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SURROUNDING SURPRISES We went beyond the resorts to explore the city and made sure to visit a number of golf courses. Our first stop was Starr Pass Golf Club that was noticeably narrower than traditional East Coast courses, requiring very precise putts. The stunning, mountainous landscape is the perfect setting for one of the most invigorating rounds of golf you'll ever experience. Then, just 30 minutes away from downtown is Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club, known for its award- winning greens, stunning landscape at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and comfortable amenities. This is another highly recommended spot for golf-lovers and country club-goers alike. After a full day of golfing, we made a beeline to Commoner & Co. for a hearty dinner. Its industrial-chic setting was the perfect place to feast on pork empanadas, a classic flat-iron steak, and an order of dill potato gnocchi for the table. They also have a few pasta and vegetarian options if you're not keen on steak or pork. We also visited Tito & Pep, an eclectic restaurant located in midtown Tucson. Owner and Executive Chef John Martinez, specializes in combining his knowledge of cuisine from the U.S. (and abroad) with local Tucson culture and history. The menu features his interpretation of traditional Mexican dishes like posole and queso fundido. We ordered the grilled octopus that was perfectly cooked and came with salsa macha, avocado, tomato, red onion, and lime. Accompanied by one of their specialty cocktails, you can't go wrong here. For a quick lunch, we stopped by Seis Kitchen which has two locations in Tucson and one location in nearby Oro Valley. The menu includes tacos, burritos, and salads. While this may sound simple, because of the city's proximity to Mexico, it's guaranteed these are some of the best tacos you'll find in the city. Seis works in partnership with Seafood Watch and Santa Monica Seafood and Redbird Farms to ensure sustainably sourced products. They serve only Arizona- grown beef, and partners with a number of other providers to obtain the freshest, local ingredients. Seis chefs, owners, and staff are also committed to giving back to their community. They have participated in food-sourcing, food safety, and food education programs with local schools, youth programs, and events with AZ Game and Fish. If you decide to stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner the core of the menu doesn't change much but what makes the dishes special is the fresh, organic, locally sourced ingredients that elevate the flavors of each dish. Overall, our first experience in Arizona can be described as nothing less than memorable. With the help of Visit Tucson, we were able to partake in activities and dining that we may have otherwise missed and there's still so much we didn't have time to do. If you're eager to visit a new city with gorgeous landscapes, perfect weather, and tons of outdoor activities, Tucson is definitely a must-visit. V U E N J .C O M 113

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