No one who has ever been to the Royal Palms Resort and Spa would argue that it’s one of the finest in all of Arizona. From beautiful Camelback Mountain that serves as its backdrop, to the world class Alvadora Spa, everything about this getaway is perfect. You don’t have to be a guest of the resort to experience some of the best fine dining the area has to offer. The AAA Four Diamond Award winning T. Cook’s and The Mix Up Bar are sure to delight you. Open from 6:30 a.m.- midnight for breakfast, brunch, lunch, Mix & Mingle (happy) hour, and dinner, it’s always a good time to enjoy everything T. Cook’s has to offer.
Step inside, and you’re welcomed into a dining room with vaulted ceilings, fire places, iron chandeliers, and rich natural colors fitting right in with the Old World Spanish architecture found in the rest of the resort. The al fresco dining offers scenic views. If you’re in the mood for casual drinks or small bites like oysters, foie gras bratwurst, or the chef’s charcuterie board, the Mix Up Bar is the perfect place. Decorated with dark woods, and contemporary linens it’s a sophisticated way to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail or glass of wine from their extensive wine list. You’ll feel perfectly relaxed with the residential inspired detailing and colors of gold and yellow. “The Study” is a private nook perfect for meetings or gatherings with bookshelves stocked with Old World literature. If you’re hosting a small, private party, you can also gather in the Delos room with up to twelve people.
The main restaurant is where all the action really happens. You’ll never get bored with the fare at T. Cook’s because it is always changing. The menu is New American Mediterranean inspired cuisine. The ingredients are hand selected based on seasonal availability to bring you the freshest meals possible, and the award winning chefs including Executive Chef Paul McCabe keep the dishes creative and inspiring. For breakfast, healthful options like house pressed juices and steel cut oatmeal brulee are great ways to start your day. The lunch menu invites you to linger over roasted beet salad, frito miso, and flatbreads. Dinner offerings are modern and creative delights like Colorado lamb, dry aged ribeye, and sea bass crudo. T. Cook’s also has its own Certified Wine Sommelier Matt Weston who has been with the resort since 1998, and has been the Resort Beverage Manager since 2008.
It’s easy to make reservations for a first date, or any kind of date at this restaurant which has been voted the best for first dates and has also been credited over and over again as the most romantic restaurant. Right on the home page of the website there’s a place where you can make a reservation for up to ten people. Just pick the date, the number in your party and the time you want, and the reservation site will show you the times that are available. Around the holidays, T. Cook’s offers special menus for those special days. For the Valentine’s Day holiday, reservations fill up fast, and you can be sure the guests will be too when they see the menu prepared for them featuring soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the website though, is that it has select recipes for the chef in your house to recreate at home. If you’re not inclined to cook, but still want the taste of T. Cook’s at home, they sell a limited number of their jams, jellies, spice rubs, and sauces online.
So whether you’re planning to stay at the Royal Palms, or just want to come for a romantic evening or chic Mix & Mingle hour, T. Cook’s is the destination to go to. You can be sure your every detail will be taken care of for a flawless and delicious experience.