🇰🇷 Nami Korean Kitchen & Sushi, a family-run restaurant whose specialty is Chuncheon dak-galbi (spicy chicken from the city of Chuncheon), has opened on the northeast corner of Cave Creek and Utopia in northeast Phoenix.
What’s on the menu? Traditional Korean fare such as galbi (pictured), bulgogi, bibimbap, tteok-bokkiand, spicy squid, and kimchi stew. Also sushi, specialty rolls, and sashimi.
📌 If you go: Nami Korean Kitchen & Sushi, 19401 N. Cave Creek Road #15-17, Phoenix, 602-404-5723. Open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Friday, and 4-10 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays.
Drink Me! Tea Room, a four-year-old business on the northwest corner of McClintock and Warner in south Tempe, has launched a sibling concept, Drink Me! Tea & Treats, next door.
What’s on the menu? Besides loose-leaf teas, tea drinks, and cold brew coffee, there are gluten-free and plant-based bakery items, including coffee cake, chocolate chip brownies, shortbread cookies, vanilla scones, and macarons.
📌 If you go: Drink Me! Tea & Treats, 1730 E. Warner Road #8, Tempe, 480-534-7990. Open 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.
🇫🇷 Cuisine & Wine Bistro, the French restaurant in south Chandler that’s typically closed on Sundays, will open its doors from 4-8 p.m. this Sunday for a special Mother’s Day dinner.
The prix-fixe menu:
Starters (choose one): Quiche served on a short crust with leek confit and Gruyère cheese; or chèvre with bacon on toast with lemon honey.
Entrées (choose one): New York strip steak with a classic Bordelaise sauce and hand-cut fries; or filet of Atlantic salmon served with a traditional French puff pastry; or filet of rainbow trout served with warm brown butter, almonds, and risotto galette.
Desserts (choose one): Belgian chocolate mousse with raspberries; or crêpe (pictured) served with a Grand Marnier butter sauce and orange zest.
Cost is $85 per guest, excluding tax, gratuity, and beverages.
🇮🇹 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.
🍪 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..
