By Mallory Gleich, Contributor
When you think of the words “double” and “dutch,” what comes to mind? Do they conjure up an image of summer time, playing outside and jumping rope with friends from the neighborhood until the street lights came on?
If so, Jason Key and Tom Montgomery had the right idea with the name of their latest concept, Double Dutch Kitchen + Cocktails, an American-style neighborhood gastropub that opened last month near Dobson and Germann roads in Chandler.
Montgomery and Key grew up in the bar and restaurant business – and were friends back when their parents were running things.
“Jason, me and my brother Steven have been friends for almost 20 years. My parents, who are from Ireland, owned Irish pubs and restaurants in the Bronx. Jason worked in restaurants like Gramercy Tavern in New York before we all moved out to Arizona,” Montgomery said.
The Double Dutch is the second restaurant that the trio has opened together.
They opened The Kettle Black in downtown Phoenix in 2016. Montgomery and his brother also own Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub, a staple in Glendale that opened more than 15 years ago.
“We decided to open a spot in Chandler because we really love the people and the neighborhoods in this part of the Valley,” Montgomery said. “We thought Chandler could use a fun, new restaurant.”
Key and Montgomery explained that the inspiration for The Double Dutch came from their time growing up in the New York City area and Bay Area of California.
“We were always outside playing with friends and family members, enjoying games in the street and going home to eat when the street lights came on,” they said. “We wanted a fun, upbeat neighborhood American restaurant that can become a gathering spot for friends and families alike.”
The duo enlisted the help of Chef Nicholas Salazar of California to come up with their menu items.
Salazar worked at Nobu in Orange County, the Ritz seafood restaurant in Newport Beach and Poquito’s in Seattle before heading to the dry heat of Arizona.
Montgomery said that inspiration for menu items for the American-style pub came from the people, cultures and cuisines of the United States.
“Things like our elote street corn and seafood ceviche come from chef’s Latin background, the fish and chips and a pint of Guinness are a nod to our Irish heritage, the Reuben sandwich is reminiscent of New York delis, and the braised beef short rib dish reminds of us of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house,” Montgomery said.
The menu boasts various seafood dishes, sandwiches, pasta and chicken dishes – but the side dishes and desserts are also a thing of beauty.
They include: a couscous salad, sweet and spicy brussel sprouts, corn succotash, a banana bread pudding and, of course, New York-style cheesecake.
“Our street corn, wild mushroom arancini and braised beef short ribs are probably our most popular dishes right now,” Montgomery said.
Double Dutch also offers a happy hour on Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. Specials include five-dollar craft beer and IPA drafts, $4 wines and $7 select appetizers, as well as specials on their craft cocktails, which Montgomery said is a far cry from the drinks he used to whip up at the Irish pubs.
“Our mixology program is out of this world. We’re making stuff I’ve never seen before,” he said.
The team at Double Dutch is also working on a brunch menu that they hope to unveil when patio season comes around.
“What started as our families drawing hopscotch squares in the backyard for our kids has manifested into an indoor/outdoor high-end playground called Double Dutch,” Montgomery said. “We are new to the Chandler area and we hope to be a part of this community for years to come.”
Information: thedoubledutchaz.com.
