Traveling in Phoenix?: Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails, Phoenix, AZ

The group dinner is never easy. One big table for 15 people is usually a recipe for disaster.  But a hotel restaurant should be able to handle it. And Blue Hound in downtown Phoenix does. 

With soaring ceilings and an eclectic menu, Blue Hound aims to please the masses.  Tater tots? Yup. Pork Belly? You betcha. Sliders? Yes, with aforementioned pork belly. Basically take all of the food trends of the past few years and roll it into a restaurant, add cocktails and stir.   

Blue Hound lives in the Palomar Hotel, and is part of the newly built downtown Phoneix area. With soaring ceilings and a large bar, the space is appealing and the drinks flow. 

Entrees ranged from "one big ass steak" (yes, that's it's name on the menu) to a seafood stew. The waiter strangely discouraged us from ordering certain items. "Don't get the salt and pepper shrimp", he warned, the tails are still on and they are a lot of work." Ok, so then why are they on the menu?Instead he pushed the flintstone size pork chop. 

When my side of the table placed several scallop entree orders he quickly paused and ran to the kitchen to make sure we had enough scallops. Really? 

I did eventually get those scallops. The dish was very well composed, three scallops, eggplant, fig and bacon jam with a small side of corn. A little light on the scallops in my mind.  Broccoli and cauliflower sides were overly charred. 

The most interesting meal at the table was a hanger steak with croutons atop the meat. Something I'd never seen before. And that was one good crouton. 

The winning dessert came in the form of a gooey butter cake with pineapple. Not my style, but other than me, raves all around. 

With trendy-ish food and a scene, Blue Hound has a time and a place. Choose wisely.

Until our next burger,
KLB

Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails
2 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ
602.258.0231
bluehoundkitchen.com