Amangiri private dining

Amangiri, true to its Aman Resorts ethos of personalized luxury, elevates dining beyond the conventional restaurant experience through its exceptional private dining offerings. These bespoke culinary encounters are designed to be as dramatic and memorable as the desert landscape itself, offering unparalleled intimacy and a deep connection to the environment.

Here’s a detailed look at Amangiri’s private dining experiences:

The Philosophy of Private Dining at Amangiri

Amangiri’s approach to private dining is rooted in:

• Ultimate Seclusion: Creating an exclusive bubble for guests, far from other diners, allowing for profound connection and celebration.
• Immersive Environment: Utilizing the breathtaking desert landscape as the backdrop, transforming a meal into a sensory journey.
• Bespoke Culinary Creations: Tailoring menus to individual preferences, dietary needs, and special requests, ensuring a truly personalized gastronomic experience.
• Impeccable, Discreet Service: Providing a high level of attentive service that is present when needed but otherwise unobtrusive, allowing guests to fully enjoy their private moment.
• Connection to Place: Incorporating elements of the Southwestern and Navajo culinary heritage, often with local ingredients and preparation methods (like fire-pit cooking or hot stones).

Signature Private Dining Locations and Experiences

Amangiri offers a variety of unique settings for private dining, each providing a distinct ambiance:

1. The Chinle Site: Dinner Under a Million Stars

   • Description: This is arguably Amangiri’s most iconic and sought-after private dining venue. Located a short drive, hike, or even horseback ride from the main resort, the Chinle Site is a secluded, untouched clearing within the wilderness, surrounded by towering canyon walls and majestic rock formations. It’s truly a “dinner in the middle of the desert.”
   • Ambiance: As night falls, the site is transformed with lanterns, candles, and perhaps subtle lighting that illuminates the surrounding rock. The vast, clear desert sky overhead becomes a blanket of stars, offering an unparalleled stargazing experience. The silence of the desert, broken only by the crackle of a fire pit or the gentle strains of live music, creates an ethereal and profoundly romantic atmosphere.
   • Cuisine: Meals at the Chinle Site often lean towards an elevated BBQ or grill-style menu, utilizing the resort’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients. Dishes might be prepared over an open fire or served on hot stones, with cold dishes (like ice cream) presented on chilled stones – a nod to the elemental nature of the setting.
   • Cultural Enrichment: Dinners at the Chinle Site are frequently enhanced by Navajo storytelling and traditional music (such as flute players), providing a deeper cultural immersion and a memorable narrative to accompany the meal.
   • Capacity: Suitable for intimate dinners for two, but can also accommodate small, private gatherings or celebrations.

2. Raven’s Nest: Hidden Alcove with Panoramic Views

   • Description: A more recently developed private dining spot, Raven’s Nest is a secluded venue nestled within the Entrada sandstone formations. It’s often described as being “hidden within the curves of desert sandstone,” offering an intimate space that feels both sheltered and expansive.
   • Ambiance: Overlooking the vast surroundings of both Amangiri and Camp Sarika, Raven’s Nest provides breathtaking panoramic views, especially captivating at sunset and during moonlit evenings. The natural rock alcove creates a unique, almost cocoon-like atmosphere.
   • Use Cases: Ideal for extremely private and romantic seated dinners for a couple, or intimate standing drinks receptions for a small group. It’s perfect for special occasions like proposals or anniversaries.

3. Saddle Landing: Ceremony and Vista Dining

   • Description: Located on-property but separate from the main pavilion, Saddle Landing is a secluded outdoor venue that offers expansive, uninterrupted views of iconic landmarks like Navajo Mountain, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Lake Powell in the distance.
   • Ambiance: Its elevated position and sweeping vistas make it a spectacular choice for sunset events. While often used for intimate ceremonies, it can also be transformed into a memorable private dining space.
   • Versatility: Can be set up for intimate dinners or larger cocktail parties, making it adaptable for various private events.

4. In-Suite Private Dining:

   • Description: For the ultimate in convenience and private comfort, Amangiri offers an extensive in-suite dining menu available throughout the day. This allows guests to enjoy the resort’s culinary offerings in the privacy of their own luxurious suite.
   • Ambiance: Many suites feature expansive private terraces, often with a fire pit, comfortable lounge seating, and even a private plunge pool. Dining al fresco on your private terrace, surrounded by the desert’s beauty, is an incredibly romantic and serene experience.
   • Mesa Home Specific: Guests staying in the four-bedroom Mesa Home have particularly expansive private outdoor areas, including a large infinity pool and multiple terraces, perfect for private, catered meals. The Mesa Home also has a service kitchen, facilitating more elaborate private chef experiences within the residence.

5. Camp Sarika’s Private Dining Room (within Main Pavilion):

   • Description: Located within the intimate Main Pavilion at Camp Sarika, this dedicated private dining room offers a more refined and controlled private dining experience for guests of Camp Sarika.
   • Ambiance: Features light and airy spaces that can be opened up to the main restaurant area or kept entirely private. It offers beautiful views of the surrounding mesas.
   • Capacity: Can seat up to 14 guests, making it ideal for a private family celebration or a small group dinner.

6. The Desert Lounge (within Camp Sarika area):

   • Description: An open-air venue designed to allow the scenery to take center stage, often within the Camp Sarika vicinity.
   • Ambiance: Open to the elements with views of the majestic mesas towering over the scrubland plains.
   • Use Cases: Ideal for cocktail soirées, special-occasion dinners, or even moments of quiet contemplation with light refreshments.

Customization and Culinary Excellence

Amangiri’s private dining is not merely about the location; it’s deeply ingrained in their culinary philosophy and personalized service:

• Bespoke Menus: The culinary team works closely with guests to create entirely customized menus. This can range from adapting existing dishes to crafting multi-course tasting menus based on specific preferences, dietary needs, or celebration themes.
• Locally Sourced Ingredients: Emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients primarily sourced from Utah and the surrounding Southwest, ensuring a genuine taste of the region.
• Native American Inspiration: The cuisine often draws inspiration from the culinary heritage of the Navajo and other Southwestern tribes, offering unique flavors and preparation techniques.
• Sommelier Services: A knowledgeable sommelier can curate perfect wine pairings to complement the chosen menu, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Dedicated Service Staff: A private team of servers and chefs attends to every detail, providing seamless and discreet service throughout the private event.

Booking and Cost Considerations

• Advance Booking Essential: Due to the bespoke nature and logistical requirements (transporting food, staff, and setup to remote locations), private dining experiences at Amangiri must be booked well in advance, ideally when making your resort reservation.
• Additional Cost: While meals in the main restaurants at Amangiri (and Camp Sarika) are generally included in the full-board rate, private dining experiences in special locations incur additional charges. These costs vary significantly based on the chosen location, the complexity of the menu, the number of guests, and any added elements like live music or storytelling. Given Amangiri’s ultra-luxury positioning, these private experiences represent a significant premium.

Amangiri’s private dining is more than just a meal; it’s a curated, immersive event designed to create lasting memories. It offers a unique opportunity to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a profound moment of connection in one of the world’s most dramatic and beautiful natural settings.