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Our Dinner in the new "Praying Monk" dining area of Elements was fantastic... the view... spectacular!!
The new dining area is awesome... more intimate and less "active" then then the main dining room, with warm wood tones and floor to ceiling sliding glass doors that permit uninterrupted views of Paradise Valley! We noticed 2 outdoor seating areas, which, in cooler weather...would be PRIME SEATING!!!
We started with *ahi tuna tartar and the elemental soup ... both were amazing... the Tuna, perfectly balanced on a bed of seasoned cucumber "pasta" coupled with 3 sesame pancakes... the squash soup was velvety with a "tempura" squash blossom floating as a center piece... a perfect beginning...
Our salads were perfect; the Caesar was lightly dressed and far from the gloppy mess that many establishments offer... the tomato & watermelon mosaic salad was AMAZING... perfectly ripened heirloom tomatoes, fresh "shaved" watermelon and a flavorful charred pepper sorbet .. the light herbed dressing that was "whispered" on the plate enhanced the entire dish ...
My guest enjoyed the nights special, grilled Lamb... which, I didn't get a chance to review. It apparently was so good... he didn't want to share. I enjoyed a perfectly cooked pan roasted free range chicken "kung pao" style. I was pleased that the Kung Pao seasoning was engaged with the pearl pasta so I was able enjoy the chick two ways... natural & succulent...however I could also enlist the pasta to add the Kung Pao flavor. The additional sides ordered were the truffled mac n' cheese.. much lighter then expected, and the tender, tender, tender grilled asparagus... YUM!!!
Deserts enjoyed were the german chocolate cake & coconut gelato along with the strawberry rhubarb funnel cake & buttermilk ice cream. Both were decedent... but the coconut gelato was soooooooo good, we had to order another scoop.
I used to enjoy eating at the tables "nudged" up against the large windows facing the pool in the main dining room... but now that I've experienced the Praying Monk room... there will be no going back... the new dining area really is special!!!
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