A Most Amazing Meal at La Hacienda

Don and I were lucky to dine at La Hacienda at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess 7575 East Princess Drive
Scottsdale, Arizona (480) 585-4848  reopened with Executive Chef Richard Sandoval, “Father of Modern Mexican Cuisine” at the helm, who created the menu with Chef Forest Hamrick as Chef de Cuisine.  Don and I always comment on what a beautiful resort this is as we meander our way to the newly refurbished La Hacienda.  (Make time to get there when you make a reservations because it is a bit of a walk)  They are having their popular pig roast on Friday nights, but we went on a Monday night and the place was hopping.  Our server Ray was incredible.  He gave us the run down of the menu and we also got a tour by the beautiful hostess.   The place looks great.
We had to start off with the table side Guacamole $11.50 with delicious chips and a flight of tequilas (different prices depending on the quality) to study the different varieties.  This was the start of pure heaven….

We moved on to the ceviche tasting $13.00  it was the Camarone and the Mahi Mahi ceviche.  They were delicious.  Don loved the Camarone and I loved the Mahi Mahi , they were both amazing.

Camarone Ceviche and Mahi Mahi Ceviche with Soy nuts

We also tried the Pork Carnitas sopes $9.50  which were crispy corn masa cakes, black bean puree, slow cooked pork, napa cabbage and pickle onion. and the Tacos de Langosta with lobster, black bean, chile de arbol sauce, avocado and cilantro.  This was plenty, we were getting very full by now, but we wanted to try a few entrees, we were willing to risk going home with a doggy bag.  Don ordered the Costilla de Res $28.00 it was braised beef short rib, vegetable escabeche, crema fresca potato puree, chile habanero- guava sauce.  It was flavorful.  I ordered the Pipian de Puerco $26.00 slow cooked pork shoulder, roasted corn puree, pumpkin seed and pipian sauce.  We both were thrilled, but I think mine was the winner.

Costilla de Res- Braised Beef Short Rib

Pipian de Puerco- Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder

At this stage, we were about to call “Uncle”  when Ray came and said “how can you go without trying our churros and a Flaming Diablo cafe?”  He was right… so we ordered the Cinnamon Churros which are warm Mexican donuts with
Cajeta, chili, chocolate fondue and cream cheese natilla.  Yum!

Have you ever seen someone make a Flaming Cafe Diablo, I hadn’t either.  This is so cool, I mean HOT! 

It is quite a show.  The whole restaurant loves watching.  Ray our server gets a special glass puts it in Cocoa and does his mystical maneuvers with coffee and liquor of course, some big flames and Voila a delicious drink topped with whip cream and shaved chocolate.  What a way to end an evening.  The Chef outdid himself.  The dinner was divine.  This is worth the trip.  A culinary adventure. upscale Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. Check out the Happy Hours.