This has become one of my favorite spots to grab a cold brew on a hot day and there are countless number of hot days here in the great Sunshine state. Â I recommend ordering my favorite beer and best yet, it's on Tap. Â Blanche De Bruxelles is one of the most refreshing beers found and often difficult to find, let alone on tap. I haven't tried their food so I can't make any recommendations. Service was good and not overly pretentious like most spots in Old Town Scottsdale, nice space inside and great covered patio outside.
Review Source:We went to the Praying Monk following a wine tasting at Su Vino, we were looking for a good lunch while also getting out of the triple digit heat. I can highly recommend this place for both the beer list and the food. I had the Black Diamond Rampage Imperial IPA (on draft) - if you are into IPA beers then try this. Lunch consisted of a fried egg sandwich (cooked over medium) with tender-belly ham, Swiss cheese, tomato and garlic aioli on an english muffin. A great sandwich especially when pared with a plate of bacon.
Review Source:I really like the Praying Monk, although I haven't eaten here yet. I've been here a lot recently for drinks and it's a neat little place that's hidden in Scottsdale. It's a refreshing escape from the typical Old Town Scottsdale scene. Even on Saturday nights it's possible to get a table and be able to hear your friends without screaming.
If you're in Old Town and want a chill place to have a few drinks, this is a great spot to do it. I still need to try the food but if it's good, then I'll probably bump up the rating to 5 stars! Praying Monk also has an excellent selection of beers. They have a selection that's pretty diverse and from many different countries.
Brussell sprouts--fabulous...
Pastrami and swiss benedict--pretty good...
Chef--cute..
Bloody mary--tad too spicy...
Fried egg and tender belly ham --yummy.
Chef--cute..
Good vibe, good music, good food, (excruciatingly) slow service.
Did I mention that the chef is cute?
We'll  go back. The food's good. And that chef...
Delicious food! It's a weird menu so I was a bit apprehensive. Had the fried cauliflower for an appetizer, it was perfect. Had the chicken sandwich which was almost as good.
Edit: Â Came back for a 2nd visit and I had to lower my rating by 1 star. Â Had the Fried Cauliflower for a second time. Â It wasn't as good this time, because it had more buffalo sauce and not as much blue cheese as the previous visit. Â I also had the brussell sprouts which were OK, but I wouldn't order them again. Â Pita and hummus was outstanding. Â On their happy hour menu they have "premium mixed drinks" for $4. Â However, they charged us a $1 up-charge for our standard drinks such as Vodka OJ and Vodka Grapefruit. Â I really don't think it's fair to have an up-charge for such standard drinks.
Praying Monk has great food and is a really nice change from all of the other Scottsdale restaurants. A friend took me here and when trying to explain what to expect, he deemed it a casual restaurant with culinary bar food. I was intrigued.
We started with the "F" this PB & J, and I definitely recommend it! Â It's the perfect combination between sweet and savory, with three simple ingredients served in a mini mason jar, peanut butter, jelly, and Foie gras. Yes!
Next, I had the Chicken Sandwich and he had the Cuban Sandwich; both were flipping amazing! My chicken sandwich had a nice zip to it, and his cuban sandwich was just perfectly done.
I loved it! Go eat there!
The three is the benefit of the doubt. Â I met some friends here for dinner--from the beginning the service timing was just off and the place wasn't that crowded--in fact two of the male employees kept cruising through the dining room to catch up on basketball game that was on a TV above our table. Â At first the waiter was hovering and then when we needed something was no where to be found--she was certainly nice enough but didn't seem to be into the job which I get. Â
Anyway--I ordered the chicken sandwich--it was inedible--have you ever bitten into to something and it had the taste of a kitchen sponge that is past is prime--well that was the chicken. Â The manager came by and said the chicken was fresh which I believe--but something was terribly wrong. Â they did the right thing and took it off the bill. Â other dining companions said the Kale Salad and the Burger were good, but the shrimp in the shrimp salad were rubbery. Â
The restaurant is rustic and definitely honors the roots of old Scottsdale--I think going back there for a drink would be fine--but I don't think i would ever leap up and say we have got to go to dinner here. Â The prices were reasonable--but even at that price point there is a lot better food to be had--even in Scottsdale.
