This week's PLAYBACK
Part 1:


Part 2:


Here’s the Scoop from the Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Show on Saturday, November 20, 2011.

Steve Miller hosted the show this week and will fill-in again next week. I am in Buenos Aires and he is taking over-and is the best. See you in a couple of weeks.

Guests today were Joseph D. Vostrejs, Chief Operating Officer at Larimer Associates; Brian Siffermann, Managing Partner, Corridor 44 and Madison Street; and Sean Kelly, Chef/Partner, LoHi SteakBar and Ernie’s Bar & Pizza.

We chatted about the redevelopment of Hangar2 in the Lowry neighborhood, the great things happening on Larimer Square including lots of new stores and restaurants as well as the holiday merriment breaking loose there. We talked about the new Madison Street restaurant, Ernie's Bar & Pizza, Billy's and LoHi SteakBar and how they fit in to the history and culture of their respective neighborhoods like an old friend.

Then we started reminiscing. Callers shared all their favorite memories of Denver dining - places gone but not forgotten. Listen to the show (links above to the recording and walk down memory lane to see how many of these great establishments you remember. It was a great conversation - thanks to everyone who called in!

Trivia questions were:

How many fish tacos does Madison Street serve per week? (600 - Celia won a gift certificate for Madison Street for guessing 600 on the money!)

and What is the wholesale value of the champagne cellar collection at Corridor 44 on Larimer Square? ($33,000 - Mike guessed $30,000 and was closest without going over)
---
REMEMBER THE NEW GABBY GOURMET RESTAURANT GUIDE 2011 IS OUT AND AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE. IT IS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH GREAT REVIEWS, GABALICIOUS, GABWORTHY AND REVIEWS, HOURS, ADDRESSES, AREAS, PRICE AND MORE. IT IS A PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT, HOUSE GIFT, STOCKING STUFFER—AND JUST TO HAVE. THANK YOU.

NEW GABBY DINNER:

DECEMBER 15, 2010, 6:30 pm at Wyland’s Ocean Blue, 8316 Northfield Blvd., #1610, Denver, CO 80238, 303-574-0449

Too good to wait to share the new Wyland’s Ocean Blue restaurant—and they want to show off to our listeners that fabulous experience. It is an early holiday gift—and affordable to all. Join us for a 4 course tasting menu-each course paired with a great wine for $35 inclusive of tax, tip and wine. You will love the place, the food, the fun, and being in the holiday spirit. You want to be here for this very special treat.

Gabby Dinner Menu
Course #1: Arugula & Berry Salad
Course #2: Oyster Dynamite
Course #3: Entrée Choices: Dry Rub Flank Steak with wild Mushrooms & Yams OR Curry Scallops with caramelized Bananas
Course #4Dessert: Key Lime pie
Wine pairings with each course

We went to Shanahan’s for dinner—that is something else. And every bit was Heavenly.

The place is gorgeous-the valet incredible as are the hostesses and greeting as you enter. The food is outrageous, service perfect and wines just awesome. We did a small tasting of red wines and we could not pick a winner—all available by the glass. Our dinner started with the delicious bread and then we had the crab cocktail (from gabalicious), and the beet salad---and the best Caesar –it is down perfect. It is so much fun to see how everything has evolved to perfection in less than a year. Entrees were several veal chops, divine scallops, and the best chicken—then we had sides of great truffled mac and cheese, onion rings, and asparagus. We really should not have indulged—but did on another amazing dish-lemon shortcake—a must!!!! And a great cheesecake with blueberries too. It was amazing.

The tailgate competition at Mile High Stadium before the Broncos v Chiefs game was great fun!!!! A riot with four groups competing-these groups work on it all week and come up with some great goodies!!!! It was tough but the Denver Bronco Bus with great food emerged the winner.

After all that food we did go to Edge at the Four Seasons for brunch!!!! We ate at the bar instead of the restaurant as it was late and we needed to get going. But once settled you did not want to leave—service was great with unlimited mimosas, super coffee and tea and a great meal. I had a frittata with jalapeño and more and my friend had eggs Bennie with pork belly. Both were great and it was super fun.

El Diablo was a great place for dinner-we got there in time before the place filled up—and good for them. It is so good-and we had fabulous service along with super food. We started with guacamole and chips and salsa, and then the best queso and chili rellenos (a favorite). Then we had the chicken tacos, the fish tacos, the mole and the burrito-all were super delicious !!!!! we ended with Mexican bread pudding with caramel and a flourless chocolate brownie a la mode with chocolate—what a great dinner.

We went back to TGI Friday’s for dinner and had a great time. We had some new and some same---the wines were excellent and sangria fun too. Then we had the baked pretzel, my favorite, and the deviled eggs, and the hummus that is terrific too. We had really good tomato soup served with mini grilled cheese, the veggie Dagwood, the chicken club, the chicken Italiano, and a great bbq chicken pizzetta. And the super sweet potato fries were a treat-and so was the chocolate peanut butter pie. Service is just fabulous here too.

Colorado View Magazine had a meeting today at Strings-and instead of the 10 expected, 18 showed up!!! And it was great. We had all sorts of things—lobster roll, Gabby’s chicken salad (the big winner) the salmon BLT, penne bagutta, endive salad, Tammy’s chicken salad—and lots of things at the other end that I could not see. We loved it all, the service, and the great private room so we could meet—and be loud.
 
We went to Wyland’s Ocean Blue opening last night. It was great—Wyland, the artist known for his art with fish and ocean was there and signed a huge painting on the wall in the bar and also paintings and books sold. Then we and many others stayed for dinner. The wine was super, service fabulous, and food terrific—look under Gabby dinners as for an opening party for our listeners, there will be a Gabby dinner on December 15 there. We had divine conch fritters and fabulous calamari, and then a Caesar salad to start. Then we had arctic char and sea bass for entrees—and some great sauces and super mashed yams. Then key lime pie was the dessert. The dinner will be fabulous with a 5 course dinner and matching wines.
 
We went to dinner with the whole family to Highland Tap & Burger. Love that place. The owners and staff are so friendly, casual, great beer, wine, food, service, and just plain fun. You want to go right back. Read all about it on December 1 in features on the webpage too-and it is my find of the month. We had the whole artichoke, onion rings, zucchini fries, chicken wings, and then-----lamb burgers, build your own burgers, chicken club, apple slaw, side salads, more fries---wow.

... and a trip to Little Man ice cream after for dessert-heaven.

We went to Prima at the Teatro for dinner and had a great time. First they have softened the look, added TVs, and lots of high-topped tables which are great for the scene. There is even talk of a piano going in. we had a great dinner starting with a red wine from Mendoza---where we will be visiting next week. Then we had the Caesar, frito misto, Brussels sprouts and wild mushrooms to start-so wonderful. Then we had the scallops, tagliatelle with veal ragu, and chicken for entrees. We passed dessert and had a great time.