Concepts: Cucina Rustica, Mariposa, Dahl & DiLuca, Pisa Lisa
Opening soon: Butterfly Burger
Some say within the otherworldly rock formations of Sedona, Ariz., is a powerful vortex, a gateway into another dimension. The town itself is reputed to be a place of healing, and that’s what brought chef and restaurateur Lisa Dahl to the Northern Arizona’s red rock country 20 years ago. In trading San Francisco for spiritual energy, Dahl carved her own path with Dahl Restaurant Group, which operates four concepts with a new one coming soon, employs about 250 people and feeds nearly 400,000 guests annually.
The Latin-inspired Mariposa offers a window into Sedona’s beauty and herbs are grown in the restaurant’s courtyard.
Dahl’s food is more high-end than hippie and more mouthwatering than mystical. Each of the group’s concepts, which are credited with helping to turn Sedona into a culinary destination, focuses on regions of the world. Dahl & DiLuca, dish pictured, is an Italian ristorante with a deep wine collection and a garden patio for outdoor dining.
Next up is a “couture burger lounge,” to be called Butterfly Burger, a spin on a section on the lunch menu at Mariposa. Pictured is the vegetarian Hipster Burger at Mariposa: a lentil-walnut burger with pimenton aioli, and the choice of romaine lettuce or a whole-grain toasted bun.