‘It’s Like a Family’

FOOD & WINE ‘IT’S LIKE A FAMILY’

Preserve Tavern boasts comfort food delights

By Kristine Cannon

Nick and Shannon Broemer are the owners of The Preserve Tavern & Grille, a new restaurant in northern Scottsdale that took over the old Four Peaks space.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

aking over the old Four Peaks Grill & Tap in North Scottsdale is family-friendly tavern The Preserve Tavern & Grille. Opened by husband-wife team Nick and Shannon Broemer and inspired by the sights of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the Broemers’ neighborhood pub offers patrons a variety of comfort food dishes and nearly daylong happy hours.

“It’s all about the customers and their experience,” Nick says. “It’s like a family.”

Described as serving “Americano cuisine with a Southwestern flare,” the Preserve’s menu is loaded with comfort food favorites like deviled eggs, nachos, loaded fries, wings, pork ribs, mac ’n’ cheese, burgers and even meatloaf.

“The meatloaf is to die for,” Nick says. “And the wings, people said they’re probably top three in the Valley.”

Shannon attributes the wings’ popularity to how they’re cooked.

“The meats are all smoked,” she explains. “It’s such a distinctly different flavor.”

Other popular items include the Preserve Burger, which is topped with bacon and porter cheddar cheese between a toasted brioche bun, and the Preserve Poblano Rings, a heap of beer-battered poblano rings drizzled with chipotle basil honey and served with an apricot garlic aioli.

As for the meatloaf, that’s wrapped in bacon and served with seasonal vegetables.

“I’m telling you, it’s the best,” Nick raves.

The Preserve has been in the works since last summer.

The Broemers originally had their sights set on a location farther north,

closer to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

But when the Four Peaks space opened, they were quick to snag it to take advantage of the high-traffic area.

Now, the more than 6,800-square-foot space caters to sports fans, families looking for a place to grab a bite after soccer matches and people wanting to sip on an ice-cold beer as they listen to live country music on the weekends.

“Mark Florentine books all of our artists,” Nick says of the local guitaristvocalist, who plays everything from classic rock to country and grunge. “Every Friday and Saturday has different local artists.”

Other events include open mic Wednesdays, trivia night Thursdays and dedicated UFC fight nights.

Food specials include $1.50 tacos on Tuesdays and all-you-can-eat fish and chips for $12.50 every Friday.

The restaurant also serves brunch on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and every meal includes a free mimosa or bloody mary.

The Preserve’s cocktail menu includes classics, too, including Old-Fashioned cocktails, Manhattans, margaritas, martinis and more.

As for beers, there is a wide variety, with 20 beers on draft.

Every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., wine drinkers can stop by The Preserve for half-off bottled house wines.

Other specials include a nearly all day happy hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The more than 800-square-foot covered patio is dog friendly.

“They (customers) just love the atmosphere. You can literally feel the positivity in the building while we’re working. We just try to make it exciting,” Nick says.

The Preserve is now open and offers a 15% discount to military and first responders. 

Taking advantage of old Four Peaks Grill & Tap space at 15745 N. Hayden Road in northern Scottsdale, the Preserve Tavern & Grille opened in April. (Facebook)

The Preserve Tavern & Grille 15745 N. Hayden Road 480-590-4942 thepreservegrille.com