Red Raven Restaurant, Williams

Since I could write an entire article about this place, I’ll try to keep this short. If you want to read professional reviews, refer to their web site at RedRavenRestaurant.com. My girlfriend I and read about this little place in the Feb ’08 edition of AZ Highways. It sounded like it had real potential. So, on a recent excursion to the Grand Canyon, we decide to swing by Williams and give Red Raven a try, rather than just drive back home to Flagstaff. In a word -- incredible!!! Let’s get right down to the nuts and bolts – the food. My girlfriend had the Basil Butter Salmon, which comes with the cranberry pine nut couscous. Wow! ( I know, that couscous sounds a little iffy’ – but, trust me, it rocked!!!) I had the house special that night. 12 oz Rib Eye steak (which I could have cut with a spoon) and tempura shrimp. And these are not small portions. We both ordered the soup with our dinners, since it was seafood gumbo, and were quite surprised when they brought us a real bowl full of soup – not just the typical, two ounce, espresso cup you get in most places. The food is exceptionally well prepaired, and plentiful. And, to top it off, the staff is fantastic – friendly, and attentive, but not intrusive. So, all in all, if you’re in Willams, and you don’t stop at the Red Raven, you’re doing yourself a culinary disservice. Were this restaurant in a large metro center like LA, San Francisco, or Phoenix, it would have a month long waiting list of reservations. We are blessed to have this place up here in Northern AZ for us to enjoy. So, do just that: go there and enjoy!