Author Stephen Fried will speak and sign copies of his new book on the Fred Harvey empire at the Hotel La Posada in Winslow, AZ, this Sunday, April 18 at 3:30 p.m. in the Turquoise Room restaurant. This is a magnificent restoration of a Fred Harvey hotel. Chef John Sharpe will be recreating some classic Fred Harvey recipes for the occasion. More information at www.theturquoiseroom.net. Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
I showed my wife the Turquoise Room web site and now she's rarin' to go to La Posada this fall.
Posted by Stephen W (Member # 6059) on :
Great menus. I wonder what prickly pear cactus syrup tastes like? Not something we are overly familiar with in England!
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
gibg-I would recommend getting the La Posada cookbook as well, if you go. The 'Turquoise Room Cookbook' is outstanding - not just for the recipes but also the history, photos, and stories behind the ingredients. My wife's signed copy is a favorite in her collection.
It also includes the prickly pear cactus syrup: 'juice of the fruit has a vibrant scarlet color,,, and delicious flavor'. On the bread putting I had, it was just a garnish so don't know the full flavor.
Posted by RRCHINA (Member # 1514) on :
I will be at the La Posada the following weekend and will again enjoy the food and the many trains that pass by. If you are inclined for a cocktail they make a prickly pear margarita that is popular. The people who restored the La Posada are now restoring the Harvey hotel in Needles, CA.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
RRChina - didn't realize you were from Prescott. We spent a good night and another great meal at the Hassayampa Inn on our trip a few weeks ago. The station is nicely preserved - too bad the ATSF rerouted the line.
Posted by RRCHINA (Member # 1514) on :
palmland - yes the HASSAYAMPA INN Peacock Room is one of our favorites. My wife and I eat there 2-4 times each month.
The Santa Fe line to Phoenix was re-routed in 1962 because all of the freight business, and there was lots of it, was to or from Phoenix. The new line is 14 miles shorter and 1000 feet lower. When the original line was built the built in the 1890's Phoenix was about 5000 population and the rail business was from the mining and livestock areas around Prescott.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
I have had excellent prickly pear cactus margaritas in Santa Fe and elsewhere. I thought they were made with actual liqueur of the prickly pear, not mere syrup, but I could be mistaken. They are very pretty too, a kind of red violet. (PS I also once had a bad one--in the East of course!)
Posted by gibg (Member # 2565) on :
Thanks, Palmland -- yes, I have the cookbook. My very most favorite is the corn and black bean soup. They serve it at both lunch and dinner (and now that they stay open all day probably anytime!).
Mr. Kisor -- Winslow and the La Posada are an easy ride from Albuquerque or Lamy. You can be there in time for dinner. However, the next day's departure is very early. Suggest you spend two nights and sit in the lovely garden watching the trains go by.