News Notes for July and Beyond

Mel's Musical Chairs

I'm not even going to try to unscramble the ongoing changes swirling around (the former) Mel's of Greenwood Village and Mel's Bistro, so I'm sending you straight to Lori Midson's "Eatery Update" in today's Rocky Mountain News. She seems to have a handle on the latest developments

Swimclub May Have Drowned

Swimclub 32, an impossibly trendy restaurant in Denver's Highland neighborhood (3628 West 32nd Avenue) with what seemed to me like a really silly name, reportedly is going under for good. A call to 720-889-7946 reached "the dreaded answering machine" and the information that the Japanese-accented restaurant is still serving tapas, sake and wine.
Note: Please read comments from reader Rob who confirmed that Swimclub 32 is gone and reported on what has succeeded it.

Nine75 North Shuttered

Central Denver's Restaurant Nine75 (975 Lincoln; 303-975-0975) has hung on despite a procession of chefs and even at least one change of names, but Nine75 North (2831 West 120th Street, Westminster), has closed.

The Caper is Over

Capers & Co., a gourmet foods shop in Longmont's Prospect New Town, is unfortunately holding a going-out-of-business sale tomorrow (Saturday, July 19) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. after four years of selling gourmet foods, gift baskets and tabletop items. The store is at 2011 100 Year Party Court. Prospect New Town previously lost an upscale ice cream and candy shop, as well as an artisanal bakery. Several restaurants, a cafe and a wine and liquor store still serve the community's good and drink needs.

Farmers' Market Tour with Antonio Laudisio

A week from tomorrow (Saturday, July 26), Antonio Laudisio will conduct a guided instructional tour of the Boulder County Farmers' Market, where ingredients will be selected for lunch. The tour, cosponsored by DaVinci Capers, will be followed by cooking demonstrations, recipes, a sitdown luncheon, wine, door prizes and more. Participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Dushanbe TeaHouse to tour the market and reconvene at 2:00 p.m. at Laudisio Restaurant for Antonio's brand of cooking demonstration with lunch, wine and prizes. The cost is $55. To register, call Barb Petrarca Hardesty at 303-284-1383 or 303-570-5287 (cell) or by Email to barb@DaVincicapers.com.

Combining Music at CMF and Dinner at Carelli's

CMF ticket holders can now park at Carelli’s Ristorante Italiano for dinner and a free glass of wine, walk to nearby Williams Village for direct bus service on the free “Hop 2 Chautauqua” enjoy a Colorado Music Festival concert in the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, return to Carelli’s by bus and even enjoy Happy Hour drink prices after the concert. To get the free glass of wine, show your CMF concert ticket from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on concert nights.. If your tickets are at will-call, bring an Email confirmation and hope that the serve accepts those. Next Friday (July 25), a special after-concert party at Carelli’s between 9:00 and 11:00 p,m. honors the regional premiere of Mark Grey’s "Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio." It is an opportunity to meet CMF’s Music Director Michael Christie, composer Mark Greysome, visiting musicians and other notables. Carelli's is at 645 30th Street, Boulder; 303-938-9300.

"Affordable" Whole Foods

Perhaps seeking to parry the "Whole Paycheck" image, especially with the ailing economy, Whole Foods' new Real Deal promotion spotlights the natural foods discounted Real Steals and is publishing a quarterly newsletter featuring budget recipes and savings tips. Counting Wild Oats markets (and Ideal in Boulder), Whole Foods has 18 stores in Colorado.

La Cavasita Offers Wine Deals

Speaking of values, La Cavasita is offering a personalized six-pack culled from a selection of 20 wines including Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet, Chardonnays, Malbec, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage and perhaps others. The cost is just $47, which comes to less than $8 a bottle. La Cavasita Wine Boutique, 198 Second Avenue, Niwot; 303-652-2963.

Top Chef Tour Stops in Denver Tomorrow

Fans of Bravo's "Top Chef" can see all for seasons' competitors in Denver tomorrow, July 19, at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. at the Cherry Creek Farmers Market -- if there are still seats in 18-wheeler tarted up with a state-of-the-art kitchen and just 38 seats. Each of the 20 tour stops features free cooking demonstrations and tips, food tastings and behind-the-scene "secrets" from the show. You can just pop over and see whether you can get a glimpse of the action or even a seat, but to reserve a spot, online pre-registration has been required.

Full-Moon Rooftop Party for Stars, Bubbly and Bites -- and Strawberries Every Day
The Warwick Denver Hotel’s first Full Moon Over Denver roof-top party is tonight (Friday, June 18; sorry I didn't know in time to alert you father in advance). The next will be Saturday, August 16. Highlights are live jazz, Perrier Jouet champagne and a food component of hors d’oeuvres (including Vegetable Spring Rolls, Seared Tuna Canapés, Strawberry Brie Canapés and Beef Wellington) from Randolph’s Restaurant & Bar. Price is $35 per person. If you want to make a night of it, deluxe double-occupancy accommodations, VIP access to the roof-top party two crystal Perrier Jouet champagne flutes to take home, and additional strawberries and canapés starts at $159. Reserve a rooftop spot by calling 303-318-7272 ; for the package, call 800-525-2888. The hotel is at 1716 Grant Street, Denver.

If you don't want to wait a month to bay at the moon but want a treat of a different sort, check out Randolph's month-long Strawberry Festival. It kicks off next week with a special menu. You'll want reservations (again, 303-318-7272) for the inaugural evening, Saturday, July 26 starting at 6:00 p.m., with a complimentary strawberry tasting menu and fresh strawberry cocktails. From then until August 24, the festival menu includes with Strawberry Soup with Vento de Estate, Strawberry Napoleon with Rhubarb Ice Cream and Rhubarb Compote and Balsamic Quartered Quail and Strawberry ($6-$18).

