August, 2022
Having a great time in an unreal setting is par for the course at Desert Highlands golf club.
But as fans of fine dining in Scottsdale know, Desert Highlands has more than just great golf against a stunning backdrop on offer. We’re also home to two of the best restaurants in the Scottsdale area! And this month, we’re bringing you all the delicious news and tasty happenings from Desert Highlands’ restaurant team.
New on the Menu at DH Restaurants
Summer has come to the Sonoran Desert, and this year it’s marked by some exciting news and additions to kitchens in the Desert Highlands restaurants.
Executive Chef Todd Berry is leading the team in the kitchen to continued success. With two great options right here on the premises, Chef Todd and his team are making sure this summer is a tasty one!
Speaking of which — there are two new seasonal offerings from the culinary wizards of the Desert Highlands restaurant team. You’re not going to want to miss either of these tasty treats!
First up, there’s the cool and refreshing compressed watermelon and smoked grape salad with prosciutto, feta and Thai basil. The bright summer flavors make for a perfect starter to any meal.
We’re also super excited about a new entree joining the menu this summer: Adobo griddled grouper tacos. These spiced fish tacos are served with Mexican crema and a king crab & mango pico de gallo, adding a savory acidity and a zip of heat.
Diners can enjoy either (or both!) of these savory new offerings all summer long at Jack’s, our gastropub-style restaurant.
Two of the Best Restaurants in Scottsdale
After a long, fun-filled day out on the tees at the Desert Highlands golf club, we don’t blame you if you’re hesitant to leave the majestic lanscape. It’s why we live where we do. If you ask us, there’s no better way to spend an evening than watching the sun slowly set over the Sonoran.
Fortunately, the restaurants at Desert Highlands make it easy to keep enjoying that desert magic. And the mouth-watering food and cocktails make for an evening you won’t soon forget!
So after you’ve hung up your clubs for the day, start the evening off with handcrafted libations at Jack’s before enjoying the sunset outside at Jack’s Backyard, or enjoy enchanting views of the setting sun over city lights in the Ventana Dining Room.
Gastropub-Style Dining at Jack’s
Jack’s brings the exciting dining and social experience of a gastropub to Scottsdale. The community favorite at Desert Highlands offers diners elevated, expertly crafted pub fare, complemented by quaffable concoctions and tasty pours, all against the picturesque desert backdrop of the Sonoran. Guests are even invited to bring the experience into the majestic scenery with the enchanting patio dining experience provided by the restaurant’s outdoor wing, Jack’s Backyard, newly opened last year.
The Ventana Dining Room
For a slightly more formal, equally delicious dining experience, the recently renovated Ventana Dining Room is the place you want to be. An elevated menu highlights local and seasonal ingredients. The elegant dining room overlooks the city and valley below. The enchanting views of twinkling city lights and unforgettable sunsets complement are the perfect choice for a special evening or celebration.
Getting to Know Chef Todd Berry
Have you met Executive Chef Todd Berry yet?
He’s an Arizona native and has spent most of his life in the greater Phoenix area. And more than 20 of those years have been in professional kitchens, working in fine dining in Scottsdale and beyond — including tenures as executive chef at Westin Kirkland Resort, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale and the Sheraton Grand Sacramento.
Now, the DH community is thrilled to have Chef Todd on our team as executive chef in charge of the restaurants at Desert Highlands.
Chef Todd specializes in sourcing authentic ingredients for dishes informed by and crafted with classic cooking techniques, highlighting the flavors and cuisines of different cultures, as well as perfecting American classics.
Chef Todd also counts kitchen management among his specialties, emphasizing efficiency and efficacy in the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. He’s an advocate for his employees, helping individual team members meet their potential and achieve their goals.
When he’s not in the kitchen whipping up culinary excellence, Chef Todd loves spending time outdoors, four-wheeling in the desert or roughing it in the woods of Northern Arizona.
The DH Restaurant Experience at Home - Summer Cocktail Recipe
We get it. Sometimes you can’t make it down to Jack’s, or you’re too busy having so much fun with friends and family at home that you don’t make it out of the house.
But that doesn't mean you should miss out on the DH restaurant experience altogether. That’s why we’re bringing you a new drink recipe you can make at home!
Summer Cocktail Recipe: Thai Basil Cucumber Mojito
The Thai basil cucumber mojito is a super tasty summer twist on the classic. Herbaceous, crisp and perfectly refreshing on a summer evening, we’re sure this will quickly become your new go-to!
What you’ll need:
- 2 oz Bacardi
- .75 oz Basil Simple Syrup
- .75 oz Lime Juice
- 3 Basil Leaves
- 2 Lime Slices
- 4 Cucumber Slices
To make, start by assembling all of your ingredients. Fill a highball glass with ice, then begin building the drink, adding the rum, basil simple syrup and lime juice. Add basil leaves, then fill the rest of the way with soda water. Garnish with lime and cucumber slices, give a quick stir, and start enjoying!
Here’s to a Tasty Summer
Whether it’s an enchanting evening of fine dining before unrivaled views or a fun-filled social gathering at a classic gastropub, the Scottsdale community can find it on offer at the Desert Highlands’ restaurants.
We hope to see you soon!
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