The Sidewinder, a Southwestern-influenced diner concept from the team behind Progress and Sottise, has opened in the original Welcome Diner space on the northwest corner of Roosevelt and 10th Street in downtown Phoenix.
What’s on the menu? Unlike its higher-end siblings, The Sidewinder offers a menu of ‘‘home style bites,’’ such as a Cheap Sloppy Jo (pictured, $5), Frito Pie (in the bag, $8), Elote Ribs ($10), Not So Sonoran Dog ($9), and ubiquitous Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich ($10). Sides ($5) include smoked ranch beans and jalapeño escabeche.
Slake your thirst: The John Daly (an Arnold Palmer with vodka, $9) and Sonoran Paradise (a chile piña colada, $10) highlight the creative cocktails. Shots and beers (including $3 Budweisers) also are available.
📌 If you go: The Sidewinder, 924 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 602-626-8535. Open 5 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.
What’s on the menu? Papa Locos offers tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tortas, and seven specialty burgers. Jay’s has hot chicken sandwiches and tenders in four heat levels. No alcohol is available,
📌 If you go: Papa Locos Tacos & Burgers and Jay’s Hot Chicken, 323 E. Brown Road, Mesa, 480-590-7914. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
⛳️ The Adobe Bar & Grille,a reimagined rendition of the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club’s former Adobe Restaurant, has opened in the club’s new 19,400-square-foot clubhouse northeast of Camelback and 24th Street in midtown Phoenix.
What’s on the menu? Executive chef Richard Castricone’s menu features modern American favorites, including dinner entrees such as steak and crispy frites, grilled Atlantic salmon, wagyu burger, and osso bucco braised pork shank.
The space: The dining room has a section of the restaurant’s original blue flower ceiling above a new wine display. A rectangle-shaped bar has several TVs. Sliding doors open to patios creating indoor and outdoor dining options.
📌 If you go: The Adobe Bar & Grille, 2400 Biltmore Estates Drive, Phoenix, 602-468-9160. Open for breakfast and lunch daily and dinner Wednesday-Sunday. Hours TBD.
🇰🇷 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.
