Team Behind Merkin Vineyards & Caduceus Cellars Announces Opening of New Concept
By Claire Natale -
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Four 8 Fried Chicken by Four 8 Wineworks in Cottonwood Set to Open March 14
Winemaker Maynard James Keenan and his team are pleased to announce the opening of a new concept for pairing sparkling Arizona meads, ciders, and wines. Introducing Four 8 Fried Chicken by Four 8 Wineworks. Housed in the space formerly occupied by Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room and Osteria which relocated to the Hilltop campus, Four 8 Fried Chicken is located at 1001 N. Main St. in Old Town Cottonwood. The new concept will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, March 14 at 11 a.m.
“Many of the meads people are familiar with, if at all, tend to be treated like flavored beers, fruit wines, or brandy’s,” said Keenan. “Barely anything to do with honey at all. I was far more interested in what a true honey wine might be like. So we dove in head first. After the first batch was finished, the immediate thought I had was that this would go perfectly with my Spicy Fried Chicken recipe. It did and here we are.”
From the personal recipe book of Keenan, with the assistance of Chef Monty Frost the menu at this unique restaurant features a Southwestern twist on hot chicken. A variety of chicken cuts and pieces are available plus sides including his father’s green bean and bacon recipe, green chile shells & cheese, fennel slaw, potato salad, hushpuppies, jalapeno cornbread and more. Scratch-made to-order, the fried chicken is coated in a unique blend of Southwestern spices creating a slightly spicy flavorful profile that tantalizes the tastebuds. Waffle and gelato, seasonal bread pudding and assorted gelato flavors offer a multitude of sweet options on the dessert menu. The award winning Four 8 Wineworks mead, wine and ciders perfectly complement the robust dishes.
Four 8 Fried Chicken is open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information visit http://www.four8wineworks.com .
About Four 8 Fried Chicken
From the personal recipe book of Maynard James Keenan, Four 8 Fried Chicken is a unique concept with a menu featuring a Southwestern twist on Hot Chicken, side dishes, and house-made desserts. The chicken is made to order and may take a minute, so strap in and enjoy the award winning Four 8 Wineworks meads, wines, and ciders. With a lively atmosphere, Four 8 Fried Chicken is a great destination for friendly gatherings, family dinners or a hearty lunch. Keenan and his team pride themselves on using the best quality ingredients and sourcing locally when possible. Visit http://www.four8wineworks.com for more information.