Elote Café located above King’s Ransom Hotel, 771 Highway 179, just past the Hillside Shoppes.

by Beverly Lehnhardt | Sedona.biz

Sedona, AZ - I recently dined with friends at the new Mexican restaurant, the Elote Café, located above King’s Ransom Hotel, 771 Highway 179, just past the Hillside Shoppes. It was a very pleasant surprise.

Although physically not far from the Javelina Cantina, the food and ambiance are a world apart and I see no problems with the two Mexican restaurants co-existing in such close proximity. As they say, “Different strokes for different folks.”

Often when dining out, I end up with such a huge plateful of food that I box half of it up for a re-heated lunch the next day or eat until I’m absolutely stuffed.

The Elote Café gives you a choice between the Platos Grandes (larger portions) or the Platos Chicos (smaller portions/lighter fare). All three of us opted for the smaller portions and were delighted with our meals. Two of us enjoyed the Flautas de Pato—adobado rubbed slow roasted shredded duck for a reasonable $9.50. The third member of our party ordered the Tacos de Mole—braised chicken in a puebla style mole ($9.00) and was also pleased with her selection.

Elote Café located above King’s Ransom Hotel, 771 Highway 179, just past the Hillside Shoppes.

Our very courteous and friendly bi-lingual waiter took our drink order, and while we waited, we munched on chips and salsa that was not too hot, yet deliciously tasty. The beverage menu was varied with a good selection of wines and margaritas. I love a combination of coconut and pineapple so chose the Margolada with a request that they go heavy on the coconut. It was perfect and just the right size—too often a margarita is so large that I’m finished with my meal before the bottom of the glass appears.

The meal presentation was outstanding: when my flautas arrived, the plate was so pretty that I hated to dig into it, except that the delicious aromas wafting from it had my mouth watering.

The taco plate was equally attractive, the food appealing not only to our hunger and sense of smell, but enticing us to devour it with our eyes, as well.

The smaller portions assuaged our hunger without leaving us wanting—or overly full. We also decided to indulge in dessert. I ordered the Mexican Lime Crème Brulee. Now, I’m quite a crème brulee lover and have my favorite restaurant destinations if dessert is even a remote possibility. This was good, however, it tasted more like Key Lime Pie than crème brulee—very ‘limey’ and not exactly what I expected from a crème brulee. The Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream was very ‘chocolatey,’ creamy, and delicious; the Pumpkin Flan was a wonderful departure from the ordinary. All in all, a great dessert experience, and after tasting the chocolate ice cream, I would probably opt for the Chocolate Pie next time around…

The menu is not extensive, yet has a good variety of meals. The smaller portions run from a $5 Elote (fire roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime and cotija cheese) to $11 for Black Mountain Goat Cheese Queso Fundido. Priced in between are Green Corn Tamal, Quesadilla de Costilla, Tamal de Pollo, Sopa de Elote (corn and chile chowder), or several types of salads.

The Platos Grandes are larger portions served with rice, refried black beans, and tortillas, and are therefore, a bit pricier. The Lamb Adobo (braised Colorado lamb shank in a sweet and spicy ancho sauce) is the most expensive item on this menu at $19.00. Everything else is $16, $17, or $18 and includes the Arrachera Asada (grilled marinated skirt steak); Shrimp Chilaquiles (shrimp and tortillas simmered in salsa verde); Pepita Crusted Snapper (pumpkinseed crusted filet of Pacific snapper); Smoked Chicken Enchiladas; Carnitas (slow roasted pork with salsa and guacamole) and Chile Relleno.

Elote Café is open Tuesday through Saturday at 5:00p.m., serving just dinner; and reservations will be taken only for parties of five or more. The restaurant filled to near capacity before we had finished our meal so my suggestion would be to invite some friends and call 928-203-0105 to make a group reservation.

I expect Elote Café to become one of the area’s more popular eating establishments for several very good reasons: the prices are reasonable, the food delicious and attractively served, the service is what you hope for but often do not receive, and the location is convenient without being in the busiest part of town.

The restaurant also uses local, sustainable and organic products whenever possible.