I really love this place. Â If you want to sit on a bar stool, watch Sportscenter, and drink a beer, this is your place. Â If you need a chill place to bring a group of people for cocktails, this is your place. Â If you want to go to dinner and select from an interesting menu, then this is your place. Â I definitely recommend the pretzel with one of their many beers on tap.
Review Source:When I read that this was an Aaron May restaurant I thought I'd give it a shot since my husband and I like Renegade (another of his restaurants). I had looked at the menu online and was excited to try it. When we first walked in I noticed the cool barstools. The server came up and led us to the patio. It was quiet and enclosed with a fireplace. Our server was very friendly and attentive. The restaurant, or maybe it's more of a bar, has a very large beer list. I however, ordered a manhattan. I could tell it's not something the bartender usually makes once I tried my drink. My husband and I started our meal with the wedge salad. It was ok, the bacon was a little odd. My husband then had the burger which he said was very juicy and that he liked it. I had the Korean fried chicken which could have been juicier. My chicken also came with a red wine vinegar slaw. I have had red wine vinegar slaw before that I have really enjoyed so I had high hopes, but this slaw had a flavor I couldn't place and I didn't like. The redeeming factor of the night was that the atmosphere was good and our server was very nice. I would go back for some beers with friends but I don't think I'd bother to order any food.
Review Source:Well, I've been here twice. Their beer list is lacking, but their food is pretty good (get pretzel and stay away from kale), but services is spotty. I was at bar watching game and bartender turned it for her friends. Was very annoying because that is why I went there. So I paid for my 1 drink and went to RandR and spent $100. Just stupid business practices. I don't foresee them making it. Good place for a beer and pretzel but no more.
Review Source:Had a number of meals here. The food is well above average. The craft beer choices are numerous and excellent. There are televisions in the bar and the restaurant area. So my question is: Why did my Friday luncheon companion and I have the ENTIRE restaurant to ourselves? The restaurant on the corner was packed with Friday afternoon diners, refugees from local business offices.
Today, we both had their Bavarian Pretzel appetizer, Hummus with Sweet Relish and Pita Bread, the Eggplant Sandwich and The Cuban Sandwich. As that my lunch companion is a teetotaler, we had the iced tea.
The pretzels were good; huge (it took up an entire plate) soft and, upon request, served with dijon mustard. The Hummus, served in a bowl made by a drunken potter, was smooth and had the pleasant twist of being served with a sweet relish. On warmed pita bread, this appetizer was excellent.
The unsweetened ice tea was somewhat unusual. It had a flavor to it (passion fruit?) that was not unpleasant, but certainly unusual. Admittedly, I'm a stick-in-the-mud. There are some things I expect. Iced tea tasting like tea is one of them. I'm not saying the taste of this offering was unpleasant. I'm saying that patrons should be offered a choice of straight  iced tea or the flavored version.
My companion enjoyed her Eggplant Sandwich. Firm, not soggy, we were impressed. The Cuban Sandwich is an American fusion interpretation on the Cubano. There was ample pork, served on a baguette with melted cheese  and spicy pickles.  Warning!! These sandwiches are not small by any stretch of the imagination. Both sandwiches came with a side choice of cole slaw vinagrette or french fries. On previous occasions, their Chicken Sandwich, Fried Cauliflower and Fried Calamari stand out in my mind as unique and flavorful.
The service was excellent without being overbearing; especially in light of the fact we were the only diners in the room.
My overall impression is a favorable one. Why this place isn't doing a land office business is beyond my understanding. Give this place a try. The food is worth it.
ZOMG... Their fish sandwich/burger thing is amazing. I always thing I'll only eat half when it comes out and then I eat the whole thing. Their potato appetizer is also to die for. I've had friends get this with a salad and call it a good dinner! Drinks are good, beer is unique. Good for groups because many of their tables are long or just large. Their outside patio with fire is legit at night, and especially in the spring and fall when Phoenix weather is perfect. I'll always recommend this place and wish I was there. In fact, I'm salivating now. Yummmm...
