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Part 2:

Here’s the Scoop from the Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Show on Saturday May 28, 2011.

We were at the fabulous Little Nell with our Gabby Group---it is our annual-20 years worth of fun.

My guests were Robert McCormick, chef at Montagna where we will have dinner tonight, the divine Sally Spaulding, PR girl, and then our own Ron Robinson, Dave McKlveen, and Pamela Pollart. Lee Clayton Roper was there too.

Next weekend we are at Steuben’s on 17th and Pearl to promote the upcoming Share Our Strength on June 9. It is an annual event.

We went to see Billy Elliot and before went to Corner Office for dinner. Lots of people go there before the shows, symphony, etc. and it was very crowded. They put down a theater menu of food to get you out fast or you can linger. We had a great waiter, some good wine and really nice dinner. We had the calamari, salad, tomato soup, tuna salad, club sandwich, and orange chicken. And a chocolate macaroon dessert with coconut ice cream. It was great fun-and Billy Elliot was fabulous.

Denver Eats had their first street party and it was great. The restaurants did a super job, the organizers were fabulous and a good time was had by all with bites from different places.

Biker Jim’s on Larimer---off the street and his very own fabulous restaurant—it is amazing and fun-biker simple but great dogs-it is a great spot and perfect for the area—or like us, a drive to get there. We had the pheasant, the beef, the duck, the rattlesnake---all with toppings that are beyond incredible the duck is with caramelized apples, wasabi and cheddar, the pheasant rattlesnake was harissa roasted cactua, curry jam, scallions cilantro and onions….this is no ordinary dog……and sides of salad, tahini cauliflower (the best), homemade fries and chips (yum) and deep fried mac and cheese-did I mention beer, wine and great shakes –shake your body and get on down. And it is affordable.

Shanahan’s had a Catena Wine Dinner and wow. The great wines of Argentina were featured with Malbecs and Cabs that sell for $130 per bottle---splurge on the 2001 if you find it. The dinner was fabulous with cheeses and appetizers with chardonnay before we were seated. First came an amazing scallop with crispy prosciutto—and the great bread. Then came a fabulous foie gras with blueberry caviar, and then my favorite of the night= the seared duck breast with wild mushrooms to die for and cherry reduction. The sorbet was intermezzo and then the NY strip with wild rice, white asparagus and chocolate demi glace. Forgot the real favorite-the dessert chocolate cake with marshmallow brûlée, pistachio brittle, and an espresso root beer—awesome. Nicholas Catena was here to greet and chat with all of us. Service is beyond perfect and it was fabulous.

Lunch at D-Bar is always special—it is the most welcoming fun spot at any hour. We had a meeting a super lunch of the fabulous grilled chicken on their salad that boasts the bset dressing. And pots of tea to go with on a miserable day were perfect.

Strings bar was the place to be-and we were there and had a great time. We had torrontes which makes every night special—then warm rolls and breadsticks to go with asparagus soup, the best onion soup, and a great beet salad. Entrees were the salmon special, the scallop special, and quail and all were great. And so was the coffee ice cream for dessert. Service rocks and Kris makes it all happen.

TV was great with cooking schools—they did a great job and were so diverse. Stir was great fun and things one would really make-the same for Generous Servings –Mis en Place does classes with chefs chosen by people who are designing a personal class while Cook Street does both professional and recreational classes with more difficult, but delicious recipes.

Strings was another quick meeting place-and a divine lunch with chicken sandwiches and steak sandwiches-and super service.

Bittersweet is perfect---the place is great-the wine and food divine-the service-Christina is divine too---Olav and staff are the best. The homemade rolls are worth the trip-they change daily. Then we shared the Alsatian tart and the cheese platter. Entrees were several orders of the amazing veal chop, fabulous scallops, veal cheeks, and puisson—wow y on all!!!! Then we had the chocolate cake, coffee ice cream, and cheese tart for desserts-and great wine too.

We went to a new bar and pub on E. Colfax and Penn called Prohibition---it is super fun and very good too. The space is neat-a fabulous old mahogany bar, TVs, booths, big high tops-mixed drinks and wine and beer of course. The chef is from Izakaya Den and Kevin Taylor so the food is no ordinary pub fare. The menu is short and sweet and so good-and so inexpensive—we had short rib sliders with bbq sauce and the kitchen sink salad—and corn chowder—all terrific. The chicken pot pie was great and so was the chicken burger----and the ice cream sandwich the big hit too. Get on by and say hi to Jimmy.

Now on to the Show………

Question of the day:
During the GABF, how many pints of beer does Wynkoop Brewery sell during the week?

The Little Nell is hosting us today and go out to view their website with all their amazing activities this summer:
www.thelittlenell.com

Ron Robinson- Wynkoop
Dave McKlveen- Chipolte
Sabato Sagaria- F B Director at Little Nell
Danielle Riese-Little Nell pastry chef
Robert McCormick- Executive Chef at Little Nell

Robert McCormick- Executive Chef at Little Nell
Great chef with a lot of european experience. Ingredient and farm to table driven.
New menu for a quick lunch with a prixe fixe 3 course for $32
Also, ssshhhh.....restaurant is going to have a face lift next year!!!
Modern and small plates a little more communal and casual....but great new changes in store!!!!!
Yummy new menu for Gabby dinner tonight!!!!

Gabby Question: Who thought to first eat an Artichoke? Anyone got a story???

Ron has a great spot with Breckenridge at Ale House at Amato's....40 beers on tap....
Beer is the new wine...... lots of great choices

Great mixology at Little Nell....fun choices including " my name is earl" !!!
Danielle- " just a nibble" sweets .....so good has a 3 lollipop truffles and coco nibs , bags of carmel popcorn, and cranberry orange tea cook and an orange Jelly candy

Guys fromBB's Kitchen .....great new place in Aspen and they come from Little Nell too!!!
www.bbskitchen.com
Focus is everything from scratch and each member of the team has a particular specialty.
Mark Buley is executive chef and was trained at the CIA in NY.
Mark Zitelli- Charcuterie and butchery....
Anthony Lygizos- GM of BB's Kitchen...and fabulous wine guy.

Don't forget to make your plans for the BIG ASPEN BBQ BLOCK PARTY. August 27-28
Bocce ball tourneys this summer....check out the Nell website and get all the deets!!!

Little Nell is doing wine dinners on Thurs & Friday during Aspen Food and Wine .....check out the web site for more details. small groups 10-12

BB's will be doing pig roasts on Sundays all summer....pigs come from local ranch Rendevous
Sabato asked if they will be "guinea" pigs