What do fine leather, true love, and bagels have in common? They all led Phillip and Megan Lewkowicz to open The Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails, an experiential restaurant that blends fine dining and wildly interactive cocktails with a buzzy yet laid-back atmosphere.
The story begins with Phillip’s father, an Argentinian native and fifth-generation tailor who founded Tribe American Leathers in Scottsdale in 1999. An icon in Arizona that is still thriving today, the business led Phillip’s father to follow his dream of opening a restaurant, Café Monarch, in 2013. Phillip would lead the team at Café Monarch with his family since its inception, helping establish Scottsdale as a fine dining destination for foodies nationwide while honing his skills in creating the highest level of hospitality.
“My wife, Megan, and I moved to north Scottsdale in recent years with our three kids,” said Phillip. “Certainly, there are some high-end eateries in the area, but given our busy schedules—we also have a home flipping business—we found ourselves at New York Bagels ‘N Bialys on the corner of Pinnacle Peak and Pima Roads often.” In 2024 when the quick-serve spot shuttered, the Lewkowicz’s were bummed at first, but then saw the opportunity of a lifetime.
“I would put up Megan’s sense of style against anyone else in the region, be it for home or commercial design,” said Phillip. “And with more than a decade of experience in fine dining—including menu and cocktail planning—we got it in our heads to open something together, a place we would want to visit over and over in our own backyard.” Enter Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails, which opened in grand fashion in February in the former bagel shop.
The design, led by Megan, is dark and daring, featuring natural woods and pops of gold, black, and green to create a modern twist on what most would consider Art Deco. The centerpiece of the space is a grand porcelain and quartz bar that stretches across most of the restaurant. It looks upon an expansive shelf of bottles. Gaze a bit closer and you’ll find some very fine selections.
“We enlisted the award-winning Chris Carroll, an epic custom lighting designer known for his work on Butterfly Burger in Sedona, White Rabbit in Gilbert, Hotel Adeline in Scottsdale, and dozens of others, to light our space,” said Phillip. “We wanted it to feel a bit like a speakeasy with dim lights inside, but for it to come alive outside with twinkle lights strewn across the patio on a grand scale.”
According to Phillip, the final product feels elevated, but not to the point of traditional fine dining. “Is it Instagram-worthy? Absolutely. Will it impress a date? Undoubtedly. But The Belmont is meant for people to come again and again versus once a year on a special occasion,” said Phillip. “We also want people to loosen up and have fun!”
The menu complements this vision. Conceived by Phillip himself in partnership with his talented kitchen staff and based on all of his and Megan’s favorites when dining out, the a la carte menu blends coveted ingredients—think truffle, foie gras, and caviar.
“If feeling fancy, guests can order Siberian, Venezia, or Royal Osetra caviar and a seafood tower, followed by a Mishima Reserve American Wagyu New York Strip,” said Phillip. “Or, if just out for some fun with friends, we also have a wagyu burger, pasta with a kiss of truffle, rich Bolognese, and even chopped salad.” According to Phillip, the starter menu is especially perfect for an informal night out.
Richard Allison of Root Bitters developed the cocktail program in partnership with local mixologist Dan Semencic. The cocktails tend toward riffs on classics, and each of the 14 signature items comes in a custom vessel, ranging from cloches to treasure boxes, all with visually appealing, aromatic garnishes. Allison is one of a handful of big names involved with the brand. Lauded sommeliers Mark Rink and Daniel Reza joined the restaurant this past spring in leadership roles, as did Alex McGregor, most recently of Eddie V’s, as general manager.
With a bit of glamour, and a surplus of talent, Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails is quickly becoming a fixture of northern Scottsdale. The lavish dishes and drinks are just part of what makes a visit feel like such a special occasion. The extravagant atmosphere and thoughtful service are just as important to the unique dining experience this destination provides.
written by: alison bailin batz | photographed by: luke irvin