Different Pointe of View is just that. Perched at the top of North Mountain at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix, DPV is an unforgettable experience. We recently dined here with a group of 14 friends for AZ Restaurant Week, and boy did we have an amazingly glutonous night. Restaurant Week is a week-long dining event which features over 125 restuarants presenting pre-fixed menus which range from $30-$40 for a 3-course meal. We chose DPV not only for the views, but the incredible cuisine (just make sure you don't park at the bottom of the mountain and walk up in 4-inch heels like I did, whoops!)
We started by popping a couple of bottles of wine and taking in the breathtaking views of the Valley of the Sun. Then quickly moved on to the menu. We all started by choosing an appetizer, where the choices ranged from short rib stuffed raviolis, lobster bisque soup, and a blue lump crab and cucumber salad. I had the pleasure of trying both the ravioli and the crab salad (thanks to my sweet boyfriend for willing to share). Though the portions may have looked small, the ravioli was packed full of tender, pull-apart short rib meat, and a smooth sauce. The blue crab, was extremely fresh, especially since we don't have any crab here in AZ! Served atop thinly sliced cucumbers and an avocado puree, it was the perfect way to start off the night.
(Blue Lump Crab Salad)
(Short Rib Ravioli)
While we reminisced on the delightful appetizers, and patiently awaited out main entrees to arrive, we decided to venture out onto the patio to enjoy the beautiful AZ sunset, and take a picture or two! The beautiful pink clouds against the clear blue sky was just marvelous, as the lights from the city far below started to come alive.
As we arrived back to the table, the entrees started to come out one by one, placing the most beautifully plated Pan Seared Steelhead Trout I have ever seen right in front of me. It was so intricate, that the waiter had to use a flashlight to point out the different layers of food on my plate! On the bottom was a mixture of shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus, and pepadew peppers. Then there was a healthy portion of the creamiest mashed purple potatoes (my favorite part). Finally, the star of the show, carefully placed atop was the healthy portion of trout. Cooked to perfection, the skin was slightly browned, and the trout took on a pinkish color like salmon. The texture was exactly as fish should be, flaking off with ease as my fork grazed it. I will let the picture speak for itself.
My boyfriend and I decided to do a little impromtpu surf and turf, so while I ordered the trout, he ordered the Grilled Cedar Marinated Hanger Steak. Cooked to a perfect medium temprtature and served over a basil and blue cheese mushroom risotto, this dish was just killer. What really made it pop for me was the smoked tomato and roasted garlic emulsion sauce. Just a slight bit of heat, but really just made the flavors in the steak come alive.
As if that wasn't enough, we moved onto the third course, dessert! Faced with the epic decision of choosing only 1 of the handful of after dinner treats, we went with the Chocolate Hazelnut Brown Butter Brownie, a rich brownie with butter toffee, and the "Turtle", a ganache, pecan caramel, and chocolate cream butter pecan sauce. I was slightly disappointed by the brownie, for it was slightly dry, but I could have eaten a pound of the chocolate covered butter toffee. The turtle on the other hand was incredibly rich and smooth, with a great surprise coming from the pecan bites.
(Chocolate Hazelnut Brown Butter Brownie)
(Turtle)
In my opinion, and the 13 others that I dined with, I would give Different Pointe of View a 5 out of 5 hot dogs. The combination of the amazing views, the quiet location, the decadent cuisine, and the element of romance, this is a pure winner in my eyes. Granted that we ate for a fixed rate of $40, it can get a bit pricey if you were to dine on all three courses at full price, but worth every single penny. As I got home, I couldn't stop talking about our experience here. It is one I shall never forget, and hopefully will get to try again and again!
No comments:
Post a Comment