Mariposa is the Spanish translation for Butterfly; and I have learned that in Native American history, some believed the butterfly was a symbol for change, color, and joy. Recently my husband and I had the joy of dining at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, in beautiful Sedona, AZ, and from start to finish, the experience was one that was truly a refreshing change of bright flavors, vibrant colors, and one that brought us a truly joyful experience, living up to every meaning of the name!
To those unfamiliar, Sedona is a breathtaking city located about an hour and a half north of Phoenix, known for its deep spirituality & vortexes, natural waterfalls & creeks, and most importantly the red rock mountains. It is a must see place! After performing at a beautiful creekside wedding with my husband the night prior at the gorgeous L’Auberge de Sedona Resort, we woke up and decided to treat ourselves to a brunch at the newest Lisa Dahl restaurant, one of Sedona, and my personal, most inspiring and talented chefs.
L’Auberge de Sedona Resort, we performed the ceremony & dinner:
If you ever get the chance to visit Sedona, eating at one, or any of the 4, of Lisa Dahl’s restaurants, is an absolute must. Not only does she create a memorable ambiance and has impeccable service, but she takes pride in using locally grown and organic ingredients (amazing!!). My sisters and I first tried Lisa’s rustic Italian restaurant Cucina Rustica several years ago, and had such a memorable experience, that one of my sisters actually had her wedding reception there! So needless to say, when I heard she had opened a new restaurant, Mariposa, I was thrilled to get the chance to try it!
Like a butterfly, Lisa Dahl’s story is one of transformation, strength, and dedication. After losing her son tragically in 1994 when he was killed in a moment of heroism trying to help a man being robbed, her healing journey led her on trips to Italy where she pulled inspiration from the flavors and chefs there. Her love and passion created her delicious Italian recipes you can now experience at many of her Sedona restaurants (we also own her Cook Book!). While you can feel the love at each of her restaurants, Mariposa had an energy unlike any other, and may exhibit Lisa Dahl’s biggest accomplishment yet. Like a beautiful butterfly, Mariposa’s effortless beauty of local artists and architectural craftsmanship, and the eclectic menu of bright tastes, truly transformed this brunch into something much more special.
Pulling off the road and onto the beautifully designed entry and parking lot of perfectly placed red rock pavers, you are instantly greeted by panoramic views and an incredible architectural building that is the perfect balance of industrial and elegance. We arrived about 30 minutes prior to opening and found a small line of diners already gathering in the outdoor courtyard. I was instantly taken back by the butterfly details throughout the space, artistic elements, soothing fountains,and of course, the incredible fresh herb gardens growing.
After peacefully waiting, a giant 800lb door covered in incredible stones (a piece of art in itself), opened promptly at 11:30 am and we were greeted by the restaurant manager. Feeling like we were at Disneyland, the manager introduced us directly to our server, who then proceeded to escort us to a corner outdoor table. He then took us through the menu of Latin-inspired cuisine recipes created by Lisa from her interactions with chefs in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.
Knowing that Lisa uses only fresh, sustainable seafood, we decided to go for something light and refreshing (it is Summer in Arizona!). We started with the amazing Sushi Grade Yellowfin Poke that came with chunks of avocado and mango chile salsa, served in Bibb Lettuce. For my main course, I went with the Tacos de Pescado, featuring grilled Mahi Mahi with Salsa Verde, Pineapple Criolla, and Fennel accompanied by their yummy Three Seed Cilantro Slaw. Using the same fresh Mahi Mahi, Todd went for the Señor Fish, with seasoned, buttermilk battered and pan-fried Chef’s sustainable fresh fish topped with Three Seed Cilantro Slaw and Lemon-Caper Aioli on a Whole Grain Bun accompanied by Mariposa Potato Salad. Then, to top it off, we indulged in the decadent Boca de Muerto, a.k.a. a decadent chocolate torte with Dulce de Leche Gelato (to die for)!
Although we had a huge meal, these fresh, clean, organic ingredients left us feeling nothing but satisfied and longing for the next time we could come back! To top it off they had incredible live music playing on the patio the entire time (hopefully we can play there one day!), and while I didn’t eat inside, I did pass the main dining room and was taken back by the floor to cieling windows, panoramic views, and jaw-dropping light fixtures. You also can’t miss the walls lined with photographs of Lisa Dahl and her cultural experiences with Chefs in these Latin countries, connecting the energy of the restaurant to it’s roots in a visually captivating way.
If you can’t tell, we LOVED Mariposa. Luckily we only live an hour away (since we’re in North Phoenix), and my husband already said we could make the drive just to eat there again. It was truly a magical meal!