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🇮🇹 Corso Italia Restaurant & Market – an Eataly-inspired venture from chef Corrado La Macchia, who previously owned Corrado’s in Carefree – has opened at the Shops at Gainey Ranch on Doubletree Ranch Road, about a half-mile east of Scottsdale Road, in central Scottsdale.
What’s on the restaurant menu? Italian entrees and house-made pastas. Highlights include pappardelle alla bolognese, a dry-aged 16-ounce ribeye, a bone-in Iberico pork chop, and pistachio-crusted Faroe Island salmon.
What’s on the market menu? Pinsa pizzas, paninis, ready-to-eat meals, fresh and cured cheeses, various types of pasta, spreads and condiments, dry goods, olives, imported cold cuts, desserts, and more.
The space: The 5,000-square-foot space formerly was home to Gastrome Market, which closed in January 2023 after less than five months in business.
📌 If you go: Corso Italia, 7704 E. Doubletree Ranch Road #140, Scottsdale, 480-907-7256. Open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Closed Mondays.
🇮🇳 Panchakattu, a sit-down restaurant specializing in south Indian cuisine, has opened in the Laguna Village plaza on the southeast corner of Kyrene and Ray in west Chandler.
What’s on the menu? Highlights include Panchakattu karam chicken biryani, karam gobi, neyyi (ghee) karam masala dosa, neyyi (ghee) karam idly, Panchakattu chicken kebab, and gulab jamun.
The space: Formerly home to Sr. Ozzy’s Tacos y Mariscos, which closed in January, and, before that, Thai restaurant Thailicious.
📌 If you go: Panchakattu, 5865 W. Ray Road #6, Chandler, 480-307-9779. Open 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays.
🇲🇽 La Purisima Bakery, an award-winning Mexican bakery that’s been in business since 1983, has opened a third Valley location on the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and Union Hills in north Phoenix.
What’s on the menu? Fresh-baked pastries – including conchas, empanadas, turnovers, and cream puffs – as well as tamales and tortillas.
📌 If you go: La Purisima Bakery, 602 W. Union Hills Drive #4, Phoenix, 480-350-7169. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays.
👨🍳 Caper Chicken and Penne Carbonara will be the co-entrees when Romeo’s Euro Cafe in downtown Gilbert holds its weekly ‘‘Taste of Romeo’s’’ dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The dinners, held in a private dining room, feature five courses selected from the restaurant’s regular menu.
This week’s courses
Mini Mozzarella Salad: Fresh mozzarella with roasted red peppers, peas, and artichoke hearts in a pesto Dijon vinaigrette.
Bleu Cesar Salad: Tomatoes, spring onion, red peppers, and capers tossed with bleu cheese and Italian dressing over mixed greens. Garnished with homemade croutons. Anchovies on the side.
Caper Chicken: Chicken breast sautéed with sun-dried tomatoes, capers, mushrooms, and zucchini in olive oil and chardonnay. Topped with feta cheese.
Penne Carbonara: Ham and bacon sautéed with red and green bell peppers in a creamy cheese sauce with penne pasta.
Belgian Mousse Cake: Chocolate sponge cake with a thick layer of Belgian mousse topped with chocolate shavings.
Cost is $44 per person plus tax and tip. You can add five wine tastes for $10. RSVP: 480-962-4224.
🍪 California-based Cookie Plug, a national chain of hip-hop-inspired cookie shops, has made its Arizona debut with two openings – on the southwest corner of Cactus and Tatum in northeast Phoenix and the northeast corner of Rural and Apache in Tempe.
What’s on the menu? ‘‘The fattest and thickest cookies on the block’’ range from the traditional like the O.G. (chocolate chip) to the unique like the Pink Elephant (strawberry cheesecake) and Purple Haze (purple cookie with white chocolate chips).
The spaces: The stores feature ’90s-era graffiti art on the walls, but it’s tailored to the location. The Tempe store, for example, incorporates Pat Tillman and ASU.
What’s next? Cookie Plug will open a third Valley location in Ahwatukee later this month.
📌 If you go: Cookie Plug, 4575 E. Cactus Road #135, Phoenix; 480-247-8780, open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; 922 E. Apache Blvd. #105, Tempe, 704-417-0724, open 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
🥪 Family-owned and -operated Miracle Mile Deli in Phoenix is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a couple of promotions.
Sandwich and pie special: Diners can enjoy a pastrami, straw, New Yorker, or combo sandwich with a slice of pie for $19.49 (normally $23) through Saturday.
Book drive: For every purchase of the deli’s new Super Reader Salad (pictured) in May, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit Southwest Human Development’s annual book drive, Grow a Reader.
🎵 If you’re heading to tonight’s Rolling Stones concert at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, you may want to grab a Stones-themed drink or bite to eat at any of several Westgate establishments.
For example: Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles will have a ‘‘Sticky Fingers’’ wing special (10 bone-in for $10), while Shane’s Rib Shack will have ‘‘Pour Some Brown Sugar on Me’’ boneless wings (10 for $10.99, with fries) and ‘‘Midnight Paint It Black’ punch..
🍸 Sandbar Mexican Grill, the beach-themed restaurant and nightclub near SanTan Village shopping center in Gilbert, has closed after five years on the southwest corner of SanTan and Williams Field.
The history: The original Sandbar in Scottsdale closed in 2013, and a Chandler location shuttered last year. Another at Desert Ridge Marketplace in northeast Phoenix transformed into EEG’s latest concept, Backyard, in March.
The quote: “While we are sad to see it go, EEG has always stayed on the forefront of nightlife and dining, and we are excited to reveal an amazing new venue right here in Gilbert this fall,’’ says EEG owner Les Corieri.
