Lon's
Review of Lon's at the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley
About.com Rating 
Lon's - What I Liked
- The food
- Warm, rustic and upscale all at the same time
- Not pretentious
- Lovely al fresco dining area
- Food is prepared using natural and organic sources.
Lon's - Be Aware
- Don't be in a rush at Lon's; slow and steady is the pace
- This is probably not a place for young children
 Rack of Lamb at Lon's © Judy Hedding |
Lon's - The Mood
Lon's exudes Southwest, from the dark colors to the assortment of
leather and hide covered chairs to the artwork. If you've heard of a
bolo tie -- Arizona's official neckware since 1973 -- but never seen
one, the servers here wear them with crisp white shirts and blue
jeans. That's not to say that it is really appropriate to dress down
here. You'll fit in with nice jeans, typical resort wear, or business
attire (depending on why you are here).
Lon's is associated with a resort, The Hermosa Inn. Cowboy artist Lon
Megargee, for whom Lon's is named, built The Hermosa Inn as his
home and studio in an exclusive part of town known as Paradise Valley.
You'll find adobe architecture and authentic Southwestern furnishings,
along with original artwork painted by Lon Megargee. The restaurant is
not an afterthought at this resort. It is a destination for both
visitors and locals, as Arizona's only authentic hacienda.
Lon's - The Damages
Each of the two of us had a starter (appetizer or soup) we shared a
salad, we each had an entrée and we each had a dessert. Excluding
beverages, tax and tip our total came to about $60 each. Entrées
range in price from about $22 to $35, and most of them come with
enough accompaniments so that ordering additional starch or vegetable
is not required. You can have a three course meal here for less than
$50++.
My Review of Lon's
Our experience at Lon's was an enjoyable one. Lon's has long been an
acclaimed dining destination in the Phoenix area, and is usually
included on most lists of 'bests' -- best
wine lists, AAA
best restaurants, most romantic, to name a few. Both Lon's and I
have been around town for a long time, but this was my first
opportunity to experience it first-hand.
We started with the Duck and Lentil Soup ($9) and the Boneless Beef Short Ribs with ancho chili chocolate sauce and vanilla scented potatoes ($14). My companion enjoyed the soup but I was enamored with the short ribs -- a tasty mini meal! The Hermosa Garden Salad ($9) was light and pleasant. Of the Natural Breast of Duck ($29) with sweet corn pancake and vegetables, and the Sun Dried Tomato Crusted Rack of Lamb ($34), pictured above, the lamb had to be our favorite although both were very good. The Trio Sampler Dessert ($15) didn't impress. The Chocolate Napoleon ($8.50), not a true napoleon, but rather layers of chocolate, was a delicious finishing touch to the meal.
The presentation of food at Lon's is artful without being ostentatious. Lon's uses locally grown products where possible, including those from their own garden on the property. When they can't obtain an item locally (seafood, for example) the Chef orders it from specific locales that can provide him with fresh, organic product immediately.
Lon's is suitable for a business meeting, a banquet, a wedding rehearsal dinner, a first date or a 50th anniversary. There are private rooms of varying sizes available, including one in the wine cellar. The restaurant is divided into different dining areas, making it more intimate and not anything like a hotel ballroom. Still, on weekends, expect it to be a bit noisy.
If you enjoy eating outside, Lon's has one of the most appealing areas for al fresco dining that you'll find. No parking lot views, no traffic, no big screen TVs. It's a desert garden. Space heaters are provided during the cooler months.
Lon's at The Hermosa Inn serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where to Find Lon's:
5532 North Palo Cristi Road
Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253
Phone: 602-955-7878
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Date of review: November 2008.
All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without
notice.
As is common in the industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary meal for the purpose of the review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