Review Source:Service was great, from both the manager and the waitress. Between the two of them they were very attentive without being overbearing.
We started with the calamari appetizer and some fried cauliflower. The calamari wasn't great, I would have liked it to be a little bit more crispy, but the fried cauliflower was awesome. It didn't even taste or feel like it was fried. Super yummy and I would definitely order it again.
For entrees I had the Cuban pork sandwich, one friend had the grilled chicken sandwich and my other friends split the lobster tacos. I'm glad I didn't order the tacos because they came breaded and without a side; I would prefer the lobster not breaded and maybe with some rice or something. But my Cuban sandwich was SO good. Pork belly, ham, Swiss, pickles and some type of mayo or aioli. Delicious! I got my choice of side, fries or coleslaw, and I chose their mayo-less slaw which was tasty.
We came on a Monday which turned out to be industry night, so all 4 of us girls had cocktails, a round of shots, 2 apps and 3 entrees for $90, pre-tip. I will definitely be back to sample more from their menu.
Welcome to Scottsdale a land replete with golf shirt wearing viagra popping tea baggers whose favorite political activity is coming up with the next trite diatribe on how Barrack Obama is the antichrist, socializing the country and propelling the United States headlong into collapse.
I assume the negative reviews for this place are quite in line with that waste of neurological activity. Paltry nit picking, based on common human fallibility as opposed to the genuine quality.
This place may be a bit a shock if you are expecting a bright and shiny sparkle palace, the norm that I have personally found to be prevalent in the cheese factory that is Scottsdale.
The Praying Monk is a nod to the local geographical landmark as well as an incantation of the storied history of Belgian monks brewing quality bear.
The decor of the bar is based on raw functional recycled materials. Pretension is no where to be found which is why I am baffled at the implication that any exist.
The beer list was fantastic and the Cuban sandwich is as legit as any I have ever had. I have tried the cod sandwich as well and found it to be light and flakey, a wonderful compliment to a Belgian Saisson.
I can't help but think if this business was located in a more "enlightened" city there would be a clamoring for a couple more locations.
Well maybe Scottsdale will get it, but just as the involuntarily emission of fecal matter from aged sphincters spares embarrassment to members of the Arpaio/Gov. Brewer posse ...... DEPENDS......
So far I've been 2x. I like it a lot. The first time just for a round. The second time for a little post work nosh. They have a pretty great happy hour. The cauliflower was fantastic! So was the hummus! The drinks are tasty, too. Â (The regular cocktails, not on happy hour).. The last time I went, our server Matt was on point and friendly. Â I'm looking forward to my next visit.
Review Source:I do love the sort of industrial/warehouse look of the space. Â
Nice beer list, but the waiter copped an almost surly attitude when we asked of they had any local beers. Â "No, we have CRAFT beer not local beer" Â Â Well, excuse me sir.
The place was nearly dead, there were a few people at the bar. Â In the dining room was only our party and one other. Â There were two servers. Â Despite a nearly one to one table to server ratio everything took FOREVER. Â
My daughter joked they must have driven to a farm somewhere to get the lettuce and began milking the goat for the feta cheese after we ordered it.
There was no excuse. Â Well , maybe there was one. Â
I was seated against the west wall where I could see into the kitchen. Â The two servers seemed mostly interested in playing grab-ass and dancing around and laughing in the kitchen while our drinks were empty and no one was able to check on anything.- ever.
Here's the deal breaker- I was served probably the worst burger ever. Â I ordered it medium. Â Medium means a little pink in the middle and still juicy. Â
The one I got was about 3 levels past well-done. Â It was a cinder. Â
Black, hard, dried out to the point that it had actually curled up and was somewhat dish shaped. Â It was horribly bitter and yet, not even hot. If it had been cooked any more, it might have caught on fire.
It was as if if had been burned earlier in the day and they fished it from the trash can to pass it off to me.
I finally was able to get the waiters attention and told him. Â He took my whole plate away and after nearly the rest of my party was completely done, I got a replacement burger served with the same thirty minute old french fries I had been served long before, of course they were now cold and limp.
I fail to see the point of surly service and remarkably bad food at relatively high prices.
