Always a favorite restaurant of mine, Wildflower turned over a new leaf with a chic new look in one of the fastest remodels in Northwest Tucson. I had the opportunity to enjoy lunch with some colleagues during its re-opening to the public and I was very impressed with the experience.

To look around, you would be hard-pressed to believe that it is the same restaurant. The patio seating is a refreshing lime green against marble white and wrought iron fixtures. Inside, the space has been transformed to open up the indoor seating area into one large palace-style dining room with vibrant blues and greens splashed across the room lined with white walls, classy mirrors, and a French-styled kitchen façade. Even the bathrooms look like something out of a magazine!

The inviting atmosphere isn't the only draw. We were introduced to several new and exciting dishes on the menu that were equally delightful to the senses. The asparagus bruschetta appetizer was extremely popular, and it wasn't long before we polished it off. I was also pleased to see that the crispy calamari salad was still on the menu as it is a standing favorite of mine. The restaurant staff was very accommodating in our desire to share our entrées with each other, and they delivered pre-split plates with a sampling of the fish and chips, shrimp scampi, and cheeseburger sliders (with bacon!). Everything was very flavorful, and we showed our inner foodie sides as we compared each entrée. As per usual, I couldn't resist photographing the food.
A born sweet-tooth, I naturally have a separate stomach for dessert. Our waitress gave us a detailed explanation of the seasonal options. She endorsed the pumpkin bread pudding which we found delish, surprisingly due to the secret ingredient of French toast! It reminded me of an exotic pumpkin pie type of dessert complete with a toasted marshmallow, which got my taste buds excited for the autumn season and the promise of cooler weather soon.

It wasn't until we piled into the car and headed back to work that I realized how much the new look and flavors of Wildflower transformed the mood into one of relaxation and merriment. With so many new dishes to try, I will certainly be back for seconds.