The Bold Brasserie

Society Swan brings French-kissed glamour and effortless indulgence to Scottsdale Fashion Square

By Alison Bailin Batz

Sam Fox is among the most influential names in modern dining, and his roots run deep in Arizona. A multiple James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Restaurateur, Fox built a hospitality empire that helped shape the state’s culinary identity. Through Fox Restaurant Concepts, he launched beloved restaurants including The Henry, Olive & Ivy, and True Food Kitchen, among others, as well as Global Ambassador, a culinary-driven boutique hotel, each blending warm design with craveable, chef-driven menus.

Society Swan, Fox’s newest creation, once again pivots the local conversation. This time, the focus is not comfort nor Americana but cultivated social energy of the most glamorous kind. This dreamy eatery is an ode to presentation and delicious pageantry, wrapped in a French sense of flavor and precision.

Located in the redeveloped south wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square where Kona Grill stood for several years, Society Swan unfolds as a two-level brasserie that feels like a merry mashup of a Parisian salon and New York supper club. The ground floor is airy and feminine, layered in cream and Champagne hues with polished marble, gilded framing and softened lighting from sculptural fixtures. Velvet seating tucks beneath fluted millwork, and trim brass accents lend subtle shimmer. Upstairs, a dimly lit bar hides behind a rich velvet curtain, which opens to unveil a space appointed with jewel-toned upholstery, curved banquettes and a balcony vantage point ideal for people watching. It feels cinematic, offering a touch of loungey sophistication but with a speakeasy vibe.

The all-day menu leans French in spirit and American in appetite, so come hungry. A dedicated selection of frites pays tribute to the brasserie tradition through pairings that read indulgent yet familiar. The wagyu skirt steak frites arrive with deep tenderness and a crisp golden pile of potatoes. A coastal take on fish and chips is equally impressive, marrying light tempura and briny freshness with a playful nod to the bistro classic. There is also a raw bar selection, including an epic seasonal seafood tower, elevated takes on rustic starters and severallighter fare options, notably a Waldorf grain bowl that reimagines the namesake salad.

The cocktail program is a polished mix of classics and modern, mood-driven signatures meant to match the tone of the room at any hour. The Ciao Brooklyn is of note, layering bonded rye with a trio of vermouths and toasted pecan bitters for a drink that feels both metropolitan and indulgent. The $10 martini hour, offered daily, is another impressive touch, as is the French-style spritz, a bright, elongated sipper meant for lingering through an unhurried afternoon.

Society Swan is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with extended hours in the bar and lounge on select nights. Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Society Swan, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 559, Scottsdale, 480.863.3999; www.societyswan.com.