New Arcadia Restaurant Invites Guests to Unplug and Indulge

Neutral Ground Lounge offers a thoughtful, seasonal menu and analog atmosphere to foster genuine connection.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Chef Kevin Ehret's new Arcadia restaurant, Neutral Ground Lounge, is a love letter to the hyper-seasonal small plates and refined cocktails he has dreamed of creating for over a decade. Ehret, who grew up in Phoenix, has returned home to open this restaurant that aims to provide a space for the community to slow down, disconnect from technology, and connect with each other over thoughtfully crafted food and drinks.

Why it matters

In a world increasingly dominated by digital distractions, Neutral Ground Lounge offers a refreshing respite where guests can unplug and enjoy the simple pleasures of seasonal cuisine, craft cocktails, and analog ambiance. The restaurant's mission to foster genuine human connection resonates with the desire many have to step away from constant connectivity and be present in the moment.

The details

Ehret, who spent years honing his craft in kitchens across the country, has partnered with chef Ryan Jeisy to create a menu focused on hyper-seasonal, ever-rotating small plates. The duo emphasizes using the freshest available ingredients, like winter citrus and spring vegetables, to craft decadent dishes like oxtail dumplings, pork belly with kumquat and ginger, and a rich duck liver pâté. The cocktail program features classic and seasonal sips, all designed to complement the food. The restaurant's analog atmosphere, complete with a vinyl record player, green velvet booths, and lack of televisions, encourages guests to unplug and engage with one another.

  • Ehret opened Neutral Ground Lounge in early 2026.
  • The restaurant is celebrating its opening this month (February 2026).

The players

Kevin Ehret

The owner and chef of Neutral Ground Lounge, who grew up in Phoenix and has returned home to open his dream restaurant focused on seasonal small plates and craft cocktails.

Ryan Jeisy

The chef who has partnered with Ehret to create the menu at Neutral Ground Lounge, bringing his expertise in hyper-seasonal, ever-rotating small plates.

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What they’re saying

“My whole life is like a two-mile radius. I literally grew up here, and now my son goes to school down the street. We live close by, so to find a restaurant space in this neighborhood and location that I grew up in and live in now is pretty wild.”

— Kevin Ehret, Owner and Chef, Neutral Ground Lounge (phoenixnewtimes.com)

“He's a madman. His whole life is food, and he's my best friend.”

— Kevin Ehret, Owner and Chef, Neutral Ground Lounge (phoenixnewtimes.com)

“So he (Ehret) was thinking about an empanada and confiting the hen, and then he mentioned truffle and I thought that could work well as a cheese sauce. The fattiness of the hen holds well in that flaky crust, melded with the truffle queso.”

— Ryan Jeisy, Chef, Neutral Ground Lounge (phoenixnewtimes.com)

What’s next

Neutral Ground Lounge is now open and accepting reservations for its seasonal small plates and craft cocktail menu.

The takeaway

Neutral Ground Lounge offers a refreshing respite from the digital noise of modern life, providing a space for the Arcadia community to slow down, unplug, and connect over thoughtfully crafted food, drinks, and an analog atmosphere that encourages genuine human interaction.