Restaurant Week at Atlas Bistro
We had made a reservation for Atlas Bistro weeks ago, forgetting that our plans fell on a Saturday night of Fall Arizona Restaurant Week. Would there be a limited menu or a lapse in service from a sold-out crowd? No, not at Atlas Bistro. In fact it was a happy surprise that their idea of Restaurant Week specials is to offer their entire menu as a 3-course prix-fixe of $44 with your choice of one dish from each course. I can definitively say that this is the best Restaurant Week dining we've ever enjoyed. So many mouth-watering options, how to choose?
I would love Atlas Bistro even if they weren't BYOB, but that just makes the experience even more stellar. Thanks to our friends of AZ Bitters Lab, who brought some special bottles from their collection to add to the Page Springs 2008 Glomski that I contributed: 2002 André Clouet Champagne Brut Millésimé, 2008 Domaine du Moulin (Hervé Villemade) CourCheverny Petits Acacia, 1998 Chateau Musar, and for dessert, a 1998 Maculan Torcolato.
Our delicious evening of creative, elegant dishes included:
- Hudson Valley Foie Gras Pate, Wild Oregon Huckleberries, Candied Walnuts, Grapes, Celery, Granola, Balsamic, Huckleberry Coulis
- Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna, Whipped Avocado, Togarashi Rice Sticks, Pickled Enoki Mushrooms, Scallions, Radish, Serrano, Ginger Emulsion
- Golden Beets, Roth Kase Blue Cheese, Fennel, Vidalia Onion Brûlée, Swiss Chard, Rye Berries, Smoked Buttermilk, Red Beet Vinaigrette
- Flagstaff Lobster Mushroom Ragout, Soft Poached Farm Egg, Shaved Toast, Tarragon, and an amazing Brown Butter Hollandaise Emulsion
- Wild Hawaiian Hebi Spearfish, Pearled Cous Cous, Za’atar Shiitakes, Asparagus, Braised Leeks, Harissa, Charred Radicchio, Grapefruit Salsa
- Australian Wagyu Hanger Steak, Citrus Cured Yolk, Red Lentils, Tempura Mushrooms, Broccoli, Curry Cauliflower, Shishitos, Black Mustard Demi-Glace
We opted to add an additional cheese course and dessert ("Stoned” Cheesecake Mousse, Nectarine Marmalade, Peach Coulis, Honey Fennel Pollen Crème Fraiche, Graham Cracker Crumbs) and the kitchen generously sent out two more sweet treats (Chocolate Torte with Dulce de Leche, Huckleberries, and Lime Anglaise and the “P.B. & J.” – Peanut Butter Trio with Cookies, Powdered & Brittle along with Cherry Jelly, Dried Cherries and Toast Foam). It was a perfect evening of harmonious flavors, art on a plate, and wonderful service from start to finish. In fact, before we had even finished dessert, we had made reservations for a return visit.
For pictures of our first visit, visit this link.