By Just Your Average Joe

Today I had the pleasure of revisiting a restaurant I had already been to multiple times, TapHouse Kitchen in the North 32nd neighborhood. TapHouse is located at 3131 E. Shea Blvd., just west of 32nd Street on the south side of the road.

This is TapHouse’s second location, the first of which is in Scottsdale. Their gorgeous glass and brick building is hard to miss and boasts a large, open layout. The décor follows suit, showcasing a modern, industrial vibe. Between their huge bar with TV’s for the sports fans, and an open kitchen for those who want to see what’s going on with their food, there is something for everyone. The staff is not something to be overlooked either. They are extremely friendly and helpful from the moment I walked through the door.

As for the food, the website says they center around American cuisine, however they make sure to include some pretty tasty dishes from around the globe as well. Popular dishes include calamari, chimis, Thai lettuce wraps, lamb, sliders, steaks, pizza and salads. It’s hard not to find something to make your mouth water in anticipation. I ended up deciding on the Prime New York Steak. Why just choose a steak when there were so many options? Five words…. Makers Mark maple bacon glaze. Not only was the steak and glaze to die for, it came on a bed of crispy truffle Yukon gold potatoes (which I chose instead of mashed). The steak was juicy and cooked exactly as requested. I am typically a big fan of staying true to the flavor of the meat, but the glaze was well worth the change of pace. The potatoes were crisp on the outside while still being soft on the inside, with just the right amount of seasoning. Not being a man of compromise when it comes to quantity or quality when going out to eat, I can honestly say that I was very satisfied with both. The meal was just enough that I had to think about finishing it or taking it home, and did not disappoint in flavor.

I don’t typically spend too much (or any) time discussing what I drank during a meal, however in this case I thought it important. True to its name, TapHouse, has a wide selection of beers on draft (40 according to its website) and in bottle. Pilsners, Lagers, ciders, meads, wheat beers, blonde and pale ales, IPAs, Ambers, red and brown ales, porters and stouts…the list is long and filled with both local brews and national favorites. For tonight I went with a Big Moose Drool – the perfect end to a perfect meal.

Taphouse Kitchen
3131 E. Shea Blvd
www.taphousekitchen.com