CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Desert Setting That Earns Its Stars

Accessed from the second floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain by a grand staircase or elevator, CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar sits at the lower level of one of Arizona's most scenically positioned resort hotels. The room is large, yet the design keeps it feeling personal — muted red and natural-brick walls, leather seating, and warm wood tones create what Forbes Travel Guide, which awarded the restaurant its coveted Four-Star rating, describes as a "modern lodge-like feel." Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the saguaro-studded mountains beyond, and as evening falls, bonfires glow across the property, adding a quiet drama to dinner.

Outdoors, Indoors, and Into the Grove

The lower-level placement opens directly onto outdoor seating areas and places guests in easy reach of the resort's own citrus grove — a detail that shapes the menu in tangible ways. Sunday brunch and breakfast both feature a mimosa bar drawing on oranges, grapefruits, and tangelos grown on-site, grounding the brunch experience in the landscape rather than in abstraction. It is the kind of touch that turns a meal into something specific to this place.

The Friday Wine Hour

On Friday evenings, CORE opens at 5 p.m. for a dedicated wine experience: the sommelier leads guests through three vintages, sharing tasting notes and food pairings alongside complimentary charcuterie. A similar tasting is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays, pairing curated varietals with artisanal cheeses selected by the kitchen. Reservations are required and availability is limited — a detail worth noting before arrival.

Recognition and a New Chapter

The Forbes Four-Star distinction places CORE among a small number of hotel restaurants in the American Southwest held to that standard of service and cuisine. The recognition reflects both the quality of the food and the attentiveness of the room. It is worth noting that the restaurant is preparing to close in its current form, with a new Sonoran-inspired dining concept set to debut at the same location later in the summer — making any remaining visit to CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar a rare opportunity.