Back in December, MXSW broke the news that a new Julian Wright concept called Las Palmas Cantina would take over the closed Vintage 95 building in downtown Chandler.
With its opening about a month away, details finally are beginning to emerge.
Most significantly, the menu of Yucatan-inspired cuisine will be overseen by chef Michael O’Dowd (pictured), a name very familiar to any Valley foodie.
O’Dowd’s mixture of Native American ingredients with global accents propelled Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa near Chandler to Arizona’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star awards.
O’Dowd left Kai after 10 years and most recently was the chef at the prestigious L’Auberge de Sedona.
With his return to the Valley, O’Dowd’s ‘‘sand-to-table’’ menu at Las Palamas will feature lighter dishes, shared plates, and street-style bites. Look for spicy jerk chicken, conchinita pibil (slow-roasted pork), and, of course, a variety of fresh seafood.
“I haven’t really seen anyone in Arizona exploring this type of cuisine or region,†O’Dowd says. “Being able to learn about the culture and history of the Mayans and create a way to pay homage to the past while creating new ideas, dishes, and flavors is what I thrive on.â€
The beverage program will include tropical cocktails and Mexican-style craft beers.
For the prolific Wright, it’s a step away from his Mill Avenue comfort zone, where he launched such concepts as The Library, La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar, The Handlebar, Modern Margarita, Gringo Star Street Bar, and Pedal Haus Brewery.
(He sold La Bocca, Modern Margarita, and The Handlebar when he opened Pedal Haus, which he currently is expanding into downtown Phoenix.)
“I’m looking forward to being a part of downtown Chandler and to bringing one of my favorite regions of the world to this community,†Wright says. “ I love that Chandler is still very independent. Everyone is still very much your neighbor.’’
Wright is hoping to open Las Palmas by Cinco de Mayo.
