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Chocolate
Miracles and Other Sweet Temptations in Tucson
By Madelyn Miller
I have chocolate karma. (Sorry,
that is not a dessert. It is not for sale) Chocolate things just seem
to come to me, and chocolate experiences call to me.
On a recent trip to Tucson, I stopped into the Tucson Art Museum. There
was only time to dash into the gift shop where I saw some wonderful jewelry
and was drooling over it (I like jewelry almost as much as chocolate).
I read the bio and discovered the artist; Donna Nordin was also a chef.
A chocolate chef. I read that she had been chosen a James Beard chef and
her chocolate mousse pie had been on the cover of Bon Appetit. Wow, I
thought to myself, I would really like to meet her.
Three hours later, I was in her home eating dinner, having the famous
chocolate pie for a most memorable dessert.
How did this chocolate miracle happen?
Well, Donna is part of the first family of food in Tucson. Her husband
Don Luria is surely the Don of the foodies in town. He is on the board
of everything and in fact, started many of the boards. Don and Donna own
a popular restaurant, Terra Cotta, that was temporarily closed because
of a fire. So they invited the group of travel journalists I was traveling
with into their home for dinner.
It was one of those lucky moments when I knew that travel and food writing
is the perfect career for me.
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MORE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND
A TASTE OF THE DESERT
The small little restaurant in Tohono Chul Park is really mostly known
to residents. Tohono Chul—translated as “desert corner”
in the language of the Tohono O'odhAM—was founded in 1985 to protect
a piece of the desert in the midst of a rapidly developing urban area,
and serve as a model for visitors of all ages to learn to be participant
stewards of this fragile environment.
Their restaurant serves a dual purpose—to raise money for this worthy
cause and to make sure that you come back frequently, if only to get a
bite of the chocolate mousse pie. Other must-try items are the prickly
pear lemonade (and if you take a tour you will learn why it is good for
your cholesterol) and the terrific salads.
 This
is the most educational restaurant I ever ate at. Many people are familiar
with the sweet, red fruits of the saguaro or prickly pear-- but have you
tasted the carob-like flavor of a ripe mesquite pod, put a zing in your
mouth by biting into the “mother of chiles” (chiltepin) or held
the “drugstore of the desert” (creosote) in your hands and inhaled
its distinctive aroma? Take a class in the Taste of the Desert at Tohono
Chul Park (3 hours for $30). To sign up call 520-742-6455 ext 228 or jofallas@tohonochulpark.org
EAT YOUR CHOCOLATE AND LEARN HOW TO MAKE MORE, TOO
One of the most wonderful cooking classes I have ever experienced is at
Westward Look Resort. Chef Chris Pedersen takes so much pride in his organic
Chef's Garden, that he starts the class there. After a garden walk followed
by a three-course class, you get to taste the wonderful flavors of the
garden and take home the recipes.
Chef Pedersen introduced his pastry chef Rohan Wirasina and my class learned
to make the Tres Leche Chocolate Torte with Guajillo Chili Hibiscus Chocolate
Filling.
Honestly, I know I will never make this dessert at home. I do not grow
hibiscus. I do not have any guajillo chili. But I will come back to Tucson
just to eat more of Chef Chris Pedersen's wonderful food and Rohan's chocolate
wonders
Westward Look Resort
245 East Ina Road
Tucson, Arizona 85074
520-297-1151
Fax 520-297-9023
www.westwardlook.com
CHOCOLATE INSPIRATION
As I write this article, I am nibbling on Jonathan’s Tucson Cork.
Kind of like a chunky, fat Heath Bar, only much much better. One of them
gives you a full day’s sugar high.
Jonathan’s
Southwestern Dining and Catering
6320 E. Tanque Verde
Tucson, AZ 85715
520-296-1631
A crepe with chocolate anglais sauce? This is just one good reason to
visit Livorno. I will let you discover the many others. There are five
other savory crepes on the menu which offers a little touch of France
and Italy.
Livorno
A Country Bistro
5931 B. Oracle Road
Tucson, Az 85704
520-887-5171
I will travel almost anywhere for chocolate. But I can hardly wait to
get back to Tucson.
For more information on Tucson
www.visitTucson.org
800.638.8350
Great Guidebooks
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Search for these guidebooks
on Amazon.com
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Arizona For Dummies, 3rd Edition
By Edie Jarolim
www.dummies.com
It would be a smart idea to get this book before visiting Tucson
The
Insiders' Guide to Tucson
www.insiders.com
WHERE TO STAY
Westward
Look Resort
245 East Ina Road
Tucson, Arizona 85074
520-297-1151
Fax 520-297-9023
www.westwardlook.com
Westin
La Paloma Resort & Spa
3800 E. Sunrise Dr.
Tucson, Arizona 85718
520 742-6000
WHERE TO EAT
Terra
Cotta
3500E. Sunrise Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85718
(520) 577-8100
Fax: 520 577-9015
www.cafeterracotta.com Gold Room
Westward
Look Resort
245 East Ina Road
Tucson, Arizona 85074
520-297-1151 / 800 722-2500
Fax 520-297-9023
www.westwardlook.com
Pastiche
Modern Eatery
3025 North Campbell Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85719
520-325-3333
Pastiche is an eatery with an upscale yet casual ambiance featuring
local artists.
Livorno
A Country Bistro
5931 B. Oracle Road
Tucson, Az 85704
520-887-5171
BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCES
Gift
shop at the Tucson Art Museum
How
Sweet It Was
A funky vintage clothing emporium that buys, sells and rents
419 N. Fourth Avenue
520 623-9854
Open daily
www.howsweetitwas.com
Old
Town Artisans Galleries & La Cocina
OLD TOWN ARTISANS is a restored 1850s adobe in the historic El Presidio
District in downtown Tucson. Home to six unique shops and galleries,
this 15-room marketplace boasts one of Tucson's largest collections
of handcrafted works, including Native & Latin American folk art.
You'll also find beautiful jewelry and fine apparel with a distinct
southwestern flair. Contact: Charles and Mary Lou Focht, 186 North Meyer
Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701, (520) 622-0351, nota@mindspring.com,
www.oldtownartisans.com
Gift
shops at Tohono Chul Park
Dallas-based
Madelyn Miller is the executive editor of Travellady.com,
an online travel publication featuring worldwide destinations.
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