Restaurant Show on Saturday, January 9, 2010

This week's PLAYBACK
Part 1:


Part 2:



Here’s the Scoop from the Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Show on Saturday, January 9, 2010.

My guests were James Mazzio of Le Chateau and Prime Steakhouse and Noel Cunningham of Strings.


Don’t forget the Gabby dinner at Highlands Garden Café on Wednesday-it will be spectacular. Look under gabby nights and dinners for all details.

And Wednesday on Channel 7 on the 11am news, tune in to see places in Aspen—priced right and great fun for all of you.

The question of the day: How many lbs. of prime beef is aging in the dry aging room at Prime Steakhouse today---482

We talked about dry aging, the great menus and all the super things-and the gabby dinner at Primesteakhouse.
Le Chateau is amazing with its food and menu-and both have pre theater $18 for 3 course menus.
We talked about Strings and the new menu, the $52.80 for two dinners on Sunday night-the breakfasts on Sunday, and all the great events there.

BRUNCH AND A BOOK
STRINGS

FEBRUARY 7, 2010
10AM-NOON-YOU PICK YOUR TIME
1700 Humboldt
303-831-7310

Join us at Strings between 10 and 12—you pick your time as Noel shows off his fabulous brunch menu. You can choose any of the entrees on the menu (and they are great), and enjoy Danish, croissants and goodies, along with mimosas or bloody Mary’s, and of course coffee and tea. The price is $20 inclusive of tax, tip and drinks.
The book-please bring a children or teenager book for the library in Ethiopia.

Next week on TV—January 13—we are featuring some restaurants in Aspen—be sure and watch on Channel 7 on the 11am news!!! You will see the foods of Il Mulino, Matsuhisa, Zocalito, and Elevation---such a good time.

Dinner at Root Down was beyond incredible—as always-this place is unbelievable. It is always mobbed-with people waiting and happy as they are thrilled when they enjoy a perfect meal. Start with the bread-and then the carrot curry soup and the zucchini spice soup-and then we had the citrus salad-gorgeous ad divine-the butternut squash risotto is about the best thing ever. Then we had eggplant capanata and sweet potato falafel—unbelievably divine—and then the Moroccan chicken with polenta, the scallops with leeks, and the best pork chop with lentils, bacon and so amazing. And then a banana bread cake with butterscotch and candied nuts—and great wine and coffees and amazing service too.

We went to Strings for brunch—Sunday fun and a real treat-and it is getting more popular each week. The prices are great, the setting it totally casual-and it is delicious. We had the Kennedy special of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and fruit and the pancakes with poached eggs. And we loved our breakfast!!!

India’s Pearl is always a treat—and was again. The service is perfect and aromas as you enter let you know a treat is in store. We loved it-we started with onion fritters, and chicken lettuce wraps with the poppadoms. Then we had the pheasant tandoori, the chicken tiki masala, and the madras curry and of course rice, and mango chutney. Chai tea was fabulous too. And the service is fabulous as well.

Parallel Seventeen is one great spot-and for lunch-a real bargain with great food and service. The lunch special of pho, slider sandwich, salad and drink is one of the best buys in town---and so divine. We had that and the parallel 17 sandwich special that is divine, huge, and comes with the best sweet potato and regular fries. The place is a real treat.

We went to Encore for dinner and had not been there for ages. What a change-it was fabulous-the place looks great, service and wine was super and the food was so good. There were so many great choices but we will have to go back often to get through all the choices. We started with the pizza that was incredible!!!! And then the pear Waldorf salad –another real winner and homemade bread is served as well. Then we had the short ribs with couscous, the pork chop with fontina and sweet potato mashed, and the falafel burger (yum) with hummus and asparagus. And then the Rocky Road ice cream sandwich. It was a great meal—and the lunch and brunch menu look great too.

Outrageous!!!! That is how to describe the Gabby dinner at Elway’s Cherry Creek on Tuesday. First-wines and service were beyond “heavenly” and the food the same. It started with giant shrimp cocktails, lamb chops with cheese fondue and sweet potatoes, and the fabulous calamari. Yes-that was the appetizer—everyone had all. Then your choice of the best squash soup, wedge salad, greens, or Caesar. After that you chose your entrée-Strip, prime rib, prime beef enchiladas, ahi tuna, half chicken, or Elway’s salmon which is salmon covered with shrimp. And then everyone shared tons of mashed potatoes (unbelievable), roasted cauliflower, asparagus, and my favorite, Brussels sprout hash—wow!!! And then came dessert for all to share—crème brulee, cheesecake with strawberries, lemon meringue pie, and chocolate brownie ala mode—and fruit for those who only wanted that-yeah right!!!! It was a beyond perfect night. THANK YOU ELWAY’S.

TV on Channel 7 was great-get it on my webpage under TV Appearances if you missed it!!
We had steakhouses for stock show and what fun. Shanahan’s was there-with the Lombardi trophy!!! And steaks and fish too-so were LoHi Steakbar, Elway’s Cherry Creek, Prime Steakhouse, and Rodney’s. They were all great.

We went to Rodney’s in Cherry Creek and think everyone was ready to break out as the place was rockin. We had great food and service-and prices are so right. We had the chicken tortilla soup and then grilled shrimp, the best salmon BLT and a great tuna melt. And the chocolate ice cream roll-the ice cream rolled in crushed heath bars!!! With chocolate sauce and whipped cream ended the fun. It is a great spot-and they have valet parking—and now are open on Sunday with a limited menu.

Brio for lunch was very good and pleasant. The place is lovely. We had the chicken club sandwich and the minestrone soup and salad combination. Tea and coffee and bread were served too.

Dinner at Olivea was fabulous. And it was beyond mobbed with perfect service and great food and wine. We started with the poached tuna crostini and then the duck liver mousse with fig jam, the mizuna salad, the octopus and gnudi with chicken broth and veggies and all were fabulous. Then we had the pork porterhouse, the ravioli with lamb, and the flatbread for entrees-and Wow!!! Describes them all. Desserts were outrageous with panna cotta and chocolate fleur de sal tart with gelato. It was one great experience.

Mike called about Brio and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tana went to Silver Creek Diner at 7824 Park Meadows Drive and loves it!!! It is very inexpensive and very great- and inexpensive too. She adores it.

Cindy loves 240 Union and Strings.

Felicia called from the restaurant Ondo’s where she was lunching on the Spanish tapas. It is at 250 Steele and we have been there and loved it too.

Darlene was at India’s Pearl and adored it, especially the tandoori pheasant. And she was at Olivea and thought it the best ravioli with lamb ragu she ever had. And loved it all.

Steve wanted to know more about Prime Steakhouse and is on his way.

Edie went to Elway’s Cherry Creek for their anniversary and said it was the most special night ever-the food, service, every detail!!!

Sean went to Dolan’s in Boulder and it was locked up---it is closed!!!

MaryAnn wanted to know about Strings for her folk’s 50th anniversary. We all agreed it will be perfect.

Barbara has had a great week-Tag, Elway’s Cherry Creek, Il Posto(for lunch and loved it!!!), Strings and Squeaky Bean for breakfast today.

A great list!!!

We were out of time.
Thanks for listening and calling

Gabby