By Clifton Holmes II Food Critic – The Sedonan
Sedona, AZ — It was an evening steeped in flavor, artistry, and the unmistakable charisma of Chef Roberto Madrid — Sedona’s own Master of Modern Latin cuisine. Hosted by Melissa Rein Lively of The Brand Consortium PR, the intimate media dinner at Costa by Madrid brought together tastemakers and food enthusiasts for a sensory journey that was as beautiful to behold as it was to savor.
Set beneath the glow of candlelight and the hum of conversation, each of the seven courses unfolded like a story — one that blended Latin soul, fine-dining sophistication, and a dash of Sedona’s creative spirit.
Chicken Tinga Empanada
Maduros Brûlée & Shrimp Anticucho
Duo of Chilean Merluza & Beef Tenderloin Churrasco
Hamachi Rabo Amarillo
Course One: Maduros Brûlée & Shrimp Anticucho
The opening act was both bold and poetic. Caramelized sweet plantains laced with sherry vinaigrette met smoky, aji panca-glazed shrimp — a pairing that perfectly introduced Chef Madrid’s signature contrast of heat and sweetness. It was a whisper of the tropics, a promise of adventure ahead.
Course Two: Hamachi Rabo Amarillo
A vibrant play of color and texture followed — thinly sliced yellowtail in a luscious mango and aji amarillo sauce. The citrus-bright finish was like a burst of sunlight, awakening the palate with precision and elegance.
Course Three: Chicken Tinga Empanada
Comfort elevated to high art. A crisp golden pastry encased smoky, slow-braised chicken, bathed in a rich tomatada sauce that hinted at hearth and heritage.
Course Four: Tostada de Carne Carpaccio
A fusion of rustic and refined. Paper-thin beef carpaccio rested atop a delicate tostada, its truffle aioli offering a subtle decadence that lingered just long enough to captivate.
Course Five: Totopo de Atún Sabroso
Tuna sashimi over a crisp wonton, kissed by sweet soy — a dish that felt like a flirtation between Japan and Latin America. Light, crunchy, and utterly addictive.
Course Six: Duo of Chilean Merluza & Beef Tenderloin Churrasco
The showstopper of the evening. The tender Chilean Merluza bathed in creamy coco-lopez sauce contrasted beautifully with the robust beef tenderloin, grilled churrasco-style and paired with purple Peruvian potato and crab mojo. Together, they sang of land and sea, adventure and richness.
Course Seven: Dessert Duo
A finale that balanced whimsy and indulgence — the Brazo Gigante, a rolled strawberry sponge cake soaked in tres leches syrup, and a Tamarind Flourless Chocolate Cake, dense and dark with just enough tang to surprise.
Brazo Gigante
As glasses clinked and warm conversations rippled through the restaurant, it was clear that this was more than a tasting — it was a celebration of culinary artistry and connection.
I highly recommend, whether you are visiting Sedona or are a local, to visit Costa by Madrid and experience an awesome modern Latin dinner inside or on the outside patio.
The food is divine. The service is impeccable. The staff is warm and friendly. Dining at it’s very best in the heart of Sedona.
Mojito de Coco : Rumhaven Coconut Rum, cucumber infused demerara syrup, fresh lime juice, club soda.
Melissa Rein Lively, founder of Brand Consortium, curated the evening with her trademark flair — blending media, luxury, and lifestyle into a seamless experience that honored both the chef’s vision and Sedona’s evolving culinary scene.
Chef Roberto Madrid’s tasting menu was not just dinner. It was a love letter to Latin flavor, precision, and the art of reinvention.
Costa By Madrid
150 AZ-179 Unit 9
Sedona, Arizona 86336
(602) 350-6578