Page 246 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

244  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  245
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK French cuisine infused with sets of native culinary traditions. the exploding craft beer

Southwestern flavors that is Alongside the ubiquitous phenomenon. Visitors need to
In addition to its top-class regional cuisine, ambiences ranging from rustic to romantic. the mainstay of Vincent on Mexican restaurants and steak- be 21 to buy alcohol. Be sure
which has deservedly earned international Southwestern cuisine is widely served in Camelback (see p250). Las Vegas houses (many of which feature to carry your I. D., as it is often
recognition, the Southwest also offers casual cafés, as well as more stylish restaurants. is also home to some of the a ranch theme), many of the requested before you are served.
travelers a diverse range of eating experiences, Mexican food is best eaten in New Mexico, most elegant restaurants in the region’s top-rated restaurants Utah’s licensing laws, influenced
especially in its larger cities. Las Vegas rivals Arizona, and Colorado, while Utah favors country. In the 1990s, several of focus on native Southwestern by the Mormon community, are
the city’s best hotels recruited
recipes, most of which feature
stricter, with liquor stores open
any city in the country for the quality of American fare. Restaurants with a cowboy or celebrity chefs. Now, every hotel fresh, local ingredients such as for shorter hours and never on a
ingredients and variety of cuisine available, Mexican theme are usually inexpensive and has its own cluster of upscale smoky green chilies or earthy Sunday. Alcohol is forbidden on
and Santa Fe, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and can be entertaining. Hotel restaurants often restaurants with a world-class home- made tortillas. Attentive all Native American reservations.
Tucson all offer endless culinary options with serve the best food in small towns. menu and the involvement diners will note a heavy emphasis
of influential names such as on fiery Mexican spices and
Hollywood’s Wolfgang Puck, intricate sauces, many of which Disabled Facilities
Although they vary from state to who is the owner of several garner national acclaim. Those Establishments are required
state and from city to city, sales restaurants on The Strip. adverse to spice can usually find to provide wheelchair access
taxes usually add between 5 and something on the menu to suit and a ground-level rest room
10 percent to the cost of a meal. their tastes; it is wise to speak by law, but check with older
Coffee Houses and Cafés with the server if you have any venues in advance.
Coffee houses are popular concerns over a particular dish’s
Types of Restaurants throughout Southwest resorts heat quotient.
Dining establishments in the and major cities. Along with Dress Codes
Southwest come in a wide specialty coffees, they generally Dining is casual throughout
variety of shapes and sizes, serve pastries, bagels, desserts, Vegetarian the Southwest. Even in upscale
from small and friendly diners and delicatessen fare. Cafés Southwestern and American restaurants, there is seldom
offering hearty burgers and range from simple places serving cuisine is largely meat based. a need for a jacket and tie. In
snacks to gourmet restaurants sandwiches to trendy eateries Vegetarians may not find much the land of cowboys, jeans are
serving the latest Southwestern offering local cuisine. variety outside the larger cities acceptable almost everywhere.
Impressive Native American artworks at Cameron Trading Post, Cameron (see p256) and fusion cuisine, to the lavish and resorts. Salads can be a In Las Vegas, however, dressing
dining rooms in some of the meal in themselves; they usually smartly for the classier
Eating Hours Prices and Tipping area’s top resorts, particularly Mexican Food come with meat and seafood, restaurants is recommended.
Breakfast times range from 6 Eating out is very reasonable, in Phoenix and Las Vegas. Mexican restaurants pro liferate but vegetarian orders are often
or 6:30am to 10:30 or 11am, and even the most expensive Fast food is a way of life in the region, especially in New accommodated. Many fast-food
though “all-day breakfasts” are eateries offer good value. Light throughout the country, Mexico and southern Arizona. chains now serve salads, soups, Smoking
popular at many cafés. Brunch meals in cafés and diners usually and a string of outlets such They vary from roadside stands or baked potatoes to cater to This is banned in the indoor
is frequently served until 2pm. cost between $10 and $15, as McDonald’s, Burger King, and snack bars to upscale restau- demand from more health- areas of all restaurants
As found elsewhere in the US, while many chain restaurants Wendy’s, and Taco Bell are rants, where the food is comple- conscious customer. in the Southwest, except for
breakfast is often a banquet: serve complete dinners such as found along the main strips of mented by traditional adobe those in the Nevada casinos.
restaurants have extensive chicken or steak with potatoes most towns in the region. They architecture; such places often Many, however, have outdoor
breakfast menus to choose and vegetables or salad for serve the usual inexpensive have romantic courtyards as well. Alcohol smoking sections.
from, while hotels often have under $15. Mexican restaurants variations on burgers, fries, and Beer, particularly the cervezas
large buffets. Bacon, eggs, hash generally offer huge combi nation soft drinks. Chains such as Southwestern Cuisine imported from Mexico, is the Recommended
brown potatoes, pancakes, plates for $8 to $12. At finer Applebee’s and Denny’s offer most popular drink in the
waffles, cereals, toast, and restaurants and upscale cafés, more variety, with soups, salads, Among North American regions, region, although most cities Restaurants
muffins appear on most menus. dinner entrées range from $15 sandwiches, meals, and the Southwest has one of the now foster a cadre of locally The restaurants listed on pages
Sunday brunch is a feast to be to over $30, and a three-course desserts. These are generally most clearly defined and beloved brewed beers that are part of 248–61 have been selected
lingered over, with seafood, meal, excluding wine, can still be good value, but the quality can across a wide price range for
meat, and poultry dishes served found for under $50. In Las vary from one establishment to their value, good food, atmo-
as well. Lunch is generally Vegas, the casino buffets offer the next. Pizza chains are also sphere, and location. From
served from around 11:30am myriad dishes, such as roasts, ubiquitous in the region. authentic, no-frills snack shacks
until 2:30 or 3pm. Many of the salads, pasta, and fish, to a high Mid-range restaurants can to pricey temples of gastronomy,
pricier restaurants offer scaled- standard at reasonable prices include a variety of ethnic these restaurants run the gamut
down versions of their evening (usually all-you-can-eat for cuisine, such as Italian, Greek, across all cuisine types.
menu, which can be good $15 to $30). Chinese, Japanese, and Indian Throughout the listings,
value. Evening meals are served The standard tip is 15 to 20 food. Many good restaurants certain venues are highlighted
from 5:30 or 6pm, and the last percent of the cost of the meal, within this range can be found as DK Choice. These offer an
seating is seldom later than after tax. Tipping should be at shopping malls. exceptional feature – a celebrity
9pm. In small towns, many based on service, and if it is Many of the region’s finest chef, historic setting, exquisite
restaurants are closed in the outstanding, leave up to 20 per- restaurants serve Southwestern food, stunning location, or an
evening. At the other extreme, cent. Bartenders expect to be cuisine, a fusion of Hispanic, inviting atmosphere. The
Las Vegas’ 24-hour culture offers tipped for each round of drinks. Native American, and inter- majority of these venues are very
a variety of options around the Sales taxes will not be shown national flavors. For over 30 popular, so be sure to in quire
clock, as well as endless all-you- on menu prices, but apply to years renowned chef Vincent about a reservation or you may
can-eat buffets. each item of food and drink. Guerithault has been overseeing Colorful Southwestern decor at La Cocina restaurant in Tucson (see p251) face a lengthy wait for a table.

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