Fail.
I'd like to become a regular here. Especially at the bar. It's well stocked with good liquors and a big selection of Belgian and Belgian-style beers. The bartenders are friendly. The atmosphere is dark and rustic/charming. The patio is intimate with a nice fireplace and heaters with large comfy couches. The food is great, though it takes quite a long time for it to come out after you order it. My boyfriend and I had the burger- moist, perfectly cooked, and with great flavor. We also split the challah french toast. It was very good as well. This place is exactly what I'd like in a neighborhood bar.
Review Source:As an Old Town local, I think I've been to every single restaurant/bar here at least once. Â
I can honestly say I have never been treated so terribly at a restaurant in my life as I was treated here. Â There was even a situation where a sauce ramekin fell off my wife's plate, and the bartender was extremely rude. Â He blamed her for the mess and said she should clean it up. Â He even made a scene in front of other bar patrons about it. Â I'm not sure what his problem was. Â But the staff made this a terrible experience for us. Â We ended up leaving after that.
Staff - NO STARS.
Drinks - Overpriced for the little return. Â This is another place where they came up with "signature" drinks that aren't anything special but overpriced.
Food - 1 star. Â The chef tried to be too creative here. Â Keep the food delicious, not too experimental. Â We tried the fried cauliflower. Â Yes, it was just as it sounds. Â No thanks.
Also, just a side note: Â I'm not sure if it's a hipster thing or what... But the employees seemed kind of dirty. Â Like they didn't shower regularly. Â Not someone I want to handle my food. Â Not good for a place hoping to earn repeat customers.
Just my two cents. Â Just a bad experience overall.
Been trying to get to the Praying Monk & finally did it. Hey now that's saying a lot. I live in a West Side suburb of Phx now so it's not less then a mile anymore.
We dropped in on a Sunday at happy hour time if it were a weekday. However i was happily shocked that this place has happy hour on Sundays too till to 7. AWESOME! The bartender is the server for the bar so be patient he will get there & when he does he's plea sent & helpful. We tried the corn dogs & man alive those are good. Then tried the Calamari & it was also flavorful. More often than not in this town it's the sauce that makes the calamari & not the calamari. I know that sounds crazy but think about it. This calamari was seasoned well & oh so tasty all by it's damn self. I'm not the deep fried eating kind of girl so when I say it's good... TRY IT!. I panicked & ordered a burger to share & it was also good. I have to say I pathetically couldn't finish my 1/2 after a couple of small corn dogs & calamari but it was really good which is the only reason I ate what I did of it. Well that & I had to pay for it. My hubs had one of the cute beer flights. I prefer mine larger & in charge but hey he liked it. He said the beers were tasty too. I was driving so I can't say I know they were but he doesn't lie so I think we're safe there too. Can't wait to go back for some dinner real soon.
Step away from the huss and fuss of Old Town and into this cool little place. Dark, with a great bar and casual seating in the bar area and a separate dining room, it definitely feels like stepping into a different world. It's a great place to enjoy a unique beer - I asked the friendly bartender to order for me and he guessed my go-to beer and gave me something spectacular in its place, if only I could remember which it was, maybe the Chimay?
It's a little off the beaten path and with great specials and what looks like a great food menu, and it was decently crowded on a Saturday afternoon but it was pretty empty when I went at 10 on a Friday, so start your night there and move on if you're looking for a traditional Old Town night or hang around to enjoy the relaxed vibe.
Their happy hour menu has 2 beer selections for $3, $5 house red or white house wine, $4 wells and 1/2 priced apps everyday from 3-7pm. I was a little disappointed that once we got there all the apps weren't 1/2 priced, but most of them are around $5 so you can still get them and it won't break the happy hour bank. I really liked that they had a meat-free section for appetizers which included a giant bavarian pretzel, brussel sprouts, asparagus, cauliflower, etc. Great idea!!!!
Throughout the course of our evening we ordered the escargot (try it you'll like it!!), the giant pretzel, the asparagus, and the brussel sprouts. I thought everything was delicious, although the sauce that accompanied the asparagus was a little heavy and congealed quickly....not appealing. My favorites were the escargot which sat on top of a delicious creamy puree (maybe artichoke?) and the brussel sprouts were glazed in honey mustard and sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
The house white and reds were pretty good actually, and my husband was impressed with their beer list, being more of a beer connoisseur.
