The Brooklyn Cafe (Formerly Voltaire Restaurant) in Scottsdale to open August 14

In July, chef-owner David Antonelli announced he was giving Voltaire Restaurant, the 30-year-old fine-dining spot of classic French cuisine in North Scottsdale, a much-needed makeover. "January, February, and March are busy months for us, but we can't survive on three months of activity," Antonelli said in a heartfelt letter to...

By Laura Hahnefeld

August 12, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

In July, chef-owner David Antonelli announced he was giving Voltaire Restaurant, the 30-year-old fine-dining spot of classic French cuisine in North Scottsdale, a much-needed makeover.

"January, February, and March are busy months for us, but we can't survive on three months of activity," Antonelli said in a heartfelt letter to his customers. "We need to bring in more business. We need to have a restaurant that is busy for 12 months, not just a few."

Now called The Brooklyn Cafe, Antonelli's new restaurant will open for lunch in the former Voltaire space at 8340 East McDonald Drive (McDonald and Granite Reef Road) on Wednesday, August 14.

Here's what diners can expect.

Wanting a more casual, neighborhood feel, Antonelli's Brooklyn Cafe, a name inspired by his childhood in New York, will trade Voltaire's traditional French menu for one of updated comfort dishes made from family recipes (think Grandma's meatballs, Brooklyn-style roast beef, and a boneless chicken breast with creamed spinach baked in puff pastry).

The Brooklyn Cafe will be open for lunch only -- with all plates under $10 -- starting Wednesday, August 14. Dinner service will start in September.

Here are the menus:

Dinner menu on the next page.

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.