Part 1:

Part 2:

Here’s the Scoop from the Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Show on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

We were at Colorado Winery Row at 46th and Pecos for Grapes and Paws-a benefit for a no-kill animal shelter.

My guests were Ben Weinberg and Rich Mauro—my wine guys---and Paul Bonacquisti and his winery space were our actual hosts.

We interviewed the folks from Poipu Kauai and heard about this fabulous island in Hawaii. There are fabulous hotels, amazing food and wine, great excursions, beautiful beaches—and a place to put on your list for your next vacation.

Coming events: As the world is supposed to end tonight-yeah right—what is the last thing you would eat on earth!!! The prize-dinner at Strings.

ASPEN THIS WEEKEND WITH THE GABBY GROUP—SEE IF YOU CAN NAB A PLACE
AND CHECK OUT BB’S KITCHEN FOR DINNER ON FRIDAY IF YOU ARE THERE-OR SUNDAY IF YOU ARE STAYING.
WE ARE GOING- it’sGETTING RAVES.

TASTE OF THE NATION IS JUNE 9—GET YOUR TICKETS NOW.
Elway’s Cherry Creek hosts the HOT ROCKS AND GRILL ON JUNE 15 FOR MEN’S HEALTH---
GET TICKETS TO BOTH NOW.

AND THEN LOOK UP ALL OUR GABBY DINNERS COMING UP AND GET A SPOT THERE.

The question of the day: 
What is the last thing on Earth you would eat?

THE SCOOP FOR THE WEEK: 

We went to Madison Street to try the new menu as Troy Guard has taken over as partner. It is definitely a pub still with a short and interesting menu. The food is good-perfect for a pub/bar. We had dirty chips, beet salad, hummus, and truffle fries to start. They were all good. Then we had a great rotisserie chicken, fish tacos, ahi tuna salad for entrees. There are lots of burgers but never got there. Jack Daniels bread pudding was dessert. There is a very short wine list and beer both draft and bottled. Our server was great. We had a nice time and would return for a night of burgers and fun---and the chicken.

Girls Night Out and we went off to Shells and Sauce-at the bar with Brady-that is such a treat and so is everything there. The place was beyond mobbed!!!! And it is so good. We had beer and wine-the best-and the divine bread and an amazing burrata and spinach salad-and then we had salmon and chicken parmesan—and such fun. Love this place and the upbeat feel and fun every time you visit.

Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza brought guests from Italy who turned out amazing pizzas to a huge crowd.

Street Kitchen at Vallagio was our final destination for a bite-we had great Thai chicken, meek rob, and beef ribs---and super divine flan—and tea.

We had lunch at Elway’s Downtown and it was great. The place rocks and is so busy-fun people there. Service is great-food even better. We had salmon grilled and then on a terrific salad, the Caesar with chicken, and the big winner-the gyro---so good I am going back to have one!!!! And we are very excited that Elway’s at the Ritz is going to star at A Taste of Colorado.

We went up to Boulder to Café Aion and it was great fun-and super food—the place is funky and fun-the name from the old bookstore that was there once. They do breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is tapas with some share entrees and super. We had wines and tapas of artichokes, beets, quinoa, and chicken wings and homemade bread. Then we shared the huge share orders of paella and chicken with potatoes and salad—and they were so good. And so was the chocolate with the best yogurt. It was all very casual, terrific, and a treat. Service shines as well in this funky, fun spot on the hill.

TV was great fun with restaurants near the ballpark—and we did have some good ones-go to TV appearances and watch the segment—we had the Chophouse, Dixons, Wynkoop, Hi*Rise and the new Biker Jim restaurant.
Shanahan’s—always fabulous----is even better if possible. First-the new booths in the bar area are the best-and the feel is so casual and welcoming and fun—a place to really hang-and it was mobbed. The bar menu is affordable and great but you can enjoy the complete menu here too. The new menu rocks---everything is perfect. We had the super bread and then the chop salad and the burrata and tomatoes-divine-and fried calamari with 2 great sauces. Then the guys had veal chops and I had a perfect halibut---there are now sauces available and we had 3 super ones. Then we shared the baked sweet potato-worth the trip. Decadent desserts….you bet!!! The lemon shortcake is the best-and the apple cobbler even better-well not sure-so get both! And the wines—no one picks wines like Drew!!!!
They are amazing-and service is always perfect as well. What a great time for anyone.

We went to a chamber meeting to see the folks from the Denver Cupcake Truck—they did a great job telling us about their success program. Good for them.

