Executive chef Peter McQuaid Jr. leads me through a hallway at The Americano, a sleek steakhouse in North Scottsdale. With a subtle gesture, he presses against a mirrored panel that pivots to reveal a hidden entryway. Though not my first time slipping through this clandestine entrance, I still admire the gleaming black tiles and bold floral wallpaper lining the staircase. Once we descend, we find ourselves in an intimate space where burgundy velvet drapes, marble-topped tables, and fringed barstools envelop guests in a chic, sultry atmosphere. The bar glows with striking gold light fixtures that stretch across the ceiling to a stage where modern jazz bands and lounge singers perform nightly. Welcome to Tell Your Friends.
“I love the colors and all the unique touches,” McQuaid says as beverage director Ashley Cibor joins us in a plush booth. She smiles and nods in agreement, adding, “It’s a sexy space.” Indeed, the subterranean lounge was designed to capture the glitz and allure of the Great Gatsby era, with its swanky decor providing the perfect setting for an evening of retro revelry. Alongside punchbowls and classic libations are buzzworthy signature cocktails like Call the Paparazzi, a riff on the Espresso Martini; Friends With Benefits, an Old Fashioned iteration aged in beeswax; and In the Mood for Love, “an herbal but fruity gin-based cocktail made with génépy, red bell pepper, and raspberry” that Cibor calls her “personal favorite.”
Complementing the mixed drinks is a concise wine list heavy on bubbles to pair with plates like chilled oysters graced with Prosecco mignonette and mac and cheese rich with fontina and black truffle. “They’re shareable dishes and finger foods that are fun twists on classics,” says McQuaid, recognizable from his frequent Food Network appearances. At age 26, the James Beard Foundation scholarship recipient has a resume that reads like that of an industry veteran, including establishments such as Daniel in New York City and, most recently, Cala Scottsdale at The Senna House Hotel. Now he’s bringing that star power to the execution of playful yet refined dishes like kimchi honey–glazed Korean-style fried chicken dipped in smoked bacon ranch dressing and crispy housemade potato chips served with Ossetra caviar and caramelized onion dip. “We also offer the Americano menu down here,” McQuaid notes, “so if you want to enjoy a steak with your Dirty Martini, you’re more than welcome to do that.”
“I think it’s the best combination,” he adds as he reflects on the restaurants’ synergy. “You can have the full dinner experience at our high-end Italian steakhouse upstairs, then come down here to this beautiful room to enjoy cocktails and live music. It’s the perfect night.”
Tell Your Friends is located beneath Scottsdale steakhouse The Americano.
Executive chef Peter McQuaid Jr. and beverage director Ashley Cibor.
Tell Your Friends’ Korean-style fried chicken with smoked bacon ranch dressing; the Friends with Benefits and In the Mood for Love cocktails; and potato chips with Ossetra caviar and caramelized onion dip.