Sedona, AZ - Reading over the notes of my recent interview with Marius Daher, Manager of Sedona's Coffee Pot Restaurant, is having a decidedly Pavlovian effect upon me. I begin to salivate as my brain's gratification center recalls my last meal there.

What motivates the Daher family to continue delivering great food at great prices to Sedona all these years? "Plain and simply," says Marius Daher, "the local support of the Sedonan

101 Omelettes

Community."  Face alighting with a charming smile, Marius adds "You just can't put a price tag on good will."

This stream of good will apparently flows both ways at the Coffee Pot. Marius, his parents Emile and Patricia and his brother, André, are all avid supporters of community causes, donating over one hundred meals per month to the Sedona Community Center's Meals on Wheels project alone. I would provide a listing of local and national recipients of both financial and food donations, however the list is quite literally as long as my arm.

The Coffee Pot's philanthropy further manifests in annual scholarships of one thousand dollars each to the three Latin American students maintaining the highest grade point averages in area high schools. Latin American employees make up a large portion of the Coffee Pot's staff, thus the Daher's created these scholarships to demonstrate appreciation for their solid work ethic and educational achievements.

Inside the Coffee Pot Restaurant

Sedona responds to the Daher's generosity in kind by spreading the word about the Coffee Pot to friends, family and visitors alike. It says a lot about a restaurant when 99% of the advertising is accomplished through word of mouth.

With a focus on repeat business, the sheer volume of food stocked allows the Coffee Pot to pass along these savings to their customers, explaining the outstanding values.

Daily bargains include numerous Early Bird Breakfast Specials offered from 6am to 9am for as little as $3.75 a plate. Lunch Specials also run daily between noon and the 2:15pm closing time starting at $5.25.

And don't forget to order a tasty Mimosa or Bloody Mary from the full service bar while you lounge comfortably on the outside patio, gazing at Coffee Pot Rock, the local point of interest which gave the restaurant its name.

Any restaurant patron will appreciate the high quality of service provided by the Coffee Pot's accomplished wait staff. These people have become adept in the near magical talent of appearing precisely when needed; no more, no less.

Marius Daher, Manager

I questioned Marius about the skill of his staff. He proudly reveals that with paid vacations and an employee profit sharing program, there is very little turn over at the Coffee Pot. No one present working the floor that day had been employed there for less than three years. Quite an accomplishment in an industry historically plagued with a high employee turn over rate.

So let's see, we have happy owners, happy patrons and a happy wait staff. What have we missed? Oh yes, happy celebrities!

The "Wall of Fame" as I like to call it, prominently displayed behind the cash register attests to the fact that many celebrities find the Coffee Pot Restaurant to be a Sedona hot spot.

Marius tells a story of Nora Jones who raved about her meal of Huevos Rancheros at the Coffee Pot during her concert a few years ago at the old Sedona Cultural Park. Naturally, the very next day they could barely keep up with the orders for Nora's favorite dish.

The winning smile surfaces once again as Marius relates the reaction of the female waitresses in response to the sudden appearance of actor Matt LeBlanc. "How you doin'?" Swooning and weak knees were apparently on the menu that day.

It's namesake

As you make your way towards the exit, comfortably sated from your excellent meal, don't forgo a browse through the Coffee Pot's eclectic Gift Shop.

Patricia Daher has gathered arts and crafts from world wide sources to add spice to the samplings provided by local artisans. As your wallet is none the lighter from your dining experience, there is no need to pass up the various bargains provided the Gift Shop.

As good food, good prices and good times await both locals and visitors alike at the Coffee Pot Restaurant don't fail to stop by next time you are in West Sedona to see what's brewing. It's a Sedona experience not to be missed.