Dinner at Bella Bistro in Arvada was a blast. The place is an old garage, small, charming with great food and wine. The homemade bread and olive oil start the meal. The wine list is not long but has some fabulous wines by glass or bottle-and we enjoyed our choices. Then we had wreckfish—not a misspelling—and it was great, (similar to sea bass)-and so was the chicken with goat cheese mashed potatoes and the pork tenderloin. All were great to see, better to eat. Then we had white chocolate brownie a la mode and the ice cream drizzled in espresso. We had a great time. They are going to do a charity for kids with cancer on June 28. I will be part of it and let you know.

The 10 year of Johnson & Wales was celebrated and many of us who received doctorates were at a terrific dinner where this year’s honorees are Keegan Gerhard and Theo Gregory. Theo is a great man, but of course, our Keegan was our special reason for not missing it. Congratulations to him—he deserves it and as the Dr. from the class of 05, I am thrilled for him.

Quick stop Ale House at Amato’s for happy hour was fun and mobbed. It stopped raining long enough to visit the great deck upstairs. Great neighborhood spot!!

Now on to the show…….
Guests:
Ben Weinberg
www.wineontheroad.com
lot of things going on and travel. Go to his web site to see when he has tours in Italy and other wine region.  Also has been writing some national articles that focus on local places that are getting attention....Like Infinite Monkey, squeaky bean, Ondo's

Rich Mauro
http://rmpeoplespalate.com
Equally busy with daytime policy matters, Rich also is a man about town with tastings, dinners, and writing about wine and things  culinary in the front range.  Check out his columns on Gabby Gourmet, OutFront  Magazine and many other publications

Question of the day:
What is the last thing on Earth you would eat?

Ben says Tokaji Essencia
Rich says anything with shaved white truffles
Gabby will eat POPCORN!!!!!
Pam says lots and lots of sweet carbs!!

Colorado Winery Row:
www.coloradowineryrow.com
I-70 and Pecos....Urban Wineries and a great place to taste Colorado Wine

Paul Bonaquisti-
www.denverwine.net
5yrs old . Urban winery right here in Denver....crushed and processed on site at 46 & Pecos. Grapes aren't grown here.... gets them from western slope and CA
Vinny No Neck- blend similar to Super Tuscan available in Denver for around $16...AWESOME!!!
TASTINGS: THURS- SAT 11-5pm

 Rich brought a great point to Paul around advantages or disadvantages to being far away from the grape production point.
Paul thinks that some of the advantages are that he isnt right there....really once grapes are refrigerated ....all things are good.

Paul grew up making wine from his Italian grandfather.
Paul last meal--- Stuffed shells!!!

Cottonwood cellars and Olathe Winery
www.cottonwoodcellars.com
Kelly Durie, Sommelier
1995 started winery and they also grow Olathe corn
17 variety of wine. limburger grape...very popular
White Pinot Noir is best seller
Wine prices: $15 -- available widely in Colorado
Wine tastings here: thurs- Sat

 

Paul Phillips
www.versocellars.com
Cab Sauvingon 2005 and 2004
Tastings: Thurs- Sat 1-5pm
2001 started in Palisade
100% colorado grapes
4 releases available in many places
$20 a bottle or 3 for $50
wine@version cellars.com  if you have questions to contact Paul

Garfield Estates Winery 
www.garfieldestates.com
Mike McNamara
all colorado grapes grown in palisade
Make 7 or 8 wines
distributed across the front range
2010 rose available at the Colorado winery row.
Malbec is a great fit of the terroir of Colorado
$28.99

Great friends from Kauai called in ...Marci, JP, Marilyn- the Poipu beach crew
www.poipubeach.org
Great fun to be had in Kauai HI with so much to do on the perfect poipu beaches....Can't get any better that!!!!!!  Fantastic place that everyone should visit soon!  They may be sending a Chef from several of the great restaurants there to Taste of Colorado...stay tuned for updates on that. Go to their website and check out Poipu....just look at that beach!!!!!

 Gina Krehbiel-
Nikenos Second Chances No Kill Shelter
nscrescue.org or call 303-514 2543
Scorpions for human consumption is her last meal....bet they are crispy!!
Trains dogs and that is what started started Nikenos so that she should help more dogs be adopted
http://www.cwdogtraining.com/wd1.htm
Ultimate Spice was a sponsor and lots of fun dogs to adopt

Callers:
Marilyn-
Lobster tail. Interested in wine tasting at Taste of Colorado

Don-
Ferraro's in Salida is fantastic!!!! Lasagna is great and they have colorado wines as well.
guess: married to a wonderful cook,but would want to taste his ex wife's cooking to see if it is as bad as he remembers!!!