Despite the intriguing name, Jerome’s Asylum Restaurant isn’t what it might seem. Forget asylums – there’s nothing spooky about this eatery that is housed in the historic Jerome Grand Hotel, except maybe the dining experience.

While the restaurant boasts scenic mountain views and a menu that is inspired by Old World European cuisine, we were left wondering: is the experience worth the price tag?

Let’s delve in and find out

Where is the Asylum Restaurant?  

The Asylum restaurant is located in Jerome, Arizona inside of the Grand Hotel, Jerome. For reference, Jerome is right in between Prescott and Sedona (about a 45 minute drive from both). If you’re traveling from Phoenix, plan for a 2 hour drive.

A Not-so-Spooky History  

The name “Asylum Restaurant” has a lot of imagery baked into it, and you may be surprised to learn that the site of the hotel and restaurant was never actually used as an insane asylum. In fact, the Asylum Restaurant in Jerome (and the Jerome Grand Hotel) were previously a hospital.

What’s the Atmosphere Like?  

Asylum restaurant sits within a hotel that is full of history. Putting aside the fact that Jerome, Arizona is an old mining town that attracts ghost hunters from around the world, the hotel itself, constructed in the early 1920s, is a little eerie.

Despite a long and strange history, the atmosphere in the restaurant itself is pretty cool – a little chaotic, but somehow it all works together. Couple that with some amazing views of the mountain desert, and it’s pretty unique inside. We would describe it as kitschy Old World European.

The Asylum Restaurant Menu  

Asylum restaurant serves traditional European-inspired cuisine with a good mix of meat and vegetarian dishes. We almost expected to find some Southwestern influences in the food, but the team here seems to be trying for high-end hotel dining.

Think: Chilean Sea Bass, Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon, and Grilled Pork Tenderloin with an apricot glaze.

The Wine List: Not Many Local Wine Options  

The first thing we noticed about the wine list is that there aren’t many local wines on the list. For a town whose modern identity is being built on a growing wine community, that struck us as strange. There isn’t even a local wine by the glass on here.

Most of the Arizona wine represented on the list is from Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards (essentially the same winery). There are no real surprises here. Much of the list is made of the usual big name brands: Groth, Duckhorn, Paul Hobbs, The Prisoner, JUSTIN… you get the idea.

Our Experience at the Asylum Restaurant, Jerome  

It’s hard to know where to start with our experience here when the restaurant doesn’t feel like it knows what it is. Is the Asylum Restaurant upscale or is it casual? It has paper tablecloths (table coverings?), but serves $200 bottles of premium wine.

And, About that Wine…  

We ordered a bottle of Sea Smoke “Ten” Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, a good bottle of wine. You would think that if the restaurant is serving a bottle like this they would have some red wine glasses ready to go. Unfortunately, this wine was served in regular, standard one-size-fits-all glasses, which was disappointing.

And, About that Stemware…  

We understand this is not a fine dining establishment, but if a guest is spending that kind of money on a bottle of wine, how much extra effort does it take to have the proper stemware on hand? They also did not have any decanters for the wine. Also weird.

Thoughts on the Food  

As you can see from our rundown of the menu, there are a lot of interesting options. We went with:

• Roast Maple Leaf Duck Breast with duck fat orange glaze, serrano fruit chili mango salsa, shoestring potatoes, kal-bi sauce, organic brown rice, and seasonal vegetables

• Filet with Mushrooms over Fettuccine with Seasonal Vegetables

The dishes were okay, but not great for the cost. Take a look at our photos. There’s a lot happening on the plate. It felt like a simpler approach may have produced a better dish here.

The Cost of Dining at Asylum in Jerome  

If you’re wondering why we gave a value rating of ‘2’ to Asylum, just take a look at the menu prices. We lived in California for a number of years, and the entree prices remind us of our meal at Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak in the 5-star ultra luxury hotel Waldorf Astoria in Monarch Beach, California.

Sockeye Salmon for $46, Duck for $45, a Tofu and Butternut Squash dish for almost $40. It’s eye watering.

Tips  

• Asylum restaurant, Jerome is open for lunch and dinner, which makes stopping in for a meal easy, if you’re staying at the Jerome Grand Hotel.

• Using a credit card when you dine? Be aware that this Jerome restaurant adds a 3.5% charge to the bill when you use a credit card to pay.

• Want to split an entree with a friend? The restaurant will add a $6.49 fee to your check, but they will give you your own side dish.

• If you have the option, and the weather is nice, sit on the patio. It’s shaded and the views are great.

Corkage Fee  

Arizona corkage is a little tricky. If a restaurant has a liquor license, then corkage is not allowed. If the restaurant does not have a liquor license, then you can usually bring a bottle of wine.

If you’re in Arizona and want to bring a bottle of wine from a local winery, definitely call ahead to see how the rules apply.

Closing Thoughts  

Jerome’s Asylum restaurant left a lot to be desired. The food is average at best, and for the cost, we think diners should explore other options, like the Clinksdale. The view is great, but that’s about it. This spot does have potential, but it’s got a ways to go.

FAQs  

How far apart are Jerome and Sedona?

Jerome and Sedona are just under 30 miles apart. Depending on traffic, the drive is around 45 minutes. If you’re staying in Jerome and want to spend a day in Sedona, it’s an easy drive that’s pretty, too!