Marc L.
Yelp
What a great, grand, and wonderful place!
Not long ago it was ok to showcase Indian (Native American) culture. Not only did the native people themselves not mind it, but nobody else did either. Indians were part of America's history, even though much of it was less than kind. In any case, it filled locations in Arizona- and much of the West- with a rich and undeniable heritage.
The Wigwam Resort was one of those places. Beginning in the very early 1900's, the Wigwam became a cowboy oasis in The Valley of the Sun. It was a throwback to the old west, cowboys, Saguaros, and obviously, Indian culture. It's very name is based on native dwellings.
So that brings us to the restaurant itself. Because the Wigwam has over a hundred years of history, the restaurant- and the entire resort- is filled with amazing and palpable history. Think of the people who walked those grand halls that lead to Litchfield's Restaurant. The presidents, movie stars, military men, actresses, dignitaries, and regular ol' folks. The walls are lined with the photographs from an era of opulence and desert grandeur.
The restaurant has an open-fire grill, wood-fire oven, and fireplace that date to the 20's. The ceilings are decorated with open-beam lodge poles and there are cow hides and Remington statues. It smells of mesquite and steaks and wine. The entire restaurant is a testament to great dining, history, and the legacy of 100 years in the Sonoran desert.
Besides the atmosphere, the food is spectacular. The steaks are all to die for. Aged to perfection, marbled just enough, cooked over a 100 year old wood fire grill, and topped with the perfect spices and sauces. The dishes are hearty but delicate and sophisticated. Beet salad with mild, perfectly-cooked beets and topped with a beautiful dressing and interesting ingredients. A carbonara made with a mix of spaghetti squash and pasta, and adorned with tiny cubes of crisp apple. A ribeye that melts in your mouth. Bacon-wrapped dates that are sweet and savory. The entire menu changes seasonally, and every dish is a tasty, perfect combination of flavor and sophistication.
Litchfield's is elegant but not fancy. It's a cowboy restaurant, albeit with white linens and scrumptious menu items. It's an old west dining hall with New York charm. Perfect for a date or a business meeting.
And when you're done, walk the hallways and take in that cowboys-and Indian legacy. Drink it in and imagine what this resort was like in 1950 when Mickey Rooney and Ronald Reagan went for a swim and brought their dames to Litchfield's for the best steak around. Walk the lush grounds and smell the citrus blossoms
in the spring time, then take in that dry, Sonoran sun as you sip a Roy Roger's on the patio and savor some
of this restaurant's amazing appetizers.
It's not cheap but not ridiculous either. It's one of my favorite restaurants in the West Valley.
A really nice experience with great food and service in a historic old-west atmosphere.