The Hudson

Helmed for the past three and a half years by executive chef and owner Jeff Storcz, who’s been in the restaurant industry for more than 35 years, The Hudson is a collaboration between Storcz and the restaurant’s previous owners, whom he knew from his stint at Grayhawk Country Club in Scottsdale.

“We offer the best views of Sedona’s red rocks with our 15-table ‘Hudson Deck,’ which is in the back of the restaurant,” Storcz says. “Our dining room — full of large windows — offers the same breathtaking views.” 

Storcz says that service is the restaurant’s top priority, and some of the staff have been at The Hudson for 10 or more years, both in the front and the back of the house. And while the team is exceptional, it’s the menu that really stands out, in part because of its breadth, but also because of its depth of flavor. 

Take, for example, a few of the house specialities: The chicken pot pie — a customer favorite, according to Storcz — features tender rotisserie chicken, veggies and cream in a flaky, golden crust; Thai scallops are pan-seared, then served over a bed of rice noodles, shredded carrots, red peppers, snow peas and bean sprouts and drizzled with spicy Thai peanut sauce; and Southwest chicken pasta is rich with a Sonoran cream sauce and loads of black beans, corn, cilantro and peppers over fettuccine. 

There are steaks and burgers, too, not to mention blackened swordfish and crispy chicken sandwiches. Lighter fare includes a roasted beet salad and the sesame-seared rare ahi tuna salad (pictured). An extensive array of cocktails and a substantial wine and beer list round out the menu. 

And the online reviews glow. “Happy Hour at The Hudson was absolutely incredible!” wrote one visitor from out of town. “The staff was amazing, attentive, friendly and excellent with drink recommendations, making the entire happy hour experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere, scenery, cocktails and food created one of those memorable Sedona dining experiences you keep talking about long after you leave.”

That’s exactly what Storcz hopes to achieve. 

“The views and the food are among the best you can get in Arizona,” he says. “Our portions never fall short, and the quality is top notch.”