“This is a great restaurant to take friends and special guest visiting from out of town. The ambiance is exceptional especially eating outside on the patio. Plenty of seating. It is overlooking the par three golf hole of The Rancho Mañana golf club. The menu has a terrific selection. The waitress was professional and serviced our luncheon needs. We have been there several times with friends from out of town. Even our friends raved about the menu , location, and ambiance. Highly recommend it.” – Geoffrey H., Phoenix

“Had a wonderful dinner on the patio! Walleye was great!! Salads as an entree were huge. But our favorite were the sweet potato tator tots! A must!” – Sunnyskier, Vail, CO

“Chef Eric F and his compadres chefs mix flavors you would not think of and when they do, they are a burst of flavor. Surroundings are comfortable yet up scale, yet great for golfers and wonderful for those of us who live there. The waitresses are awesome as are the sweet bartenders. We always take our friends from out of town to Tonto Bar & Grill. And in the cool of the evening a view of golf course is surreal and calming.” -Casmkt, Cave Creek, AZ

When Tonto Bar and Grill Pastry Chef Amanda Crick started tinkering with desserts, she was not even old enough to work. The daughter of a school cook, the kitchen was a comfortable spot for her. Not only did she have natural talent; others began to notice that the kid from Cave Creek was good!

They’re still noticing, and she’s getting better every year. Her eye for not only what makes a delicious dessert, but what turns food into art, is what has made her so popular at Tonto’s and at our sister restaurant, Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House.

Most recently she was hired to do food staying for Vail and Telluride dining guides, and we think her work is icing on the cake. Check it out!

Thanks, Amanda, for 12 years and counting of making our lives a little sweeter.

For those who have had the opportunity to relax on our patio or sit at our bar and enjoy a cold adult beverage, it will come to no surprise to you that we have some of the best suds west of the Mississippi. We take great pride in our fantastic collection of rare and tasty spirits, and our bartenders are always quick to serve them up with a dash of special something-something that makes our cocktails unique.

In addition to being delicious, we’re proud to announce that our TontoRitas have made the Arizona Republic’s list of top margarita deals in the state. It’s official – we’re worth our salt!

In the restaurant business, we see a little bit of everything, but Sunday, February 23, this little guy warmed even our hardest rolls! Buck, age 5, came in with his parents dressed as his favorite hero, Tonto!

Thanks to Buck and his parents for making our day extra special!

In tales of the West, cowboys, ranchers, miners and Native Americans often play a predominant role in legend and lore, but another group, Chinese Americans, are sometimes overlooked despite their important contributions. Chinese Americans have a rich history in Phoenix and its surrounds, particular in their integral role of building railroads and many of the Valley’s first grocery stores, going back nearly 100 years. This Chinese New Year – the Year of the Horse –Tonto Bar and Grill is celebrating the Chinese heritage and its imprint on Phoenix history with special menu selections February 8 and 9, 2014.

Chinese flavors are infused into Tonto Bar and Grill’s award-winning desert-to-table offerings in this special weekend menu, starting with the Saturday lunch special of Asian grilled chicken wrap with Napa cabbage, carrots, jicama, breakfast radish, pickled cucumber, tangerine chipotle vinaigrette all wrapped in a spinach tortilla.

Delight in Saturday’s Dinner Special: Miso-soy glazed halibut with green tea soba noodles, baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, hearts of palm, and a red curry basil broth.

Lunch on Sunday includes Chinese five-spice-rubbed pork tenderloin tacos with Asian sesame slaw, black bean puree, and sweet and spicy garlic ginger vinaigrette.

Join us for dinner Sunday and enjoy Schezuan peppercorn-crusted N.Y. Strip with shiitake mushroom risotto, soy-glazed Chinese long beans, roasted baby heirloom carrots, and a wasabi demi-glace.

Tonto’s dessert special for both days includes fresh fruit spring rolls with apples, pears, mango and citrus cream cheese filling served with mango lime fondue dipping sauce.

Tonto Bar & Grill is located in one of the most picturesque spots in the Phoenix area at Rancho Mañana Golf Club in Cave Creek. Surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, the site was once a renowned dude ranch in earlier days of Arizona history. We still celebrate our heritage and remain stewards to the land. Many of our seasonal offerings come from the desert, and our meats and seafood are hand-selected, organic and antibiotic-free. All of our sauces, breads, dressings and desserts are made in-house daily from a variety of organic, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients.

