Here are some ratings for local restaurants by Lowell gastronomers, on a scale from 1 (horrible) to 5 (terrific). Ratings are based on food, service, and ambiance, weighted in that order.

Rough price guide: $ = under $10; $$ = $5 - $15; $$$ = $10 - $20; $$$$ = $15 - $25


Cosmic carrots: Phil Massey and Deidre Hunter are vegetarian.
Stars: Sally Oey checks out all types of restaurants.
Satellites: John and Jane Spencer prefer mid-range restaurants.

FLAGSTAFF
"Downtown" is about a 20-minute walk from Lowell, down the hill and follow your nose.

• Beaver Street Brewery, 11 S. Beaver St., downtown: American, something for everyone, outdoor patio. Also a pub with home-brewed and other beers. $$
  
  Beaver St. Hamburger best in town, Tapas Salad highly recommended.
  Consistent quality and good pizzas.
  A few good options for vegetarians.
  
  
• Buster's, 1800 S. Milton Rd., Greentree plaza: American. Not for vegetarians. $$$
  
  
  Interesting menu of classic American (think Julia Child), fairly reliable and consistent in quality.
  
  
• Cafe Ole, 121 S. San Francisco St., downtown: Whole foods Mexican, outdoor patio, family-run. $$
  
  
  1/2 Excellent Friday special spinach & cheese enchiladas. Food is good, service can be slow, especially for groups.
  Superb food, no lard. Our favorite in all the world.
  
  
• Charly's, Weatherford Hotel, 23 N. Leroux St., downtown: Northern Arizona (steak, enchiladas, frybread...), in historic landmark hotel. Zane Grey pub upstairs, Charly's bar downstairs with live music most nights. $$
  
  Macho Nachos are super and can be ordered at Zane Grey, the best pub ambiance in town.
  1/2 Consistent in food quality, and best pub. Good variety, and great guacamole.
  
  
• Cottage Place, 126 W. Cottage Ave downtown: Fine dining, intimate ambiance in historic house; reservations recommended. $$$$
  
  
  1/2
  1/2 They have a vegetarian selection, but vastly overpriced.
  
  
• Dara Thai, 14 S. San Francisco St., downtown: Thai. $$
  
  Tom Kai Gai recommended.
  
  
  
  
• Delhi Palace, 2700 S. Woodlands Village Blvd., in Walmart plaza, near corner of Beulah Ave.: The only Indian restaurant in town. $$
  
  1/2 Tasty, good vegetarian selection.
  1/2 Naan is pretty bad, the rest uninspiring. Lunch buffet is ok.
  
  
  
• El Charro, 409 S. San Francisco St., downtown: Sonoran Mexican. $$
  
  
  
  
  
• Galaxy Diner, 931 W. Route 66. American diner: omelettes, burgers, meat loaf, corned beef, soda fountain, etc. $$
  
  1/2 A classic diner on Route 66 --- quintessential Americana. Great food and great service.
  
  
• Horsemen Lodge, 8500 N. Highway 89, several miles northeast of downtown: Western (steak and fish). Not for vegetarians. $$$
  
  Great Western ambiance.
  
  
• Hunan West, 1302 S. Plaza Way, off S. Milton Rd. across from Safeway: Chinese. $$
  
  
  
  
• Jackson's Grill, 7085 S. Highway 89A, several miles south of downtown: Fine dining. Not for vegetarians. $$$$
  
  Great menu, but some inconsistency in quality.
  
  
• Josephine's, 503 N. Humphreys St., three blocks north of downtown: Upscale eclectic. $$$
  
  One our newest restaurants, off to a great start. Outdoor patio or historic house indoors.
  
  
• Macy's, 14 S. Beaver, downtown: Flagstaff's premiere java joint, vegetarian and vegan food items, live jazz on Friday nights. $
  
  1/2 Great coffee, but food disappointing.
  Best place for breakfast (5), but lunch consistently mediocre (1).
  
  
• Monsoon, Off Heritage Square, downtown Pacific Rim cuisine. $$$
  
  1/2 I've always had excellent meals here.
  
  
• Mountain Oasis, 11 E. Aspen Ave, downtown: Eclectic, call it world beat cuisine. $$
  
  
  Attempts to be creative, but the menu doesn't really succeed.
  Great for vegetarians, always had good meals there.
  
  
• Oregano's, 605 W. Riordan Rd., off S. Milton: Italian bistro, college hangout. $$
  
  1/2
  1/2 A happening place, good menu variety; some inconsistency in quality.
  
  
  
• Pasto, 19 E. Aspen Ave., downtown: Italian, upscale, outdoor patio. $$$
  
  1/2
  An all-round attractive restaurant.
  
  
• Pesto Brothers Heritage Square, Heritage Square (Aspen/Leroux), downtown: Italian, slightly more upscale than Original (above; they do have a liquor license). $$
  
  Great polenta & gorgonzola appetizer.
  
  
• Racha Thai, Monte Vista Hotel, 100 N. San Francisco St., downtown: Thai, in historic hotel. $$
  
  Larb tofu especially recommended.
  1/2 Consistently fresh ingredients.
  
  
• Sakura, 1175 W. Highway 66, in Radisson Hotel: Japanese, sushi and teppan. Not good for vegetarians. $$$
  
  
  Sushi is disappointing, although decent amaebi. Go for the teppan tables instead.
  
  
• Szechuan, 1451 S. Milton Rd., near McDonald's: Chinese, known for buffet. $$
  
  
  
  

SEDONA
Sedona is a leisurely 3/4 to 1 hour drive south of Flagstaff in red rock country. "Uptown" refers to downtown Sedona, northeast of the "Y" intersection of Highways 89A and 179.

• Hideaway, 251 Highway 179: Italian, uptown. $$$
  
  Great ambiance, food disappointing.
  
  
• Javelina Cantina, 671 Highway 179, near the Y: Mexican, with a trendy flair, popular bar. Reservations recommended. $$$
  
  
  
  
• Oaxaca, 321 N. Highway 89A, uptown: Mexican. $$$
  
  
  
  
• Thai Spices, 2986 W. Highway 89A, west Sedona: Thai.
  
  
  
  

WINSLOW
Winslow is about an hour's drive east of Flagstaff, not far past Meteor Crater.

• Turquoise Room, La Posada Hotel, 303 E. Second St.: Nouvelle southwestern with a historic flair, in historic Mary Colter flagship hotel. $$$$
  
  
  1/2 Excellent overall, with regionally appropriate menu; occasional imperfections. Signature soup a must.
  
  

Bullets courtesy of SillyArt.