Dining Out? (Businesses You Should Know About)

by Layola

La Carreta—Authentic Flavors of Guadalajara

La Carreta is translated "the wagon" and reminds us of carrying the freshly-harvested produce, fowl, fish, flowers, and textiles to open-air markets and eateries. This is the experience one is embraced with at La Carreta restaurant of Cottonwood, Arizona located at 2181 Highway 89A. La Carreta celebrates Mexican tradition with its brightly painted green and red building complemented by its bright yellow sign. Owners Alfredo and Leticia Jimenez and their three daughters (Claudia, age 12; Adriana, age 7; and Sandra, age 3) have recently pioneered into the Cottonwood area. Alfredo and Leticia set out to relocate their special family from the busy life of Lancaster, California—just hours from the coast—to a more peaceful family-style environment.

Alfredo has been in the restaurant business for more that 13 years; this is his first restaurant to own and operate. Both Alfredo and Leticia emigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico, where both their parents manage successful family ranches. Alfredo shared with me that everyone starting from the age of three years up has a job at the ranch, and that when living so far out of town there is at times the need for a ranch “doctor"—someone designated to fix/set in the moment "ranch accidents," such as a broken arm. On Alfredo’s family ranch this person is his father.

A lot of cooking happens on a ranch, as you can imagine. Alfredo brings the traditional tastes of Guadalajara, Mexico, prepared by the chefs of La Carreta and secured with his secret recipes. La Carreta’s traditional beans and rice are the best I’ve tasted in the area to date. These accompany the house "Especials," including a few favorites:

• Carne Asada—grilled skirt steak
• Pollo Asada—marinated then grilled chicken breast

And from the seafood menu…

• Pescaudo tacos—grilled fish taco with guacamole
• Camarones Apretalados—jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon and fried.

La Carreta’s combination plates are all made special, with your choice of chicken or beef.
You can also order individual items off the "side orders," if, for example, you just want one chile relleno. All tables are served fresh tortilla chips and the most flavorful homemade salsa—and if you like it hot, you got it! Traditional beverages like Horchata, Tamarindo, Jamica, and Pina are served, as well as your choice of soda pop or (an all-time favorite with Mexican food) a nice choice of cold Mexican and American beers. Wine is also an option and margaritas are on their way. And, look for the advertised specials like Thursday all day happy hour on Corona beer.

Open seven days per week, this is truly a family-loved and owned business. I asked Alfredo how he can keep going at such a pace, and he shared that "the positive feed-back from the customers helps to keep the soul inspired" and that he’ll “wake at night to write down the creative ideas which come to him in his hours of rest." One customer from Prescott shared with him that La Carreta is now their official stop while traveling through Cottonwood and Sedona. La Carreta has already been discovered to cater small parties—if you call 120 "small," as Alfredo did. Loving inspiration was ablaze as Alfredo himself remodeled the interior of the restaurant. He is looking forward to the landscape improvements and a well-lit parking lot. Leticia is usually the gracious hostess at the door and is often the primary server, always sharing her warm smile and laughter.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
¡Buen Provecho!
When you dine at La Carreta, tell them “the Voice” sent you!

Interlandi’s Pasta Casa—They Do Meatballs!

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore!

Look for Sedona's “Interlandi's Pasta Casa” (=house of pasta)…you'll absolutely fall in love with les sapores—the flavors.

Ahh…the smells! Now let the music of Vivaldi ease your body to a table in this homey Italian setting with its many windows framing a view of the Mogollon Rim; this view expands out onto the deck during the warmer months of spring, summer, and autumn days and evenings.

Owners Dennis and Carla Armstrong, before deciding to move here, visited the Sedona area for many years (and of course fell in love with it). Upon meeting these very warm individuals you will appreciate their sincerity in gracing the Sedona food scene with Interlandi’s Pasta Casa located at 150 Highway 179 in the Arroyo Robles Market Place. Dennis has been in the restaurant business for more than twelve years. Ten years ago he was instrumental in the opening of Prescott’s Genovecie’s Italian Restaurant. Both Carla and Dennis are California natives, having resided in Cambria, California before moving to Sedona. They enjoyed the beach scene and the fresh food eateries of the coast all of their lives.

Carla had the blessing of growing up in an Italian home where “Grandma Mary would have the fresh homemade pasta laid out on the dining room table to cool.” Carla shared that there was much laughter in the home and thanks her “Papa for all the laughs.” Carla’s father, Phil Interlandi, whom the restaurant is named in honor of and who has recently passed to the higher realms, was an internationally-renowned cartoonist. His cartoon series “Queenie” was syndicated internationally in the ‘50s and ‘60s in such publications as Saturday Evening Post, Mad Magazine, and The New Yorker. One of the best cartoonists of his time, you can see public memorabilia, books, and photographs of this very distinguished and handsome gentleman. (Carla contributed one of his cartoons for this issue; see page 13.)

At Interlandi’s you’ll enjoy discovering these traditional Italian food sapore (flavors) in the wide variety of choices from the menu. Dennis and Carla shared with me that they “really wanted to open a quality restaurant with quality foods that were affordable for families.” They also shared that they have learned the wisdom that giving is receiving; therefore, they have gone the extra mile to fulfill their family restaurant vision.

Tour de menu

View the wine list on these cool winter evenings, or discover your choice of Italian sodas, an Italian cold beer, or American beverages to taste.

Appetizers/Antipasto: my personal favorite is the Brushetta-toasted Italian bread, topped with tomatoes, basil, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Also served:

Here comes Zuppa and Salad:

A large selection is yours from the entree menu, and, like we headlined, they do meatballs!

Interlandi’s also features “Phobe’s Delightful Desserts”

Dennis shared his excitement of creating seasonal desserts for the holidays fall cuisine; just for a peek… “pumpkin pie cheese cake,” yummy!

This warm atmosphere is a great place to share the holiday season when family comes to town. So, make your list and check it twice—we know after your meal at Interlandi’s Pasta Casa, you will surely be more nice than naughty!

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday

CIAO!

When you dine at Interlandi’s Pasta Casa, tell them “the Voice” sent you!