Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

(Continued from Previous Post)


Elote Dinner




Elote or corn on the cob is a popular street food not just in Mexico but also in many parts of the South West USA. It is frequently served with condiments such as salt, chili powder, butter, cheese, lemon juice or lime juice, mayonnaise, and sour cream (or crema).


It is also the name of the restaurant owned by Chef Jeff Smedstad in Sedona. It is located on Highway 179 at the King’s Ransom Hotel; a couple of miles down from the Y.






Chef Jeff Smedstad spent many years travelling in Mexico to learn more about the food and his restaurant, Elote, focuses on the cuisine of Mexico. Like Lisa Dahl, Chef Jeff also incorporates sustainable, local, healthy and organic products into his restaurant to showcase his passion for food as well as responsible cooking. When planning for this trip and when I was doing my research, this place resonated with me as my number 1 place to eat in Sedona. Afterall, both DH and I love Mexican food.


It was after 8.30 pm when we got to the restaurant; a rather late dinner for us but after the late lunch we had, none of us were particularly hungry.

Despite the restaurant having a close time of 9 pm, we still had a 20 - 30 minute wait for a table. The wait wasn't too bad....we were allowed to order drinks from the bar.






I didn't grab a shot; but both DH and I indulged....he got a beer and I grabbed a glass of red sangria.

It didn’t seem that long before we were paged and our table was ready.





Despite the lighting in the restaurant, I seemed to have gotten the dark corner.






After we placed our order, our waitress returned with the complementary salsa and corn chips.






Our waitress, Jasmine, had recommended the Elote as a starter to share. She told us it was the 'Chef Jeff special' and not to be missed. It was his take on Elote....fire roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime and cotija cheese.






There was ample to share.







She was spot on. This was just unbelievable. I cannot convey how beautifully balanced this was. Perfectly sweet, sour/acidic, spicy and salty. Beautiful!


With lunch still sitting high in our bellies, we decided to split the mains as well.


DS and I went with the Carne Asada. WOW! Perfectly grilled skirt steak with Guajillo chilli sauce and blue cheese. It was a little spicy for DS; but that just meant more for me.







DH chose the cheese enchilada. At least, I think it was the cheese enchilada. I was enjoying my Carne too much to worry about the Vegie meal tonight.







Both meals came with rice and refried black beans.







The dessert menu was very enticing; but none of us could fit anything in. If we ever come back this way, we are definitely coming back. The food was great and we have unfinished business with the Elote dessert menu.



The end of a great day!





princess::upsidedow
 
What great luck you had with the moon! Looks like it was a perfect night for it (although I suppose it's not overcast and rainy a lot in Sedona :rotfl:).

I don't eat Mexican food a lot. The corn looks yummy, although knowing that there's mayo in there, I'd have to give it a miss. I look forward to eating a bit more Mexican food on our next trip to the US :thumbsup2
 
Wow re Catherdale rock! Great photos thanks for sharing. Yum re mexican food. Refried beans come to mama! With that landscape it's mystifying to me why they filmed so many Western movies in Spain! This seems the perfect location for them all. Maybe the distance is to great or it gets too hot.

Did you see many Cactus?
 
The Cathedral rock pictures with the moon are gorgeous!

The food looks wonderful but I'm afraid I would be like your DS. I can't handle spicy food at all.
 

Wow! The range is stunning. Your moon shot is amazing. I thought I was about to read that you were bitten by bats and was actually relieved to read it was mosquitoes. It seems odd to write that, but I have to assume bat bites would be worse.

Elote is the best. My sister's husband makes the best elote. His Mom made it for him often when he grew up in Mexico. The restaurant looks great. I was salivating whilst reading.
 
What great luck you had with the moon! Looks like it was a perfect night for it (although I suppose it's not overcast and rainy a lot in Sedona :rotfl:).

I don't eat Mexican food a lot. The corn looks yummy, although knowing that there's mayo in there, I'd have to give it a miss. I look forward to eating a bit more Mexican food on our next trip to the US :thumbsup2

No rain or too many clouds in Sedona whilst I was there.

The Mexican food in the US is very good. I look forward to your TR when you go.




Wow re Catherdale rock! Great photos thanks for sharing. Yum re mexican food. Refried beans come to mama! With that landscape it's mystifying to me why they filmed so many Western movies in Spain! This seems the perfect location for them all. Maybe the distance is to great or it gets too hot.

Did you see many Cactus?

You like refried beans too? Me too! Me too!

The scenery was fantastic and they did shoot Broken Arrow in Sedona. I'm guessing it's cheaper to shoot in Spain than in the US backyard. :confused3

We saw the typical cactus in Phoenix; not so much in this part of Arizona. Its pretty wet here and I guess it is too wet for desert flora.





The Cathedral rock pictures with the moon are gorgeous!

The food looks wonderful but I'm afraid I would be like your DS. I can't handle spicy food at all.

Thanks.

Even I was a little surprised by the spice and I like spicy food. I guess it was the green chilli's in there.




And now, I'm hungry... Thanks a lot Pio!

:)

Jud

You are very welcomed, Jud. Always happy to help you feel hungry. :upsidedow




Wow! The range is stunning. Your moon shot is amazing. I thought I was about to read that you were bitten by bats and was actually relieved to read it was mosquitoes. It seems odd to write that, but I have to assume bat bites would be worse.

Elote is the best. My sister's husband makes the best elote. His Mom made it for him often when he grew up in Mexico. The restaurant looks great. I was salivating whilst reading.

