Blue Clover Distillery, in the former Eddie’s House location in downtown Scottsdale, fills one of the few remaining voids in the area and features a scratch kitchen that has a wide array of influences.
It seems you can’t turn a corner in downtown Scottsdale without running into a brewery. One thing that has been missing, however, is a distillery. Now, not only is there a distillery, it comes with a craft cocktail bar and cuisine that blows away standard brew pub fare. (Is there such a thing as distillery fare? And if so, is it always this good?)
Immediately upon entering Blue Clover Distillery, you’re struck by the decor. The space is inviting and warm with a modern loft apartment feel when you look up and a farmhouse style when you see the various wooden tables and large wooden entrance door. Co-owner and operating manager Weston Holm’s sister Holly – the boxing and MMA champion – helped design various aspects of the space and it is obvious that a lot of thought went into every aspect of the look.
In the rear of the restaurant encased behind glass sits the micro-distillery’s operation hub. The pristine copper still and other equipment glisten and depending on when you visit, you can watch the distilling process while you eat and drink. The Blue Clover vodka is currently available, the gin is just a short time away and other spirits will be following after that. If you want to try the vodka but can’t make it to the distillery, it is available at a growing number of restaurants and bars throughout the region.
In addition to the in-house options, the spirits list includes a wide variety of all types of liquor. There is a list of craft cocktails as well. The Giggle Water is a refreshing, tart take on a margarita that shines with the addition of Blue Clover’s orange-infused vodka instead of standard orange liqueur. Another favorite is the Scottsdale Sunset, which features Blue Clover’s grapefruit vodka. If you’re there with friends and want to share a beverage experience, the Mule Thumper – described as “132 Ounces of Pure Fun” is waiting for you and for an extra $10 you can take home the souvenir Thumper mug. A variety of beer and wine, including some local options, are available as well. They also make their Bloody Mary mix from scratch and it has a ton of flavor.
One of the recurring themes throughout the menu are items with green chiles. Holm is an Albuquerque, New Mexico native and he takes pride in having his chiles brought in directly from the Hatch Valley biweekly. In the starters, you’ll find the Southwestern favorite in both the Green Chile Cheese Fries and the Nachos. The nachos are piled high and loaded with a variety of cheeses, the aforementioned chiles, black beans, jalapenos and more. You can also add chicken, chorizo or ribeye to them. For the health-conscious, dishes like the Baja Poke Bowl, Falafel Burger and the Blue Clover Chicken Salad (half or full portion) mean you can feel good about your selection without sacrificing taste.
In the burgers and sandwiches, you can get your green chile fix with the Green Chile Cheeseburger. You can also build your own and choose from their chuck and brisket blend, chicken or a portobello cap (another healthy choice depending on your toppings). The Blue Clover Kicker sandwich is stuffed with turkey, bacon, Carnegie Deli pastrami, Havarti cheese, avocado and veggies, served in a pita with a green chile IPA mustard. It sounds much heavier than it tastes but there is plenty there to enjoy. Blue Clover also has a variety of soft-crust flatbreads available.
The Pacific Coast Fish Tacos are a happy marriage of Southern Californian and Southwestern cuisines. The fish selection varies depending on availability, but you get a generous portion cooked perfectly. The warm blue corn tortillas also hold pickled red cabbage, pineapple pico de gallo and more. Another popular item in the entrees is the “Owner’s Favorite” – a Tampiquena Ribeye. The steak comes from Harris Ranch and is served with a cheese-filled chile relleno that takes a basic steak dinner to a whole new level.
It’s safe to say Blue Clover Distillery is unlike anything else in Downtown Scottsdale – and not just because it’s the only distillery. They are open seven days a week from 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner, with brunch coming soon.
For more information, visit bluecloverdistillery.com.