After its building sat empty for a number of years, The Phoenix in Downtown Davenport opened in 2009 because the owners wanted to revive the downtown area. It is an upscale restaurant that features a robust menu of gourmet dishes and is within walking distance of many bars, hotels and live music.
The owners wanted to bring Chicago to Downtown Davenport, and you can get that feeling throughout The Phoenix. The space is long and narrow, with exposed brick and a traditional tin ceiling. The open-concept kitchen allows for guests to see the excitement as their food is being made.
The building comprises four floors and so much history. Before it was a restaurant, it was a grocery store, autobody shop and women’s clothing store. Now, it has transformed to an upscale, fine dining restaurant, with low-lighting and a romantic atmosphere.
The Phoenix makes for an ideal date night, a place to bring out-of-town guests, or a great spot for a drink or two with your friends. The restaurant also has the capacity to host wedding rehearsals and even wedding receptions. The basement, mezzanine and second floor are all available to rent for your special event. To-go orders have increased since COVID, so much so that the kitchen has to cut off to-go orders after 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays because of the volume of orders.
When stopping by The Phoenix, you will be welcomed by a small loaf of warm bread, with two different house-made butters–garlic herb and cabernet–both of which are absolutely delicious. To start your meal, you want to peruse the large martini menu and try one of its many unique flavors. A few to mention are the Smoking Jacket, a smooth bourbon drink that adds a bit of sweetness from the bitters, and the Blueberi Limon, a light and refreshing drink with a nice touch of blueberry and lemon flavors.
The smoked bruschetta is not only picture-worthy but is also a must try. This appetizer is served with soft sliced baguettes, topped high with smoked cheese, tomatoes, caramelized onions and a balsamic glaze. The several-page menu will definitely make for a hard decision when it comes to entrees, but you cannot go wrong with either the bourbon pork steak or the shrimp scampi alfredo. The bourbon pork steak, served with rice and mixed vegetables, is an award-winning dish, and you will know why the minute you take a bite. The pork is incredibly tender and juicy and perfectly seasoned, with a hint of bourbon flavoring as it melts in your mouth after each bite. The shrimp scampi alfredo is a very light and delightful alfredo dish. The creamy sauce is packed with flavor and has plenty of shrimp, steamed broccoli and tomatoes. This is served with a side of sliced baguette.
Lastly, you must finish the evening off with a slice (or two) of the house-made cheesecake. Each slice has a beautiful presentation and is the perfect-sized portion. A few crowd-favorite flavors include the raspberry red velvet, mocha espresso and the vanilla bean.
The Phoenix also offers five-course wine dinners every five weeks, a piano player every Saturday evening and a great happy hour. The Phoenix is open Monday through Saturday for dinner and is closed on Sundays.
For more information about The Phoenix, visit www.thephoenixofdavenport.com