James Harden's new restaurant joins long list of celeb spots
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Smiling Moose's grand opening day in Scottsdale. Photo: Gitanjali Poonia/Axios
Add NBA star James Harden to Scottsdale's growing roster of celebrity restaurateurs — only this time, the draw is a $12 sandwich, not bottle service.
The big picture: Smiling Moose, a Colorado-based restaurant, is the only fast-casual concept in Scottsdale's long list of celebrity-associated restaurants.
The vibe: I visited the restaurant on opening day, when it was decorated in Maroon, gold and white balloons, a nod to the Sun Devils, for whom Harden played from 2007 to 2009.
- Customers got prompt service and the first 100 received prizes including $50 Adidas gift cards and free sandwiches.
What to try: The Original Mo with chopped sirloin with melted American, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions, banana peppers, mayo and a vinaigrette.
- It tastes like a New York-style chopped cheese sandwich and is just as messy.
Flashback: This is Harden's second try at the restaurant business.
- His high-end Houston restaurant and club, Thirteen, named for his No. 13 Rockets jersey, had a four-year run.
Zoom out: While Harden tries his hand at Scottsdale's dining scene, here are a handful of other relatively new and buzzy celebrity restaurants also worth checking out.
- Problem Lounge: This Italian steakhouse in Old Town — with San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel's backing — is set to make its debut this weekend. The deep-fried Cajun-style deviled eggs topped with caviar caught our eye.
- Wolf by Vanderpump: Reality star and restaurant mogul Lisa Vanderpump leans into desert life with globally inspired food and drinks — and a killer view. It opened less than a year ago and offers an eclectic menu of food and cocktails. The coconut-flavored power dust mojito was a standout.
- 40 Love: Opened last year, this lounge has two big names behind it — former One Direction member Niall Horan and former Cardinals star DeAndre Hopkins. The must-trys include a pull-apart brioche and a grilled Caesar salad.
The bottom line: Harden's Scottsdale comeback is decidedly more casual. No velvet ropes or tasting menus, just big, messy sandwiches.