Teddy Myers and his family have a weekend tradition shared by many: picking up a box of doughnuts.
But, as Myers traveled, he came across “really interesting, pastry-driven ideas with doughnuts.”
“There was just another level of doughnuts we couldn’t find, and couldn’t find consistently, in Arizona, and definitely nowhere close to downtown Phoenix,” he says.
Myers is an operating partner of Pretty Decent Concepts, the group responsible for eateries Wren & Wolf and Chico Malo and bars Trophy Room and the hotly anticipated Carry On. The group has been on a tear over the past year, expanding its portfolio with three new spots in the Arizona Center and a new restaurant and bar in Tempe.
Now, Pretty Decent Concepts is adding a pastry and coffee shop to that growing roster. Creampuff Donuts opens Monday in downtown Phoenix’s warehouse district, on Buchanan and First streets.
“We’re taking the chef-driven approach,” Myers says of their special-occasion treats.
Creampuff will offer guests a seasonally rotating selection of six cronuts and four brioche-style doughnuts. The opening menu of flavor combinations include s’mores, churro cheesecake and strawberry shortcake.
And, what’s a celebratory doughnut shop without a birthday cake option? That cronut will be filled with cake batter custard and topped with strawberry icing, sprinkles and a dollop of buttercream.
As for Creampuff’s other doughnuts, Myers says the team preferred a brioche base over a traditional raised or cake doughnut because “it’s pillowy but a little more dense,” which allows it to stand up to the inventive toppings and fillings.
The brioche doughnut options include traditional vanilla and chocolate glazes or stuffed versions in flavors like creme brulee or pumpkin spice filled with pie custard and topped with caramel and cinnamon crumble.
In addition to these over-the-top pastries, customers will also find croissants and grab-and-go lunch options, such as salads and savory croissants.
The drinks menu from Donahue showcases crafted coffees and sodas. The team has partnered with Provision Coffee for a house blend that they’ll also serve at nearby Wren & Wolf.
The caffeinated sips will be “more elevated flavors but not overly sweet bombs,” Myers says, such as a cardamom and rose latte or blueberry-lavender mocha.
Creampuff will also serve housemade lemonade, fresh-squeezed orange juice and bubbly beverages including a blackberry and basil tonic and a hibiscus-grapefruit Italian soda.
The shop replaces NW Coffee and is situated in a large, renovated warehouse that shares space with Christ's Church of the Valley. And because Creampuff shares space with a church that’s only active one day a week, guests can spread out beyond the 1,000-square-foot shop and into the warehouse’s common area.
“It’s very chic, it’s a bit industrial,” Myers says.
Calling the district “an underserved market for coffee and doughnuts,” he’s looking forward to joining an area that is seeing more investment, such as the forthcoming Fairmont Phoenix. Creampuff Donuts will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
101 E. Buchanan St.
But, as Myers traveled, he came across “really interesting, pastry-driven ideas with doughnuts.”
“There was just another level of doughnuts we couldn’t find, and couldn’t find consistently, in Arizona, and definitely nowhere close to downtown Phoenix,” he says.
Myers is an operating partner of Pretty Decent Concepts, the group responsible for eateries Wren & Wolf and Chico Malo and bars Trophy Room and the hotly anticipated Carry On. The group has been on a tear over the past year, expanding its portfolio with three new spots in the Arizona Center and a new restaurant and bar in Tempe.
Now, Pretty Decent Concepts is adding a pastry and coffee shop to that growing roster. Creampuff Donuts opens Monday in downtown Phoenix’s warehouse district, on Buchanan and First streets.
Creampuff to serve ‘chef-driven’ doughnuts and coffee
Myers notes that everything is made in-house, with the pastry program led by chef Lucia Alferez and drinks designed by beverage director Jax Donahue.“We’re taking the chef-driven approach,” Myers says of their special-occasion treats.
Creampuff will offer guests a seasonally rotating selection of six cronuts and four brioche-style doughnuts. The opening menu of flavor combinations include s’mores, churro cheesecake and strawberry shortcake.
And, what’s a celebratory doughnut shop without a birthday cake option? That cronut will be filled with cake batter custard and topped with strawberry icing, sprinkles and a dollop of buttercream.
As for Creampuff’s other doughnuts, Myers says the team preferred a brioche base over a traditional raised or cake doughnut because “it’s pillowy but a little more dense,” which allows it to stand up to the inventive toppings and fillings.
The brioche doughnut options include traditional vanilla and chocolate glazes or stuffed versions in flavors like creme brulee or pumpkin spice filled with pie custard and topped with caramel and cinnamon crumble.
In addition to these over-the-top pastries, customers will also find croissants and grab-and-go lunch options, such as salads and savory croissants.
The drinks menu from Donahue showcases crafted coffees and sodas. The team has partnered with Provision Coffee for a house blend that they’ll also serve at nearby Wren & Wolf.
The caffeinated sips will be “more elevated flavors but not overly sweet bombs,” Myers says, such as a cardamom and rose latte or blueberry-lavender mocha.
Creampuff will also serve housemade lemonade, fresh-squeezed orange juice and bubbly beverages including a blackberry and basil tonic and a hibiscus-grapefruit Italian soda.
The shop replaces NW Coffee and is situated in a large, renovated warehouse that shares space with Christ's Church of the Valley. And because Creampuff shares space with a church that’s only active one day a week, guests can spread out beyond the 1,000-square-foot shop and into the warehouse’s common area.
“It’s very chic, it’s a bit industrial,” Myers says.
Calling the district “an underserved market for coffee and doughnuts,” he’s looking forward to joining an area that is seeing more investment, such as the forthcoming Fairmont Phoenix. Creampuff Donuts will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Creampuff Donuts
Opens Monday101 E. Buchanan St.
