Arizona Restaurant Week just around the corner

Save the Date: Arizona Restaurant Week (May 20-29, 2016)

Many cities and states now have organized restaurant weeks, where culinary experiences are celebrated and shared. Arizona kick’s off its gastro week May 20th-29th. If you’ve never participated, the event gives food-lovers an opportunity to visit a wide selection of participating restaurants for a prix-fixe meal at a fixed price. Over 100 restaurants will be taking part this year. Each establishment will offer a three-course meal for either $33 or $44 per person (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity…unless otherwise noted).

The organizers of Arizona Restaurant Week invited a few dozen local foodie influencers and critics to sample some of the menu offerings at three of the participating restaurants. This was a great opportunity to mingle with fellow foodies while also sampling some of the menu items that will be featured.

For logistical reasons, all three restaurants we visited were in the North end of Phoenix/Scottsdale. The photos below represent just a sample of the offerings at each restaurant. For a complete list of participating restaurants and to see their menus, click here. Our first stop was to The White Chocolate Grill.

The White Chocolate Grill in Scottsdale is part of Arizona Restaurant Week. Photo by: MikesRoadTrip.com — The White Chocolate Grill in North Scottsdale

Ribeye at White Chocolate Restaurant by MikesRoadTrip.com — Balsamic Ribeye – Aged, balsamic infused and grilled. Served over a bed of freshly mashed potatoes.

Salmon at White Chocolate Grill by MikesRoadTrip.com — Grilled salmon, shrimp and asparagus.

ChenIn wine Photo by: MikesRoadTrip.com — Our meal was nicely accompanied by some Chen(In) Blanc.

We then boarded a waiting trolley that whisked off to our our next stop, La Bocca Wine Bar and Pizzeria in Northeast Phoenix.

La Bocca is is participating in Arizona Restaurant Week. Photo by: MikesRoadTrip.com — La Bocca Urban Kitchen

Caprise at La Bocca by MikesRoadTrip.com — Mozzarella Bruschetta with basil, roma tomato, Queen Creek EVOO and balsamic reduction

Prosciutto bruschetta at La Bocca by MikesRoadTrip.com — Smoked Prosciutto Bruschetta with fig and truffle oil

Pizza at La Bocca by MikesRoadTrip.com — Margarita Chef’s Pizza with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, EVOO and basil leaves

After an hour or so we once again boarded our waiting trolley, this time dropping us off at Tavern Americana in North Scottsdale.

Meats and Cheeses at Tavern Americana by MikesRoadTrip.com — Chef’s Board – Assorted cheese, cured meats, house ham with pickled onions and grilled bread.

Shrimp Linguini at Tavern Americana by MikesRoadTrip.com — Lemon Shrimp Linguini with cherry tomatoes, basil and lemon butter.

Tavern Caprese - Grilled peaches, tomato, mozzarella, basil and balsamic syrup. — Tavern Caprese – Grilled peaches, tomato, mozzarella, basil and balsamic syrup.

Extensive wine selection. — Extensive wine selection at Tavern Americana.

It was a wonderful introduction to this year’s Arizona Restaurant Week. If you’ve been to this event in the past, or have a favorite restaurant the folks shouldn’t miss, please post a comment below. Click here for more information and to see a list of all the participating restaurants at the 2016 Arizona Restaurant Week May 20-29th.