Guide: Weekend Bites June 10th-12th

Planning ahead for your weekend out? We’ve highlighted some of our favorite weekend events to make it a little easier (and tastier!).

Here’s our Weekend Guide for June 10th-12th:

Friday, June 10th

• Dinner – Culinary Tour of Italy – $20-$45

Summer is here and so are the sizzling sounds of the Valley’s favorite Italian restaurants as they gear up for the first Culinary Tour of Italy. The Italian Arizona Vice Consulate is officially announcing dates for this dining frenzy in celebration of the 150th Birthday of the Italian Nation. From Friday, June 10 through Sunday, July 31, diners will be given the opportunity to taste the regions of Italy at some of Arizona’s top Italian restaurants. Special pricing on a three course prix-fixe meal ranges from $20 to $45 per person. Wine and other beverages may be included in the price. Visit italianazvc.org for a list of participating restaurants.

• 6:30-9:30pm – Vinyl Station at the Montelucia Resort Summer Concert Series – FREE

Get ready to dance to your favorite songs when the Valley’s most popular cover bands take the stage and perform live in Cortijo Plaza at the Montelucia Resort. The concert series will occur every Friday night from May 20th to July 8th in Cortijo Plaza at 6:30pm. This Friday, Vinyl Station will perform. This event is complimentary.

Saturday, June 11th

• NOON-1:45pm – Prado Cooking Series w/ Chef Peter DeRuvo – $45

Join one of our favorite chefs, Chef Peter DeRuvo, as he demonstrates how to prepare a European-inspired multi-course menu at Prado. This monthly cooking class series will highlight Southern Italian cooking techniques, the Spanish tradition of preparing tapas, and many other delicious topics. A wine pairing will complement your courses. Cost is $45 per person (taxes and gratuities not included). Space is limited and reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. To sign up, please call the concierge at 480-627-3200. To learn more about prado, visit pradolife.com.

• Dinner – Culinary Tour of Italy – $20-$45

Summer is here and so are the sizzling sounds of the Valley’s favorite Italian restaurants as they gear up for the first Culinary Tour of Italy. The Italian Arizona Vice Consulate is officially announcing dates for this dining frenzy in celebration of the 150th Birthday of the Italian Nation. From Friday, June 10 through Sunday, July 31, diners will be given the opportunity to taste the regions of Italy at some of Arizona’s top Italian restaurants. Special pricing on a three course prix-fixe meal ranges from $20 to $45 per person. Wine and other beverages may be included in the price. Visit italianazvc.org for a list of participating restaurants.

• 7pm-10pm – 2011 Bite Nite – $79

Saturday, the 2011 Bite Nite Benefit event/culinary competition will be held at the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center. From 7pm-10pm, event attendees will enjoy culinary treats featuring signature appetizers, entrees, desserts and drinks from the event’s restaurant participants. Guests at the event will each tally a vote for a participating restaurant that “knocked them out”. The restaurant with the most votes will be named the 2011 Bite Nite Heavyweight Champion. For more info, read our writeup.

Sunday, June 12th

• Dinner – Culinary Tour of Italy – $20-$45

Summer is here and so are the sizzling sounds of the Valley’s favorite Italian restaurants as they gear up for the first Culinary Tour of Italy. The Italian Arizona Vice Consulate is officially announcing dates for this dining frenzy in celebration of the 150th Birthday of the Italian Nation. From Friday, June 10 through Sunday, July 31, diners will be given the opportunity to taste the regions of Italy at some of Arizona’s top Italian restaurants. Special pricing on a three course prix-fixe meal ranges from $20 to $45 per person. Wine and other beverages may be included in the price. Visit italianazvc.org for a list of participating restaurants.

• 4pm-8pm – Sedona Taste – $65

Head to Sedona for the fabulous Sedona Taste event and enjoy a celebration of fine wine, savory cuisine and a benefit auction with proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club Northern Arizona. The event will be held at the Los Abrigados Resort & Spa. Tickets are $65 per person and includes food, wine and beer. For more information, visit apositiveplace.org.

• 5:30-7:30pm – Cooking Class at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace – $49

This Sunday, head to the Healthy Asian Fusion Cooking Class at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace. Chef Rachel Albert will introduce you to five versatile, user-friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner that combine Asian and American cuisines and traditions. You’ll learn about the techniques, the individual ingredients, and learn discover delicious flavor combination that you can use to create healthy twists on more recipes at home. Items on the menu include summer rolls with shrimp, avocado & cashew dipping sauce, confetti slaw with spicy peanut dressing, roasted asparagus with tamari, wasabi mayo & sushi ginger pickles, sweet simmered shiitake mushrooms and coconut lime ice dream, a luscious dairy-free ice cream alternative. For more info, visit lucishealthymarketplace.com.

Have an event you’d like to see on our Weekend Guide? Contact us for more information!