Vegetable Literacy for Thanksgiving Saturday, November 23
Any good host or hostess knows that sides are no mere backup singers to the giant, golden turkey on the Thanksgiving table. They're stars, too. But serving the perfect side dishes means dealing with vegetables, which can be a make-it-or-break-it situation with picky dinner guests. If there's anyone who knows how to turn"icky" greens into delicious sides, it's Deborah Madison, author of Vegetable Literacy and FnB chef Charleen Badman, fondly nicknamed "the vegetable whisperer." This Saturday, you can join both women at FnB restaurant in Scottsdale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a discussion about how to incorporate seasonal veggies into your Thanksgiving spread. There will also be a three-course lunch prepared by chef Badman and attendees will take home a copy of Madison's book from Changing Hands Bookstore. Tickets cost $75 a person and can be purchased online.
See also: 10 Favorite Places to Get Your Holiday Tamales in Metro Phoenix
NovemBEER: Ciders & Fruit Beers Saturday, November 23
Join New Times for NovemBEER, a celebration of craft beer throughout the month of November. Each Saturday, we're sampling a different style of brew. This weekend, you'll find us at The Vig Fillmore, where we'll pour samples of different ciders and fruit beers. A $10 ticket will get you 10 samples -- three to four ounce pours -- of local and regional craft beers. The event begins at 2 p.m. and goes until 4 p.m. You can purchase a ticket online.
Food Truck Caravan: "Cranberries & Clementine's" Saturday, November 23
Saturday nights bring a slew of Valley food trucks to the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and Goldwater in Old Town Scottsdale. This week, the theme at The Food Truck Caravan will be "Cranberries & Clementines," a fusion of street food and holiday favorites. Participating trucks will each be creating a dish that includes seasonal ingredients in honor of Thanksgiving. Expect the following trucks: Udder Delights, Torched Goodness, Saffron JAK Pizza, Sweet Magnolia's, Grilled Cheese Truck, Gourmet Command Center and Queso Good, and Spice it Up. The Food Truck Caravan will roll into Scottsdale from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Visit the Facebook page for more information.
Phoenix Tequila Fest Sunday, November 24
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila . . . Well, you know how that ends. And this weekend, that's pretty much exactly what we're expecting at the Phoenix Tequila Fest this Saturday and Sunday at US Airways Center. The event includes all-day tequila tastings, live entertainment, and of course, Mexican food. You'll be able to sample tequilas from different brands and distilleries as well as learn about how agave is grown, harvested, fermented and distilled. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. both days and tickets cost $50 a person. For more information visit the Phoenix Tequila Fest website.
Beaver Choice
Thought it may not be the most central of places in the Valley, there are still plenty of good eats to be had in Mesa. Mesa, the third-largest city in Phoenix, boasts a nice selection of cuisines from all over the world, including the Polish, Canadian ad Swedish specialties served at Beaver Choice. And if schnitzel and poutine aren't your cup of tea, there's also excellent Asian, Italian and South American restaurants to be discovered. For inspiration and our favorite places to dine in Mesa check out our list of the 5 Best Restaurant in Mesa Right Now.
