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| - What a fantastic restaurant! I was in town with a business group and this was a last minute change from our originally scheduled dining destination and I'm so glad we accidentally stumbled upon this culinary oasis near Old Town Scottsdale. Even our colleagues who work only a block away had never heard of, let alone visited, Medizona but I'm sure now they'll be back.
Billing itself on the menu as "Mediterranean Inspired Southwestern Cuisine" I was not sure what to expect from the exotic sounding dishes listed.
We started out with three appetizers. The first was Blackened Shrimp with White Bean Hummus, Mango-Olive Salsa, and Charbroiled Tomatillo Sauce which was good. Not sure I got any of the hummus but the salsa and sauce were excellent accompaniments to the large, plump (and surprisingly not overcooked) shrimp. Next was a "Rabbit, Fig, and Pine Nut Baklava with Quail Egg and Pomegranate Sauce." The baklava was interesting and the flavors worked well togerther. The quail egg came separately and I never saw the pomegranate sauce so the small fried egg on the side was an odd accompaniment. The last appetizer was "Eggplant Tacos with Lamb, Arugula and Kasseri Cheese" which was excellent.
The salad of baby greens was accompanied by a small piece of roasted goat cheese that was very strong but good if taken in tiny bites with the greens. The almond-honey brittle in the salad was interesting but made the salad a bit too sweet.
Our group hada choice of three entrees and all received glowing reviews. I had the Achiote Rubbed Pan-Fried Salmon over Organic Lentil Polenta with Morel Mushroom-Baby Clam Sauce. The polenta was a little dry but the salmon was cooked perfectly and the sauce was excellent. Others had Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breast
Black Bean-Saffron Couscous, Cilantro-Yogurt Sauce and harbroiled Prime Tenderloin of Beef over Potato-Leek Gratin, Butternut Squash, and Spinach.
Our group was trying to rush back to the hotel and most missed the incredible desserts. I lucked out and managed to grab some to take back. Prickly Pear Tiramisu with Turkish Coffee-Pistachio Sauce and Chocolate Flourless Cake with Caramelized Bananas, Peanuts and Marshmallow Foam.
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