IN THE NEWS: Paradise Bakery and Café is cooking up an aggressive nationwide expansion that will almost double the company’s size by the end of next year, the Business Journal of Phoenix reports. Paradise Bakery, which just finished consolidating into new headquarters in North Scottsdale, specializes in baked goods, homemade soups, fresh salads and sandwiches. The company now operates 46 stores in 10 states, including sites in Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Denver. The expansion calls for opening 20 stores in the next six months and 14 to 20 more by the end of next year, executives say. Ten of those stores will open in metro Phoenix and one in Tucson by the end of 2007. … New Times‘ Michele Laudig reports the closings of upscale eateries The Tavern and Baroque Luxe Lounge: “The former started off as Star-Spangled Tavern, a spendy comfort food concept from Blue Wasabi owner Jimmy Carlin and Kazimierz owner Peter Kasperski. (Kasperski eventually moved on, and the name of the place was changed to simply The Tavern). The latter was a chic champagne and caviar type hangout that was connected to The Tavern. It seemed like the kind of thing that would’ve done well in party-centric Old Town, rather than in the ritzy but reserved reaches of North Scottsdale.” … Kathleen Vanesian reviews Yasha From Russia European Market (10240 N. 32nd St., Phoenix), while C.M. Redding considers Silver Pony Bar and Grill (620 W. Dobbins Rd., Phoenix). phoenixnewtimes.com … The Republic’s Howard Seftel blogs on the closings of: Convivo Bistro and Calico Cow, and opines that because of recent developments, he’d be surprised if Mary Elaine’s lasts more than a year or two. … Angelo Rabago reviews Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (4929 W. Bell Road, Glendale), Gwen Ashley Waters considers El Encanto Dos (1112 E. Carefree Highway, Phoenix), and Geri Koeppel reviews D’Vine Wine Bar & Bistro (2837 N. Power Road, Mesa). azcentral.com

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