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The Arcadia News features
restaurant reviews each month.
If you have a question or comment, please see our contact
page.
Rokerij
6335 N 16th Street ~ 602-287-8900
Almost a year ago, a good friend of mine was treating me to dinner
at Dick’s Hideaway, which some of you already know is an extension
of the famous Richardson’s restaurant next door. We wanted
to know a little history about the place so we spent some time chatting
up our waiter who told us some interesting stories but also blabbed
the secret that a new restaurant was in the works down the street
and would be up and running in a few months. I have been examining
the restaurant business in Phoenix for a few years, and I know they
are very tricky businesses to run and that lots of them fail to
do just that. The Rokerij (pronounced ROK-er-ee) is the first time
I came across a restaurant that was doing its best to keep itself
a secret and failing to do so.
My associate and I spent at least 45 minutes fighting traffic from
32nd and Indian School to 16th street and Maryland. The President
had come to town for a political rally and every Republican in the
state had swarmed into the Camelback corridor and was now locked
into the mother of all jams with its vortex turning neatly on a
doomed Skylark.
The restaurant’s exterior was dimly lit and carried no signage
or clue of its existence save a lone valet parker and his podium.
Once inside it was apparent that the Rokerij was no secret at all.
Here it was a Wednesday and the Rokerij’s bartenders were
already hustling away pouring Grey Goose into oversized tumblers
and serving apps to a small crowd of early gatherers milling about
the fireplace and watching candles dance over the stunning copper
bar. Recession my foot.
The menu at the Rokerij is Contemporary American with a slight flair
for Northern Europe. The word Rokerij is Dutch for Smokehouse, and
like Richardson’s, the Rokerij has a pecan wood grill that
gives the steaks a great flavor.
For Starters we chose the Roasted Garlic with Spinach, Nueske’
Bacon, White Beans and Tuscan Bread ($11). This was my favorite
item of the evening. The combination of the sweet caramelized garlic
and the salty smoky bacon worked really well with the bread and
lightly salted beans. Dinner offers a wide variety from the land
and sea. My choice was the Rokerij Steak, a tenderloin topped with
choice of crab, shrimp or lobster medallions and then smothered
in béarnaise ($29). This is every bit as rich as it sounds.
My associate chose the Grilled Rib Eye On The Bone ($28). All of
the entrees come with choices of side, one of which the Rokerij
is proud of is the Pappardelle or Tagliatelle pasta which is brought
in from Italy. It’s paper thin and very delicate. Also among
the choices are Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Heirloom Tomatoes with
Roquefort, sweet potatoes or double mashed potatoes.
The dining room, which is upstairs from the bar, is quiet and smoke
free. The lounge, which I must say scores 4 stars for atmosphere
and niceties, also serves from the menu until midnight!
The Restaurant and bar are open 7 days a week. The dining room closes
at 10 p.m., but the fun continues until one in the lounge.
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