new in town
GET SOCIAL!
New restaurant-bar concept opens its doors in Old Town BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ PHOTOS BY MARK MORGAN
W
hen pressed to describe Social Tap American Eatery, which recently opened in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, its co-founder Steve McDonald has a pretty vivid answer. “Social Tap is the love child of AZ88 and the Vig – part laid-back neighborhood hangout, part consistently killer dining and drinking destination and part cool cocktail bar,” says McDonald, a 20-year veteran of the local food and beverage industry. “Basically, we tried to create a place where we’d enjoy hanging out.”
little extra space to eventually expand,” McDonald says. “This location checks all the boxes and then some.” Boasting a shaded, 2,000-squarefoot-patio with a state-of-the-art reverse osmosis misting system able to withstand the hottest of Arizona days, Social Tap is now open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., with breakfast and brunch offerings. Happy hour is offered weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and features food, cocktails, beer and wine, all starting at $4.
As a Neighborhood Hangout
As a Dining and Drinking Destination
Though always planned for the Valley – and specifically the Old Town area – McDonald and his partners would open the first Social Tap in Ventura, California, in 2013 and a second location in San Diego in 2015 before being able to zero in on the right Scottsdale space earlier this year. “We wanted an expansive patio and big kitchen, indoor/outdoor bar and a
“Our kitchen put its twist on American and Mexican comfort foods by making everything from scratch each day and using only fresh ingredients,” McDonald says. Among the most popular menu items are: Filet Mignon Truffle Tacos ($11), two filet tacos topped with mushrooms, poblano cheese sauce, fried shallots and black SO SCOTTSDALE! |
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truffle salt and served with chips and salsa; Cali-Mari ($12), fried calamari sauteed with chorizo, peppers and a sweet chili sauce and served with a Sriracha aioli; and a Free Range Chicken Burger ($13.75), chimichurri and white wine-marinated chicken breast with tomato, melted pepper jack cheese, smoked applewood bacon, jalapeno aioli and avocado. “We also partnered with Golden Road Brewing out of Los Angeles to help us develop our own signature Social Tap Blonde, IPA and stout beers, respectively, to accompany a wide variety of craft brews we offer from local and international breweries,” says McDonald, noting beer tasting flights are also available.
As a Cocktail Bar In addition to beers and ciders, as well as wine by the glass and bottle, Social Tap has also developed a signature cocktail menu featuring nine different margaritas, including both elderflower and pomegranate options, and three different versions of mules – a traditional Moscow Mule, a Maui Mule using pineapple flavors and even an Irish Mule with, of course, Irish whiskey. Insider tip: Ask the server for the frozen drink of the day, which changes regularly and is perfect for the long, hot summer ahead. Social Tap, 4312 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale; 602.432.6719; www.socialtapscottsdale.com.
| JUNE 2016
5/25/16 2:46 PM