PRESCOTT: Everybody’s Hometown Festival, Limoncello, The Barley Hound and Flying Leap Vineyards Tasting Room
On October 19, 2019, Prescott, Arizona held its inaugural Everybody’s Hometown Festival and I was invited as a media guest to cover the city’s newest celebration. Taking over the downtown environs of East Goodwin, South Cortez, and South Montezuma Street, the event created a festive block party “to celebrate and showcase the authentic experience that makes Prescott feel like home to so many.” The festival’s moniker is a nod to the city’s slogan, “Everybody’s Hometown,” which recognizes the small-town feel of this beautiful city nestled in the mountains of central Arizona and surrounded by Prescott National Forest.
Just 90 minutes after leaving our NW Phoenix home, we were driving past the rolling hills of Prescott splashed with autumnul hues and wending our way to the Prescott Resort’s “top of the rock” location and its picturesque view. As a native New Englander, stepping out into the crisp fall air and admiring the foliage starting to change, I truly was reminded of my Massachusetts hometown.
We checked into our spacious room at the Prescott Resort and freshened up before making the 7-minute drive downtown for the Everybody’s Hometown Festival celebration.
It was a gorgeous fall day for the city’s first Everybody’s Hometown Festival event. We were greeted with attendees enjoying Eagles tribute band South of Winslow, and spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through Taste of Prescott and the Street Tavern sampling the area’s dining and beverage offerings.
For a Prescott first-timer like me, it was the perfect introduction through a delicious array of dishes and drinks. Now that I’ve learned about Prescott’s impressive dining scene, I can’t wait to return to explore it further!
The Tavern
Bringing the little ones? They weren’t left out either with an expansive activity and games area.
The festivities continued into the evening with night concerts including headline Hollywood U2 tribute band. TIP: VIP ticket holders had designated areas to enjoy the show with seating and cash bar.
After a fun-filled day, we headed back to the Prescott Resort to relax over a sunset view before dinner.
The difficult part was trying to decide where to go from the list of favorites I had compiled from the festival. We narrowed it down to Limoncello as it was one of the few spots still open for a late dinner.
I’ve been a fan of chef-owner Matteo Schiavone since the days he owned a restaurant in Phoenix, and our Italian feast did not disappoint. Although Limoncello may be best known for the puffy, blistered Neapolitan pizzas turned out of an imported Italian oven, we had stuffed ourselves with multiple slices at the festival and opted for pasta. The perfect ending to our food-filled day? A Negroni, carpaccio di bresaola (thin slices of Italian salt-cured beef topped with arugula, shaved parmesan and grapefruit vinaigrette), vellutata di funghi (creamy mushroom soup), lasagne al forno (layered with besciamella and ragu), orecchiette alle cime di rapa (housemade orecchiette pasta tossed with Calabrian chile, rapini and sausage) and, of course, Matteo’s complimentary limoncello crema.
After a restful night’s sleep, we packed up to head back to Phoenix, but first, one last Prescott meal. Our lunch was planned for The Barley Hound, and I had noticed its pretty setting the day before.
The Barley Hound is one of Prescott’s most beloved restaurants and it was immediately apparent why. The inside is just as cozy and inviting as the outside and the sophisticated gastropub menu is perfect for those who lean towards familiar classics (like my husband) and those who veer towards more creative renditions (that would be me).
From perusing the menu on-line, I knew I was in for a treat, but I didn’t expect that the craft cocktail menu would be just as outstanding. I loved the What's Up Doc?, a refreshing and well-balanced union of Skipper Dark Rum, Stiggins Pineapple Rum (a personal favorite rum of mine, made with both the fruit and rind of ripe pineapples), carrot, coconut, lime juice, and smoked cinnamon. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon sipper.
Our food highlights included:
Tempura shrimp toast with sushi rice, shrimp, and teriyaki dipping sauce
Signature duck fat truffle fries fries (with optional garlic-herb parmesan)
Fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, house-cured bacon, and cucumber vin frisee
Chicken banh mi with sambal aioli on a toasted baguette
You’ll want to add the Barley Hound to your must-visit list. Creative iterations of comfort classics, delicious seasonal ingredients, excellent cocktails, and a comfortable neighborhood atmosphere - I’m sold. I’m already looking forward to returning to Prescott to check out the dinner menu.
Finally, no trip to the Verde Valley is complete without visiting one of our Arizona wine tasting rooms, and so our last stop before we left Prescott was Flying Leap Vineyards, a quarter mile from The Barley Hound. We were in search of their award-winning Cabernet Franc (note: sold out, but we learned that the last bottles can be found at Vino di Sedona - see here).
To learn more about Flying Leap Vineyards - named for the three founders who are best friends and Air Force pilots - pick up a copy of my book, Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion, which came out in October.
While we were at lunch, I had a chance to meet Skyler Reeves, owner of The Barley Hound, Rosa’s Pizzeria, and Hawk and Hound Catering and Events, who was instrumental in organizing Everybody’s Hometown Festival. His intent is to educate both locals and tourists alike by spotlighting Prescott’s thriving dining scene. “I think some people still think of us as a cowboy town, but I want to show that we have some great restaurants here,” he explained. “I have two restaurants, but I believe in ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ Rather than being competitive, we should all join together to showcase what we have. I used to do the St. Patrick’s Day Festival in LA, so I had a good idea of what I wanted to do here. And I think it was a great first year.”
I couldn’t agree more. I’ll be back next year, and you’ll want to save the date too!
For more information about Prescott, go to http://www.visit-prescott.com/
I was invited as a media guest to cover this event and portions of my trip were compensated.