Troia's in Sedona, is consistently excellent. So how could our dining experience get better? Well, it did.
I wrote this about three years ago:
Just a short way West down Highway 89A, we found a casually upscale Italian restaurant with a view of the Red Rocks. We were determined to try the pizza in hopes that we would get a taste of “real Italian pizza!” The waitress tempted us with some fantastic sounding entrées but we held to the pizza plan. But first, we enjoyed two appetizers. The fresh green salad we selected came with a choice of dressings. Again, fresh was a key word at Troia’s. Chef Shawn Murphy and his staff prepare these delicious dishes behind the counter in a beautiful exhibition kitchen.
We watched the sunlight change on the Red Rocks and sipped Chianti as we waited for the Pizza. Once it arrived we were thrilled with the mixture of textures and flavors. We chose the Troia’s Deluxe with Italian sausage, pepperoni, green pepper, black olive, mushrooms, onion, mozzarella cheese and Troia’s homemade sauce. No, that doesn’t describe it at all! Let’s say it was an artful mixture of just the right amount of each ingredient on a delicate thin crust. And, it reminded me of pizza in Italy…. real Italian pizza in the heart of Sedona!.
The personable approach of the wait staff and chef, beautiful light wood dining room with upscale touches, and the excellent fresh food certainly stole our culinary hearts. We will be back!
Today: Troia's as Part of Restaurant Fest
And, as part of the Dine in Sedona Restaurant Fest, I did return to Troia's just this week and was greeted by the owner and the same waitress who served us several years ago. The restaurant remained airy, vibrant and full of conversation. It hadn't changed.
The creative appetizers and entrees had evolved and we savored our selections. That evening they offered a special of squash-filled ravioli, which were to die for. But we satisfied ourselves with just a taste and moved to the fixed price menu offered as part of Restaurant Fest. Imagine our surprise when we found ourselves enjoying an appetizer, salad (or soup), entree and desert for only $39.99. The fixed price menus are a time limited deal in Sedona. And they are a wonderful deal.
As an appetizer, you could choose from Sauteed Mussels or Eggplant Cakes, for a soup/salad course, you could choose their Classic Caesar Salad or soup (cold and creamy cucumber soup was offered last night). And, of course, that was accompanied by Italian bread, warm from the oven. I chose the Shrimp Scampi sauteed in white wine, olive oil, lemon and garlic over linguine with broccoli. It was light and delicious. My friends selected the two other entrees and found them equally delicious. Troia's has a great selection of wines and I found a favorite there... an Italian Babera. Excellent!
As if we needed dessert! However, it was part of the fixed price offering so we forced ourselves to choose a dessert. The choice was Italian Cheesecake or Tiramisu and both were excellent.
Go Now!
So what's the hurry if Troia's is consistently excellent over the years? Well, there are three reasons from my perspective.
One is that Troia's is part of Restaurant Fest and their fixed price meal is a real bargain. You'll know that when you look over the prices on their full menu. And Restaurant Fest only lasts until Tuesday, June 30th.
Second is that Sedona businesses, like all resort destination businesses, have felt the economic downturn. They are willing to do their part such as offering fixed price menus and coupons. So in order to support these wonderful establishments, we need to do our part. We need to patronize them!
Third, is a big surprise. You may be one of the fortunate to hear Troia's employee, Douglas George, sing an
entrancing selection from an Italian Opera. We did, last night, and the entire restaurant was quietly enjoying his beautiful voice.
The folks at Troia's are warm and friendly, just like in the Italian restaurants I remember from my youth in San Francisco. They want you to enjoy your family celebrations there and bring the children. It's a warm and joyful type of place. Sam and Roseanne Troia work hard to make it that way.
Photo: Sam Troia with a bevy of happy diners
Comments
I vividly recall eating at Troia's in the summer of 2000. My brother was then living in Flagstaff, and my son, mother and I were visiting. Troia's is among the happiest memories from a wonderful trip. The food and atmosphere were truly outstanding, and I kept a little note with the name of the restaurant in my wallet for years! I have always thought that if I ever got back that way, I would definitely want to return for another meal. Because I have friends visiting Sedona now, I googled to see if I could locate the restaurant in order to recommend it. I'm so happy Troia's is still in business!
We dined for the first time at Trois this past Saturday evening. We were made to feel most welcomed by the hostess, who actually greeted us pleasantly, rather than "Two?". Our waitress, Cindy was very attentive and plesasant. We told her we would be attending a play later in the evening, so she made sure our timing was on track.
The bread was delicious, as was the appetizer, and the main meal of Dover Sole was delicious! We told Cindy that Troias is now our favorite restaurant in Sedona. We really did feel welcomed, attended to and not rushed, and enjoyed flavorful and well prepared food. Our table assistant was also courteous and plesasant. Congratulations to the Troias for very clean, and delightful place to dine. We'll be back!
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