It's not a huge place so there is limited inside seating. There are booths/tables behind the bar and a couple lounge areas as you first walk in. There is also an outdoor patio seating area, but somehow with the doors open you get the waft of cigarette smoke coming inside which I didn't like.
The decor is dim lighting, lots of wooden accents to give it that monastery feel. Â There was a super cool sink in the ladies room...just had to mention that.
Service was friendly and attentive and overall everyone seemed to have a great attitude.
Great space, great location, staff is super friendly, the food is good, and the beer selection is outstanding. They have one of my favorite beers on tap (Aventinus) which is a rare treat. My only complaint is the size of the draft pours. I understand Aventinus is an expensive beer but $7 for 0.3L? I had to drink two to get the equivalent of a pint - for $14! My gf got a Coronado IPA which is a much less expensive beer and still she got served in a 0.3L glass for $7. But it's still cool spot in my book.
Review Source:Bartender was knowledgeable, friendly and knew how to make my favorite drink (a boulevardier) without having to look it up. Â Upon ordering my second one, I made a suggestion as to how he could improve it (more compari) and he did as told and the second drink was even better.
I ordered the pig ears for curiosity's sake. Â The texture was slightly off-putting (the portion size was too big), but they were well seasoned and the salsa that came with it was very delicious.
Surprise find in Old Town at Pischke's former location! Tasty Sunday brunch, friendly service, and a good value. Â A winner all the way around! We will definitely be back!
Both hubby and I tried the Pastrami and Swiss Benedict with Old Bay Hollandaise. Â Very flavorful and filling. Side of fried potatoes were perfect! Crispy outside and soft inside. Â Chef brought us his version of Blueberry Pancakes as a Sunday treat. Â Loaded with blueberries and served with whipped cream. Not too sweet with just the right amount of cinnamon, perhaps?
Only improvements we would suggest would be to make sure coffee is hot, cream for coffee is readily available, and restrooms have something that dissipates, covers up, just plain gets rid of bad odors. Â Enough said!
Look forward to trying dinner here in the near future.
Found this place because some colleagues wanted to get together for a holiday cocktail party. Â Tucked away in Old Town Scottsdale, this place doesn't get as much foot traffic as the entertainment district. Â However, in my opinion it's much better than most of those bars.
The big deal for me here is their large selection of Craft Beer and Imported Beer. Â The specific Beer that made us choose this place is Chimay. Â A couple of us wanted to introduce Chimay to our colleagues and this place has more than 1 on the menu....score! Â Add to that a warm, living room feel and very friendly employees and you have a winner. Â
I didn't get a chance to sample the food, but I will on my next trip.
Return Factor - 97%
Mixed set of experiences here. Â It's a craft beer destination, and as such they have some frustrating qualities. Â They have a draft list posted on their website, but they're too lazy to keep it updated. Â So yes, you might find yourself driving here to try a particular beer listed and it is not offered. Â I asked for one by name and the bartender chuckled and said they haven't had it for MONTHS. Â Yeah, not really funny to me.
Service is normally very pleasant and attentive, especially when not too busy. Â Pretzel is quite good, though a bit non-traditional with the cream cheese mustard. Â Clean atmosphere thought a bit dark. Â Restrooms always clean. Â Parking can be somewhat tough during times of the year when snowbirds are around.
After one visit here, I was a huge fan of this new Aaron May installation that puts an eccentric twist on pub fare. Â Not to mention, I had one of the most incredible burgers here.
With no craft cocktail list to be found here, I looked to the list of drafts and beers by the bottle, which really impressed with the first draft selection a King Ludwig White Beer from Bavaria. Â The diverse list includes outstanding selections such as Trappist Belgians, Lambics, Ales from coast to coast, and many outstanding German beers. Â One can order a flight of four different beers ranging from $5-$8, so this is also a terrific location to reignite the flames of beer passion.
