SCOTTSDALE Ariz. Fox Restaurant Concepts has debuted a new gastropub called Culinary Dropout and plans to open a second location of its True Food Kitchen concept later this year.
FRC, which has 28 restaurants under 13 brands, opened Culinary Dropout last month in Scottsdale. The gastropub covers 5,400 square feet and has 112 indoor seats, with 24 dedicated to communal dining. An outdoor patio and lounge has 52 additional seats and a bar seats 33.
Culinary Dropout’s entrees range from chicken hash with fried egg and black truffles for $12 and butternut squash cannelloni, $13, to bistro steak with fries and blue-cheese-peppercorn sauce for $19 and Kurobuta pork ribs with jalapeno, molasses and fries, also $19. The menu also features specialty cocktails and a broad wine list.
The new True Food Kitchen will open this year in Newport Beach, Calif., FRC said. The company procured a $10 million loan from P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. last August to expand True Food Kitchen, a health-oriented eatery that owner Sam Fox opened with wellness author Dr. Andrew Weil in 2008 in Phoenix. P.F. Chang’s said its debt capital could be converted into a majority equity position in True Food Kitchen.
The second True Food will occupy 9,600 square feet at Newport Beach's Fashion Island shopping center, near a RoyÕs Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.
"Our philosophy celebrates high quality locally sourced ingredients to create a unique menu that tastes great while nourishing mind, body and spirit," Fox said. "We believe Fashion Island, with its discerning and health-conscious customers, is the perfect place for us to expand."
The menu will also be developed by True Food's executive chef, Michael Stebner, and will feature Mediterranean, Asian and Californian influences.
Materials selected for the interior will be environmentally friendly, including quartz countertops, low-voltage light-emitting diode lighting, water-based paints, white oak butcher block tables and countertops. The restaurant will participate in a recycling program as part of its membership in the Green Restaurant Association.
FRC is privately held with restaurants in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Texas. Concepts include: Bar North, Blanco Tacos + Tequila, Bloom, Chloe's Corner, Greene House, NoRTH, Montana Avenue, Olive & Ivy Restaurant + Marketplace, Sauce, Wildflower and Zinburger.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
