A Taste of Italy in Sedona: Dining at Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante

With nearly perfect online ratings and a reputation for romance, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante in Sedona had us eager to experience its acclaimed Italian cuisine for ourselves. Stepping inside the dimly lit space, we were transported from the Arizona desert to a world of old-world elegance, complete with exposed stone walls, sparkling chandeliers, and crisp white tablecloths – the perfect setting for a memorable evening.

This Restaurant Is Permanently Closed.

Restaurant Rating

4.5/5

Cost Rating

$$$

Food Type

Italian

2321 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

There are over 1,500 reviews of Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante online, and this Italian restaurant has a near-perfect five-star rating. As you might have imagined, we were so excited to try this Sedona restaurant whose reputation precedes it.

One of the biggest features that draws dinners to Dahl & Di Luca is the restaurant’s romantic ambiance. Because we were celebrating a special occasion when we dined, we had high hopes for our experience.

Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Sedona Location & Atmosphere  

Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante is an Italian restaurant located in West Sedona, and once you step inside, you’d never know the Arizona desert is just outside the door. When you’re seated at your table, it’s like you’ve been transported to a romantic restaurant in a quaint Italian town. Inside the dimly lit dining room, you will see rustic exposed stone walls and a trio of sparkling crystal chandeliers that evoke a sophisticated, old-world feel. Crisp white tablecloths adorn each table, even those on the shaded patio overflowing with lush foliage.

A grand piano graces the main dining room, hinting at the possibility of live music serenading you and your dining companions as you dig into Italian fare. The entire atmosphere is romantic and elegant, making Dahl & Di Luca the perfect spot for a memorable evening. It’s no wonder Dahl & Di Luca was named one of the most romantic restaurants in Arizona by OpenTable.

Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Menu  

Chef Dahl has crafted a menu at Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante that is grounded in classic Italian dishes. The antipasti features sharable plates like crispy Fritto Misto, Arancini, Seafood Bruschetta, and Caprese Salad.

There are so many options for entrees. With items like Salmone al Limoncello, a 7 oz Prime Cut Filet, Chilean Sea Bass, and a number of handmade pastas (Three Cheese Tortellini, Quattro Formaggio Ravioli, and Pappardelle Pasta with Florentine Style Bolognese), you may have trouble deciding what to order.

There are a lot of meat and fish entrees, but if you’re a vegetarian or gluten-free, they also have tasty options for you, too!

Our Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Review: Exceptional  

We tried one tasting menu and a few other a la carte menu items, including the Veal with Eggplant. A side note: it’s nice that they give diners the options to do the tasting menu without the entire table committing.

Now, back to the tasting menu experience…

The tasting menu consisted of four courses with paired wine. A fun feature of the menu: a complimentary glass of Pizzolato, Organic Brut Prosecco, Veneto in honor of the restaurant’s 29th year of service. You can’t beat that!

Here’s what was included in the tasting menu:

Antipasti Course

Piatto di Burrata

Fresh burrata mozzarella on arugula, with herb-roasted tomatoes, artichokes, marinated mushrooms, and imported prosciutto, finished with extra virgin olive oil and truffle honey.

Primi Course

Tortellini Primavera

Quattro formaggi tortellini, with spring vegetables of zucchini, baby peas, and asparagus finished in a lemon zested cream sauce, and toasted pine nuts. Paired with Lyric, Pinot Noir, Monterey County.

(It was nice to see a Pinot Noir from Monterey, California as part of the tasting – a great region for Pinot.)

Main Course

A choice of:

Vitello Picatta

Saautéed scaloppini of veal in lemon-caper chardonnay sauce with orzo pilaf and string bean medley. Paired with Marchesi Antinori, “Bramito” Chardonnay, Umbria.

Portofino del Mare

New Bedford sea scallops, prawns sautéed with garlic and white wine finished with fresh spinach in a delicate lemon parmesan cream sauce over orzo pilaf. Paired with Chateau Saint Rosaline, “Le Cloître” Rosé, Cotes De Provence.

Dessert

Lemon Lavender Panna Cotta with blueberry sauce. Paired with Moscato D’ Asti, Icardi, Italy.

The wine pairings were good, and the meal itself was excellent too. Our only feedback would be that the main course had too much heat on it. But, that aside, our server, Ricardo, and the entire experience at the table was wonderful.

The team at Sedona’s Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante went above and beyond, including this nice touch:

We told the restaurant that we were celebrating an anniversary, and to mark the celebration they placed rose petals on the table. This was such a thoughtful gesture, and one we appreciated.

The Dress Code: What the Expect  

Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante has a dress code that reflects its status as a special occasion restaurant. While jackets and ties are not required, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante maintains a resort casual vibe. Roughly translated, that means no sportswear, flip flops, tank tops or short shorts, crop tops, hiking attire or sweatpants.

A quick word of advice: diners who are dressed more casually might be seated on the patio so that guests who are dressed up for a special dinner can enjoy a sophisticated atmosphere inside… according to the restaurant’s website.

Pro Tip 1  

Chef Lisa Dahl owns four other restaurants in the Sedona area, including:

If you can’t make it to Dahl & Di Luca, try one of these great spots.

Pro Tip 2  

Remember, if you’re thinking about doing corkage at this restaurant, call ahead. Arizona has some quirky corkage laws!

Closing Thoughts  

Our dinner at Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante was memorable. We could not have asked for a better dining experience on our anniversary. The rest of the Arizona restaurants we visit on our trip through Arizona wine country will have a high bar to meet!

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