Sunday we attended the Great Arizona Picnic, part of Scottsdale's Culinary Arts Fest - an annual fundraiser for city arts programs. After reading about the event in the local paper and looking at the website, we were psyched to sample some gourmet treats. (The picnic event promises excellent food at a bargain price - compared to the $65 and $75 per person tickets for the indoor event where all food and drinks are included, wine tastings are featured, and executive chefs hold cookbook signings and demonstrations.) Unfortunately, we were sorely disappointed.
First, we paid $30 for the three of us to get into the event, and then we loaded money on GAP cards (like debit cards good only during the picnic) to pay for samples. Knowing the prices up front, we weren't shocked (or even annoyed) until we discovered that the restaurants weren't offering their best foods. Yes, we tried a few tasty desserts (Check out the photos on the posting below.) but overall we were disappointed with the quality. Several Mexican-inspired restaurants all offered street tacos. Not one of them had anything interesting or different. The Melting Pot - a fabulous fondue place - had only chocolate fondue with strawberries or marshmallows: a pretty dull choice for a "gourmet" event.
The only really great food we tried came from Roka Akor Sushi and Steak and Bombay Spice Grill and Wine. The skirt steak with onions (Roka Akor) was best piece of meat I've ever tasted. These thinly sliced, well seasoned strips were so tender they practically melted on the tongue, and the tiny onion rings just set off the whole thing. In addition, the chickpea ceviche (Bombay Spice) was excellent. (It isn't pretty in the pictures, but it was tasty.) This dish combines chickpeas with diced tomato, red onion, and cucumber in a sweet and tangy sauce of tamarind, mint, and yogurt. It was definitely the most interesting food at the event.
In addition to the rather blah offerings, much of the event was roped off into 21 and over sections with a variety of beer, vodka, and wine. Generally this wouldn't be bothersome but many restaurants were in these sections where we couldn't take Jade (even to sample the food). Since the picnic is billed as a family event, it was disappointing to see so many vendors off limits. (Not to mention entry to these sections added another $5 to the ticket.) Finally, the crowds were so dense it was almost impossible to move, let alone get a bite of food. Lines were long and slow at the better vendors (and even at the not-so-great tents, too). After two hours and a total tab of $70 for the three of us, we were ready to call it quits. In retrospect we could have eaten someplace pretty great and walked around the Desert Botanical gardens for a better day. Ah well, live and learn.
First, we paid $30 for the three of us to get into the event, and then we loaded money on GAP cards (like debit cards good only during the picnic) to pay for samples. Knowing the prices up front, we weren't shocked (or even annoyed) until we discovered that the restaurants weren't offering their best foods. Yes, we tried a few tasty desserts (Check out the photos on the posting below.) but overall we were disappointed with the quality. Several Mexican-inspired restaurants all offered street tacos. Not one of them had anything interesting or different. The Melting Pot - a fabulous fondue place - had only chocolate fondue with strawberries or marshmallows: a pretty dull choice for a "gourmet" event.
The only really great food we tried came from Roka Akor Sushi and Steak and Bombay Spice Grill and Wine. The skirt steak with onions (Roka Akor) was best piece of meat I've ever tasted. These thinly sliced, well seasoned strips were so tender they practically melted on the tongue, and the tiny onion rings just set off the whole thing. In addition, the chickpea ceviche (Bombay Spice) was excellent. (It isn't pretty in the pictures, but it was tasty.) This dish combines chickpeas with diced tomato, red onion, and cucumber in a sweet and tangy sauce of tamarind, mint, and yogurt. It was definitely the most interesting food at the event.
In addition to the rather blah offerings, much of the event was roped off into 21 and over sections with a variety of beer, vodka, and wine. Generally this wouldn't be bothersome but many restaurants were in these sections where we couldn't take Jade (even to sample the food). Since the picnic is billed as a family event, it was disappointing to see so many vendors off limits. (Not to mention entry to these sections added another $5 to the ticket.) Finally, the crowds were so dense it was almost impossible to move, let alone get a bite of food. Lines were long and slow at the better vendors (and even at the not-so-great tents, too). After two hours and a total tab of $70 for the three of us, we were ready to call it quits. In retrospect we could have eaten someplace pretty great and walked around the Desert Botanical gardens for a better day. Ah well, live and learn.
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