I've been to Minnesota, where the state bird is the mosquito. The mosquitos here might not have been as large as the ones in Minnesota, their bite definitely was.

Do you have the Elote recipe from your BiL?? I'd love to try it.
 
I love the photos of the rising moon. Dinner looks absolutely delicious. We love Mexican food, too.

Corinna
 
I'm finally caught up after being away awhile. Those are very nice pictures of the hike in the morning where DS was still at the house. It must have been neat to go in the morning and do a short hike.

The vacation home that you stayed looks very nice and cozy. It would have been nice to use the hot tub at the vacation home.

Your pictures from the Call of the Canyon are very nice. That must be something to do one day if I ever have the opportunity and get some great nature shots. Glad to see hear that you were able to eat some of my mom's caramel popcorn during your hike. She really makes some good caramel popcorn.

The food at the Open Range restaurant looks very appetizing. The Sinagua Plaza area looks very nice from the upper level and the view of Snoopy Rock is amazing.

Those are amazing pictures of the Cathedral Rock with the moon.

The food at Elote restaurant looks very appetizing.

Great updates and glad I was able to read it today after being away.
 
Nice shots of the moon rising! It is beautiful to watch the colors of the rocks change with the light.

I especially love Mexican food where it isn't your standard tacos and burritos. I love creative cuisine.

Oh yeah and I checked my picture of your knees in my TR and the scars are definitely still visible. :sad2:
 
I love the photos of the rising moon. Dinner looks absolutely delicious. We love Mexican food, too.

Corinna

I don't know about you.....but doesn't Mexican food taste so much better in North America? It's nowhere near as good in Oz.



I'm finally caught up after being away awhile. Those are very nice pictures of the hike in the morning where DS was still at the house. It must have been neat to go in the morning and do a short hike.

The vacation home that you stayed looks very nice and cozy. It would have been nice to use the hot tub at the vacation home.

Your pictures from the Call of the Canyon are very nice. That must be something to do one day if I ever have the opportunity and get some great nature shots. Glad to see hear that you were able to eat some of my mom's caramel popcorn during your hike. She really makes some good caramel popcorn.

The food at the Open Range restaurant looks very appetizing. The Sinagua Plaza area looks very nice from the upper level and the view of Snoopy Rock is amazing.

Those are amazing pictures of the Cathedral Rock with the moon.

The food at Elote restaurant looks very appetizing.

Great updates and glad I was able to read it today after being away.

Bret - Welcome back! I was really glad to be doing the roadtrip. Landscape and nature photography is not something I have a lot of chance to do in Melbourne but I've been wanted to do some for a while.

Your mom's caramel popcorn was a lifesaver on that walk. I'm so glad I had it with me. Please thank her again!




Nice shots of the moon rising! It is beautiful to watch the colors of the rocks change with the light.

I especially love Mexican food where it isn't your standard tacos and burritos. I love creative cuisine.

Oh yeah and I checked my picture of your knees in my TR and the scars are definitely still visible. :sad2:

:rotfl2:
 
Stopping by to say you are one of the many blessings I count as grateful for this Thanksgiving Sending you and the boys much love

 
Wow. Your pictures are amazing! So beautiful. We need to get over there someday. A nice road trip is in order.

And all you food looks delicious, but mostly your pizza dinner. I LOVE PIZZA!!! The chocolate dessert sounds great too!
 
My sister is pretty miffed that I declined her Thanksgiving invitation. As soon as she's had a few days to cool off, I will ask her husband for the recipe. Remind me if I forget, please.
 
I don't know about you.....but doesn't Mexican food taste so much better in North America? It's nowhere near as good in Oz.

Yes, I would agree with that assessment. Actually, the best Mexican food I had was in Arizona, too. It was a small neighbourhood restaurant in Scottsdale.

Corinna
 
That moonrise was indeed magical! Thanks for sharing!
 
Stopping by to say you are one of the many blessings I count as grateful for this Thanksgiving Sending you and the boys much love


Thanks Ruthie. Right back 'atcha. So glad we re-connected again.




Wow. Your pictures are amazing! So beautiful. We need to get over there someday. A nice road trip is in order.

And all you food looks delicious, but mostly your pizza dinner. I LOVE PIZZA!!! The chocolate dessert sounds great too!

Thanks. It is a beautiful part of your country. I hope you make it out to see it someday.

That pizza was pretty decent.




My sister is pretty miffed that I declined her Thanksgiving invitation. As soon as she's had a few days to cool off, I will ask her husband for the recipe. Remind me if I forget, please.

Aaah. One of those situations. :hug: No worries. Happy Thanksgiving!





Yes, I would agree with that assessment. Actually, the best Mexican food I had was in Arizona, too. It was a small neighbourhood restaurant in Scottsdale.

Corinna

Do you have the name of the restaurant? We might as well put it out there. :thumbsup2




That moonrise was indeed magical! Thanks for sharing!

:goodvibes

If I took a picture, you have to share in it. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. ;)
 
Wow, that moonrise is incredible.

Your meal looks delicious especially the appetizer. :thumbsup2

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. :goodvibes
 
The moonrise pics are amazing, I'm so glad the sunset and moonrise where so close together while you were in the area. Perfect timing!
 
Wow, that moonrise is incredible.

Your meal looks delicious especially the appetizer. :thumbsup2

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. :goodvibes

Same to you, Happy Thanksgiving.




The moonrise pics are amazing, I'm so glad the sunset and moonrise where so close together while you were in the area. Perfect timing!

Yup. I was very happy with the timing in Sedona.
 












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