Joe’s Midnight Run Experience

He Said   What was once a drive thru liquor store, thus the “Midnight Run” in the name, is now a new 7th St. restaurant adding to the blooming area in uptown Phoenix. Its menu has an international flare with on-menu pairings to a good wine and/or beer selection. As we approach the summer I will warn you that they use a very hot flaming grill right next to the bar seats on one end. We ended up having to move as it got way too warm for my taste. It might be perfect for that girl that is consistently cold even in 100 degree heat. The bar reminded me of a sushi bar as it wrapped around the kitchen with a short glass wall which gives you the opportunity to chat with the chef and other kitchen staff. There is a very nice patio area that will be perfect once the temperatures go back down into the double digits. It’s interesting to note that you can still imagine the building as a drive-thru liquor store with its long profile and once you know the patio was where people drove thru its clear. The menu starts off with what they call “shorties” or small shared plates. As a fan of a tapas style menu this was perfect for our visit. We decided to just order a few small plates and share. Curried Cauliflower is not as “curried” as one would imagine and is actually perfectly seasoned and the table enjoyed this dish the most. It includes currants, almonds, and shallots. The currants were a really nice sweet touch to this dish and the cauliflower was cooked with just enough crunch left in it. The roasted veggies plate included; fennel, potatoes, asparagus, and some more cauliflower in a romesco sauce. Our plate also included what looked like roasted pearl onions though not listed on the menu. This type of surprise makes me happy to see and assures me that they are using what they have fresh on their veggie plates. Up next we moved to some meat with the skirt steak. It comes with marinated peppers and chimichurri sauce. It’s hard not to want all of their meat plates when you see the flaming grill in the kitchen. It just gets you in the mood for some charred steak. Nicely cooked and full of flavor the key to this dish is the refreshing chimichurri. I used to think all chimichurris were equal but this definitely had its own distinct flavor to it and I could have added it to a few more dishes. If you’re looking for a more filling dish there is a whole other page to the menu with bigger entrees and salads. After watching them make it, I’m dying to come back and try the Notorious B.I.G. Burger with braised pork, cheese, and chicharrones on top of the burger. It looked amazing! They also have a few items for your sweet tooth or just go and enjoy a few drinks. The service is friendly and great giving recommendations. A neighborhood liquor store turned into a thriving new restaurant, who would have known?!

She Said   Coming Soon!

Read our Listing on this restaurant now.