You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to visit the recently opened Chic Chef 77. The first Black-owned wine bar in Arizona is helmed by Chef Nik Fields, the private chef for the Phoenix Suns.
After making its grand debut this past February, Chic Chef 77 has brought a relaxed yet elegant tasting experience to the heart of Tempe. The new site is the first Black-owned wine bar to open in Arizona, stemming from celebrity chef Nik Fields. Chef Fields is the private chef to the beloved Phoenix Suns and is known in the industry for her unique dining experiences and artisanal goods.
Chic Chef 77 offers a modern yet rustic design with velvet textures, wood elements and a moody color palette mixing cool and warm tones with black accents. The intimate dining space features wooden tables with low-lit candles, fresh floral arrangements and a variety of art pieces adorned on the walls. A line of olive oil, balsamic vinegars, gourmet foods and spices curated by Chef Fields is also on display and available for purchase at the bar. Each item has been created using items from the celebrity chef’s farm in Italy.
The star of the restaurant is its cocktail lineup, with elevated and eccentric sips that are as delicious as they look. An indulgent sip or two is a must when visiting, with some of our favorites including Pop Smoke, crafted with pineapple, ginger, chili and a lime-salt rim; WUTang with watermelon and coconut rum, Chic Chef honey simple syrup and fresh fruit; and the strawberry martini, an off-menu, sweet pink sip. Each libation is beyond Insta-worthy, with the WUTang being served in a traditional Chinese to-go container and the strawberry martini arriving in the cutest teddy bear glass.
In addition to the almost too-pretty-to-drink cocktail lineup is a 200-bottle wine list with rotating by-the-glass pours handpicked by Chef Fields herself. To complement each glass is a prix-fixe menu with plates utilizing locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Some highlights include the La Di-Da-Di’s, an upscale take on traditional deviled eggs with oversized sautéed Cajun shrimp; the Verrazzano, a jumbo soft pretzel served alongside a honey mustard and marinara dip; and the Central Park, a charcuterie platter with curated meats, cheeses, fruits, bread and more.
Various events will unfold at the wine bar, including wine seminars hosted by Black-owned wine brands, paint-and-sip parties, poetry nights and live music performances.
Chic Chef 77 is open Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday for brunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit chicchef77.com.
1221 E. Apache Blvd.
Tempe, AZ, 85281