When Lisa Dahl came on to the Sedona, Ariz. restaurant scene more than 25 years ago, she was the first to introduce fine dining to the area, which catapulted the town’s reputation into becoming a national foodie destination. Today, Dahl is Northern Arizona’s largest restaurateur and is once again blazing her own path as she announces the rebirth of her five, award-winning restaurants, along with new menus that celebrate the essence of summer.
Making the decision to reopen more than a month after Arizona restaurants received the green light to resume dine-in service, wasn’t an easy one, but for Dahl, owner and executive chef of Dahl Restaurant Group (DRG), it was necessary in order to maintain the unrivaled quality and elevated dining experience that nearly 450,000 guests annually look forward to. In a dedicated effort to further protect the community, as of June 25, all DRG restaurants will require guests to wear masks upon entry and until they are safely seated and properly distanced. Masks must be worn at all times while not seated, including when visiting the restroom and exiting the restaurant.
“Sedona is such a vulnerable destination as we see an influx of four-million guests annually from all over the world. While we were excited to be able to open our doors, we didn’t want to jeopardize the safety of our community and our family of employees, so we’ve taken this time to do things right and ensure that no stone was left unturned in providing a higher level of comfort and safety at each of our restaurants,” said Dahl. “The early bird doesn’t always get the worm.”
Going above and beyond the required CDC standards and Sedona’s “Clean. Safe. Ready.” initiative, DRG has also implemented a full-time “sanitation concierge” whose sole responsibility is to enforce the new regulations and make sure the restaurants are maintained to brand standards, invested in UV light scanners for staff use and is working with a local fashion brand in order to create custom masks and protective apparel in an effort to add a bit of normalcy to an otherwise new experience.
“We strive to be the best in everything that we do. With all of the challenges we have endured these last few months, I feel like I’m giving birth to my restaurants once again and bringing them back to my original vision” said Dahl. “It’s time for me to roll up my sleeves, get back in the kitchen and bring to life some of my favorite recipes and dishes that inspired me to open my restaurants in the first place. It’s a new era for Dahl Restaurant Group and I’m going along for the ride.”
At Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Dahl has introduced a familiar, yet refined approach to the cuisine as she blends ideas from the original, hand-written menus she created after her culinary adventures around Latin America with some of the most well-known dishes guests have grown to love. While staples like the Pollo Rustico ($36), Veggie Nirvana ($28), Lisa’s Chopped Goddess Salad ($20) and Lisa’s Lovely Lemon Lobster Mashed Potatoes ($20) grace the menu, some new standouts include the Latin Persuasion Platter ($24) with Smokey Peppadew cheese spread, serrano ham, charred artichokes, roasted olives, Medjool dates, Marcona almonds and an assortment of condiments; Summer Ambrosia Salad ($16) with Heirloom tomatoes, local watermelon, red onion, gorgonzola with a house vinaigrette; Flores Del Mar (MP) with an exotic mix of chef's favorite shellfish combination roasted in the wood oven; and the Jardin (MP) with grilled and roasted seasonal vegetables, lentil walnut croquette, roasted mushroom with special vegetarian sauces. Mariposa will be open for reservations only Thursday through Sunday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. These are temporary hours and are subject to change. Reservations can be made at: OpenTable
Known as one of the country’s best Italian restaurants that blends Old-World charm with modern romance, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano now offers an even more intimate experience paired with a refreshed menu. Among Dahl’s favorites include the Warm Seafood Bruschetta ($16) with wild-caught red shrimp and bay scallops scampi style served over grilled ciabatta; Romet E Juliet ($26) with sautéed Scaloppini of veal and eggplant finished al forno with Dahl’s signature marinara, mozzarella and capellini pomodoro; Almalfi ($30) with linguine, lobster meat, rock shrimp, lemon, garlic, saffron, parsley, white wine, served scampi style; and the Filetto Di Manzo ($38) with Creekstone Farms all-natural grilled 7-ounce filet mignon finished with a decadent gorgonzola-shiitake mushroom sauce. Dahl & Di Luca is open for reservations only on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Reservations can be made at: OpenTable.
Infusing Mediterranean with rustic Tuscan flavors, Dahl was inspired by the feeling of being on the Amalfi Coast or Provence in the summertime and incorporated a variety of light, fresh and seasonal ingredients into the summer menu at Cucina Rustica. Perfect for an evening alfresco on the restaurant’s expansive patio, a few dishes include Carciofi Alla Griglia ($12) grilled artichoke, served with lemon pesto aioli; Mahi Mahi Meuniere ($34) grilled wild-caught Mahi Mahi finished with herb butter, lemon and capers over orzo riso primavera; Siciliana ($30) capellini pasta finished with sautéed lobster, rock shrimp, calamari in a spicy Fra Diavolo vodka sauce; and the Greca ($12) organic romaine lettuce, Persian cucumber, baby grape tomatoes, Niçoise olives, red onion, feta and Greca vinaigrette. Cucina Rustica is open for reservations only Thursday through Monday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Reservations can be made at: OpenTable.
Rounding out Dahl’s culinary empire is her new, most buzzed-about edition, Butterfly Burger, A Couture Burger Lounge and Pisa Lisa, a woodfired pizzeria, which were the first of her restaurants to open for dine-in, in addition to offering curbside pick-up and delivery. Butterfly Burger is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Pisa Lisa is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
“As many people had to cancel their trips this summer, I see Sedona becoming a very popular destination for those looking to get a much-needed change of pace and scenery,” said Dahl. “With all of our restaurants getting ready to open, visitors can grab a showstopping burger at Butterfly Burger on the way in or have an unrivaled patio experience within the Village of Oak Creek at Cucina Rustica. As you make your way through your adventures, you can have an aperitivo overlooking the best views in Sedona at Mariposa, then head down the street for a romantic dinner at Dahl and Di Luca. On the way out of town, you’d be remiss not to grab a pizza from Pisa Lisa. No matter what you’re in the mood for, all of us at Dahl Restaurant Group are here for you.”
For more about Dahl Restaurant Group, visit DahlRestaurantGroup.com.
Dahl Restaurant Group
Led by Owner and Executive Chef Lisa Dahl, Dahl Restaurant Group (DRG) welcomes nearly 450,000 guests annually across all five award-winning, Sedona, Ariz. restaurants including Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano, Cucina Rustica, Pisa Lisa and Butterfly Burger, a couture burger lounge. As the largest restaurant group in Sedona, DRG employs close to 300 people, many of whom have been with the company for more than 15 years. Each outstanding restaurant continues to garner prestigious, international recognition and ongoing accolades. Chef Dahl and her restaurants have been featured on The Food Network, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, The New York Times, Wine Spectator, Travel Channel, Huffington Post, MSN.com and Marie Claire, to name a few. DRG will open a second Pisa Lisa location in late 2020. For more information, visit DahlRestaurantGroup.com.
Masks Are Required at All Dahl Restaurants, Safety & Health Are Top Priority
