and picturesque willow trees, for which the new restaurant was named.)
Helmed by Chef Evan Campbell, Willows Kitchen & Wine Bar features seasonally inspired American eclectic cuisine paired with an exquisite wine collection, featuring many local bottles. Guests can grab a spot at the bar, nestle into one of the large booths or sit down at an intimate table in the main dining room, which exudes a warm, sunsetlike color palette. Even in the winter, diners clamor to the patio to catch glimpses of the ethereal resort grounds and red rocks in the distance. Plus, a firepit is never far away.
Willows Kitchen & Wine Bar’s winter menu is brimming with comforting dishes and pleasant surprises (like the delicious vegan crab cake, crafted with chickpeas). The velvety lobster risotto pairs freshwater lobster with parmesan cheese and saffron and the result is so very cozy and decadent. The pan-seared duck breast, with apple-bacon Brussels and beet and potato hash, as well as the hoisin orange-braised short ribs with sesame-cheddar grits are table-pleasing plates for even the heartiest appetites. Plus, both dishes crank up the creativity by using traditional winter flavors in an exciting and elevated way.
Willows Kitchen & Wine Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
To learn more about Willows Kitchen & Wine Bar at Poco Diablo Resort, visit www.willowskitchensedona.com.