Tucked away in a quaint little ivy-covered alcove inside Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, Rene must feel like an exclusive, secret discovery to each couple who finds themselves there. So go with someone special, or at least someone who might give you a little nookie.

Rene offers outdoor as well as indoor seating, but I would recommend asking for a spot on the patio if possible; it’s the best way to enjoy both the charming aspects of the restaurant and the surrounding arts village simultaneously.

Considering the inventiveness, beauty, and quality of the food offered here, Rene is actually quite reasonably priced (perhaps the only thing that IS in Tlaquepaque). Lunch entrees range from $7 to $14, while dinner entrees will set you back between $7 and $35. And it’s so worth it.

For starters, we tried the salmagundi, which is really just a fancy word for chilled asparagus, tomato, fresh mozzarella, pesto, spiced pecans, and olives. Delish! Our meal consisted of the sauteed brie sandwich (melty brie and caramelized apples atop the most perfect French bread) and the marinated chicken salad. Both of these entrees were quite fabulous, but the thing you really can’t miss out on is dessert. Rene offers many sugary treats, such as crème brulee, that sound absolutely mouth-watering, but the only one I can vouch for is the FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE. Look out! It was the best dessert I’ve ever tasted, and it wasn’t even on the menu. The waitress just happened to mention that they had some stored in the freezer. God bless her.

As if you aren’t going to be intoxicated enough by the chocolate cake, don’t forget to try the wine. This romantic restaurant has a fairly extensive wine list, earning them Wine Spectator’s 2004 Award of Excellence.

It can fill up pretty quickly, so be sure to make reservations!

Rene is open Sun-Thurs 11:30am to 2 or 3pm and 5:30-8:30pm and Fri-Sat 11:30am to 2 or 3pm and 5:30-9pm. www.rene-sedona.com

Rene at Tlaquepaque is my favorite restaurant here in Sedona. Classic French food at its best, its location in a quaint shopping center makes it perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary dinner. The restaurant is named after the original owner/chef René Baudat, was opened in 1977, and has been mentioned in Zagat’s, Fodor’s, and The Mobil travel Guide, which gave it three stars. Pretty impressive.

The menu has some Southwestern influences rolled together with French cooking. Paired with a great wine list of over 100 different wines, the result is a truly unforgettable meal. My personal favorite entrée is the Rene signature, which is rack of lamb carved tableside. You can get it for one or for two people, and it’s an elaborate production, as they wheel it out and slice at right in front of you. DELISH! Another fave is the sweet potato ravioli topped with Boursin cheese sauce and pecans. This is something you can’t get just anywhere, so you should be bold and try it!

The French onion soup is also fabulous, topped with four cheeses, as is the lobster bisque, rich and creamy, with a splash of truffle oil. TO DIE FOR!

Dessert is classic French and flambéed tableside as well. You can choose from classic crepes Suzette, bananas foster, or cherries jubilee. I LOVE the bananas foster. The tableside service makes you feel like royalty, and you deserve it. I take my husband here for his birthday every year, and every time it feels like the first.

If you don’t want to spring for dinner, they do offer lunch with mostly salads, sandwiches, and benedicts.

The owner, Deborah, was a server here a long time ago, and now she runs the place and is a real sweetheart. She usually greets all guests at the door and checks on you during your meal.

I’m telling you that this is a wonderful place for a romantic dinner. You have everything you need here: ambience, great food, wonderful wines, and superior service. What more can you ask for?

Rene's is tucked into a quiet corner of the Tlaquepaque Art and Craft Village. You can either eat in the interior or on their patio with rod iron furniture. We chose to eat outside as the patio was well shaded and we wanted to people watch and relax after a morning spent browsing through the various shops of the village.

The restaurant is upscale, serving a wide range of meals. The food and service were great--a memorable meal.