Three new restaurants are coming to downtown Scottsdale this year.
The creators behind Brat Haus have moved into the building next door and opened Smokehaus, a full-service restaurant focused on Santa Maria, California-style barbecue. Think mesquite charcoal and smoked meats, galore, all in the atmosphere of what feels like a backyard barbecue.
Crab & Mermaid, a fish house, and Bourbon & Bones, a modern and upscale establishment focused on bourbon and aged meats, will open along Scottsdale Road this spring and summer, respectively.
The ideas behind these two restaurants come from Scottsdale-based Square One Concepts, the same people who brought the Valley Wasted Grain and Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers.
Click on the points in the map below to see where the restaurants will be located and photos of what they'll look like. Scroll down to learn more about each restaurant.
Smokehaus
Opening Feb. 1
You may have heard of Smokehaus before.
It started a year and a half ago as a catering company brought to you by the same people who own Brat Haus, a restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale featuring a German-inspired menu.
When UNION Barrelhouse closed in December (it was an "Americana Beer-centric Ale House", according to its Facebook page), which was located right next to Brat Haus, the building became available.
Business partners Dave Andrea and Aaron Ward moved in and redesigned everything. They added new paint, bought new tables and chairs, redesigned the bar, and added rustic bucket lamp shades. Voila! Smokehaus goes from catering company to the newest restaurant along Scottsdale Road.
“It really feels like a smokehouse,” said Ward. “We wanted it to be a fun restaurant. We wanted to keep the casualness, but [also to] keep the fun."
The menu is inspired by Santa Maria barbecue whose signature is beef tri-tip, a triangular cut at the bottom of the sirloin. Ward says it was typically a “butcher’s cut,” meaning butchers would not sell that cut to the public, they would keep it for themselves.
For some reason, according to Ward, tri-tip is popular in Santa Maria, but has not really found itself in many restaurants outside of the area.
At Smokehaus, the Smoked Tri-Tip is their signature dish. Other menu items include the 1984 Taco Salad, with romaine lettuce, seasoned ground beef, tomato, red beans, cheddar, fire-roasted corn, avocado and corn chips tossed in Catalina dressing; Big Boy Burger, with two beef patties, cheese, shredded lettuce, Thousand Island dressing on a sesame seed bun; and The Greasewood burger, an ode to the Arizona staple that closed last year.
Click here to view drink menu
Click here to view food menu
Walking by you’ll probably smell the meat and wood chips in the smoker, meat being grilled on the outdoor Santa Maria grill—it has a crank that can raise and lower the grate—or torches gently roasting chili peppers.
Piles of wood logs line the patio where tables are surrounded by colorful metal chairs and topped with paper-towels rolls and silverware.
Smokehaus officially opens to the public on Feb. 1.
Crab & Mermaid Fish Shop
Opening Spring 2016
Photo courtesy: Square One Concepts/Aline Design Studio
Like its name implies, Crab & Mermaid will cater to the seafood lover.
Diners will be able to enjoy seafood flare from across the country in a casual beach-themed setting.
The menu will feature popular East Coast dishes like clam chowder, crab cakes, lobster rolls and steam pots; Po-Boys, gumbo, and shrimp boils from the Gulf Coast; and daily fish from the West Coast, according to Square One Concepts.
It’ll be located at 4218 N. Scottsdale Road between Third and Fourth avenues.
The outside will feature an open-air patio with a full bar. Lunch and dinner will be served seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
The restaurant is expected to open this spring.
Bourbon & Bones Chophouse
Opening Summer 2016
Photo courtesy: Square One Concepts/Aline Design Studio
This modern and upscale chophouse will serve craft beers, hand-crafted cocktails, and bourbon, of course. In fact, according to Square One Concepts, it's going to feature over 75 high-end bourbons.
The interior will feature reclaimed wood, hand-forged metal accents and distressed leather booths. It will also have a private dining room capable of seating 20 people.
The menu will feature classy American fare and wet-aged and dry-aged cuts of beef.
It’ll be located at 4200 N. Scottsdale Road and is scheduled to open this summer.
