Fournos Restaurant Wine Pairing Dinner

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The Hill Team enjoys a chef’s tasting menu, especially when it has been paired with extraordinary wines. That is the experience we recently experienced at Fournos in Sedona, Arizona.

We had met Ivan Flowers in 2001 in Phoenix and featured him in the first book Brenda and I wrote, Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel. Norm and I frequented A Different Pointe of View whenever we had the opportunity to visit Phoenix. Once we moved to Phoenix, Ivan had also moved. How fortunate we were to find him in Sedona.

Ivan Flowers’ skill with food is matched by his wife Tracy Phillips’ skill with picking and pairing wines. Norm and I dined as their guests and here is the wonderful menu and pairings we experienced:

Six-Course Tasting Menu from Fournos

First Course

Roasted Crimini Mushrooms with Garlic, Cognac, Brandy & Aged Rocca Parmigiano Sprinkle

Roasted Sweet Corn Esquite, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Sunburst Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella

Rosemary Garlic Bread

Crios Susana Balbo Torrontes, Argentina

Second Course

Lobster Bisque Espresso

Copper River Salmon Gravlax with Lemon, Garlic, Curry & Sweet Dried Wasabi Pea Mascarpone Roulade

Viniterra Pino Grigio, Argentina

Third Course

Caesar Salad with Limoncello Creamy Garlic Dressing

Sean Miner 4B Chardonnay, California

Fourth Course

Australian Barramundi with English Peas, Olives, Tomato & Romaine Garlic Butter Sauce

Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache, Australia

Fifth Course

Rack of Lamb Encrusted with Thyme & Oregano, Fresh Roasted Coriander Peaches, Tomato, Baby Spinach & Chimichurri Sauce

Michael Sullberg Cabernet Sauvignon, California

Sixth Course

House Made Tiramisu with Belgian Chocolate

Gianni Cold Cabernet Sauvignon, California

What an exceptional fine dining experience in a relaxed casual atmosphere. Our server Tess did a grand job and Alfredo was in the kitchen with Ivan. We were fortunate to have Tracy join us, so we could discuss all the pairings and aspects of our meals. Ivan will be sharing one of his favorite recipes and Tracy, who is responsible for making Tiramisu, is also sharing her secrets.

I’d encourage you to try Fournos if you are in Sedona. In addition, don’t hesitate to ask for wine recommendations. The selection is amazing. There is nothing that could have improved our evening.