Get a foodie expert's guide on Tucson restaurants after golf

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting golf, food & lifestyle writer Ken Van Vecthen a few times on my travels (He even makes a cameo, shooting some guns in this Sun Valley Resort video).

While I probably wouldn’t take a swing tip from him (sorry, Ken), I certainly perk up when he starts talking food & drink spots, whether its in Las Vegas, SoCal or other destinations particularly in the West. Ken’s been around and back when it comes to covering the culinary scene in golf destinations.

That’s why I took interest in his piece on great Tucson restaurants in the L.A. Times. I wrote a similar piece last year for GolfArizona.com (Plenty of good eats for golfers on the prowl in Tucson).

We had just a hint of overlap in our pieces. He raves about Downtown Kitchen & Cocktails, a Janos Wilder creation. I didn’t visit that spot but I did go to Janos’ J Bar at the Westin La Paloma, and I loved the small, casual but stylish place. I also opted to try the smaller Flying V at the Lodge at Ventana Canyon rather than where Ken went: the next door Loews Ventana Canyon’s Blues, brews and barbecue Sunday Brunch. Sounds like a good way to kick off a long day of good food, beer and golf in the Arizona sun - which should be right up Ken’s alley.

There are a couple months left in the spring golf season in Tucson before the temperatures begin to feel like it’s you in the smoker. Click here for some Arizona golf packages, some of which include a spring package standout property, 36-hole Ventana Canyon.