Call 480-488-0698 for reservations.

Celebrate a memorable Valentine’s Day at Tonto Bar & Grill with an extraordinary menu and “Fifty Shades of Red” cocktails!

For hundreds of years, Valentine’s Day has been a special time to celebrate love and romance and to take time to appreciate those who fill our hearts with joy. There is no better way to commemorate romance than to enjoy it in the glowing embers of history at Tonto Bar & Grill.

Join us Friday, Feb. 14 from 4 to 10 p.m. for an evening of love and culinary delight in the beauty of the southern rim of the Tonto National Forest at Rancho Mañana. Show that someone how special they are with this exceptional evening at Tonto Bar & Grill.

In addition to our award-winning organic, locally sourced menu offerings, enjoy special selections like cold-water Maine lobster bisque with jumbo lump crab; mesquite wood-grilled peppercorn crusted beef tenderloin and scallops; and our warm chocolate truffle Frangelico cake with a strawberry rose and meringue kisses. Add a hint of romance with our “Fifty Shades of Red” cocktail, a delicious blend of chilled Absolut vodka, pomegranate juice, blood orange and lime, topped with fresh rose petals.

Tonto Bar & Grill is offer a world-class beverage program to complement our fine cuisine. We hold a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for our well-chosen selection of domestic and international bottles, half bottles and glasses. We also offer drafts and bottled beer from around the world, from pilsners to stouts, in a variety of styles to quench your thirst and warm your special night.

Tonto Bar & Grill is located in one of the most picturesque spots in the Phoenix area at Rancho Mañana Golf Club in Cave Creek. Surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, the site was once a renowned dude ranch in earlier days of Arizona history. We still celebrate our heritage and remain stewards to the land. Many of our seasonal offerings come from the desert, and all of our meats and seafood are hand-picked for excellence. All of our sauces, breads, dressings and desserts are made in-house daily from a variety of organic, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients.

Tonto Bar & Grill has been providing a true Arizona experience for 19 years. Join us and see why we have been honored with numerous awards, including Zagat’s 15 Best Looking Restaurants in Phoenix, TripAdvisor’s 2013 Certificate of Excellence, Arizona Republic’s Top 10 Gourmet Hamburgers in Metro Phoenix, Experience AZ magazine’s Top 5 Best of Arizona Southwestern Restaurants, and many more.

Call 480-488-0698 for reservations.

Here’s a little fun from our family to yours! Don’t forget to make reservations to enjoy our special Christmas Eve menu! Call 480-488-0698.

’Twas the Night before Christmas at Tonto

’Twas the night before Christmas and all through Tonto
The place was a-buzzing with warm Christmas glow.
Chef Ryan was stirring the squash bisque with care
While sizzling pork tenderloin scented the air.

Julie in her kerchief and Brittany in plaid
Had just filled their orders, and people were glad.
Cody and Barb looked o’er the dining room with care,
Knowing that loved ones would fill every chair.

When out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,
And Candy yelled, “Whoa! What the heck is the matter?!”
And to the window Smitty then flew like a flash,
Jumping and clicking his mouth as he dashed.

Rancho Mañana moonlight was a beautiful sight,
There was no sign of what made that big thump in the night.
When, what did his eyes spot in the warm moonlight glow –
But a jolly old man atop a piebald pinto!

The little old rider, so lively so quick,
Smitty thought for a moment, “It must be St. Nick!”
With speed like a hawk, that horseman did ride
Toward Tonto, his saddlebags packed by his side.

“The legend, it’s true!” Smitty thought with a start,
And Christmas joy snuck in and entered his heart.
“Hey John, come and see this!” he yelled with excitement,
Though his long-nurtured doubts filled him full of contritement.

And then in a dust cloud, the young steed did halt,
His hooves clicking loudly on solid asphalt.
The rider in red, his coat made of leather,
The two men would have fallen if struck by a feather.

In the dark of the night, in the shade of his brim,
The man chuckled heartily; it shook every limb.
In the doorway they stood, still in disbelief
And the jolly man noticed and said, “Guys, good grief!”

With the sound of his voice and the tip of his hat,
The men quickly realized it was Eric Flatt.
They gazed at the horse and the gifts that it bore
And knew that the evening had ‘special’ in store.

For nothing’s more important than the kindness of friends,
And sharing good laughs in the time that we spend.
So as bells gently jingle in warm Tonto light,
We wish happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

© Tonto Bar and Grill 2013

What a son of a banker!

