It’s rare with my busy schedule to fit in a date night with dinner and a movie, but recently we did just that, checking out a recently-opened restaurant helmed by one of my favorite chefs and attending an advance screening of The Gentlemen.

In December, Chauncey Social, the newest addition to Diane and Les Corieri’s Evening Entertainment Group, opened in North Scottsdale. EEG's establishements includes popular restaurants and nightspots such as Stock & Stable, Honor Amongst Thieves, Sandbar, Bottled Blonde, Hi Fi Kitchen + Cocktails, and Skylanes, to name a few. According to Diane, “We were inspired to create a welcoming neighborhood hangout; perfect for casual get-togethers and late night socializing.”

Step into this modern upscale sports bar and nightspot and you’ll find cozy seating areas with banquettes and sofas, a wrap-around outdoor patio, 30 TVs, a 10-foot x 50-foot LED wall, and weekend DJs and bottle tables. There’s also a craft cocktail menu created by award-winning mixologist Sheldon Wiley. I love a good Aviation (an early 1900s cocktail combining gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and crème de violette), so we settled in at the bar, where I ordered Wiley’s ode to this libation, here named the Mile High Club, one of ten Specialty Cocktails.

You’ll want to sit in front of Caleb, who expertly guided us to the refreshing Perfect Pear combining small-batch Avión Silver tequila with prickly pear, agave and lime juice, and the tropical Coco Chanel with rum, coconut cream, pineapple and orange juice. TIP: During weekday Happy Hour (3-6 pm) all the specialty cocktails are $5 off.

We had received a media invite when Chauncey Social first opened and when we realized it was conveniently a mile away from Harkins Scottsdale 101 where the screening was taking place, well, it was a perfect opportunity for dinner and a show. And there’s another reason I had been wanting to check out this lively spot - talented Executive Chef Joe Absolor, winner of the World Food Championships Golden Ticket at last year’s Devour Culinary Classic. I’ve been a longtime fan since experiencing his delicious dishes at Stock ‘n Stable for the first time (fermented beets with goat cheese curds and Marcona almond butter, smoked corn manti with feta cheese and pepitas, pork chops with Noble Bread, peaches and cipollini stuffing), and have returned multiple times since.

At Chauncey Social, he’s created a menu featuring American classics sprinkled with Italian and Asian influences, a scratch kitchen including homemade pastas, and a “Never Ever” meat program (“never” any hormones, antibiotics or steroids). His goal is creative yet familiar dishes with something for everyone. Thus, co-existing with share plates such as crispy-cheesy Philly cheesesteak egg rolls with Calabrian chile aioli and gooey mac ‘n cheese with trottole pasta and white cheddar is glazed kung pao cauliflower studded with cashews and tender-chewy dumplings stuffed with braised short rib and topped with fig-chile marmalade (the latter so good, I was tempted to order another).

And I’m also still thinking of my Pasta Vegetariano (a great recommendation by Caleb) with fresh fettucine cooked perfectly al dente, tossed in a thyme-scented parmesan cream sauce with a medley of forest mushrooms, and garnished with lemon zest.

My husband was just as enthralled with his prime rib dip accompanied by au jus and Flip Isard’s Frites Street fries. Chef Joe first roasts his prime rib with a horseradish-garlic crust before slicing, warming with caramelized onions, and layering with provolone cheese, pesto and a zippy horseradish cream. You can watch Joe cooking up some of these mouth-watering dishes on ABC15 at this link.

Thirsts quenched and bellies filled, it was off to the movies to see The Gentlemen for a special screening before it opened on January 24.

Even before receiving the invitation, The Gentlemen was on my list to see with its irreverent star-studded cast (Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell, Charlie Hunnam) and director Guy Ritchie returning to the spirit of his Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch movies.

The film revolves around American expat and UK cannabis baron Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) and seedy private investigator Fletcher (Hugh Grant), the story’s narrator. Mickey is looking to cash out and peacefully retire with his wife, an endeavor which triggers a complex gangland war. Along the way are a cast of characters including aristocrats, hitmen, Chinese gangsters, assassins, blackmailers, a Russian oligarch, and amateur boxers (who turn their robbery of Mickey’s marijauna lab into a rap video). It’s a brash, rollicking, witty and sometimes cringingly crass and lewd crime caper full of plot turns and surprises - one that I’m looking forward to seeing again to catch the nuances of Ritchie’s clever story-telling and ending twist.

The Gentlemen is currently playing at Harkins Scottsdale 101 and other local theaters. Check out the trailer for a sneak peek:

Our visit to Chauncey Social and the preview of The Gentlemen were hosted media invitations and complimentary.

Dinner and a Show: Chauncey Social and The Gentlemen