Cave Creek restaurant offer Old West stories with meal

STAFF REPORT ~ 9/3/2011

Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House has a new draw to its Cave Creek restaurant. It isn’t an item on the menu to tantalize the taste buds, but rather stories about the Old West to capture the imagination.
The restaurant has partnered with Bob Boze Bell, executive editor of True West Magazine, to bring to life “True West Moments” in Arizona history every other Wednesday.
The program started late last month with Bell, a longtime Cave Creek resident, Arizona historian and artist, entertaining patrons with stories of Arizona’s past – including literally where all the bodies are buried. Cartwright’s was named after a pioneering ranching family that raised cattle in the area for three generations, and was designed to recall the original house they built in the early 1900s.
Both Bell and Cartwright’s co-owner Eric Flatt are dedicated to preserving the American West in each of their respective businesses, so they said it made sense to join forces. The dinners will be custom created to reflect Bell’s talks. For a talk about Arizona’s cattle ranching days, the Cartwright’s chefs are planning a chuck wagon-style dinner with steak, beans, and biscuits. Dessert might be an apple fritter or a suet pie. Diners might even get “Rocky Mountain oysters” as an appetizer.
Seating and service will be banquet style, offering patrons a chance to get to know each other.
 “I really want this to be a community gathering to learn about Arizona’s past,” Flatt said. He added that he’d like to host the dinners on an ongoing basis – there’s no shortage of material thanks to all of Arizona’s fascinating characters.
“If you love Cave Creek, Arizona but have wondered who and how the place was settled, you will enjoy what I have to tell you,” Bell said. “If you don't like Cave Creek, you'll enjoy it even more.”
Each event will kick off with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m., followed by dinner served at 6 p.m. and Bell’s presentation at 7 p.m. Cost is $30 per person plus sales tax and 17 percent gratuity for a three-course meal with an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Beverages are extra. Call 480-488-8031 for reservations. For information go to cartwrightssonoranranchhouse.com.