But the food!!!!! Â We started with the lump crab corn and bacon dip, which was a unique spin on the crab artichoke dip, but lacked a pinch of flavor to make it memorable. Â However, the crispy potatoes tossed with truffle aoli, shaved parmesan, and chives had our tastebuds singing. Â The truffle aoli makes it worth the $9 price. Â The crispy pig ear came next, and although the flavors of lime and sea salt mixed with chili gave it a wonderful savor, the texture of the cartilagenous ears did not bring us past the first nibble. Â Lobster tacos came next, which would have been incredible had the lobster not been delivered tempura style on the taco. Â With cabbage, pico, and creme fraiche it was a very simple dish - but for $14 could have been more spectacular. Â But the brussel sprouts with lemon and thyme more than made up for the lobster tacos. Â Gorgeously seasoned, beautifully cooked, we were in love! Â So ultimately the coup de gras of this visit was the Praying Monk burger. Â What a phenomenal burger, using beef that is world renowned for its quality , an onion bun from local Karsh bakery, and cooked to perfection. Â With a sriracha mayo that gave it a unique flavor kick, finished with caramelized onion and topped with melted Vermont cheddar, it was one of the most delicious burgers I have had in the valley. Â Chef Aaron May really knows how to cook a piece of meat!
Finally, the space is all dark wood, open ceilings, and an incredible atmosphere created by the chill lounge beats and downtempo tracks pumping through the speakers.
Happy Hour is everyday from 3-7pm with  1/2 Priced Appetizers, $3 Monk's Pale Ale, $3 New Belgium Blue Paddle, $4 Premium Well Cocktails, $5 House Red and White Wine - so an excellent opportunity to get to know the exciting pub fare and fantastic beer selection.
Furthermore, on Saturday nights is MIDNIGHT MASS where
at the stroke of Midnight you receive the same drink as is in your possession for the simple "tithing" of one dollar.
I recommend sitting at the bar, where service is quick and friendly and you can more easily navigate the menu options with your bartender.
I highly recommend this place for happy hours, casual dinners, or a fantastic spot to start off a night on the town.
I have been to Praying Monk many times and keep forgetting to write a review....so, I figured I better get to it and write one!
On my first visit we sat at the bar and took a look at both the extensive beer menu and nice food menu. I kinda got lost looking at the beer menu as I'm not a huge beer fan but wanted to give something a try so I asked for a recommendation from the bartender. He asked a few essential questions on what I like and he ended up pouring me a Crispin over ice. I'm now in love with this beer!!!! It is so light and refreshing and they have it on tap! Even better in my book! While they have a large selection of beers on tap (that change all the time) they have many more to choose from in bottles.
So, as I was sipping on my beer I took a look at the menu. I liked how the menu was very easy to read (as some are so large and you get lost in reading them). There was some appetizers (all are good for sharing or small plates if you want to order a few for dinner for yourself). They had some salads, sandwiches (burger, chicken breast, etc) sides to share and then entrees. On this visit we decided on the calamari and chicken breast sandwich. I loved the calamari! One of the best I've had. While I didn't eat the chicken sandwich I did have a bite and it was so juicy and tender.
On our next trip I again had the Crispin and decided to try a few other things on the menu...I had the Brussels sprouts (delicious) and the mac & cheese. As everyone who knows me knows I will try everyone's mac & cheese to see how it stacks up to other restaurants....well....this is one of the best I've ever had (and I've had a ton). It's so creamy and the perfect mixture of cheese sauce and noodles. The Brussels spouts were also very, very good. I do notice that people either love or hate Brussels sprouts...if you are one who loves them you do need to give these a try!
On future visits I've had the wedge salad and chicken salad, both were very good and will certainly get again. I also had the Crispy Parmesan Potatoes and they are to die for!!!
We had a friends birthday party there and they did a great job accommodating everyone and our orders. Everyone seemed to really enjoy everything they had and said they will certainly be back.
The desserts are very good too...if you like chocolate they have a chocolate mousse, cheesecake thing that is so rich so it's certainly worth sharing with other people. Â Now, the Captain Crunch dessert with fruit sauce....I loved that so much you had to fight me for a bite!
