Part 1:

Part 2:

Here’s the Scoop from the Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Show on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

We were on remote at Fleur Bistro at 1225 Logan. My guests were Eva Esparza, Managing Partner and Randy Grubb, Executive Chef.

We went to Lou’s Food Bar for dinner. The place was very crowded-we had a fabulous waiter-Alan. The mussels were great-Mel’s recipe, onion soup, and artichoke to start. Then we had the turkey sausage, the chicken salad, the fried chicken—if you like dark meat, it was very good as all the meat is dark (the waiter did tell us), and Mark was thrilled. Then we had apple pie a la mode for dessert.

Easter fun at Shells and Sauce—actually anytime is fun at Shells and Sauce-and if you eat at the bar and Brady is there-it is even more fun. We had great wine, great food, great service, and the best time. First you meet all sorts of super folks—and the bar is the place to be-the restaurant was full around us—from brunch through dinner. We had the great bread and sauce, and then we all had Caesar salads—except one who had the house salad. Then we had lasagna, chicken parmesan, vongole, and salmon and each was amazing. No one could stop eating!!! We had tiramisu for dessert-but the neighbors at the next seat had a pretty amazing chocolate bombe too. What a great place to be anytime.

We had a lunch meeting at Strings-and a treat---we had some super lunches-the specials included a lobster roll and huevos today and we had those-and then the greens with salmon. We loved them all—and the service too.

We went out to Hideaway Steakhouse for dinner-worth the trip to Westminster—such fun, great food, amazing wines and prices, and affordable-and Chris Cina is there too. We had some great wines and then the divine bread, mussels and crab cakes. The wedge salad is so good and the house salad that comes with dinner is very nice. Entrees were steak, short ribs, salmon done 2 ways, and scallops—steaks come with sides and sauce and every entrée is complete. All were divine. And we ended with warm chocolate chip cookies and milk and outrageous apple fritters with vanilla sauce. Service was excellent too.

A very belated and early birthday lunch happened at Elway’s Cherry Creek and we had a ball. Service was perfect, food divine. We had the Asian chicken salad, the cubano, the artichoke, and the salmon on Caesar. And we all loved our dishes. This is a perfect place for any occasion.

We enjoyed visiting with all the folks from Aspen and catching up on summer fun.

Then we went to Parallel Seventeen for the new menu—and fabulous new wine list too. The place is great, service perfect, and food divine. We had the duck rillette rolls, and then a fabulous calamari—the best. Then we had the pork buns, the short ribs with sweet potato and my favorite crepe—each dish was divine-presentation too. And then the chocolate tasting-flourless chocolate cake, pirouettes with chocolate mousse, chocolate chile ice cream, chocolate soup, and caramel sauce—yes—all in one dish.

TV on Wednesday was great –we featured places for Mother’s day and we had some real winners. We started with Strings, then Parallel Seventeen—next was Piatti, then Noon’s Café and finally Colterra. They all looked great-and tasted better.

We were lucky enough to go to Elway’s Cherry Creek wine dinner with Jordan Winery. This was one special night. Service was amazing—and then—the wines were fabulous-with some special ones for us. The food was spectacular. We started with halibut cheeks with tempura shrimp, then the best!!!! Pheasant with guacamole, a tamale, and great sauce-the entire group wants it on the menu. Next came goat cassoulet with veggies-another unbelievable dish. More to come with the divine entrée of tenderloin with potato salad and a crispy poached egg on it. Then we ended with butterscotch pudding. Each dish matched perfectly with the wine---and it was great.

Back to Elway’s for a great lunch with our Give Paws auctioneer Gary Corbett and Bill Porter of the Post. We had a great time. We had the red pepper soup and the corn chicken chowder. Then we had Asian chicken salads and salmon on greens. All were great and we had a super time. And it was all for Project Angel Heart Dining Out—which was Thursday

Tag was the place and Larimer was mobbed-and so was Tag. Our server Jared was fabulous---the food terrific-and they even got me my tamale lemonade from Tag Raw Bar—so things are perfect-we had Kobe beef on Doritos, sushi tuna tacos, onion soup dumplings, and the beet salad for starters. Then we had chickens and steelhead trout—both were amazing. And the chocolate bombe and peanut butter, nutella, chocolate parfait was damn amazing too. It was great from beginning to end.

