One of the top Scottsdale area restaurants, elements, can be found in Paradise Valley at The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort.
The decor at elements is sleek and elegant and the views are astounding. The Sanctuary resort is nestled into the side of Camelback Mountain and the restaurant capitalizes on this. Diners are treated to the twinkling lights of Paradise Valley estates on the hillsides to the north.
elements has been in the press a lot over the last couple of years as the Executive Chef, Beau MacMillan, was a winner on the Food Network’s Iron Chef competition and starred in a reality TV show centered around cooking. Celebrity aside, the food and ambiance are the main stars at elements.
The menu is based on very fresh, seasonal ingredients. Meats are hormone free and any seafood comes from sustainable species. In addition, there are many choices for vegetarian eaters and gluten-free choices as well.
We had the opportunity to visit last weekend and had another amazing meal. There were so many tempting items on the menu, it was hard to choose a few. Some of the standouts we started with were the shisito peppers with soy caramel and crispy garlic and chilled hamachi sashimi with mint and yuzu. One salad I did not have the opportunity to try but was told was excellent was the beet and fennel salad with goat cheese.
For entrees, we enjoyed the duck breast special on a sweet potato hash as well as the miso glazed salmon with forbidden rice. Both were excellent. We also had the asparagus as a side dish. It was very simply prepared with local olive oil from Queen Creek and sea salt, but that was all that was needed to enhance the wonderful flavor.
A newer dining option is XII, which allows for an interactive experience at the chef’s table in the kitchen. Experience the action in the kitchen while enjoying a multi-course tasting menu. This is perfect for groups or for diners who want to get closer to the “action.”
If you have the opportunity to visit elements at The Sanctuary in Paradise Valley, I recommend giving it a try. And, if you have the time before or after, stop by for a beverage at the adjacent jade bar.
About elements:
elements restaurant
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain
5700 E Mc Donald Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
800-245-2051