Every time I've gone in the bartenders remember my drink, food order (or what I really liked from last time) and always are so warm and welcoming along with great service.
If you are in Old Town and looking for a chill spot with great beers, plates for sharing (or not) you need to make Praying Monk on your to do list of places to visit and eat and drink!
Enjoy!!!
Had an excellent experience upon returning here for a second time, so I updated my previous review from 3 to 4 stars.
This time around, when I ordered my meal, I told the server that I was vegetarian and  asked if he thought the chef would be able to cook me something other than the eggplant sandwich (the only vegetarian meal on the menu).
The server had the chef come out of the kitchen and personally take my order. He offered a few standard options, and then said, "or you can just let me whip you something up creative". I went with the latter.
When my meal arrived, it was a big bowl of masterfully cooked veggies (I posted a photo). I don't even know what to call it, but it was darn good!
Only problem on my return visit was that my meal arrived a solid 5-10 minutes before  my mother's did. Luckily we weren't in any sort of rush.
We were in the other night for a girls dinner for a friends birthday. They are one of the last places in Old Town that take reservations, thank goodness!
None of us had been here before so we thought it would be a great place for a birthday dinner.
The look of the place is great! Nice big bar with plenty of seats and cocktail tables, and separate from the dining area. The acoustics are a bit rough though, very loud once the place is full.
The service was OK. I know that they were busy, I mean geezus, did we miss the memo for batchlorette party night. We literally saw three different parties come in to eat there that night. It was pretty funny. The server even said that wasn't abnormal, weird! Just a few notes: please clear that table of discarded plates as soon as you can, a messy cluttered table is no good, and please check back with the table after getting the order and dropping plates. We always needed something and no sign of our server.
The food was great! We had the brussel sprouts and pretzel with this awesome creamcheese/butter/grainie mustard spread to start. So good and perfect for sharing with a group. Then since we were all in our tight dresses and high heels we didn't want to fill up too much so we split a few chicken sandwiches and one got the fillet. All were great. The sandwich had this yummy spicy aoli on it, so good! The fillet wasn't a traditional dish, came with some barley concoction underneath, she said it was awesome.
They were even so kind as to bring out a little something sweet for the birthday girl complete with a a candel to make a wish.
I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to service, so I was a bit displeased with the service as everyone else in my party had a blast.
All in all I will be back, but probably just in the bar. They are a great addition to the Scottsdale scene, chill, good beer, great food, and great bartenders!
I am a bit torn on this review.
Dined here on Tuesday to kick-off some 4th of July Eve festivities, others in the group picked the joint off Yelp and I was along for the ride. Â I went in with no expectations and I can't decide if I was pleasantly surprised or not.
The decor sets a nice tone for the restaurant, I liked the look of the curved monster booths and the wood beams/walls. Â They promptly seated our party of 5 turned into 7 into 9 and did good job keeping everything flowing evenly through the extended dinner/drinks setup. Â
While I'm not quite sure how the name fits into what they've got goin on, except its a local nod (and I've been wondering about it since), I did notice they had an extensive beer list that could rival a Yard House for variety. Â Beer not being my thing, I was happy with my other options as well, and the sever was on point with refills all night. Â In fact, were I to come here again it would be for a more leisurely HH type of activity in the bar area since I liked the location and feel of the place.
As far as food went, the menu online is a bit different than what they actually had in-house but you can not go wrong with the Crispy Potatoes app/snack. Â It is a good sized dish to share, the truffle butter gives a unique kick, but don't expect chips or fries... these are actually diced up potatoes. Â Not a finger food. Â I was starving and pushed for appetizers even before drinks while waiting on our party, and the staff did a great job getting them out ASAP. Â My main dish was the Lobster Tagliatelle, clocking in at $24 big ones (America's Birthday peopleeee) it was the most expensive dish on the menu... and it delivered. Â It was a bit spicy in a good way and it wasn't shredded lobster or canned chunks... it was still attached to shell bits; my entire half of the table was envious. Â Based off the potatoes and dish alone, this would be 5 stars.
