🇮🇳 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..
🍸 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.
🍩 Indiana-based Parlor Doughnuts, which made its Arizona debut in Tempe in March, has opened a second location on the southeast corner of Chandler and 40th Street in Ahwatukee.
What’s on the menu? Large layered doughnuts ($3.65 apiece) in more than two dozen flavors such as French Toast, Peanut Butter Cup, and Bourbon Caramel. There also are keto, vegan, and even dog doughnuts.
📌 If you go: Parlor Doughnuts, 4025 E. Chandler Blvd. #28, Ahwatukee, 602-441-2744. Open .6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
🚫 P.Croissant, the bakery-cafe on the northwest corner of McClintock and Elliot in south Tempe, has closed after 41 years in business.
The reason: ‘‘Things change. The economy, the market place, lifestyles, and our own personal health bring change to us all. These things, and with the encouragement of family and crew (almost family), I’ve decided it’s time to close P.Croissant and retire.’’ the owner posted on social media.
Did you know? P.Croissant was honored for the best croissants in Arizona by the website Eat This, Not That in 2022.
👨🍳 Celebrity chef Scott Conant (left), who launched Mora Italian in Phoenix in 2017 and The Americano in Scottsdale in 2020, has left the restaurants.
Owner Creation Hospitality has partnered another Food Network veteran, chef Beau MacMillan (right) from Cala in Scottsdale, to oversee both kitchens.
MacMillan also will be involved with Creation’s Tell Your Friends, the cocktail lounge opening below The Americano on May 18.
