We arrived at La Posada with barely an hour to spare before our dinner reservation. Actually, we did not have a reservation. We had been put on the waiting list. #2. But somehow or another we managed to get seated. It appears that it was actually pert of the bar not the formal dining room. Perhaps because we were staying at the hotel, although the restaurant is managed separately from the hotel.

Jim had reserved an ADA room and it was ready when we arrived. Karen got help from the front desk with our luggage, and after a quick shower, we were off to dinner in the Turquoise Room. We were seated in this beautiful restaurant quickly and at a window that looked out on the railroad tracks and passing trains. Even with trains passing by frequently, it was surprisingly quiet inside.

The hallway from our room to the Turquoise Room was most interesting, as it was filled with Native American artifacts and lots of Southwestern art. We spent some time browsing there.

Our waiter brought us menus. The first thing Jim noticed was the placemats. Replicas from the old Santa Fe Railroad and Harvey House days. Delightful!

The menu was extensive. Karen ordered Corn and Bean Soup and a Caesar? Salad. Jim ordered a filet mignon wrapped in bacon with baked potato. Fresh bread was included.

When our meals arrived at our table, the presentation was exquisite.

Here’s Ms. Karen’s take on her dinner.

“The wine was okay. The Calamari was the best I have ever had. The Caesar was the best I have ever had. The corn soup was beautifully presented and the best I have ever had. The Creme Brulee was the best I have ever had. No joke. I would drive to Winslow just for dinner.”

Jim’s filet was the best he has ever had, and the bacon wrap took the whole thing to a new level. The meat was tender and very flavorful. And he really enjoyed his baked potato.

Then it was time for dessert. Again the menu was extensive, but we decided to share a Creme Brulee. This turned out to be a great finish to our Turquoise Room dinner. Jim made the mistake of signing our room number to the check, not realizing that the restaurant and the hotel were separate entities.

The Turquoise Room website states:

“The Turquoise Room serves regional contemporary Southwestern cuisine — with an occasional tribute to the great days of the Fred Harvey Company.

 

In 1935, Mary Jane Colter was asked to design the private dining car for the Super Chief that was to run from Chicago to Los Angeles in 1936. It was named The Turquoise Room. The inaugural run started on Track 5 in Chicago’s Dearborn Station on May 12th, 1936. “Ellie,” Eleanor Powell was named its first passenger and so began its illustrious flirtation with the Hollywood Stars of the day. The Turquoise Room was a favorite of the studio chiefs and stars of the day for their private dining pleasure. We hope you will enjoy your visit to our Turquoise Room. Also, consider railroad travel to our friendly restaurant as we are an Amtrak stop.”

On our way out of the hotel the next morning, we visited the little museum at one end of the building. It contained a lot of Santa Fe Railroad memorabilia and the history of this Harvey House Hotel. There we purchased a video of the Harvey Girls and watched it when we got home. Most interesting.

So, how does Southern Arizona Guide rate this Winslow, AZ establishment? For this historic hotel, we rate it five Saguaros, best of the best. As for the Turquoise Room, that also rates five Saguaros. Better than any restaurant we have dined at in the Southwest. It matched up well with the best meal we have ever had when we visited Paris France in the early 1990’s. It was really that good.

La Posada Hotel and Turquoise Room
Winslow Arizona
Open 7 days a week
Turquoise Room is located inside La Posada Hotel
928.289.2888

Breakfast: 7–11 am
Lunch: 11–2 pm
Travelers Menu: 2–4 pm
Dinner: Starts at 5 pm;
last seating at 8:30 pm
Martini Lounge: Open until 10 pm.