With Northern Arizona’s fall foliage in full bloom during the last few weeks of October, Sedona’s most talked-about restaurant Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill offers leaf peepers a new way to experience the season in Sedona.
Perched atop a scenic bluff overlooking Mount Wilson, Mariposa is located just steps from the Adobe Jack Trailhead, creating the perfect opportunity to combine hiking, wine and dining for the ultimate fall day in Sedona.
For hikers of all skill levels, the Adobe Jack Trail offers an easy to moderate 1.7-mile hike that connects to an additional 7 miles of trails within the Soldier Wash Trail system loaded with awe-inspiring red rock views and access to Sedona’s renowned geology and high-desert flora. For adventurous hikers, the trail connects to Oak Creek Canyon where flowing water and stunning golden and orange fall foliage awaits. For casual hikers, a brisk walk along the trail loop features scenic viewpoints that still deliver stunning views.
At the finish line just steps from the Adobe Jack Trailhead, hikers can relax and unwind on the patio of Mariposa overlooking a backdrop of majestic red rocks. The newest restaurant opened by Sedona Chef and Restaurateur Lisa Dahl, Mariposa is an architectural and culinary marvel featuring a unique menu of South American-inspired cuisine complete with a 600-bottle wine collection curated from Chef Dahl’s travels throughout Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Although a fine dining destination, in true Sedona style hikers in outdoor gear are welcomed and in good company during the lunch and Gaucho Hours at Mariposa as locals and travelers alike trek in for a bite after a day of exploring.
On the lunch menu at Mariposa, lighter Latin- inspired dishes ideal for a post-hike meal include the Bowl of Paradise salad featuring arugula, confetti quinoa, corn, pico de gallo green onions, cilantro, avocado and pepitas topped with churrasco beef or the Atun, featuring Hawaiian sushi-grade yellowfin tuna layered with organic avocados, pico de gallo and finished with aioli and crispy shoestring potatoes. For heartier appetites, Chef Dahl’s favorites include the Quesadilla Supremo stuffed with roasted portobello mushrooms, poblano chiles, corn, pepper jack, chevre, guacamole and pico de gallo and the Gringo Burger topped with white cheddar, louis remoulade, shredded romaine and crispy onion strings.
During Gaucho Hour offered evenings at the bar from 4 to 5 p.m. ahead of dinner service, tapas and small plates range from Aguacate Frito featuring crunchy fried avocados served with smoky pimento aioli; handmade empanadas; Pulpo Parilla made with grilled Spanish octopus with warm butter beans and fennel slaw and Yucca Fries served with Chef Dahl’s famed housemade chimichurri using ingredients plucked fresh from the restaurants garden.
Mariposa is open daily 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for lunch and reopens at 4 p.m. for Gaucho Hour, followed by dinner service from 5 p.m. to close. For more information on Mariposa, visit http://mariposasedona.com/. For more information on Adobe Jack Trail, visit http://www.sedonaredrocktrails.org/ROGS/Soldier_Wash.pdf.
