After I finished my cookie dough cereal, Matt and I went out exploring. I actually spent a whole summer in Arizona when my dad worked in Phoenix when I was young, so I have fond memories of prickly pear flavored everything, giant cacti and desert hikes.
We found a little trail that led us to a waterfall
And then we found a long legitimate hike just on the other side of the resort property. We hiked about 30 minutes into Ventana Canyon and loved feeling like we had escaped into the canyon away from the world. Thankfully we had water and sunscreen with us!
After showers, we reunited with Gina, Tom + Liv for one more meal – brunch at the Loews resort.
The resort is known for its Blues, Brews + BBQ brunch and after multiple people reported it was out of this world, we had to try it.
They had everything from sushi to fresh green juice to grilled meats and vegetables to shrimp cocktail to an amazing dessert spread to all-you-can-drink local beer and champagne. The brunch was not cheap, but man was it worth the cost. All the food went above and beyond the call of flavor to impress the palate – bourbon-soaked watermelon, pineapple grilled ribs and jalapeno mashed potatoes.
I had champagne with prickly pear syrup – superb!
Plus a jalapeno green juice
They had local beer on tap and Matt was in seventh heaven!
Mazen was perfectly happy with milk : ) Look at that tooth!
Liv loved her grilled salmon and watermelon juice!
I started with a sushi and seafood sampler, which I shared with Matt
And then I feasted on this incredible plate. Grilled fruits, a charred tomato, jumbo asparagus, beer-soaked grilled corn, barbecue salmon, pulled pork, spiced cornbread, beans and an amazing mac and cheese.
And as if that weren’t enough….the dessert table was breathtaking!
I shared this plate with Matt and Karen – plus a slice of heavenly German chocolate cake. Our favorite was the coconut crème pie on the right.
A memorable day of eating for sure!!
Afterwards, we all did this until we were digested enough to put our bathing suits on:
Awww love the squishy babies <3
Those drinks sound so good!
Wow, my stomach is seriously jealous! That looks insanely wonderful! Nothing like a good nap to follow some good eats. 🙂
That brunch is right up this Texas girl’s alley! I love seeing bloggers’ worlds collide 🙂
Gah, Mazen is so cute! That little one-toothed smile is just adorable!
What a fabulous day of eats. At occasions like that I often wish my stomach could just expand for the night so I can try all the delicious choices. Unfortunately that is not the case and I ususally end up with a stomach ache…
Brunch buffets are always so much fun–especially when you have people to share a tasting plate with 🙂 I’m loving this multi-post vacation recap–can’t wait to see what else you all were up to! Sorry about the troubles you had getting back to Cville–hope you have a relaxing weekend planned.
Mmm…yum!
You’ve got to be sure to try the local beer Nimbus. My brother is the brewmaster!
Wow!!! Matt loved it!! One of the best IPAs he’s ever had he said
So glad he liked it!
Is Nimbus distributed nationally?
Hey Spice Chicken — You can find Nimbus across the Southwest and West Coast, but they still don’t have a wide distribution in the Midwest or East Coast.
The Loews chain of hotels is amazing! We’ve stayed in a few and nothing compares.
Mazen is just adorable! I love the big, red cheeks! 🙂
Wow that meal looks amazing! And unlimited local beer and champagne? Done. I want to try the champagne with prickly pear, sounds delicious.
You me and dessert buffets one day. I see it happening
I traveled to Loews Ventana Canyon to help with a retreat at my first job out of college about 10 years ago; I’m so happy to see it is still amazing! I loved that place.
Drooling here, omgness all that food! Everything looks so flavorful and it’s funny you mention watermelon juice since that’s exactly what I was craving last night, hah!
Mazen is so stinkin cute with his little tooth poking through! What I wouldn’t give to be where bathing suits and tanks tops are a requirement. Summer couldn’t come any sooner as far as I’m concerned.
You’re looking great mama! And wow – all of that food and DESSERT look incredible! Dessert buffets get me every time…
Look at that tooth is right! Tell that little one to stop growing to quickly 🙂 you look great, by the way!
sounds like a lovely experience out at the resort 🙂 i pretty much would had attacked the drinks and the dessert table straight on.
My taste buds are pissed that I’m not feeding them the deliciousness pictured in this post.
Your son is teething, wow! Time flies!
I love that they serve green juices at the buffet! Everything looks delish!
All of that food looks DELICIOUS! As does the pink champagne 🙂
I would have been so overwhelmed by all of the food options. I am very hungry after seeing all of the beautiful photos.
The only thing better than a buffet is a brunch buffet 🙂
I absolutely love hiking. I love the fresh air, the wildlife and feeling like you’re the only person in the world for a little while.
Have you tried any Four Peaks brews? I live near Tempe, AZ and it is fabulous! If you are ever near here, I would love to take you- AMAZING!
The seafood sampler looks amazing! I really could eat it right now ^^
It all looks sensational! I’ve never tried anything prickly pear flavoured?! Does it taste like a standard pear at all?
More like cherries/watermelon
Oh wow! A mix of the two!? The Irish cherries are like a deep purple and taste like no other we import during the year. Definitely my favourite fruit; can’t wait to pick them again in a couple of months! I’m googling prickly pear after I finish this sentence to find out more!
That brunch looks INCREDIBLE! We have a super-great brunch in Des Moines (that is also not too kind to the bank account), and after seeing all of these photos, I think I may have to head there soon!
That jalapeño green juice sounds intriguing. How did it taste and what would you guess is in it (aside from the obvious)?
It actually wasn’t very spicy. I think it was mixed with some other fruit.
YUM! What an amazing, FRESH spread of delightful treats!! We are almost about to set foot back on American soil (been in S. Korea for two years) and one of the BIGGEST things we are excited about is the return to fresh fruits and veggies! We have them here, but many are fermented 🙂
Love the tooth!
What an awesome looking day!
oh my goodness, both yours and gina’s baby’s are so cute together! little liv and mazen!
Oh goodness, everything just looks so refreshing. From the summery hike to the summery spread. It makes me want lots of sunshine and fresh fruit (we’re getting ice and snow mixtures in New England right now!!!)
And is it just me, or is Mazen getting cuter and cuter every single day??? 😉
that looks so yummy! love smoked salmon and capers!!
That looks amazing 🙂
OH MY! That food looks fantastic! I’m not craving prickly pear candy… reminds me of summers in Tucson with my grandparents!
I love your healthy lifestyle and the gorgeous family that you have. It’s fun living healthy with spouse. That waterfall you came across is just amazing. You don’t get to stumble upon those things on a daily basis especially if you’re always in the city like me. The foods you ate are so enticing, I would love to try that pink champagne over there! Your little bundle of joy is so cute and that smile on his face is priceless.After seeing your post, I now crave for a day of relaxation and adventure. Must have felt good after doing all those things, reconnecting with nature, eating delicious foods and swimming for the rest of the day!
Hey Kath!
Looks like a great time. I am super jealous! Quick question, did you get that turqoise necklace in AZ? I just ask because my sister lived in AZ for the summer, and picked up turquoise for all of the girls in the family.
Thanks so much!
Grace
I didn’t.. It was a gift so it could still be from the southwest though
I missed the brunch but the regular menu was good food too. But it looks like it was heavenly… 🙂