A hidden gem with easy parking, Saint Urban lives up to owner Chef Christopher Collins’s vision of a comfortable gathering place. Beyond the conspicuous archway signage, the entrance is set back from the commotion of the parking lot — reached via a short “garden walk” to the restaurant’s indoor-outdoor secluded oasis.
Décor combines with menu in an atmosphere especially conducive to a relax-with-colleague/friend repast with a hint of adventure from a kitchen that delivers Chef Christopher’s takes on traditional comfort food and new discoveries. Specializing in shared plates, Saint Urban offerings range from a varied selection of charcuterie and bruschetta to several shareables that bring new tastes — for instance, the Plancha Artichoke prepared sous vide and served with garlic aioli. Unlike the spikey flower we’re used to, the plancha is a special variety from Spain. No chewing on petals with the plancha — it’s fork-tender throughout and meant to be 100% consumed.
And the wine list complements the whole shareable concept by making it easy to match individual tastes: Every wine available by the bottle is also available by the glass. What more fitting tribute to the restaurant’s namesake patron saint of wine.
The menu also offers, of course, plenty of full-plate options, such as salads and sandwiches (“handhelds”). Sandwiches include Nueske’s BLT, with thick slices of bacon helping fill the space between thick slices of sourdough bread from favorite local artisan bakery Noble Bread & Co.
Called out for special attention is the “Saltwater Saint” section of the menu, with seafood and sushi to share (or not). Oysters can be ordered freshly shucked or charbroiled. There’s shrimp cocktail and a crudo of Hamachi and grapefruit. And, as pleasing to the eye as the palate, sashimi choices of Nordic salmon or Yellowfin Ahi laid across a frozen brick of pink salt.
A short dessert menu includes the always-popular flourless chocolate torte, served here with espresso cream and salted caramel, and sweetly refreshing Sweet Ricotta and Berry Trifle made with angel food cake.
Service is attentive without hovering.
Saint Urban
8260 Hayden Rd., Scottsdale
(480) 247-6848
Bruschetta Pictured: Avocado & Lime, topped with pickled red onion; Whipped Ricotta, with macerated tomatoes and torn basil; and Stracciatella & House Jam, with dressed arugula Choose 3 of 5 on menu: $16 |
Shaved Tri Tip Served with aged sharp white cheddar and Sonoma steak sauce, shown with side of Truffle Shoestring Potatoes $22 |
Ladies Lunch Choice of salad (pictured: Stacked Greens Caesar) with Truffle Shoestring Potatoes $16 |
Did You Know: Part of a growing trend toward cashless payment systems, Saint Urban accepts only gift cards, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
