Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails debuts new dishes & cocktails

I made my first visit to Downtown Phoenix’s Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails recently as it launched its new food & cocktails menus in late August. The signature restaurant inside the Hotel Palomar welcomed new Executive Chef Brian Peterson who created the new dishes with his culinary team. Peterson’s “New American Cuisine” offers Starters & Shareable & entrees that include a curated beef program.

“The menu is very approachable and made with the freshest, all-natural, quality ingredients that are seasonally sourced from the area’s best local farmers,” said Chef Peterson. “The vibrancy and energy of our downtown Phoenix location is exhilarating and we are thrilled that our neighborhood restaurant is in the center of it all.”

My dinner at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails

I started with a “Sicilian Summer Spritzer” from the Seasonal Cocktails menu to go with our Starters. The Maker’s Mark, Averna, Cardomano, Lemon & Soda libation reminded me of a Long Island Iced Tea from years past and I could had a second or third of this refreshing cocktail. One of the first to offer “craft cocktails” other signature cocktails include the Blue Hound Signature Old Fashioned, Buffalo Tears, Red & Smokey and more with an emphasis on bourbon & whiskey. Craft beer on draft & in bottle and wines are also available. My photos can be found on my Instagram, @SandyWass.

My dinner guest and I started with the Mushroom Pate with carrot jam, pickled onions & charred toast points. All was good with the carrot jam having the most flavor. We also shared the Beef Cheek Poutine with cheese curds, giardinerra & bone marrow gravy. The look to be house cut fries could’ve been a bit crisper but still  it’s a nice twist on a favorite from north of the border. Other dished that sounded good but not ordered on this visit were the Rolled & Fried Chicken Thighs and the Charred Octopus.

My guest ordered the Iberico Secreto (Iberico, the Wagyu of Spain ham, fatty shoulder meat) with bbq fennel, Pt. Reyes grits & cherry mustrda for his entree and he was happy. I went with Chef’s Cut of The Day which was a 16 oz. Rib Eye with Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese chips, spinach & mushrooms. A nice outside darkness and rare-medium rare middle was a filling piece of beef. Then BHKC burger sounded good as did the duck breast. We finished our meal with a dessert special of Homemade Pound Cake with espresso gelato and caramel sauce. The cake was thick and dense, not you mom’s pound cake.

Feeling adventurous then “Trust the Team” with a five course dinner on the whim of the culinary team. A wine and cocktail pairing can be had with this dinner option.

For more information and to see the menu visit the Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails website.

 

 

Fogo de Chao adapts to a new reality amid Covid 19

When restaurants shut down dining rooms in March due to Covid 19 they had to rely on takeout and delivery until the lock down ended in May. Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao was no different furloughing 90% of staff with managers becoming cooks, order takers and delivery drivers. The restaurant offered Fogo to Go butchered raw meats, meals to go, catered off site meals for small groups and Caipirinha cocktail kits. Management at the headquarters in Dallas were devising a plan for locations throughout the country as how to adapt to the new reality when dine-in service resumed.

Fogo de Chao is known for its generous assortment of meats skewered and served table side by gauchos but also for its generous assortment of cold salads, meats and cheeses at it salad bar. That’s where it biggest challenge would be on how to serve guests who were used to making their way to the salad bar stocked with over 30 items.fogo de chao

The new normal at Fogo de Chao

A recent visit to the Scottsdale location I found out what has changed since they re-opened for dine-in service last month. The changes were obvious once you enter to restaurant, hostess’s and all employees wear face masks, a poster board next to the hostess stand reviews their commitment to health and safety and fewer tables in the dining room for social distancing. Gone were menus, salt & pepper shakers and the green (Go) and red (Stop) coaster cards diners use to let gauchos know whether to approach you for more meat.