If you’ve ever wondered why Eric Flatt, owner of Tonto Bar & Grill and Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House got started in the business, or how he traded in his Speedo for spurs and moved from  Pebble Beach to Cave Creek, you won’t want to miss “Wild, Wild West” on hyper-local social media site Restaurant Live AZ. The podcast, which took place December 18, 2013 at the Phoenician Resort, features Flatt, as well as Salty Sow Chef Harold Marmulstein and Phoenician Activities Director Caitlin McAlister.

Click here to hear Eric’s interview in its entirety — and other parts of the program, too (but we know you want to hear Eric’s interview). You can even check out his mug while you’re at it!

In all seriousness, it really is an honor to be featured on Restaurant Live Arizona. It was a great opportunity to talk about our desert-to-table fare, and to emphasize the importance of knowing where our food comes from. People are becoming more and more aware of the need to be mindful in our food and lifestyle choices, and we’re proud to be on the leading edge of the slow-cook movement.

For more information on where we are, what we’re all about, and our fantastic menus, learn about both of our restaurants at www.cartwrightssonoranranch.com and www.tontobarandgrill.com.

Guess who is officially good looking … as in, for real, in print and everything?!

Us, that’s who!

Consumer review website Zagat named us one of the Top 15 Best Looking Restaurants in Phoenix! We’re feeling good that they noticed our efforts and likes what we’ve done. Check out the article here in the Phoenix Business Journal.

Our menu has been dubbed “Best Southwestern” in Phoenix Magazine’s “Best of Phoenix,” and we’ve won some other great awards, too. We’re excited about adding this one to the list!

Tonto Bar & Grill is now the look and taste of authentic Arizona. Join us and experience modern desert dining with a peek into the past. Enjoy a Southwestern/eclectic menu of all-natural meats, local products and homemade breads, along with friendly service and gorgeous views. We’re located at 5736 E. Rancho Mañana Blvd. in Cave Creek, AZ 85331. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Want to make reservations or have a special event we can help with? Give us a call at 480-488-0698.
Banquet facilities available.

www.tontobarandgrill.com

The Fifth Annual Cave Creek Balloon Festival at Rancho Mañana will be bigger and better than ever, and packed with more family fun for everyone! Tonto Bar & Grill, Aerial Solutions, Sanderson Lincoln & Ford and Valerie’s Fine Furniture are again teaming up for this amazing event in Cave Creek.

This year, Cave Creek Unified School District will receive 10 percent of sales. The school with the most sales will receive $500 in addition to 10 percent. Tickets available online here (click link).

Parking will be available at 38406 N. Schoolhouse Rd. in Cave Creek. Proceeds from the $5 parking charge will go to CCUSD. A Cactus Shadows High School bus will shuttle event-goers to and from the entrance gate. There will be no event parking available at Tonto Bar & Grill.

Rancho Mañana Golf Club driving range will once again become a magical field of glowing splendor January 4, 2014 when brightly colored and whimsically shaped balloons come to life at 6 p.m. At about 8 p.m., the excitement continues as the flying Arizona Skyhawks descend from 13,000 feet in the air with special suits outfitted with pyrotechnics.

Gates open at 3 p.m. Enjoy live music by local bands such as the Kards and Food, beverages, cocktails and wine, as well as locally brewed Four Peaks beer will be available for purchase. Turn the kids loose at the larger-than-ever kids’ zone and great activities.

Please, no lawn chairs, dogs or outside food and beverages allowed. All activities dependent on weather. ATMs available on-site.

Go in style with Valerie’s Furniture VIP tickets. Includes event admission, gourmet buffet from Tonto Bar & Grill (4:30-7:30 p.m.), private cash bar and private restrooms. VIP tickets are $60 for adults; $25 for ages 10 and under. Tax and gratuity are included. Advanced ticket sales only, VIP tickets must be purchased by December 31. All orders are final. No cancellations, no rain checks.

General admission tickets available at the gate.

Purchase tickets online at: https://www.purplepass.com/#4513/Cave_Creek_Festivals-Cave_Creek_Balloon_Festival_presented_by_Sanderson_Lincoln-Rancho_Mañana_Golf_Course-January-04-2014.html

Step away from the festival and enjoy a gourmet meal at Tonto Bar & Grill adjacent to the festival while relaxing on the patio or inside this rustic restaurant. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.