It's hard to beat springtime in Arizona.
The sun is always out shining, the temperatures are perfect for dinner on the patio and there are a bunch of events happening all the time.
On Thursday, the Arizona Wine & Dine Festival will take over a portion of the Scottsdale Quarter and several chefs from Phoenix's top resorts, hotels and restaurants will prepare a delicious spread of samples.
The idea is a re-introduction of sorts. One is to let guests meet the chefs who are often busy in the kitchen and the other is to give them a literal taste of the menu and reinforce the idea that these restaurants are not just here for vacationers or staycationers.
"I think if you're not familiar with Arizona resorts, your idea of a resort is way over-the-top pricey. If not that, you're thinking a resort is really just a hotel and a hotel restaurant. I think that's one thing we don't really have out here. Our restaurants...go all out," said David Drennon, executive director of Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association.
"The benefit being it's in your backyard," he said.
Chefs will prepare a sample dish or menu and pair it with a wine. There will also be live music.
The event is Thursday, April 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Scottsdale Quarter. Tickets are $75 and the event--in its fifth year--is expected to sell out. Visit AZWineandDine.com for more information.
HOTELS, RESORTS & RESTAURANTS ATTENDING:
-
IL Terrazzo, The Phoenician
-
Different Pointe of View, Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
-
T. Cook's, Royal Palms Resort and Spa
-
District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, Sheraton Grand Phoenix
-
Deseo, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
-
BRIO Tuscan Grille, Scottsdale Quarter
-
Tanzy, Scottsdale Quarter
-
Grimaldi's, Scottsdale Quarter
-
Litchfield's, Wigwam Resort
-
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
-
Artizen Crafted American Kitchen & Bar, The Camby
-
Bourbon Steak, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
-
Talavera, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
-
Alto Ristorante, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa
-
Stonegrill, JW Marriott Desert Ridge
-
Prado, Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
-
Icon Lounge, Renaissance Downtown Phoenix
-
enFuego, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Paradise Valley-Scottsdale
