Finding a restaurant in the heart of Scottsdale with a hip and modern vibe isn’t exactly difficult. Play “flip cup” on any corner in Old Town and you’re sure to hit one with a decent flick.

But finding an upscale steakhouse that combines exceptional food, extraordinary cuts of meat, on-point service, edgy-without-going-over-the-top interiors and the best drink menu in Scottsdale is more difficult.

Bourbon & Bones Chophouse & Bar just made it a whole lot easier.

Bourbon & Bones is the best offering yet from Square One Concepts, the team behind such popular Old Town restaurants as Crab & Mermaid Fish House and Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers.

The modern, upscale chophouse in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale showcases an entree-based menu from Chef Isaac Carter — who also oversees Crab & Mermaid — that consists of classic American fare that focuses on wet aged and dry aged cuts of beef, including bone-in cuts and chops, plus fresh seafood. That’s the “Bones” half.

The menu for the “Bourbon” half of Bourbon & Bones was created by innovative mixologist Richie Moe. It features classic hand-crafted cocktails with a modern twist and is backed up by a selection of more than 75 high-end bourbons and a 750-bottle wine case.

The atmosphere inside the 4,000-square-foot, Midcentury Modern building is lively and the decor is sleek and modern, utilizing reclaimed wood, distressed leather booths, and walnut tables to create an environment that is perfect for a business dinner or a night out with friends.

But where Bourbon & Bones really separates itself from its competitors is the food. Some highlights from a recent visit:

  • The “Medjool Bleu Cheese Stuffed Dates” ($14), with Nueske’s bacon, banyuls and salted marcona almonds are pure magic. The perfect combination of salty, sweet, creamy and crunchy makes this the perfect starter.
  • It’s sometimes scary to order raw oysters in the desert, but Bourbon & Bones’ “West Coast Oysters” ($18) shows that its chefs know how handle raw food. The oysters are amazingly fresh, perfectly shucked and the accompanying house mignonette and cocktail sauce makes this a dish worth coming back for … and we haven’t event gotten to the meat yet.
  • The biggest surprise of your night will be the “BBQ Baby Back Ribs” ($26). While these were initially ordered to create a more wide-ranging culinary experience for a party of four, they are deliciousness defined. Moist, tender and packed with flavor, these ribs made one Kansas City native exclaim, “These are the best ribs I have ever had in my life.” And she was right.
  • The 14-ounce “Bone in Filet Mignon” ($49) and 24-ounce “Bone in Ribeye” ($49) are worth their weight in gold. Perfectly aged, perfectly seasoned and perfectly prepared, these steaks stand up to the best red meat dishes you will find anywhere in the West.

Bourbon & Bones also has a popular happy hour that includes the must-try “Truffle Cheddar Popcorn” ($8) and the “Sub Zero Whiskey and Coke” ($10), which features Russel’s Reserve Bourbon. Whether you try it out for happy hour or dinner, you’ll find Bourbon & Bones is a very welcomed and pleasantly unpredictable addition to Old Town Scottsdale’s dining scene.