Category: Food Opinion

I learned about Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant from my co-worker.  He knows all about the speakeasies, wineries, and bars.  He is very thorough in his analysis, so I took him at his word when he said the winery was cool.  I do not know if my restaurant experience was in the forefront of my mind, but I vaguely remember him not really raving about the restaurant side of things, but going into detail about the winery.  As you read on, you will see why both sentiments may be the case.

I made a reservation through Open Table the same day, and we ventured out.  Make a reservation more than a day in advance if you want to be seated indoors, because reservations fill up fast.  We were able to snag a table outdoors on the patio.  Thank goodness the weather was nice, cool, and misters going made it a bit chilly for me.  Good thing, I always have a jacket for backup.

Patrons’ attire ranged from dressed up to casual.  We were somewhere in between.

When you first walk-in there is a retail area where you can purchase Cooper’s Hawk branded wine, wine glasses, and other wine accessories.  As you walk through the retail shop, the reservation check-in area is situated right outside the restaurant entrance.  Off to the left, the wine tasting area spans across the side wall, and it was packed full of wine tasters.  The wine tasting does not take reservations and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  The attendants said to allow 45 minutes to one-hour for the tastings, if you plan to participate before a dinner reservation.

With the reservation we waited approximately 15 minutes for our table to be ready.  Once we were seated, we were offered two complimentary wine tastings each.  I tried two white wines, Gewürztraminer and Blanc de Blanc.  I appreciated them both, but I was surprisingly delighted by the Gewürztraminer.  I had previously researched this wine, and it was described as the “grown up Moscato.”  That description was quite accurate, a white wine, sweet but not too sweet and delicious on its own.

I was feeling adventurous, so I already knew I would order a wine flight as opposed to a single glass of wine.  The flight allowed four options.  You can choose a pre-selected bubbles, white, red, or lux flight for $18.99-$22.99.  You can create your own flight for $21.99.  I built my own flight, two white wines, Cooper’s Hawk White and Reisling.  I also added two red wines, Cooper’s Hawk Red and Lux Cabernet.  The two red wines were not my favorite.  One, I am not a fan of wine being served warm, even though this is the red wine etiquette.  I wanted to break all the rules and add a few cubes of ice, but I did not.  Two, one of the red wines was spicy.  I am also not a fan of wines that leave a hotness on your palate.  I chose the reds to accompany my main dish, which was beef.  Both white wines were shockingly smooth, and delightful.  Made me regret choosing reds, at all.  I enjoyed both whites overall, but the Riesling most of all.

Moving on to the underwhelming part of the evening, the food, and maybe I should not say it was completely underwhelming.  The Brussel Sprouts were amazing.  This is what we ordered:

• Crispy Brussels Sprouts – Cashews, Mint, Sweet Tai Chili, Sesame-Sriracha Aioli, $16.99.
• Braised Short Rib Risotto – Roasted Mushroom, Sweet Onion, White Wine, Shaved Parmesan, White Truffle Oil, $33.99.
• Turkey Burger – Fresh Ground All-Natural Turkey, Herbs, Lemon, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Seasoned Mayo, $16.90.
• Shrimp & Scallop Risotto – Sweet Corn, Asparagus, Peas, Spinach, Parmesan, White Truffle Oil, $32.90.
• Reese’s Ice Cream Cookie – Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Baked with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Vanilla Ice Cream, $12.99.
• Key Lime Pie – Fresh-Squeezed Citrus, Graham Cracker Crust, Whipped Cream, Lime Dust, $10.99.

The braised short rib was edible, but I had to jazz it up with parmesan cheese, and then I could eat at least half of it with the added cheese flavor.  I should have been warned when the people at the table next to us left their Short Rib Risotto unfinished.  The turkey burger was nicely seasoned with natural herbs but lacked salt.  The Shrimp & Scallop Risotto arrived late, and it is not pictured because it immediately went back.  The Shrimp & Scallop Risotto lacked and missed the mark all the way around. Aesthetics, flavor, and timeliness.  I was shocked to learn this dish is a chef’s recommendation on the menu.  It should be removed immediately from the entire menu. 

Both desserts were complimentary, due to the late food and the lack of quality of the Shrimp & Scallop Risotto. I did not try the Reese’s Ice Cream Cookie, but can you go wrong with Reese’s and Ice Cream?  I hope not.  The Key Lime Pie was very good.  I am a Key Lime Pie connoisseur, so take my word. 

Despite the not-so-great experience with the main courses, overall, I would return to Cooper’s Hawk Winery, and indulge in their extensive wine list.  As my co-worker described it, it is certainly a great place.  The winery is impeccable.  We decided as a group that if we must eat when visiting Cooper’s Hawk Winery, the appetizers are the way to go, because have you ever had a terrible appetizer, anywhere?

There are several locations across the United States. In Arizona, there are four locations, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale and Surprise.

Location Visited:

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
3325 W. Chandler Blvd.
Chandler, Arizona 85226