Hidden Track Bottle Shop & Wine Bar, a gem nestled in Uptown Phoenix, is elevating its gastronomic game with the addition of chef Marco Di Santo, formerly the culinary force behind downtown's Noodle Bar. Owner Craig Dziadowicz, who established Hidden Track with Danielle Middlebrook in 2015, has steered clear of food fads, focusing instead on creating a distinctive wine and dining experience for his patrons. After outgrowing several locations, including a downtown space now reborn as Unfiltered Natural Wine and More, Hidden Track's Uptown spot is quickly gaining momentum as a refined wine and dining destination.
"He took our menu, which was good… and made it amazing. Every dish has layers," Dziadowicz told Phoenix New Times. Di Santo, who closed the doors to Noodle Bar in 2019, has joined forces with Dziadowicz to exclusively craft a menu brimming with Franco-Iberian flair, heavily emphasizing conservas—tinned fish—a highlight that reflects Dziadowicz's vision and has been part of their offerings since the early days of Hidden Track Cafe & Bodega. Dziadowicz passionately strives to tempt local diners with a taste of the world, banking on his conviction that conservas are poised to win over more taste buds as travel broadens the collective palate.
Di Santo's roster includes dishes like sardine toast layered with miso mayo, cherry tomatoes, pickled onion, and a liberal drizzling of salsa verde and hot sauce. The international chef's craftsmanship is showcased in other offerings detailed by Phoenix New Times, such as salmon rillettes à la Jacques Pepin and smoked mussels adorned with preserves and mussel oil vinaigrette. But heartening back to his roots, Di Santo also features culinary nods to his Chinese heritage with dishes like smashed cucumber salad and tea eggs.
Under Di Santo's helm, housemade touches span from chile crisp to mayonnaise and hot sauce, forging a fresh mark on Hidden Track's food scene. The concept extends even to the flammekueche — tarts with deep Alsatian roots that Di Santo has to carefully ensure to present as distinct from the familiar pizza. "I wanted to really own it's an Alsatian tart flambée," Di Santo explained to Phoenix New Times. Di Santo, alongside Dziadowicz, is shaping a wine and dine hub destined to not simply chase trends but to set them.
For those intrigued by Hidden Track's wine selection, an invitation extends every Wednesday for tastings at the Uptown location, where patrons can sip and savor wines as unique as the tracks once hidden on classic albums. More than a wine bar, Hidden Track offers an exploration of global flavors, a chance to uncover wines and dishes outside the typical supermarket aisle, as mirrored in their dedication to handpicked offerings and customer education as mentioned on their website. This bottle shop is not just a spot to grab a drink—it's a full-blown voyage into the world of fine wine and gourmet bites.