As for the buffet, selections have been reduced. Servers now bring a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and olives followed by courses of salads to choose from. Gauchos continue to roam the room carving slices of beef, chicken, pork and lamb to your heart’s desire as they did prior to Covid 19. Only difference is they approach you asking if you’d like more meat.

Fogo continues to offer Fogo- to-Go’s butcher shop, catering with curbside pick-up and contact-less delivery. Summer promotions are being finalized and I will update as soon I as I hear what they are.

The Scottsdale location is at 6300 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85250. The restaurant offers full service dining as well as group dining, an outdoor patio and bar. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner & brunch on weekends. For more information and to make a reservation head to their website.

The Bourbon Cellar has a large bourbon selection and steakhouse dining

With a name like The Bourbon Cellar you know theirs a lot of the Kentucky whiskey on hand. Over 300 selections of bourbon, one of the largest collections in the Arizona dining scene, some may say the most at this new north Scottsdale steakhouse.

There’s more than bourbon from chef and owner Doug Smith. A farm-to-table high-end steakhouse with a menu that features seasonal ingredients that Smith sources himself.

Smith purchases season vegetables from local farmer’s markets and flies in fresh seafood from daily from around the country and Canada. He hand cuts his own beef, pork, elk, bison and venison purchased from his own butcher shop French’s Meats in Scottsdale.

Photos courtesy of The Bourbon Cellar and Bridges Media Group

“By eliminating the vendors, I can take quality control into my own hands to ensure every guests that dines with us is getting the absolute freshest meal around,” says Smith. “For me, cooking and serving food is not only a way to creatively express myself but also give diners a taste experience they’ve never had before with food that is familiar.”

On the menu at The Bourbon Cellar

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner with a large menu that includes hand ground 1/2 lb. burgers & sandwiches, salads, appetizers and signature dishes.

Appetizers include crab cakes, Wasabi Deviled Eggs and PEI mussels. All cuts of beef are USDA Prime including Bone-in Rib-eye, a 6, 10 or 14 oz. cuts of Filet Mignon and more.

Bacon wrapped Sea Scallops

Seafood options change daily such as Halibut, Salmon, Ahi Tuna, Swordfish and Sea Scallops.

Seasonal desserts are made daily and side dishes are included with burgers and sandwiches. Sides are a la carte with signature dishes at dinner.

Bourbon selection

With the vast selection of bourbon guest can sip bourbon cocktails and 45 day aged bourbons. The 45 day aged bourbons offer deep character profiles from their barrel maturing. If you’re not sure which bourbons to choose from you can order a flight of bourbon. Bourbon also makes a great pairing for any of the dishes on the menu.

A full bar is available for non-bourbon drinkers.

3rd Wednesday buffet

Smith, a veteran offers a full buffet every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. All of the $15 from these dinners are donated American Legion posts in Phoenix, Cave Creek and Anthem.

The Bourbon Cellar is at 23623 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85255 and opens daily at 11:00 a.am.

For more information and to view the menu see website.

 

High quality and affordable steakhouse coming to Carefree

December is a busy month so you’ll want to keep a day open as Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse will be opening in Carefree. It will be the newest concept from the Keeler Hospitality Group who owns the Liberty Station Tavern and Smokehouse in DC Ranch and north Scottsdale. You won’t find the stuffy pretentious steakhouse vibe yet a more social house atmosphere.

“We are extremely elated about the introduction of this new concept and are looking forward to providing it to the diners of Carefree and to our city’s visitors from near and far,” says Paul Keeler, president and CEO of Keeler Hospitality Group. “Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse will satisfy the need for a high-value, top-of-the line steakhouse dining experience in Carefree while also staying true to the approachable and comfortable atmosphere the surrounding community.”

Steakhouse
Photos courtesy of Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse

A steakhouse menu in Carefree

Keeler Hospitality Group Executive Chef Anthony Apolinar will lead the culinary team. Apolinar knows his meat as he’s been working at both Liberty Station locations.

