New Menus at EVO in Scottsdale

Evo In Scottsdale Serves Up New Seasonal Menu and Cocktails, Plus Happier Happy Hour And Brunch After Dark

Popular dinner and late-night spot in Old Town features the finest flavors of Italy

(PRESS RELEASE) (Scottsdale, Ariz.) - Since opening three years ago inside a stylish indoor-outdoor space in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, EVO (4175 N. Goldwater Blvd., 480-265-9814) has earned rave reviews for its menu of house-made rustic Italian comfort classics served nightly, including a full menu served until 1:30 am daily. Not to mention, EVO's daily happy hour featuring all-new seasonal craft cocktails, and famed Brunch After Dark featuring hearty breakfast foods served Sunday starting at 4 pm. And to think, none of this would have happened if EVO owner Nick Neuman hadn't hated his 'grown up' career in financial services industry.

Like many future restaurateurs, Nick Neuman's first job was in the hospitality industry, working as a busser to help support himself through high school in the northern Virginia/DC area. But it wasn't until he graduated from Arizona State University and landed a full-time job in the financial services industry that Neuman realized his true passion was back in the hospitality industry. "Even after college I continued moonlighting as a bartender from my financial services job, before deciding to open my own place in 2013."

Neuman spent several months searching for the perfect location in his Old Town Scottsdale neighborhood, before settling on a supposedly cursed space. "It was known as Café Blue for many years," Neuman says, "before burning through a series of quickly-failed places named Bacon, Cuoco Pazzo, Sunshine Moon Peking Pub and T. Roosevelt's Tavern. Everyone said that place is cursed, terrible location. But I saw a space that didn't need a lot of work to get it up to speed. I got the keys in early March and 31 days later we opened in mid April. Now people tell me all the time "what a great location, how lucky you are."

Today, EVO is renowned for Chef Stephen Fowler's menu of modern versions of classic Italian dishes, served till 1:30 am nightly. Think handmade pastas and pizza dough and hand-rolled meatballs, all made with locally sourced ingredients such as Danzeisen Dairy, Arizona Micro Greens, Blue Sky Farms, Wildflower Bread, Grateful Spoon Gelato and Queen Creek Olive Oil. At EVO, these fresh ingredients and bold flavors combine to create fresh, light favorites such as Chili Shrimp served with tagliatelle pasta, tossed with spicy Calabrian chili oil, fresh mint and zucchini. Or the hearty 'happy accident' that is the EVO salad, featuring crispy Brussels sprouts, oven-baked kale, sliced pear, herbed goat cheese, pancetta and reduced balsamic. "We're focused on unique Italian dishes that are really flavorful not too filling. We want you to be able to make an evening out of it, or eat and then hit the town," Neuman says.

Speaking of hitting the town, EVO also features a new, improved daily Happy Hour from 4-7 pm featuring gourmet bar bites and new seasonal craft cocktails designed by Brian Goodwin of Citizen Public House and The Gladly, who happens to be Neuman's old roommate. Made with house-made syrups, enjoy all-new cocktails such as the Amaro Manhattan. Plus, don't miss EVO's famed "Brunch After Dark, served Sundays from 4 pm till 1:30 am, and featuring delectable delights such as pancake-battered bacon with maple-bourbon syrup, and the EVO Cristo, a decadently fried sandwich made with crunchy peanut butter, house-made jam, bananas and marshmallow fluff.

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Most important, Neuman draws on his background at Houston's/Hillstone, "to ensure the service style is very professional, on point without being snooty. It's about teamwork, treat the entire restaurant like one section, where everyone jumps in and helps out to make sure the customers are being take care of." That said, Neuman encourages his staff to, "show their personality. There are no scripts or required touches per service, and instead we focus on attention to detail. Our customers are our friends and our goal is to make every new customer a repeat customer."

EVO is located at 4175 N. Goldwater Blvd. in Scottsdale. For more information call 480-265-9814 or visit www.evoscottsdale.com