new in town
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here are a lot of wine bar concepts in the Valley—but how many offer 50-plus whiskey options, live music five days a week from local artists, and an ooey, gooey grilled cheese menu? Enter The Toasted Cork, a two-story modern American wine bar in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale’s Entertainment District. It offers a large, dog-friendly patio, an impressive listing of 150-plus wines by the bottle as well as 30 craft beers, and regionally inspired cocktails (with humorous names!). Among the current menu highlights is the Typical Ginger, a combination of St. George Green Chili Vodka, Giffard Ginger of the Indies, lime juice and pineapple. The subtle lighting, rotating art installments, and sparkling chandeliers are purposely designed in homage to classic New York wine bars. And, given that owner Michael Stein hails from the Big Apple, it’s no wonder. “While I technically grew up in Las Vegas, getting my start in nightlife, I really grew up when I moved to New York City in 2007, where I had the chance to work with some of the true icons of the nightlife industry,” says Stein, who now lives just blocks from The Toasted Cork’s front door. At just 29-years-old, the enterprising Stein has the experience of someone twice his age. Perhaps that is why The Toasted Cork is appealing to young
THE TOASTED CORK: UNCORKING MORE THAN JUST WINE (Like grilled cheese!) BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
4301 N. Civic Center Plaza, Scottsdale; 480.386.4588; www.thetoastedcork.com.
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professionals, Baby Boomers, and everyone in between. “If I have learned anything, it is to give all people what they want–quality, variety and approachability,” says Stein, whose unpretentious outlook on the bar business has led The Toasted Cork to become not only a go-to date destination for couples of all ages, but the perfect “girls’ night out” and company teambuilding locale. In addition to the 150-bottle selection, which rotates on a monthly basis and is proud to go beyond simply offering California coastal varietals, The Toasted Cork also offers wildly popular tasting flights, which can be customized, starting at $15. For those new to wine, Toasted Cork also features a regular “Vino 101” class the second Saturday of each month for $35 per person. “The classes change monthly, and are all based on our guests. If we have newbies to wine, we focus on the basics. If we have more experienced wine drinkers, we try to give them something a little more sophisticated, but still easy and fun,” says Stein, noting that each class features signature food pairings and that advance reservations are required. And then there is the grilled cheese. “When I was in New York, my team and I got the wild idea one night to dream up a grilled cheese menu,” says Stein. “To say it was successful was an understatement. I couldn’t wait to bring the concept to Scottsdale.” Served with house-seasoned kettle chips or creamy tomato basil soup, highlights from Stein’s grilled cheese menu include: • The Bacon Guac: Pepperjack, aged cheddar, Hass avocado, and Applewood smoked bacon. • The Glazed & Confused: Sharp cheddar, honey glazed ham, grilled pineapple, and sweet teriyaki sauce. • The Millionaire: Gruyère, fontina, organic Portobello mushrooms, spinach, and truffle glaze.
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9/23/15 5:50 PM