Lindsay C.
Yelp
A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away LOL) I used to work at Los Cab at the Clubhouse. More recently, I was fortunate enough to be invited to dinner at the Ranch, so this review is a hodge podge of observation and experience.
What It Is: a dude ranch resort, in the middle of the Sonoran desert in Wickenburg. Also boasts a championship golf course, spa, tennis courts, swimming pool, bar, lodging, fine dining, horse riding, trap shooting and roping.
Who Would Enjoy This: families with younger children, retired couples, golfers.
Overall Impression: very well kept, lots of things to do (albeit, it's usually on a schedule), decor is vintage 70s ranch style with some Mexican influence, very private, beautiful and affluent (for a dude ranch).
So how was my dinner? GREAT. A lot of people not staying at the resort complain about the price of the pre-fixe menu. I wouldn't complain at all about having to pay $50 for what I got.
-For my appetizer, I tried the seared ahi tuna in a wonton taco (with seaweed garnish): the wonton taco was a bit much, too crunchy and bulky, but the ahi tuna and seaweed is a welcome oasis of seafood in the desert.
-For my main course, I ordered the seared scallops with tomato lentil dal and braised fennel. I am absolutely thrilled with this dish. The lentils were perfectly cooked-- again, a curried dish in Wickenburg, WHAT?-- and the scallops were also perfectly seared, not raw, not rubbery. The braised fennel was almost the star of the show and I've tried fruitlessly to replicate this at home.
-For dessert, I ordered the creme brulee and was only slightly disappointed. They served it cold (as opposed to room temperature or even warmed). But! my disappointment melted away when I bit into the pistachio lace cookie included with the dish. WOW! who thought that up? This dessert pairs perfectly with Frangelico.
What I would suggest is this: if you're a young couple looking for a nice evening (or weekend), hit up the saloon and dining room for a fancy dinner and drinks. Maybe even tag along to a campfire cookout. Young families, golfers, and retired couples, go ahead a book your next vacay here and enjoy all that this place has to offer. I'll be back for dinner sometime soon, thoroughly impressed.