The menu at Keeler’s will feature specialty cuts of Certified Angus Beef, fresh seafood, chicken and classic American comfort food.

Diners will enjoy sharable “For the Table” starters Lobster Mac & Cheese, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Cakes, Mussels and more. Steakhouse staples French Onion Soup and bisque’s along with Caesar, Wedge, Cobb and Mixed Greens salads will be offered.

“Neighborhood Favorites” entrees include Double Bone-In Pork Chops, seared Lamb Loin Chops and Braised Short Ribs. Specialty sides will complement your main dish including Blue Cheese Cream Spinach, White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Risotto and loaded hash browns.

Classic cocktails, Arizona beers and a well-balanced selection of wine by the bottle and the glass will be available.

Social house atmosphere in Carefree

A high-end comfortable atmosphere will welcome guests with several seating area offering a neighborhood feel. An island bar will attract guests to the open kitchen and outdoor dining will be available on the patio or rooftop deck.

Guests can enjoy lunch or dinner at Keeler’s Mon. – Sat. from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dinner from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sun. – Thurs and til 10 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Happy Hour will be available daily from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and brunch Sun. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse will be at 7212 Ho Hum Rd. Carefree 85377.

 

Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse set to open in Chandler

A unique dining experience that is Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse is coming November 1st to Chandler. “Gauchos” work the dining room parading 9-14 different skewered meats for guests to choose from and sliced right to their plate.

The tradition of the “churrasco” cooking technique dates back to southern Brazil in the early 1800s. Guests will be able to choose from beef, pork, chicken, sausage and lamb seasoned and carved table side. Meats are cooked over hot stone coals and seasoned with rock salt. Use green and red tokens to signal the Gauchos when you’re ready for the fire roasted meats.

If you’re not a meat eater there is an impressive alternative at the Gourmet Bar. Enjoy more than 45 signature dishes and appetizers to choose from and can be enjoyed with or without the meats.

The Chandler location will be the second Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse after the original in Oakland, California. Visit the Chandler location at 825 N. 54th St 85226.

The butcher returns as Arcadia Meat Market set to open in January

Years ago people would purchase their cheese from a cheese shop, fish from a fish market and meats from a butcher, today you can find the one stop shopping  with few peddling their product knowing only basic information. With that in mind the Arcadia Meat Market is set to open on January 11th 2018.

Partners Nick Addante and Luigi Paroli plan to bring back the old school butcher shop offering Arizona raised beef, pork, chicken and lamb and will source all natural products from Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and California.

Need for the Arcadia Meat Market

Addante is a partner in Arizona’s only grass-fed beef producer who realized that the mass marketed meat industry lacked what consumers want including transparency, product knowledge and the treatment of animals.

“All our meats are free range and pasture raised, never had any antibiotics or hormones, and the animals we sell have always eaten healthy food resulting in the best quality meats.” Addante says.

“We believe that healthy animals raised in open pastures make for a healthier planet and healthy happy customers. We work with producers that care about our planet and the animals they raise. Our ranchers practice sustainable farming methods so their business may continue to thrive for generations to come.”

The Butcher

Addante also wanted a skilled neighborhood butcher who cared about the meats they are butchering for their customers and the customers themselves.

Enter Paroli, a 2nd generation butcher from New Zealand who’s worked across the country and will hand cut all meats in-house.

“It’s all about bringing back trust and transparency, because I was raised on that, including 8,000 hours of training under a master butcher in Wellington, New Zealand,” Paroli says. “I’ve run butcher shops from Alaska to Manhattan and it all comes back to good, healthy, grass-fed, pasture raised, organic proteins. Plus, you can come and get something specially cut for you and feel good about providing for your family.”

Arcadia Meat Market will be open daily Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Also offered will be ready-to- cook meals, grab & go items and more. In the future they plan to sell wine, cheese, charcuterie and cold pressed juices.

Arcadia Meat Market will be 3950 E. Indian School Rd. #150 Phoenix 85018.