Chocolate Miracles and
Other Sweet
Temptations in Tucson

By Madelyn Miller

I have chocolate karma. (Sorry, that is not a dessert. It is not for sale) Chocolate things just seem to come to me, and chocolate experiences call to me. 

On a recent trip to Tucson, I stopped into the Tucson Art Museum. There was only time to dash into the gift shop where I saw some wonderful jewelry and was drooling over it (I like jewelry almost as much as chocolate). I read the bio and discovered the artist; Donna Nordin was also a chef. A chocolate chef.  I read that she had been chosen a James Beard chef and her chocolate mousse pie had been on the cover of Bon Appetit. Wow, I thought to myself, I would really like to meet her.

Three hours later, I was in her home eating dinner, having the famous chocolate pie for a most memorable dessert.

How did this chocolate miracle happen?

Well, Donna is part of the first family of food in Tucson. Her husband Don Luria is surely the Don of the foodies in town. He is on the board of everything and in fact, started many of the boards.  Don and Donna own a popular restaurant, Terra Cotta, that was temporarily closed because of a fire. So they invited the group of travel journalists I was traveling with into their home for dinner.

It was one of those lucky moments when I knew that travel and food writing is the perfect career for me.

More Chocolate Mousse and a Taste of the Dessert

The small little restaurant in Tohono Chul Park is really mostly known to residents.  Tohono Chul—translated as “desert corner” in the language of the Tohono O'odhAM—was founded in 1985 to protect a piece of the desert in the midst of a rapidly developing urban area, and serve as a model for visitors of all ages to learn to be participant stewards of this fragile environment.

Their restaurant serves a dual purpose—to raise money for this worthy cause and to make sure that you come back frequently, if only to get a bite of the chocolate mousse pie. Other must-try items are the prickly pear lemonade (and if you take a tour you will learn why it is good for your cholesterol) and the terrific salads.

This is the most educational restaurant I ever ate at. Many people are familiar with the sweet, red fruits of the saguaro or prickly pear-- but have you tasted the carob-like flavor of a ripe mesquite pod, put a zing in your mouth by biting into the “mother of chiles” (chiltepin) or held the “drugstore of the desert” (creosote) in your hands and inhaled its distinctive aroma? Take a class in the Taste of the Desert at Tohono Chul Park (3 hours for $30). To sign up call 520-742-6455 ext 228 or jofallas@tohonochulpark.org

Eat Your Chocolate and Learn How To Make More, Too

One of the most wonderful cooking classes I have ever experienced is at Westward Look Resort. Chef Chris Pedersen takes so much pride in his organic Chef's Garden, that he starts the class there. After a garden walk followed by a three-course class, you get to taste the wonderful flavors of the garden and take home the recipes.

Chef Pedersen introduced his pastry chef Rohan Wirasina and my class learned to make the Tres Leche Chocolate Torte with Guajillo Chili Hibiscus Chocolate Filling. 

Honestly, I know I will never make this dessert at home. I do not grow hibiscus. I do not have any guajillo chili. But I will come back to Tucson just to eat more of Chef  Chris Pedersen's wonderful food and Rohan's chocolate wonders 

Westward Look Resort
245 East Ina Road
Tucson, Arizona 85074
520-297-1151
Fax 520-297-9023
www.westwardlook.com

Chocolate Inspiration

As I write this article, I am nibbling on Jonathan’s Tucson Cork. Kind of like a chunky, fat Heath Bar, only much much better. One of them gives you a full day’s sugar high.

Jonathan’s
Southwestern Dining and Catering
6320 E. Tanque Verde
Tucson, AZ 85715
520-296-1631

A crepe with chocolate anglais sauce? This is just one good reason to visit Livorno. I will let you discover the many others. There are five other savory crepes on the menu which offers a little touch of France and Italy.

Livorno
A Country Bistro
5931 B. Oracle Road
Tucson, Az 85704
520-887-5171

I will travel almost anywhere for chocolate. But I can hardly wait to get back to Tucson.

IMAGES COMPLIMENTS OF Gary Cralle gcralle@sympatico.ca

Gary was chosen for this assignment because of his great respect and understanding for chocolate. He even has a chocolate camera. Another nice thing about Gary is that he shares. Here is his source for chocolate cameras. Should  you want details about my camera, I got it at Bissinger’s French Confections, at their
McPherson Store–Original Store
4742 McPherson
Saint Louis, Missouri 63108
Hours: M–Sat. 9am–5pm CST
314.367.9750

For more information on Tucson:
www.visitTucson.org
800.638.8350

Great Guidebooks:
Arizona For Dummies, 3rd Edition
By Edie Jarolim
www.dummies.com
It would be a smart idea to get this book before visiting Tucson

The Insiders' Guide to Tucson
locally written and regularly updated
www.insiders.com

WHERE TO STAY
Westward Look Resort
245 East Ina Road
Tucson, Arizona 85074
520-297-1151
Fax 520-297-9023
www.westwardlook.com

Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa 
3800 E. Sunrise Dr.
Tucson, Arizona 85718
520 742-6000 

WHERE TO EAT
Terra Cotta
3500E. Sunrise Drive
Tucson, Arizona  85718 
(520) 577-8100
Fax: 520 577-9015
www.cafeterracotta.com

Gold Room
Westward Look Resort
245 East Ina Road
Tucson, Arizona 85074
520-297-1151 / 800 722-2500 
Fax 520-297-9023
www.westwardlook.com

Pastiche Modern Eatery
3025 North Campbell Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85719
520-325-3333
Pastiche is an eatery with an upscale yet casual ambiance featuring local artists.

Livorno
A Country Bistro
5931 B. Oracle Road
Tucson, Az 85704
520-887-5171

BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCES
1. Gift shop at the Tucson Art Museum

2.  How Sweet It Was
A funky vintage clothing emporium that buys, sells and rents
419 N. Fourth Avenue
520 623-9854
Open daily
www.howsweetitwas.com

3.  Old Town Artisans Galleries & La Cocina
OLD TOWN ARTISANS is a restored 1850s adobe in the historic El Presidio District in downtown Tucson. Home to six unique shops and galleries, this 15-room marketplace boasts one of Tucson's largest collections of handcrafted works, including Native & Latin American folk art. You'll also find beautiful jewelry and fine apparel with a distinct southwestern flair.  Contact:  Charles and Mary Lou Focht, 186 North Meyer Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701, (520) 622-0351, nota@mindspring.com, www.oldtownartisans.com

4. Gift shops at Tohono Chul Park

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