Napa Chef Coming to Colorado

Chef/owner Thomas Salamunovich of the Vail Valley's Larkspur restaurants has a full plate -- the original Larkspur at the base of Golden Peak in Vail, Larkburger in Edwards (and, it is rumored, soon in Denver) and the upcoming Restaurant Avondale in the new Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon. Armando Navarro has is Larkspur's new executive chef. He comes to Vail from Redd in Yountville, CA, where he was chef de cuisine for three years. He previously trained at top New York and San Francisco restaurants. His culinary degree comes from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA.

Three Colorado Food and Wine Fests in July and August

The first Crested Butte Land Trust Wine & Food Festival takes place July 25-27, with proceeds benefiting the Crested Butte Land Trust, whose mission is to protect views, provide trails and preserve wildlife habitat. Events include a Grand Tasting, wine seminars and chefs' demonstrations. One praisewworthy ticket option is the $15 adminission ticket to the Grand Tasting for children under 12 and designated drivers. Those who want to taste pay $65. Ten wine seminars are scheduled. Tickets are $30 each.

Limited to just 10 to 20 guests each, the four chefs' events are truly exclusive. A team of two name chefs will prepare each of these feasts, which are held in private homes in Crested Butte or Mt. Crested Butte. Ten people may attend each dinner for $500 per ticket; 20 can be accommodated at the Sunday bunch for 20. Two of the four are sold out. The organizer can be contacted at 303-809-0404 or info@crestedbuttewine.com.

The Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival, coming up on August 7-9 , is an a la carte festival of wine tastings, cooking classes given by local and guest chefs, wine seminars, gourmet meals (lunch or dinner), special events and a wine auction. The marquee name is Anthony Dias Blue, executive director and founder of the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and notable wine writer. Individual event prices range from free (two cooking demonstrations) to $200 (five-course dinner and the Vail Valley Wine Auction, Bright Future Foundation and Colorado Mountain College). For more information, call 970-845-9090. To purchase tickets, call the Vilar Center, 970-845-TIXS(8497) or visit http://www.vilarcenter.org/

Head from there to Telluride for the fifth annual Telluride Festival of the Arts (August 14-17) that in addition to art, will include celebrity chef demonstrations, food seminars, a grand tasting and a progressive dinner showcasing local restaurants. Many events, including several culinary demonstrations and are free and some are ticketed. Ticketed chef demonstrations are $20 ($30 for two). The most expensive package is $450 and includes all events for the weekend. The festival website curiously does not seem to include ticket purchase contacts, but you could check the Telluride Tourism Board and see if they can direct you. The phone number there is 888-605-2578.

Focus on Food at the Snowmass Wellness Festival

The Snowmass Wellness Festival (August 15-17) starts "from the earth up," organizers say, with how-to-grow-your-own guidance, cooking demonstrations and tastings, a green expo, nature hikes, a spirits tasting, fitness classes and more participant events. Those interested in growing their own food for environmentalm economic or culinary reasons will flock the only Colorado appearance Eliot Coleman and Barbara Damrosch of Maine's highly regarded Four Seasons Farm. These keynoters have over 60 years of combined organic farming experience and will explore everything from the seduction of a kitchen garden to the how-tos of sustainable organic gardening. The motto of Wellness From the Earth Up will be explored from a myriad of angles, including growing, cooking, preserving, nutrition and incorporating food into your fitness routine. An all-inclusive weekend pass is $175, while day passes and individual event tickets start as low as $30. For more inforrmation, call Snowmass Village at 800-SNOWMASS.

Wine Lovers Now Invited to Denver International Wine Competition

The Denver International Wine Competition is an intense two-hour event at the Warwick Denver Hotel that will take place this year from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13. In 2007, some 35 wine experts from Colorado and beyond tasted more than 550 different wines and awarded Gold, Silver & Bronze medals to those they judged to be the best. This year, 100 lucky wine lovers will be able to join them, tasting a more than 250 entries from around the world and casting their own votes for the Consumers Choice Awards for best white, red and Bordeaux blends. The cost is just $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Order tickets online or call 866-946-3268.

Weekly Wine Classes at Vail

Award-winning sommelier Kevin Furtado of Vail's Larkspur is conducting weekly wine classes, sometimes with wine makers and distributors as special guests, on Thursdays through the end of August. Each participant receives a tasting notes log and an (L) Club Card, good for 50 percent off a select bottle of wine with dinner at Larkspur. For more information or to reserve, contact 970-479-8063 or sue@larkspurvail.com.

Boston Schedules a Pair of Summer Restaurant Weeks

Summer Restaurant Week Boston returns for a double bill, August 10-15 and again August 17-22. Some 180 of the region’s best eateries will offer three-course prix fixe lunches for $20.08 and three-course dinners for $33.08, plus beverage, tax and gratuity. It is good deal for a good
cause. Sponsor American Express will donate 25 cents for every transaction made on any American Express Card at participating restaurants (up to $10,000) to Project Bread’s Food for Kids Fund, which provides free meals to thousands of low-income Massachuetts children when school is not in session.

Fascinating Food Fotos

While not the enticing food porn that pops up on assorted culinary websites and blogs, check out the top 10 images selected in wired.com's recent food photo contest. More culture than cuisine, the image gallery is worth looking at if you are interested in the world of food and foods of the world.

News Notes for July and Beyond