Happy Weekend ...!

Hi de hi Campers! How was your week?  It has been a bit of an eventful (to say the least!) week here as you are probably aware and emotions have been running high.  I don't want to get involved in political debate here so am carefully keeping my opinions to myself, but .... seriously?!! **puffs out cheeks whilst exhaling deeply**

Roaring Fork, Scottsdale

So last night in an effort to escape the endless loop of political TV bickering, we managed to nab the last table for Happy Hour at The Roaring Fork, a place that had been recommended by a couple of different friends but with the added caution to 'get there early' due to its popularity, especially on a Friday.    You all know I live for our Friday Happy Hour outings, so I am always on the look out for somewhere new to try.   This was our second attempt however, as the last time we had arrived just after 4.30pm ... early we thought as it doesn't open till 4 ... to find it already completely full and every last table taken - even at the bar!  This time as Mr B had managed to escape from work early (well, I say early, but as he is in the office for 6.30am every morning technically anything after 2.30pm is 'late' in my book!) and the Teen wasn't bothered about coming, we decided to give it another go.

We got there just after 4.10pm to find just one table left, which was right by the hostess station, but beggars can't be choosers. The food looked great and with wine and cocktails $5 each and beers $3 we could see why it was popular (particularly it seemed with the snow bird community!).  With drinks and appetisers delivered we settled back to watch the entertainment.  Not in the traditional sense ... there was no band or singer ... but watching the continuous stream of people constantly arriving (too late) and walking up and down the length of the bar in an effort to find a free table that perhaps the rest of the people now waiting patiently in line by the hostess station might have missed (as the bar, very wisely it transpired, operated a self seating policy).

Well, by 5pm it was bordering on anarchy.  People were jostling for position as those that had been queuing patiently began to panic as more thirsty Happy Hour seekers began to arrive and saunter straight past, casting a beady eye on every table in an attempt to work out who was likely to be leaving first and once all bets were closed, trying to nonchalantly hang out nearby, like some uber
competitive game of musical chairs.  It was hilarious!

Suddenly two stools became available at the bar.  We watched as couples eyed each other nervously, like duelling cowboys at the OK Corral, until finally two broke out into a sprint in an effort to be the first to reach the prized stools.  By the time they had raced to the finish line, another couple, who had opted to adopt the pincer movement approach, had already secured the seats and for a brief moment it looked like there may be pistols at dawn.  Thankfully the startled barman managed to spy another table nearby which was just about to become vacant and tactfully steered them in that direction.  It was the best free entertainment we had had for ages.  Lol!

After a rather brazen sixty-something woman, who had clearly decided that intimidation tactics were now her best chance of getting a table before the end of Happy Hour, worked her way around the room pausing at each table to scowl at the occupants, we were determined not to be rushed and ordered more drinks before returning our attention to the menu.

Oops!

As Mr B was once again the designated driver (funny that) he could only have two small drinks, but even so, we had to laugh at the size of the glass that came with his beer which wouldn't have looked out of place on a kiddie's dining table ...

Mr B's dinky beer glass

By now starving, I turned my attention to the food on offer.  The 'Big Ass Burger' looked amazing ... smoked pepper bacon, cheddar, poblano pepper, lettuce, tomato, pickles and fries ... as did the Rotisserie Chicken Flatbread ... basil pesto, roasted chillies, pepper jack cheese ...  however I decided to go for the 'Pork Wings' (clearly flying pigs are alive and well in Arizona) ... Dr Pepper BBQ sauce, Hominy (? ... still none the wiser), pickled vegetables, Cotija cheese.  When they arrived, they were basically like big spare ribs but less bone, more meat - and utterly delicious (if a little messy but after two margaritas I was past caring by that point).  Mr B went for the Fish Tacos, which whilst they too looked delicious, I'm afraid meat wins every time for me!

... the flying pig ... no, on the plate!

Finally, after managing to hang it out till 6.30pm - a heroic effort - we headed  home completely stuffed and I was in my PJs with a cup of tea watching last week's episode of Strictly by just after 7pm - a perfect end to a rather frenetic week week if you ask me.

I fear there could be more to come before the next couple of months is out!

Thanks for stopping by - I loved chatting with you :)  Until next time ...

TTFN
Bev x