Resort Dining

What: Waltz and Weiser Whiskey Bar and Cantina

Website: Click here

Where:

Westin Kierland, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Rating:

Why:

Nestled underneath the stairs leading out to the central outside seating area overlooking the golf course, is the Westin Kierland’s homage to the mining history of Arizona, the Waltz and Weiser Saloon / Whiskey Bar and Cantina.

While there is a smaller inside eating area, done up very much like an old western saloon bar, the outside area takes advantage of the delightful Phoenix air and, by day, the resort’s sweeping views of the golf course and the Phoenix mountains as backdrop.

By night, when we attended, the darkness of the Phoenix desert is brightly illuminated by the resort’s several large fire pits around which willing participants sit and enjoy the many varieties of scotch whiskey and cigars available to be ordered. There is also a reasonable array of beers and wines, and even a couple of beer cocktails, as well as the usual soft drinks.

It was a mild clear night and there were perhaps 100 people sat outside enjoying the food, drinks and the enormous suspended Skywatch screen which televises the latest scheduled football match and sports wrap afterwards. Many partaking of the cigars on offer may be seated near you so if you don’t like eating around cigar smoke, you’d best eat inside.

Outside is a better option subject to your cigar sensitivities, but between November and March, take a jacket as the desert air can be quite cool at night.

Despite the size of the area and number of people outside, we were looked after fairly swiftly. The restaurant is a casual one so don’t expect silver service and fine dining here, but you can expect a warm friendliness and willingness to please.

The food menu is duly focused on old style saloon fare bearing in mind that it is supposed to represent a slice of Arizona mining history, and it does not disappoint in that regard. Some may feel the menu is a little on the limited side, but that is to be expected given what it represents.

While the options are focused, they are delicious and we can certainly recommend the Chipotle Drummettes, onion rings and pulled pork sandwiches.

As is customary in this part of the world, the servings are generous so you will not go hungry – it is definitely worth a visit.

What: Nellie Cashman’s Monday Club Cafe

Website: Click here

Where: Westin Kierland, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Rating:

Why:

You don’t have to be a golf enthusiast to enjoy the delights of a great resort that sometimes markets itself as a golf resort. However, if you are a golf enthusiast, that just adds another layer of sweet icing on top of what is already a very tasty Westin Kierland Resort and Spa.

The Monday Club Cafe is just one of a number of great dining options at this resort, and we review here their breakfast offering. We had the benefit of several visits while we were staying at the Westin Kierland.

There are a la carte or buffet options available, and most things can be made to order. As you might expect at a quality resort, the service is generally swift and professional but friendly. The serves of food are also generous and attention to detail is generally well paid.

Blessed with terrific sunny weather on these several Fall mornings (to us Aussies, that’s Autumn, but when in Rome …), on one of our visits we chose to eat outside and were rewarded with sweeping views of the golf course and the musical chatter of the many varieties of local birds. However, on two of the mornings, it was a bit cool outside and so we chose to eat inside on those occasions. Inside is warm and pleasant, but outside the views are lovely.

Being basically in the middle of the desert, water is a necessity and it is provided in abundance here. The resort grounds also enjoy the benefit of a generous amount of eco-friendly irrigation and the grass is especially lush and green.

After some healthy stimulation of the visual senses outside, our breakfast arrived and our culinary senses were not left wanting. Portion sizes were on the hefty side but that was a good thing in our case as we were famished – and completely sated in the end.

While the service is generally very good here, it can be a little hit and miss depending upon who serves you – some (in fact, probably most) staff are excellent, and all staff seem very friendly and eager to assist, but there are occasionally some who are a little lacklustre in their service which is unfortunately highlighted by the top level service you probably received from somebody else on your previous visit. More often than not, though, the service is excellent.

Cost is also quite reasonable – two omelettes to order with toast and condiments, a cappuccino and a green tea came to about USD$42.

A visit to this resort absolutely necessitates a visit to this cafe.