Review: Enter the Ring of Fire at Dos Diablos

Restaurants and bars in North Scottsdale are not known as entertainment centers with live music and dancing, but a new addition, Dos Diablos aims to change all that with their New Mexican inspired cuisine and hot, steamy locale.

Co-owners David Stone, Patrick Melson and Carlton Cull, all motorcycle enthusiasts which is apparent by the heart on fire logo, worked with local Phoenix architects to design an event-ready space inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s “From Dusk Till Dawn” vampire thriller.  Weathered wood floorings, red velvet curtains and a bar glowing in cobalt blue all set the stage.

Previously, the space hosted an Italian restaurant that featured a formal dining room.  To me, the space was very chopped up by permanent walls and dividers separating the bar from the other dining areas.  As a patron, I felt a bit stifled by the dividers; there was no flow to the room. 

Dos Diablos has taken down those walls and opened up the space allowing you to see flat screen tv’s, two bars, and a stage reserved for live music.  As you enter, you walk into a rotunda with a ceiling reminiscent of stained glass in colors of red and orange.  I call it the devil’s den or the ring of fire, whatever you prefer.   It’s the larger of the two bars that features high-top tables and flat screens.  The stage is clearly visible and at night the space doubles as a dance floor. 

Chef Mark Betsko, formerly of Trader Vic’s serves traditional Mexican food with a New Mexico flair.  Their guacamole and chips, although not the most original appetizer choice on our part, was a pleasant surprise.  Served with warm homemade chips and a variety of salsas, you could taste the fresh ingredients in the guacamole which is topped off with chile lime pepitas, giving it their own spicey spin.  I’m adding it to my “best of” list as a contender who could rival any other in town. 

I always look at the names of a restaurant’s drink specials.  It’s my way of determining creativity.  If they put some thought into their menu by using whimsical, catchy names, then it’s most likely going to be a good experience.

Aside from the typical margaritas, they serve the She Devil margarita, served on the rocks in a tall glass with a sugared rim.  It’s kinda girly with pomegranate liqueur and tequila with a dash of sweet and sour.  Their Fallen Angel martini is made of prickly pear vodka from a local vendor, Arizona High Spirits Distillery in Flagstaff.

They also have a pretty impressive wine list of more than 50 wines by the glass or bottle. They’ve taken special care to pair their food and wine to enhance the foods’ flavor.

The main dinner menu is simple and straightforward.  Not much that you won’t recognize.  My husband enjoyed chicken enchiladas with salsa verde, Mexican rice and black beans and I the steak fajitas.  Unlike many other Phoenix restaurants that claim they serve Mexican, Dos Diablos doesn’t cover every entrée in cheese.  That’s the gringo version of Mexican cooking.  Their food has real flavor, not overly spicy, but fresh ingredients that you can taste.

Only in business three months, Dos Diablos seems to want to be all things to everyone.  A private dining room, a scarce commodity in town, is available for a party of 20 with one large conference table and a flat screen.  Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I see myself and my friends in this room cheering on the Arizona Cardinals during the playoff season.

There is plenty of outdoor seating around the perimeter with firepits to enjoy the night air.  An additional back patio offers more comfortable furniture.

Dos Diablos is located in the Summit Shopping Center north on Scottsdale Road almost as far as Carefree.  It’s a tough time to start a new business, but they’re giving it their all with live music, happy hour and game specials.  I admire their ingenuity and willingness to be different.  Heck, they even on occasion have an Elvis impersonator perform for the crowd.  

Dos Diablos
32527 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale (map)
480-575-6695

Photos from private collection.