Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate.
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Grab a stack of wetnaps and be sure to bring a glass of milk to counter the intense heat because the Valley's Third Annual Wingstock is coming to the Mesa Amphitheatre on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last year's overall champ, Native New Yorker Mesa, will return to defend its title against competitors like The Hungry Monk and ATL Wings. The festival will include a wing-eating contest, an Easter egg hunt hosted by HENdrix the Wingstock mascot (at 10:30 a.m.), and live music from bands including Johnny Anonymous. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 the day of the event, and kids 10 and under get in free. And don't forget to bring cash for wing tickets, available for $3 for 4, or $10 for 14.
With temps in the 70s and 80s, this weekend's weather is inviting you to ride your bike down to The Yard, enjoy a leisurely brunch, and soak in the sunshine while you challenge your friends to some friendly competition on the lawn. Fox fans can eat and drink at Culinary Dropout's newest location, but the real draw is the outdoor gathering space dedicated to games like shuffleboard, ping pong, and bag toss -- which won't be nearly as appealing once summer sets in.
This is the last weekend to eat roast turkey legs, crazy-delicious chocolate-covered fruit, and other medieval-themed fare at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. If that already has your mouth watering, sign up for the unique dining experience, The Pleasure Fest. Treat yourself like the king or queen you are with this $65 deal, which includes admission, a five-course feast, one and a half hours of royal entertainment (with the promise of risqué humor), and a souvenir goblet. There are two feasts daily, served at 12 and 2:30 p.m. If you miss out on this opportunity, you'll have to wait until next year to watch grown men play dress-up and joust one another while you let the juice of a big hunk of meat dribble down your chin.
Nicaraguan Latin Passport Dinner at Province
Each month, Province in the downtown Phoenix Westin offers a different type of Latin cuisine with an exclusive menu available only on Saturdays. Throughout March, the $35 prix-fixe menu has featured tastes of Nicaragua with dishes like nactamal (fried plantain tamale with goat cheese), pescado a la tigitapa (crispy white fish), and carne pinchada (grilled beef sirloin with black beans and rice). This mash-up of indigenous, Spanish, and Creole cuisines with Caribbean flair concludes with a Nicaraguan rum cake called pio quinto. This Saturday, March 30, is the last chance to snag a taste before the Passport Dinner Series travels to Panama for the month of April.
Barrelhouse American Kitchen & Cocktails
Hey, East Valley, you have a new restaurant -- and it's owned by former bar manager/sommelier of Tapino, Petite Maison, and Tottie's Asian Fusion. Kenta Usuzawa's vision is to make the place a go-to for comfort and camaraderie where foodies and families alike can enjoy food prepared from scratch, such as slow-roasted hard-cider pot roast, a pork belly BLT sandwich, and an Arizona tomato tart. Barrelhouse American Kitchen & Cocktails quietly opened on March 16, but we're betting things don't stay quiet too long. Get there for happy hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday for $1 off all beer (there are 18 on tap), $2 of all glasses of wine, $3 off specialty cocktails made from fresh-squeezed juices, and $4 off well drinks. Happy hour also includes select $6 plates like Sonoran chorizo sliders and Southern fried artichoke bruschetta. (Note: Barrelhouse is closed on Sundays.)
