Elegance, class–very much Four Seasons. Beer and pretzel knots–not so much Four Seasons, until now. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North underwent a bit of a makeover this fall, transforming into the super-cool, super-casual Proof American Canteen. Proof has the feel of a neighborhood hang-out that can accompany dudes wanting to play bar shuffleboard over pints, families dining with kiddos and everyone in between. The food is homestyle comfort fare that is sourced from the United States.
The dining room is large with plenty of warm touches, like stand-up lamps at many of the tables, cozy couches near the front of the restaurant and Etch-A-Sketches for kids to use while waiting for their din-din (which is served on retro lunch trays, by the way). The bar and shelving is stocked with fun items from home–literally, decor pieces like candy machines came from employees’ homes.
As welcoming as the environment is, so is the food. The pretzel knots with spicy cheese sauce are a huge hit with everyone at the table. Though the cheese sauce isn’t very spicy, the pretzels hardly need it. They are buttery and sweet and delicious as is. The BBQ rib bites, served with Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce, are flavorful meat-packed nuggets. A great thing to share for a group with a hearty appetite. For the main event, the lobster roll is chock-full of yummy lobster meat filling a glossy golden-brown bun–it is a pretty straightforward but delicious version of the popular dish. The real attention-getter is Proof’s chicken and waffles. Though the chicken and waffles are tasty, it is the dish’s extras that really make it special: cayenne-maple butter, peach-bourbon syrup and bacon brittle (which we could eat by the handful).
Like the dinner menu, Proof’s dessert lineup has plenty of variety and quirk. Floats, sundaes, shakes, pies and more are all up for grabs. For something unique (or if you’re dining with little ones), try the Cerealist milkshake. This super-sweet concoction is creamy with crispiness from your favorite morning cereal, like Froot Loops and Rice Krispies. If this doesn’t transport you back to Saturday morning cartoons, we’re not sure what will. www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale.
A Taste of Proof at Four Seasons Scottsdale