However... besides those items nothing really grabbed me on the menu. Â I don't see other things I'm that excited to try, and judging by my dinner companions not so enthusiastic reactions... I had the best dish already. Â That doesn't really inspire me to go try out more things, and $24 a pop is a bit pricey to keep ordering one thing, Â no matter how good. Â
They also had a timing problem on the main dishes, which was really surprising since everything else had been so smooth. Â My steaming pasta came out first with one other dish... and then sat in front of me for almost 5 minutes congealing while I waited for all the other dishes to come out for the table. Â It still ended up tasting great and didn't get to that luke warm state, but that was potential for disaster right there that stuck with me. Â That being said, they are a new restaurant so it's natural to have kinks to work out, and judging by the fact that the menu in-house was different from online; they might still be experimenting there as well. Â This could just as easily turn into a 5 star place as it could go down to 3. Â Props being a new local business... that and the benefit of the doubt gets it to 4 stars for now. Â If I end up back here I'll update which way it went.
I stopped in yesterday around 5 PM for happy hour. Â I like the new decor and that they moved the bar back into the center of the room. Â The appetizers were half-off and I tried the shrimp and grits. Â They were delicious. Â Spicy seasoning, creamy grits and a good sized portion.
They also have a great selection of unique beers. Â I saw a trappist monk offering on the menu for $26. Â I settled for a 90 Schilling amber and it worked perfectly with my appetizer.
I came back over around 8 PM for the big grand opening party and they were slammed. Â I waited at the bar for about ten minutes trying to get a drink but to no avail.
On my way out I did get a chance to see Marsella. Â That's always a nice treat!
Hi Cassie. Praying Monk, an 'American beer café' in Old Town Scottsdale.
I have no idea how I walked in right at opening time and all looked pretty good considering the size of last night's party. Looking around, there was no one sleeping it off, a good sign. Marsella, I would have loved to have hooked you up with those comps last night. I usually am a pretty good provider.
Lunch today is a Blanche de Bruxelles $6 Never had this beer before and after drinking it, I really believe this is a girls beer, I don't know. I looked it up and the moniker on the label is a boy peeing, lol, I had to look at the beer color in my photograph again. Thankfully it was well hydrated beer. Next time I shall man-up and get the draft Chemay.
While I was waiting for my lunch plate I was checking out the detail of the house and chatting with Cassie, a scrumptious suprise. The woods in the restaurant are beautiful. The floor is a medium-dark stained herringbone oak. Much of the wall covering is weathered grey timbers, ceiling looks like morning wood with the exposed rafters. Hot stuff.
My meal is a triple decker clubhouse sandwich with slaw. $9 Looks like May served up traditional history, yet broke the rules to have a little fun. The cold plate was summer savory.
Today I owe a bit of gratitude to the pleasantly piquant minds of Praying Monk.
This would have easily been a 4-star review if it weren't for some false Facebook advertising that resulted in some disappointment, beer thirst, and hunger pangs.
Last week I received an invite via Facebook to the Praying Monk Grand Opening on May 17th featuring "a familiar-meets-fun complimentary beer and food pairing." Â The invite also described the opportunity to " sample Chef May's award winning cuisine paired with beer cocktails from Mickey Venerable or enjoy beer flights and can beer on the stylish patio while Jon Creasey dishes up tunes from behind the piano." Â That sounds like an awesome party, right? Right!
Well, I spent over 2 hours at the packed event tonight and was never offered or even saw one complimentary beer or food item. Â I searched high and low for the beer flights to no avail, and I definitely did not see or hear a piano. Cans of beer were available on the patio.... for $6.
Nevertheless, I decided to make the best of the night and was happy with the lively atmosphere and very friendly, outgoing staff. Â I loved the House Sauvignon Blanc and the comfy yellow sofas, but a larger bar area with more seating would have better served the crowd. Â The outside patio looked unfinished (some plants or decoration would be nice) and I was not impressed with whomever decided that only 2 stalls were needed in the ladies room.
I enjoyed my night at the Praying Monk, despite my initial sulk, and I would happily return for drinks with friends.  This is an Aaron May restaurant after all, so I have every confidence in the excellence of the food, service, and atmosphere.  Cheers to  memorable nights to come!
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