Partners Dom Ruggiero and Charles Barber opened contemporary American eatery Hush Public House back in 2019. And over the last two years, the Scottsdale restaurant has garnered a sparkling reputation for its fresh take on classic drinks and unique dishes. Now, on what is hopefully the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dom Ruggiero is adding a new element: craft beer.
After a neighboring restaurant went under, Ruggiero snatched up the space behind Hush and hopes to open his craft tap room and bottle shop, The Vanilla Gorilla, by July of 2021. “I grew up in this neighborhood,” Ruggiero said, “and the one thing it’s craving is a good craft tap room.”
The space, at 14202 North Scottsdale Road, is about 2,500 square feet, and Ruggiero plans to decorate it with arcade games, a lounge area, and industrial garage doors. He’ll service it with food from the kitchen at Hush, and will offer two dozen local and specialty taps, as well as bottled beer and wine for customers to carry out. And if the beer at Vanilla Gorilla is anything like the food at Hush, Scottsdale is in store for a truly authentic craft beer experience.
