Old
Ways, New Hands at
La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant Scottsdale
The
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort in Arizona is famous
for many things, from its world-renowned TPC golf course to
the Southwestern-chic AAA Five Diamond accommodations that it
offers. While many venture to this revered resort to stay and
play, others come just for the fine fare as there are multiple
excellent eateries on-site. My personal favorite is La
Hacienda Restaurant by Richard Sandoval where modern
interpretations of classic Mexican cuisine reigns supreme.
Those
fortunate enough to dine here quickly learn why La Hacienda
has adopted the slogan "Old Ways, New Hands." This
upscale restaurant takes the traditional staples of Mexican
fare and fuses them with the very latest cooking techniques
and presentation styles inspired by the finest kitchens in Europe.
Rather than focusing on bulk, spice and heat typical of South
of the Border-based eateries, the more refined menu at La Hacienda
instead focuses on fresh ingredients, surprising food pairings
and lighter dishes that let the top-quality ingredients and
skill of the culinary team shine though.
To
ensure patrons receive a premium epicurean experience, the Fairmont
Scottsdale Princess Resort teamed up with Richard Sandoval to
create La Hacienda. A Mexico native, Chef Sandoval trained at
the Culinary Institute of America and owns over a dozen restaurants
across the world. He is rightly considered the father of modern
Mexican cuisine. La Hacienda represents the
zenith of his life's work, as he takes Mexican food to compelling
new heights. Commanding the kitchen each night is the resort's
own Executive Chef, Forest Hamrick, who led La Hacienda to receive
the AAA Four-Diamond award for three consecutive years.
What
can you expect when you dine at the La Hacienda Mexican
restaurant in Scottsdale? The first thing you'll notice is the
décor. While the food is urbane, the restaurant is warm
and casual, befitting its resort location. You'll feel at home
within the traditional Spanish architecture with wood beamed
ceilings, beautiful stone floors, stone fireplace, and ornamental
iron elements throughout. Both indoor and outdoor seating is
available and, in both, the atmosphere is lively and inviting.
Just
like the food to follow, you'll find the modern alongside the
traditional, starting with the supremely stylish Tequila bar.
Indeed, La Hacienda is a true tequila lover's paradise. There
are over 200 varieties of the spirit available, made by 36 different
producers from across Mexico. At nightly artisan tastings, and
even tableside with the resident tequila sommelier, patrons
learn how to appreciate the subtle differences between the types
and flavors, educating and titillating their palate with the
finest blanco, reposado and Anejo tequila available. For something
delightfully different, try La Hacienda's famous flaming creamed
tequila-laden coffee concocted tableside in all of its fiery
glory. It's a spectacle and taste sensation that you'll never
forget.
Once
you've warmed up nicely with a tasty tequila or a margarita,
it's time to move on to the food itself. You'll find all of
the Mexican favorites that you love, but many have a vibrant
modern twist that elevates them to a sophisticated new level.
For
starters, there is a wide choice of guacamoles or antajitos
("little cravings"). The guacamole, made tableside,
is fresh and authentic-the sampler is an especially good option
as it offers three uniquely flavored versions: pomegranate,
spicy crab, and pepita.
There's
a very wide selection of taquiera available but, whichever you
choose, you can be sure that it will be bursting with taste,
and prepared and presented to perfection. There are tacos based
around a variety of tasty proteins, including fresh Maine lobster,
skirt steak, beef brisket, green chile chicken, slow roasted
pork shoulder and barbacoa, each with its own set of components.
This variety is representative of the menu on the whole, as
every dish at La Hacienda is as exciting as it is expertly executed.
The
menu goes on to offer admirable versions of other Mexican food
favorites like enchiladas, fajitas, soups and salads. The Enchiladas
de Mariscos, for example, combines blue lump crab, shrimp, Mexican
oaxaca cheese and a chile arbol cream sauce to produce a flavor
sensation that's powerful and sublime.
It's
the bold entrée selections I feel really set this restaurant
apart from the pack. Some of the standouts include Costilla
de Res with braised beef short rib, vegetable escabeche, crema
fresca potato and chile-guava sauce; Grilled Ancho Lamb Spareribs
with chipotle bbq, cucumber mint salad and corn on the cob;
Wild Isles Sea Trout with grilled sustainable steelhead trout,
quinoa a la Mexicana, poblano cream and oven-dried heirloom
tomatoes; and Camarones Adobado with adobo shrimp, creamy poblano
rice, achiote truffle butter sauce and pineapple plantain salsa.
Another
great example of Chef Sandoval's fusion approach to Mexican
cuisine is the 'Robalo Tempura', which is comprised of tempura
fried sustainable sea bass with savoy cabbage and a chile arbol
remoulade. Here Mexican and Japanese cuisine merges with a French
panache to create a taste sensation. Sea Bass is delicate, and
it takes real skill to create this dish that delivers on taste
without overpowering the delicate flavors of the fish itself.
Be
sure to pair your entrée with one or more delicious sides,
which are just as tasty as the main dishes themselves. My personal
favorites are the sweet corn habanero slaw, fried plantains,
and the creamy poblano rice, all of which are great accompaniments
to any meal here.
Whether
or not you're staying at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Resort, try to make your way to this haven of fresh,
modern Mexican cuisine. One visit to La Hacienda
and it becomes clear why the restaurant earned the distinction
of being named the number one Mexican Restaurant in Arizona.
La
Hacienda
La Hacienda at the Fairmont
7575 E Princess Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
1-(480)-585-4848 ext.7320
http://www.richardsandoval.com/lahacienda/
By Merilee Kern, 'The Luxe List' Executive Editor
"The
Luxe List" Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury
marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary
events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted
at www.LuxeListReviews.com.
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***Some
or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or
service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate
this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of
Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***