By Michele Laudig
Sometimes the Valley seems like land of the culinary festivals, so why would one more foodie event stand out?
Well, since Eats3 -- taking place this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday -- is totally new to the scene, it's impossible to predict how it will play out. But without a doubt, it has a few noteworthy things going for it.
First off, it's all about independent restaurants, a subject near and dear to my heart (and yours, too, fair Chow Bella reader -- right?). Sponsored by Savor Scottsdale, the alliance of high-profile, independently owned local eateries, Eats3 features a head-turning list of participants -- an easy way to check out what's going on with some of the best places in town.
It's also got some serious star-power. There are tons of local luminaries like Peter Kasperski, Nobuo Fukuda, Kevin Binkley, and Chris Bianco; national celeb chefs like Ming Tsai and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard; and even international culinary icon Jacques Pepin. (Oh, let's face it -- the whole damn roster is made up of bold-faced names!)
And beyond that, the event is multi-faceted, with a variety of tastings, cocktail parties, and dinners in different venues, and at different price points (to be sure, it can be pricey, but there is a free cocktail ArtWalk event, as well as a $10 opening night party).
Right now, the intimate gallery dinners are sold out, as are a few of the wine lunches. But it's definitely not too late to snag tickets.
If you hit up any of the events, I'd love to hear what you think . . .
