Restaurant Reivew
The Asylum Restaurant
The Asylum Restaurant is located in the Grand Hotel in Jerome, commonly referred to as "America's largest ghost town." The town and this hotel in particular are known to be amongst the most haunted places in the US.
Because of the eerie nature of the hotel and repeated paranormal sightings over the years (the hotel offers great ghost tours), The Asylum Restaurant really goes all out for Halloween with a lavish display.
Tourists come from all over to take in the Halloween decor, and many even decide to brave the ghosts and spend the night in this beautiful historic hotel. And unlike many tourist destinations, the food at Asylum is actually pretty good. And you can't top the fantastic views of the Verde Valley! Overall, The Asylum is a great choice for those staying in Jerome, as well as tourists from the Flagstaff/Sedona area looking for a great day trip destination.
Food
The Asylum Restaurant definitely does not disappoint in the food department. The menu is small, offering your basic American style dishes, although the food is tasty and affordably priced despite the spectacular setting.
The menu is a bit limited in terms of appetizers, so hopefully they can expand this section in the future. Out of the available options, the roasted Butternut Squash Soup and Field Greens salad are your best bets. The boneless buffalo chicken tenders were moist and delicious, although a bit overpriced at $11 for 4 wings.
The lunch menu includes a small selection of sandwiches, while dinner includes the addition of a few seafood plates, along with a vegetarian pasta dish. The menu is small, although everyone should be able to find something that looks appealing.
For lunch, I recommend the Turkey Sandwich and Gardener's Sandwich. Both of these selections were excellent, not to mention gigantic servings for the small price tag. And the homemade french fries are just too hard to resist!
Service
Service was incredibly slow as the restaurant was completely packed both inside and out. I highly recommend making a reservation here, especially during the month of October.
Atmosphere
The Asylum Restaurant is definitely one of the fancier restaurants in Northern Arizona, an area overpopulated with an abundance of casual cafe style dining choices. The dining room is elegant with a historic flair. And because it overlooks the gorgeous Verde Valley, as well as Sedona and Flagstaff, a window seat is a must. Or sit outside on the gorgeous outdoor patio during the warmer season. The Asylum is by far one of the better fine dining choices in the region.
And, as mentioned above, visiting during the festive Halloween season is even more fun due to the extensive decorating which you will not find elsewhere in the state.
Final Remarks
A visit to The Asylum Restaurant is a must for any Northern Arizona vacationers looking for a fine dining experience with beautiful views. For excellent food, service, and setting, it is hard to top The Asylum in this region. Additionally, Halloween/horror/ghost buffs will definitely want to plan on an October visit!
