If you find yourself in search of a quiet, distinctive meal after a day of watching the top men golfers in the world compete at the Accenture Match Play Championship, I can highly recommend Core Kitchen & Wine Bar at Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain.
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain is the home of this match play golf event, and is located just north of Tucson, Arizona. From Downtown Phoenix it is about a 2-1/2 hour drive to experience Ritz-Carlton luxury in the Southern Arizona desert.
The Core Kitchen is the premier dining faility at the hotel, and features a menu with offerings that you are not likely to find elsewhere. Unique combinations of flavors and colors are described as True American cuisine inspired by Sonoran and regional influences.
The dining room at the Core Kitchen & Wine Bar is warm and comfortable, with desert and mountain views. It is suitable for a romantic dining experience or special occasion as well as a dinner to impress the client. During my visit to Core Kitchen & Wine Bar, my companion and I tried the Prickly Pear Barbecued Quail/Iceberg Wedge ($13) and the Gulf Shrimp/Andouille Sausage ($14) appetizers. For our entrees we selected the Buffalo Tenderloin, Liquid Polenta, Chorizo & Rocket Sauté, Mesquite Noodles with Three-Chili Aioli ($32) and the Chili-Lacquered New York Strip, Nopales Relish, Avocado Fries with Poblano Sauce ($30). All of these were beautifully presented with exquisite flavors.
The menu at Core Kitchen & Wine Bar is not extensive -- eight appetizer choices and eight entree choices -- but they cover a variety of seafood and meats. I didn't notice any vegetarian options on the entree list. The dessert menu didn't entice me at this visit. If you enjoy wine with your meal, you'll have a fine selection here.
The portions at Core Kitchen & Wine Bar are not large, so sharing here probably isn't an option. You won't see prices online, but I can tell you that we ordered two appetizers, two entrees, one cocktail, one glass of wine, one bottle of water and a cup of coffee. The total came to about $130 before tax and gratuity.
I notice that the menu at the website is slightly different than the one we were offered at the restaurant during our visit, but you'll definitely get the gist of the creativity of the chef by viewing the online menu. Your meal at Core Kitchen & Wine Bar will be a memorable one!
Tip: If you intend to dine at Core Kitchen & Wine Bar during the week of the Accenture Match Play Championship, I advise making a reservation.
As is common in the industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary meal for review purposes. 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. All prices and offerings mentioned herein are subject to change without notice. 03/11
