Years ago, when Chad Ahrendt, twins Craig and Mark McDowell and their older brother Trevor were attending Saguaro High School, they never imagined that they would open a restaurant in their hometown.
They have partnered with seasoned restaurant veterans Kelley Cordova, general manager, and Chris Mercato, director of operations, to open Drexyl Modern American Restaurant at the Shops at Gainey Village located at 8877 North Scottsdale Rd. on February 3.
“We are family, friends and now business partners who care tremendously about each other and the people around us,” said Mark McDowell. “We will strive for excellence in our customer service and overall dining experience from the moment you walk through our doors.”
Drexyl will be open daily from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for happy hour and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dinner service. The bar will remain open late night. Lunch will begin towards the end of February.
Drexyl was the brainchild of Mercato, and with the help of Ahrendt, Cordova and the McDowell brothers the concept was refined and brought to fruition. The team then tapped Executive Chef Robert Eckhardt to design the handcrafted menu.
Drexyl’s menu features unique and approachable starters, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Some standouts include: fire roasted Chicken Arancini, Coldwater Lobster Rolls, Fried Ravioli, which is house made and stuffed with beef tenderloin, Lemongrass Caesar Salad, Steak Frites Salad, the half pound “D” Burger, which is topped with Rotterdam Gouda cheese and bacon, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, house smoked double cut Heritage Pork Chop, Pacific Coast Sole, with freshly squeezed lemonade pan sauce and seven ounce Filet Mignon with lobster béarnaise.
“It was so important for me to create a menu that excites diners and makes them want to try every dish on it. By highlighting seasonal ingredients and enhancing the food’s natural flavor, I’ve created unique dishes that I know people will be thinking and talking about for days to come. There is something for everyone on this menu,” Eckhardt said.
Eckhardt moved to the Valley in 2012 from Northern California and has cooked at locales like Tonto Verde, Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn, Desert Mountain Club and Las Sendas Golf Club.
Drexyl has made significant changes to the space (formerly housing Bloom) including adding a large central bar, an abundance of comfortable booths and the interior has upscale, refined touches that are elegant but still maintain a casual vibe.
“Drexyl will be a restaurant that will not only satisfy many types of palates, but also many purposes. Date night, neighborhood dinners, cocktailing with friends and business lunches will all find a home at Drexyl,” said Ahrendt.
To celebrate their new venture, Drexyl will host rockers Feed The Kitty at their official launch event on Feb. 6 at 8:00 p.m.
