PHOTO FEATURE: New Executive Chef, New Menu at Lodge on the Desert

Central Tucson’s low-key Lodge on the Desert is easy to drive by and overlook — the pink walls grab attention, but hides the culinary destination within.

Just a few weeks ago, David Solorzano joined the team as executive chef and completely revamped the menu. It still includes a combination of bar food and fine dining, but reflects Solorzano’s style with his background at Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort and his food truck Animal Farm.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of their new menu items.

Foie Gras “alla plancha” ($21)

Beautifully-seared foie gras is balanced with chewy honeycomb, sweet honey, smoked almonds, charred peaches, and tangy sorrel.

Grilled Octopus ($15)

Tender octopus is braised for one-and-a-half hours, then finished on a grill. It’s served on a bed of navy beans dressed with cured lemon and an herb purée.

Garden Salad ($9)

Pickled shallots, orange supremes, watermelon radish, and herb sherry vinaigrette dress the light bed of greens.

Beef Tartare Nicoise ($16)

A hybrid of two French classic dishes, the tartare at Lodge features chopped raw hanger steak, quail egg, olive, confit potato, tomato, and anchovy for savory depth.

Mornay Frites ($13)

Crispy house fries are topped with parmesan cream sauce, a fried farm egg, and chives. Add pancetta for $3.

Banh Mi ($13)

This is the banh mi that earned Solorzano a death threat when he took it off the Animal Farm menu. It features pork belly, Vietnamese nuoc cham, sriracha, hoisin, pickled cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and garlic aioli on a light and crispy baguette from La Baguette Parisienne.

Veal Saltimbocca ($36)

Veal loin is wrapped with sage farce and prosciutto di Parma, heirloom carrot puree, asparagus, charred cippolini, Marsala jus. You can taste a hint of bourbon.

Duck Breast ($30)

Rich duck breast contrasts with pickled grapes, heirloom beets, heirloom carrots, purple cauliflower puree, and a sweet balsamic honey reduction.

Lodge on the Desert is located at 306 N. Alvernon Way. For more information, call (520) 320-2000 or visit lodgeonthedesert.com.