Tucked away inside the lush surroundings of the Desert Botanical Garden is Gertrude’s Restaurant. Named after Gertrude Divine Webster, the founder of the Desert Botanical Gardens, the restaurant is a perfect fit for the beautiful botanicals that surround it.

Opened by Alan “Skip” Hause and his wife, Chantal, the goal of Gertrude’s is to showcase the freshest ingredients that the Southwest has to offer, paired with excellent libations, a friendly and knowledgeable staff and a beautiful garden setting.

Chef Stephen K. Eldridge and his amazing culinary staff have created unique lunch and dinner menus that reflect their farm and pasture to table approach to food. The vegetables and herbs are grown right next door to the restaurant on the grounds of the garden and proteins are carefully sourced ensuring that only the freshest selections are available to guests. The chef sources many of his prime cuts of lamb and pork from Niman Ranch, a collective of over 700 independent farmers who believe that all-natural, humane and sustainable farming and husbandry methods produce the best possible flavor. Everything is made in-house from the pickled onions and sauces to smoked bacon and sausage ensuring the highest level of quality and consistency for each dish that leaves the kitchen.

In addition to lunch and dinner, Gertrude’s is also open for breakfast and features fresh pastries and breads from the restaurant’s own in-house pastry chef, Marisa J. Lown. From warm banana bread with sea salt whipped butter to fresh brioche, toast with homemade jam, this is one breakfast that you do not want to miss out on. Of course if early mornings aren’t your thing, Chef Marisa’s pastries are also featured on the Sunday Brunch menu.

For more information on the restaurant and its amazing team, be sure to visit the restaurant’s website, www.gertrudesrestaurant.net. Reservations are recommended and can be made by phone or online through opentable.com.

Patrick and the Health Beauty Life crew were fortunate to spend some time in the kitchen with Chef Stephen where he prepared three amazing dishes. Patrick got to enjoy the Swine Dish (Pork & Beans), Lambcetta-Wrapped Lamb Loin with Braised Greens and Farro, as well as the Grilled Salmon with Roasted Poblano and Coconut Mole with Mussels, Shrimp and fresh herbs. We were lucky enough to have Chef Stephen and Gertrude’s share their Grilled Salmon recipe with our readers! So check out the video to see Chef Stephen in action and watch first-hand how deliciously easy this fresh, flavor meal is to prepare.

Gertrude’s Restaurant
Desert Botanical Gardens
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 719-8600
gertrudesrestaurant.net