We went to Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs for a meeting—and lunch!!!! We are having the best chicken wings contest there on July 9—you can still send me your entries---and we had a great lunch-we had the burger, the hot dog-kosher-and the egg and bacon sandwich and the malt and the lemonade-yum!

We ended our week with a fabulous dinner at Strings. The place was mobbed-such fun. The service is perfect, Kris divine, and Patrick was incredible too. Dinner was terrific-the special 4 course dinners can be had a la carte too. We had the carrot and brie salad, the asparagus salad, and the haricot vert salad with gorgonzola. Then we had halibut, lamb, and salmon and all were perfect. Our dessert- carrot cake ice cream—and it was really good. Don’t forget the $52.80 dinner on Sunday- 4 courses-and that price is for 2 people.

Reminders:

This Tuesday is Le Fleur Gabby Dinner at 6.30

Friday night is Cinco de Mayo at Elway's Cherry Creek-Gabby dinner

Next Saturday, May 7,  we are at Highland Tap and Burger
and come for brunch--and wear a hat for Kentucky Derby--you might win a prize!

and remember to make your Mother's Day reservations for next Sunday

Now on to the Show…….

Fleur Bistro - 1225 Logan ST
303-832-1300
www.fleurbistro.com
Ava Esparza, owner
Randy Grubb, Chef
Edward Esparza, owner

Question of the day: How many eggs does Fleur use for brunch on Saturday and Sunday? 540

Fleur is open for Lunch and Dinner daily and Brunch on weekends!
Gorgeous building here at 12th and Logan.....it used to be a dress shop, a florist, hence the name Fleur! It has a Beaux-Arts Parisian feel.
The menu is a mix of American, French, Italian....whatever Randy feels like putting together. Menu prices are great.....no entree over $20.
Fleur is doing a nice brunch for Mother's Day....be sure to check it out!!

Happy Hour - $3 food menu-- fish tacos, baked french fries,

May 11 starts the summer neighborhood BBQ....come down on Wednesdays!!!!! Fun foods, ice creams, etc.

Mid- May will start wine tastings for the summer on Tuesdays.....May looks fun at Fleur

Edward and Ava have been in the restaurant biz for years.....Has the golf course at Fitzsimons, and Cimarron Cafe in the Tivoli at the Auraria campus.
Coffee comes from Mexico and it is so good. Peaberry roasts it but it is their own brand at Auraria and also Fleur

Randy's favorite entree on the menu- italian sausage stuffed pork loin
Went to school at Cook St here in Denver.....has been cooking for about 10 years. Was also at Opus

 Other Guests:

Diane Miller- Opening a new wine and spirits shop in Writer Square
City Spirits opens in early June. They focus on boutique wines, and Colorado spirits. They will deliver in the LoDo/ Larimer area….Organic, biodynamic wines, Colorado spirits, Vegan wines!!!

Noel Cunningham just dropped in to chat.....Noel makes Mother's Day special by having breakfast for all the Mom's that don't have place to go. Strings has held the tradition for the last 19 years.

Hot news: Chicken wing contest JULY 9th !!!!! Steve Snappin' Dogs will be hosting. Stay tuned for more details

Tricia loved the brunch at Satchel's.

 
Callers:
Jennifer Wilson-
May 12th Wine tasting with partner Table 6
Grant Humphries mansion
proceeds benefit the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Coloradocoalition.org
Tickets are $65

Kathy-
loves Strings
600 eggs

Diane -
How many tables at fleur---- they can seat about 40 or 13 tables
brunch goes 7-3pm
At Rackhouse....bill 27. with tax 29.19, but charge was 29.25?
what was the $.06 on the bill? They said a rounding error on the computer. We say Bogus!
320 eggs

Bill Husted- Post columnist and Denver's favorite Bon Vivant
thinks the bill thing is a way to get rid of coins. He sees it on the East Coast all the time. What really bothers ...is when he reconciles his receipts..... He sees that tips that are added past what he actually tipped.

Linda-
Had a question about wine label that are attractive......
might try BallBuster.....very funny
Prisoner wine might be another choice
830 eggs

Dave-
Went to Mici and had good pizza
1200 eggs