Sheldon Knapp, founding partner of Phoenix City Grille has announced the restaurant’s new operating partnership. Dennis Shaw, an industry veteran with 40 years of experience, and Micah Wyzlic, longtime executive chef/managing partner of Phoenix City Grille now operate the neighborhood restaurant as partners.
“I am completely confident that Phoenix City Grille and our incredibly loyal customer base are in excellent hands with Dennis and Micah at the helm,” said Knapp, who maintains a minority position in the business. “I look forward to working with Dennis and Micah in my semi-retirement as well as spending more time with my family.”
Shaw’s impressive industry career spans four decades with resume highlights including serving as owner and managing partner of Sam & Luca Rustic Kitchen and food and beverage director and general manager of Las Sendas Golf Club, both in Mesa, as well as general manager and director of operations at Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn. Shaw has held other management positions at prestigious establishments such as the Desert Mountain properties, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, The Phoenician, Marriott Resorts and the Desert Inn in Las Vegas.
“I am so excited to be a part of the PCG community. I want to get very involved, get to know the patrons here, grow the legacy that Sheldon has built and keep PCG going for many years to come,” said Shaw. “We will continue to evolve the great food and service with the same great team that has become synonymous with PCG while enhancing the dining experience and expanding our PCG roots as we evolve.”
In 1998 Micah Wyzlic graduated from Scottsdale Culinary Institute at the top of his class and initially joined Phoenix City Grille in 1999, just a few years after the restaurant opened its doors. Of his 35 years in the hospitality industry, half have been spent with PCG. He began as executive chef, overseeing development of the culinary team and creating many of the restaurant’s signature dishes that remain on the menu to this day. In 2018, Wyzlic returned to Phoenix City Grille, where he took on the role of managing partner in addition to serving as executive chef. He has been instrumental in the development of PCG’s robust whiskey program and continues to oversee the restaurant’s private barrel selections.
Throughout his career, he has also worked for the likes of The Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage and PGA West in La Quinta, both in California, as well as Holiday Retirement Corporation in Oregon, and served as food and beverage director of Atlasta Catering.
“I am excited to continue to honor the 27 years of tradition and excellence that was demonstrated by Sheldon,” said Wyzlic. “I look forward to developing my leadership talent strengths under the tutelage of Dennis and to continue bringing new and exciting experiences to our amazing guests.”
Shaw and Wyzlic are also excited to announce Phoenix City Grille’s new bottle shop concept, Still and Barrel by PCG. Opening date is targeted for the year’s end. Additional details about Still and Barrel by PCG are forthcoming.
Photo: Micah Wyzlic, Sheldon Knapp, and Dennis Shaw, Photo by PCG.
