In today’s special TG&H On Air, celebrating National Native American Heritage Month, we interviewed Rick Pedram, food and beverage director of Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, Flagstaff, Arizona. Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Wine List Awards recently selected the resort’s Zenith Steakhouse for their prestigious 2024 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Pedram shares the details on how he and his team have and have built a world-renown wine program. He also talks about their critically important Navajo Beef Program which not only delivers a supreme product but generates much-needed revenue and jobs for the Navajo people.
While only required to offer 90 selections as an Award of Excellence recipient, Zenith Steakhouse serves more than 150 hand-procured wines including new and old-world favorites and as well as selections from Australia, South Africa, Italy, France and California. Additionally, Zenith Steakhouse features many unusual Arizona wines or hidden local gems that wine aficionados can’t find anywhere else. In the interview Pedram shares some of his favorites.
In regards to the Navajo Beef Program, Pedram says that you can really tell the difference in the taste and it is better quality than what most restaurants serve when they refer to “prime.” The cows only eat local grasses, including winterfat, western wheatgrass, and big sagebrush. The company ensures that that all ranchers follow their guidelines: no antibiotics, gentle treatment, limited and minimal vaccinations, and strict rules on breeding and reproduction, with respect to traditional Navajo practices.
When it comes to developing an award winning wine offerings, creating food and wine pairings, serving locally sourced meat, vegetables and even ice cream, Pedram says it is all about building relationships in the local community.
Read the full press release here.
Now there’s another reason to visit Twin Arrows’ Navajo Casino Resort this fall. Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Wine List Awards recently selected the resort’s Zenith Steakhouse to again receive the prestigious Award of Excellence. Winning restaurants hail from all 50 states and over 75 countries and territories.
“We are honored to be recognized by the world’s leading expert on wine for the caliber of culinary experience we’ve created here at Zenith Steakhouse,” stated John James, CEO of Navajo Gaming. “Our Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise and Twin Arrows Directors of Food and Dining and their teams have worked tirelessly to create offer exquisite food and wine pairings, including our famous Navajo Beef, that will attract national and international guests to experience Navajo cuisine and culture at our four-diamond resort, Twin Arrows.”
Wine Spectator’s annual awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. Additionally, Award of Excellence winners offer a well-chosen selection of at least 90 quality producers that match the restaurant’s menu in both price and style.
“It’s an incredible honor for my team’s passion and commitment to excellence,” said F. Rick Pedram, food and beverage director of Twin Arrows. “Twin Arrows offers the largest wine selection in northern Arizona, “The wine list smoothly integrates with our menu in both pairings and theming.”
While only required to offer 90 selections as an Award of Excellence recipient, Zenith Steakhouse serves more than 150 hand-procured wines including new and old-world favorites and as well as selections from Australia, South Africa, Italy, France and California. Additionally, Zenith Steakhouse features many unusual Arizona wines or hidden local gems that wine aficionados can’t find anywhere else.
Zenith Steakhouse’s wine is priced to move and offered at half off to guests on Wednesday, Thursdays and Sundays. Additionally, Twin Arrows guests enjoy weekly complimentary wine tastings.
Navajo Beef is also featured at Twin Arrows Resort as well as available at Fire Rock Navajo Casino, Northern Edge Navajo Casino and Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort’s four other dining venues.
“We are proud to partner with local ranchers and improve their quality of life in conjunction with Labatt and our Navajo Nation leadership team,” stated James. “The Navajo Beef Program is part of our larger commitment to Buy Navajo and allows our properties to better showcase world-class Navajo cuisine to the world while generating much-needed revenue and jobs for the Navajo people.”
Zenith Steakhouse is Twin Arrow’s flagship restaurant. Its exhibition kitchen, fireplace and menu put a progressive twist on the traditional. Zenith serves the highest quality Source Verified Navajo Beef – USDA Inspected Premium Prime Grade, Aged 35 Days and sustainable seafood paired with seasonal and regional produce to create exquisite steaks, chops, fish and shellfish entrees.
The architecture and décor of the restaurant were inspired by the high nest of the eagle. Its stone walls evoke the cliffs where eagles build their nests and sculptural birch branches create intimate dining zones. Custom light fixtures are woven from silver branches in the style of eagle nests. A Hogan ceiling is also replicated at the entryway portal.
To learn more about Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort or to book a room in its recently expanded resort, visit twinarrows.com.
ABOUT WINE SPECTATOR:
Wine Spectator editors review more than 15,000 wines each year in blind tastings. Every issue of Wine Spectator magazine contains 400 to 1,000 wine reviews with detailed tasting notes and drink recommendations. They set stringent standards and rely on the proven ability and experience of editors as tasters and critics.
ABOUT THE NAVAJO NATION GAMING ENTERPRISE (NAVAJO GAMING):
Navajo Gaming is a Navajo Nation wholly owned business entity created by the Navajo Nation in September 2006 to develop and operate Navajo casinos in New Mexico and Arizona.
Employing more than 1,200 employees, NNGE operates four casinos and a travel plaza in New Mexico and Arizona, opening its first property, the Fire Rock Navajo Casino near Gallup, New Mexico, in November 2008. Within five years, additional properties were added, including the Flowing Water Navajo Casino (October 2010); Northern Edge Navajo Casino (January 2012); Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort (May 2013); and the Navajo Blue Travel Plaza (September 2020).
Navajo Gaming is one of many Navajo Nation-owned and operated enterprises that is charged with the mission of creating jobs, increasing revenues, and stimulating incremental economic development within the Navajo Nation.