6 Degrees Urban Kitchen at The Shops at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale is rapidly building a following – and a reputation – as one of the best new restaurants in the area.
The restaurant space in the northeast corner of The Shops at Gainey Ranch on Scottsdale Rd has seen multiple restaurants come and go over the past couple years. The team behind 6 Degrees Urban Kitchen is betting that excellent food from an up-and-coming chef and an upscale, but comfortable environment, will end that trend.
6 Degrees has a large enough space to cater to guests who want to sit in a quiet dining room, enjoy some drinks at a well-stocked bar and patio dwellers. You’re greeted warmly upon entering, no matter what time of day – a welcoming start that too many restaurants nowadays fail to be consistent with. The pet-friendly patio has table seating and couches perfect for a casual brunch.
There is a specialty cocktail list featuring seven different drinks, all for $10. The drinks taste even better during Happy Hour, when that price drops to $6. The wine list is very heavy on American selections and no wine is above $99. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any gems. Caymus and Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignons in the double-digits are not frequent finds.
Lunch at 6 Degrees consists of three sections: “small plates,” “greens” and “handhelds.” Executive Chef Jose Morales handles both light and savory fare with ease in all three sections. If you grew up in an area where cheese fries and gravy were a 3 a.m. staple, the House Frites will bring back many (hopefully) fond memories. These are a classier version, of course, than your local diner served, with braised short rib and a fried egg accompanying the softened cheese curds and pan gravy. If you’d like to go with something that won’t increase your risk for clogged arteries, the gluten free and vegan Crisp Cauliflower are nice and light, with pickled onions and honey sambal to give the slightest hint of sweetness. In the handhelds, the Meatloaf Grilled Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and is going to perfect during the cooler months.
The dinner menu is broken into similar sections, with “big plates” replacing the handhelds and an additional section featuring a variety of sides. Once again, Chef Morales displays an ability to create a variety of dishes that will appeal to both adventurous and traditional diners. The House Frites and Crisp Cauliflower are still available – and recommended – but the PEI Pan-Roasted Mussels are another excellent choice. The Beet Salad is a beautiful, light start to the meal that shows off the deft touch Morales is capable of. The 6 Degrees Burger, available for lunch or dinner, swings the pendulum back to the other side of the scale. Bacon jam and a runny egg makes for a decadent, messy, succulent burger. The Crispy Duck Leg would be recommended even if it didn’t sit atop some of the best creamy farro you will find in this area. Fans of seafood – or the South – will want to get the Shrimp n’ Grits with pickled corn, crispy grits and a lobster creole sauce.
The menu will be changing seasonally, making 6 Degrees Urban Kitchen a restaurant you can go to often and try something new every time. After you go once, chances are that going often is something you will want to do.
For more information and to see the complete menu, visit 6degreesaz.com.