Scottsdale Downtowner

Review
Savoring Eats3
The debut of Eats3, a delectable food, wine and cocktail event on the Scottsdale Waterfront, could hardly have gone any better. Thousands turned out for the Oct. 23-25 gourmet extravaganza, which included a cocktail-infused ArtWalk, celebrity-chef lunches, a battle of mixologists, and Saturday afternoon’s Arizona Grand Tasting with more than a hundred vineyards and 35-plus independent restaurants. The likes of Chefs Jacques Pepin, Ming Tsai and Top Chef’s Stephanie Izard provided onsite cooking demonstrations at the tasting, as attendees stayed nice and cool over the Arizona Canal despite higher-than-expected temperatures. Highlights among the pork-heavy selections included Metro Brasserie’s to-die-for beignets, Fine’s Cellar’s roasted golden beets, and Roka Akor’s grilled lamb. Participating chefs and wineries reported Eats3 ranked as one of their best experiences ever at a tasting event, and attendees positively glowed. Let’s hope Savor Scottsdale dishes up a second course in 2009!

Photo from the Scottsdale Downtowner
Photos by Morgan Bellinger

TGIF Art Lounge
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art hosted Friday Art Lounge on Oct. 10, keeping museum doors open until 8 p.m. and presenting music by DJ Arbor Dei and the band Can’t Stop the Daggers, as well as gallery talks and demonstrations. Attendees grabbed a cocktail, dipped into a heart-melting chocolate fondue (courtesy of The Melting Pot), and reveled in the Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting gallery tour. The intriguing exhibit, which continues until Feb. 1, looks at unorthodox ways contemporary artists transform the age-old crafts of knitting and lace making—a fortunate dovetail with Scottsdale Fashion Week. Catch the next lounge 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Nov 28, featuring a one-hour yoga session, conversation with artist Kathy Cano-Murillo, chair massages, clairvoyant readings and organic snacks by Old Town’s own Mandala Tea Room.

Photos by Morgan Bellinger

Color Us Impressed
About 100 street painters adorned the sidewalks, streets and parking lots of Scottsdale’s arts district during the Via Colori Festival, Oct. 18-19. If you missed the event, don’t expect to see remnants of the 150 temporary masterpieces, which have long since been worn away. The short lifespan of the works is an essential quality of street painting. Downtown residents and visitors enjoyed live entertainment and an array of food vendors as they mixed with artists throughout the day-long event.

Photos by Jim Nissen