Native food = restaurant trend

The Oldest Nouvelle Cuisine

Going beyond spas, Arizona tries culinary tourism with Native American foodRestaurateurs have mined every corner of the world in the constant search for something different to put on the menu. Yet the original American cuisine, Native American cooking, is just now slowly emerging into the spotlight, primarily in the Southwest.

The movement to revive indigenous cuisine is part of an attempt to restore Native Americans' pride in their culture, combined with an effort by food enthusiasts to resurrect near-forgotten culinary traditions. It's also a chance for towns in the Southwest to broaden their appeal beyond spas and outdoor activities to the potentially lucrative realm of culinary tourism.