Happy Hour Beat | Savory sliders and crafty cocktails at PNPK

PNPK opened in North Scottsdale in March 2018. The restaurant offers a unique selection of sliders and small plates, as well as wine, beer and thoughtful cocktails in a lounge atmosphere with a dog-friendly patio. PNPK is named for nearby Pinnacle Peak, where owner Kellie Pruitt found comfort after a family tragedy.

PNPK is located in North Scottsdale near Pinnacle Peak

PNPK offers happy hour daily from 11am until 6:30pm. A big fan of sampling and small plates, I enjoyed the happy hour menu options which include 10 varieties of sliders for $4 each, seven types of deviled eggs (three for $5) and eight bruschettas for $3 each. Shareable plates are available for $6 including macaroni and cheese, meatballs and truffle parmesan fries. PNPK offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

PNPK has a cool, lounge vibe.

How to choose from all the options? Our knowledgeable server helped my friend and I select eggs and sliders based on our tastes. I didn’t know so many variations of deviled eggs existed but we enjoyed candied bacon and jalapeno, white truffle oil and chives, and pickle and herbs. Other deviled egg options include bacon jam and caramelized onion, smoked salmon and Asian wasabi with citrus slaw.

Who knew there were so many delicious types of deviled eggs?
Photo Credit | PNPK

PNPK’s slider selection goes well beyond burgers from a bangers and mash slider to falafel. Many are available for $1 off the regular price at happy hour. We had to try at least one burger so we opted for an Angus beef slider topped with gorgonzola cheese, blueberry barbecue sauce and bacon for a savory bite with a hint of sweetness. After sampling several slides, we decided that our favorites were turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes and spicy balsamic glaze, and crispy fried chicken with spicy aioli sauce.

The happy hour menu offers a wide variety of unique sliders.

PNPK’s happy hour drink menu includes $4 draft beer, $3 off glasses of wine and $2 off cocktails. Although I typically lean toward wine, the PNPK cocktail menu drew me in. I started with the Tickle Me PNPK Punch made with prickly pear, ginger ale and sparkling wine. I felt good about my drink choice as $1 from each punch goes to Friends of Pinnacle Peak Park, a group dedicated to preserving the park. I also tried a Pinnacle Mule made with blueberries, cucumber, vodka, lime juice and ginger beer. My friend had a nonalcoholic version of the Trailblazer made with strawberry, basil and club soda (and usually gin).

The fresh and sweet Trailblazer is made with strawberry, basil, gin and club soda.

We needed a bit of sweetness to balance the savory. Even though it wasn’t on the happy hour menu, we indulged in the dessert flight for $8, which included vanilla cake donut holes with lavender lemon cream cheese icing, a warm dense fudge brownie and a creamy butterscotch budino with homemade whipped cream.

A dessert flight provides just the right amount of sweet.

Despite sliders, deviled eggs and desserts, we missed a lot of items that we need to try, including a charcuterie flight, bruschetta, more sliders and deviled eggs, and the mac and cheese. Next time I will definitely try a wine flight.

To learn more about PNPK, read this article.

PNPK | 23335 N. Scottsdale Road | Scottsdale | 85255 | 480.305.0907
Happy Hour |  11am until 6:30pm daily
Favorite items | Turkey meatloaf slider and fried chicken slider ($4 each)

Tags: happy hour, PNPK, Scottsdale restaurants