The much-anticipated opening of the new Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurant, The Arrogant Butcher, is finally upon us. Huge props to their PR and marketing team, as the promotion of this opening has been the greatest we’ve seen yet.
Monday, February 21st, the restaurant opened its doors to the public. The Arrogant Butcher, predicted to be a “see and be seen” locality ideal for any crowd from the buttoned-down business professionals having power lunches to after-work cocktails with co-workers, has been constructed in a 7,500 square foot industrial space. The décor of the restaurant seemed to be an unconventional mix of class, casual, and comfort. While it may not be a fantastic spot for an intimate date, it’s not supposed to be. The Arrogant Butcher is destined to be a convenient, trendy location for event goers and downtown strollers to enjoy contemporary American cuisine, late-night food and drinks.
I was recently invited to one of their many pre-opening media events and as a fan of the Fox Restaurant Concepts, I was more than excited to give it a try.
My guest and I were treated to dinner and seated in one of the back, more private, dining rooms. The walls are adorned with eccentric and kooky photos, so there’s plenty to look at (and laugh about). Winston, our server, provided excellent service throughout our meal despite the busyness of the evening.
I sipped on a Candlestick Maker (Maker’s Mark 46 Bourbon, Lemon, Thatcher Spiced Apple, Honey & Angostura – $10) while we contemplated our entrées. As an avid fan of Maker’s Mark and Maker’s Mark 46, I was eager to try this concoction. The cocktail was a little heavy on the bitters, which I loved, but slightly too sweet for my liking (again, I’m hardcore). The drink would have been perfect for a beginner bourbon-drinker – not at all offensive. However, my biggest kvetch of the restaurant is their cocktail glasses. It seemed that every specialty cocktail was served in the same plain-jane glass – reminiscent of cheap champagne glasses you’d pass around at a house party on New Year’s Eve. I understand that The Arrogant Butcher has a “no frills” concept, but, my opinion is that half the fun of drinking a specialty cocktail is the presentation – especially for an almost colorless drink as this.
The menu, however, did not disappoint!
We chose to share House Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue ($9) for our appetizer – the same delicious snack served at another Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurant, Culinary Dropout, but a buck cheaper.
House Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue
For our entrees, I opted for the Skirt Steak (Bacon, Fingerlings, Green Beans – $24) as this caught my eye at first glance. Who doesn’t love bacon and potatoes?
Skirt Steak
Bacon really puts its stamp on this dish, which in turn, earns my stamp of approval. The delicate fingerling potatoes soaked up all the smoky, ridiculous-goodness of the bacon. The hefty portion of steak was grilled and seasoned well, giving the potatoes a decent run for their money.
My tablemate chose the Grilled Swordfish (Artichokes, Creamy Barley, Crushed Chile, Lemon – $23), that I got to sample a bite of and it was… fantastic.
Grilled Swordfish
The mild flavor of the swordfish was amplified with a peppy, sauce of lemon and fiery crushed chile flake. The creamy barley risotto, with its slightly chewy texture, was a worthy companion.
For dessert, possibly the most important course, we selected the Apple Fritters (with Brown Sugar Ice Cream – $6). Immediately, I fell in love with the ice cream –a lovely dipping treat in conjunction with the cinnamon spiced, gooey-on-the-inside apple fritters. A delicious treat to end our evening with!
Apple Fritters
Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 11am-9pm and Friday-Saturday 10am-10pm (open till 11pm in the bar only).
For more information about The Arrogant Butcher and menus, visit FoxRC.com.
The Arrogant Butcher | 2 E. Jefferson #150 | Phoenix, AZ | 85004
