Christopher Collins, chef/owner of the Valley-based Common Ground Culinary, announced he’s reinventing both of his Phoenix restaurants to reflect the cultural fabric of each restaurant’s neighborhood this October. Located on the NW corner of 32nd Street and Camelback, The Collins Small Batch Kitchen will replace the restaurant formerly known as Twisted Grove Parlor + Bar on Monday, October 7, while The Macintosh will replace the former Grassroots Kitchen & Tap inside the Town & Country Shopping Center at 20th Street and Camelback on Monday, October 1. Originally opening in 2017 and 2014, respectively, both restaurants were spinoffs of the original Twisted Grove and Grassroots in Scottsdale, which will continue to operate in Scottsdale.
So why is Collins making such a significant change in Phoenix, despite both his restaurants being financially successful? “Because it’s the right thing to do,” Collins says. “Grassroots was created for its neighborhood in Scottsdale, and so was Twisted Grove. So after becoming part of these new neighborhoods, with their different histories, cultures and communities, we decided each deserve its own unique neighborhood restaurant.”
The Collins Small Batch Kitchen
The all-new look at The Collins Small Batch Kitchen starts before you even enter thanks to new bold yellow shade canopies and verdant landscaping, including several large Swan Hill olive trees added to the outdoor dining patios overlooking 32nd Street. Stepping inside, guests are enveloped in a plush, Parisian bistro-style décor, including a retro-modern toile wallpaper, bold ‘Fjord blue’ bar and dining room chairs, plus soft yellow and creamy white accents that complement the existing red brick and black-colored booths. Adding to the intimate appeal, the central dining room booths now feature cozy captain’s chair seating and window pane-like patterned, frosted glass dividers, allowing each table to feel like they have the section to themselves.
Putting the small batch in The Collins Small Batch Kitchen, this restaurant will now feature both a compact menu of favorite dishes from across all of the Common Ground Culinary restaurants, plus an ever-changing menu of 4 to 8 daily specials. Offered in limited quantities, these daily specials will feature whatever’s fresh, exciting with no restrictions on the style or type of cuisine. Cooked before your eyes inside The Collins’ state-of-the-art exposition kitchen and wood-fired hearth, “We look forward to coming out and engaging with the guests, letting them taste new recipes, and let the guest become a part of the interactive culinary creativity.” Plus, The Collins will also offer a can’t-miss weekend brunch and a daily Social Hour.
The Collins will also feature an expanded selection of unique spirits and craft beers, a broader wine program including international varietals, and a revamped cocktail menu is broken down into Refreshing, Direct and Mocktail categories. Open 7 days a week, Monday 11am-9pm, Tuesday-Friday, 11am-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday, 10am-9pm. The Collins is located at 3160 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016.
The Macintosh
Housed inside the Town & Country shopping center, The Macintosh pairs a bold, brassy and energetic décor with a hearty yet approachable menu of modern comfort classics (with nothing priced over $24). Handsomely decorated with white walls, black booths, red dining chairs and butcher-block tables, The Macintosh also features new brass lighting fixtures and a striking collection of black and white photos reflecting The Macintosh’s neighborhood hangout vibe. Tucked under a new custom sign spelling out “The Macintosh” in light bulbs, the restaurant also features a new 21-foot, 22-seat community table perfect for hosting beer- or whisky-paired dinners, which can also be rearranged into 8 separate two-top tables during the expanded weekday Happy Hour (2 – 6 pm). The central bar has also been redesigned to feature soaring library shelves brimming with 30+ different whiskeys, 20+ domestic beers and a smaller, more refined domestic wine program, accented with both house barrel aged and mason jar infused cocktails.
As for the food menu, The Macintosh has kept several favorites from Grassroots such as the shrimp grits and braised short rib, plus tasty new offerings such as mason jar burrata, bacon steak with spicy apple cider gastrique, fried green tomato po’boy, hand battered fish & chips and fried chicken on the weekends. Speaking of the weekend, The Macintosh will also expand to offer a killer brunch every Saturday and Sunday, including fried chicken and waffles, house-made cheesy biscuits, Brussels sprouts hash, egg white frittata. The Macintosh is located at 2119 E. Camelback Rd. Ste. A21, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
