Pleased with the Peacock

It has been 15 years since Jeff and I sipped a drink in the lobby of the Hassayampa Inn (Prescott, AZ) which sports many comfortable chairs and sofas arranged in conversation areas near the old grand piano available for guests to play, in front of the massive fireplace which blazes merrily in the winter, and close to the large picture windows that overlook the brick terrace populated with ironwork tables and chairs. There is a small bar opening into the lobby that offers hot tea and coffee in the morning later changing to ice water flecked with lemon slices as the temperature rises. Everyone is welcome to take a break from the heat and bask in the soothing age and atmosphere of the place.

In addition to a relaxing drink we enjoyed the hospitality of the Peacock Room restaurant for dinner last night and breakfast this morning. When we arrived at 8 p.m. for our reservation, we discovered most of the dinner rush had passed and only a couple of other tables were occupied, lending an air of serenity to the place. Light jazz wafted in from the lounge next door providing a backdrop to hushed conversations around romantically lit tables and high-backed booths. As part of our stay at the inn, we had already enjoyed a treat of champagne and large, luscious chocolate-dipped strawberries while we were dressing for dinner, which only served to whet our appetites. After we were firmly ensconced in an over sized private booth the waiter handed us menus replete with selections like duck a la orange, filet mignon, planked salmon, and lobster. We took quite some time sipping champagne and reading each description thoroughly before making our decisions. I chose a seafood medley (sea scallops, shrimp, salmon, and mussels) in a white wine, butter, and caper sauce while Jeff opted for the filet mignon encrusted with a house blend of herbs and spices resembling a spunky pesto. While we waited for the main course, we nibbled freshly baked sour dough bread, salad with a blue cheese and vinaigrette dressing, and tomato bisque. When our entrees arrived we wondered if we'd be able to eat them, but (of course) we did. While both were very good, I think the seafood medley would have been improved immensely by cutting back the amount of sauce. (It was served in a large, wide bowl - almost as if it were a soup rather than a sauce.) In addition, while the salmon and scallops were done to perfection, the shrimp was a little over cooked. Finally, the mussels (which I'd never eaten before) were good - they had a clean, salt air taste that I have come to associate with Gulf coast oysters on the half shell (prior to the BP oil spill, that is). Jeff's steak was perfectly cooked and so tender he could cut it with a fork. By the time we were finished, we knew we had to stroll around courthouse square a couple of times to walk off a little dinner.

At breakfast this morning we found the Peacock Room bustling with activity bathed in the bright golden light of day. Luckily, the moment we were seated an excellent waiter filled my coffee cup and kept it coming the whole time we were there. (Jeff probably called ahead to tell them how cranky I am if I don't get my daily caffeine fix.) Again we were handed menus brimming with good eats ranging from muffins and fruit to quiche of the day to more standard fair. We both opted for eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns, though I had 12-grain toast with mine while Jeff ordered up a couple of pancakes (which ultimately covered the entire plate and had everything else stacked on top). The real treat (for me) came in the form of the potatoes. All I can say is that someone at the Hassayampa Inn knows how to make hashbrowns - large chunks of previously boiled potatoes fried to a golden brown with just a hint of crispy outside to match the soft, steamy inside along with slivers of red bell pepper and sweet vidalia onions. These were heaven on a plate next to the crispy oven-cooked bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs. Jeff, not being a hashbrown lover himself, offered up his portion in an effort to clear his plate faster so he could get to those pancakes - one of which he ate smothered in apple butter instead of syrup.

We again left the restaurant stuffed and in need of a walk around town before heading home. We browsed a few more antique shops and, just before making our way to the car, discovered a shop called "Olive U Naturally" (purveyors of gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars), which I will tell you all about tomorrow.