I’ve been known to say that North Scottsdale lacks a sense of culinary adventure, citing the busy but rather pedestrian restaurants in that neck of the woods as proof. However, I’m waffling on that position these days. Elvira’s, the terrific Modern Mexican import from Tubac, opened in the area last year, as did Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails in La Mirada – and Belmont is hardly pedestrian.
It’s the brainchild of Phillip and Megan Lewkowicz, the same family associated with Café Monarch and Reserve, two of Old Town Scottsdale’s most popular fine dining restaurants. Both are famed for their extravagant tasting menus. Belmont, however, is a different animal entirely – more casual (though not too casual – there’s a dress code) and more affordable, offering an à la carte menu that leaves wiggle room for special occasions, date nights, and afternoon drinks and snacks at the bar.
From that glitteringly gorgeous bar, styled in a warmer version of Art Deco, come over-the-top cocktails that elicit oohs and aahs via flames, smoke, bubbles and a smoking treasure chest. My favorite, so far, is the rum- and spiced pear liqueur-based Spiced Merchant, which is silky, aromatic and perfectly balanced. The wine list, curated by wine director Kyrri Rauber, is just as praiseworthy, concentrating primarily on vintages from California, France and Italy, in that order.
Last summer, the Lewkowiczs leveled up the kitchen by hiring a new but familiar executive chef – namely, Alex Stratta, who won the James Beard Best Chef Southwest award in 1998 for his work at Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician, then, a decade later, earned two Michelin stars at his eponymous restaurant Alex at the Wynn in Las Vegas. His presence here seems like a perfect fit.
Dining and Cooking