Restaurant Show on Saturday, February 13, 2010

This week's PLAYBACK
Part 1:


Part 2:


Here’s the Scoop from the Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Show on Saturday, February 13, 2010.

We were on remote at Savory Spice on 15th and Platte---with Janet and Mike Johnston—the great couple and there to tell, show, and have us taste the great spices and more.

NEXT WEEK ON REMOTE!!!!
We will be at Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza on February 20th at 21st and Larimer for a remote—and brunch!!! There are brunch specials—free drink or dessert too and we are giving away gift certificates for Restaurant Week that starts that night. John Imbergamo, pr guy, and Rich Grant, Denver Convention and Visitors Bureau and head of Restaurant Week are there as guests along with Mark Dym----Marco!!And are coming with give-aways so come on down!!!!

The winner of the Super Bowl was right on the nose—Doug Rodman. Congratulations to him. And I would have won the first half—but not fair so Opus is up for grabs again today.

The questions of the day: how many gallons of Vanilla extract in a year do they make at Savory Spice-842

How many recipes are in the Well Seasoned Kitchen—186

The tomato bisque is amazing!!!! And all the recipes are winners.
The spices at the shop are beyond incredible!!! Tomato powder, spiced sugar, cinnamon, curries are just a few---and chilis and bbq and everything you ever thought about is there.

Lee Clayton Roper was another of my guests with her new excellent cookbook. The recipes are great and she is a delight.
Well Seasoned Kitchen by Lee Clayton Roper –

We went to dinner at Squeaky Bean and it was great. There were 6 of us so we had everything—yes almost everything—on the menu. We started with great wines-and then the sweetbreads, burrata, cauliflower (incredible), beet salad, and olives and nuts. Each was just super. Then we shared the Brussels sprouts-amazing. Then we had the tuna sandwich with tomato soup which I would go back for anytime!!!! And the pork belly with pork sausage, the cod, and the chicken thighs with tomato sauce. The creativity and flavors are really great. Desserts were lemon curd with shortbread and banana, peanut butter, chocolate torte. It was a real treat.

The Gabby brunch—with a book---was great at Strings!!! The fans were thrilled as one could order anything on the menu-steak and eggs, lobster omelets, crab benedict-and every things that our table loved like huevos, pancakes, poached eggs, fireman’s eggs and just plain bacon and eggs!!! With drinks, pastries, and more, it was a great bargain and oh so good.

We went to H Burger CO for a test dinner. It opens today. There are great burgers- the H Burger the best—with bacon, chipotle peppers, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes and great sauce. It comes with fries—the lamb burger, turkey burger were big hits too. There is a veggie burger and several sandwiches are offered-sides and other things like chicken wings-hot and sweet and spicy were very good. There are onion rings, other fries, and salads too. And there are molecular milkshakes and beer—and wine and soft drinks-and a great ice cream sandwich for dessert too. It’s open every day in the sugar cube building at 1550 Wazee.

We brought in lunch from Annie’s Café and we all had divine turkey sandwiches---with crispy bacon of course. They do a great job with their homemade chips to go with the food.

Bistro One is one big treat. This should be a must on your dining list. It is casual, comfortable, and divine with great service and super wines too. Olav Peterson does a fabulous job with his very creative menu. We had the smoked garlic Caesar and a sweet potato spaetzle for starters. And with that comes the homemade bread of the day. Then we had the chicken, the salmon with Meyer lemon, and the lamb Bourguignon for entrees. Each was so divine and marvelous. We had dessert of a homemade vanilla cherry chocolate ice cream. Prices are nice-the food sensational.

We had a sensational lunch at Strings-the new menu features a great tuna nicoise salad and specials of a BLT and A on foccacia, and the omelet of the day from the Sunday brunch menu.

We went to Encore for dinner-an encore for us—and one we will be going to often as it is great-food is super, prices affordable, place warm, wines super—chef Paul is incredible. We had the grilled Caesar, the pear Waldorf salad (divine) and house made foccacia. Then we had the pig/fig jam flatbread-the best and worth the trip-the falafel burger, great—the whole trout and the pork chop—all were so wonderful. And for dessert, a splurge was it for the bittersweet chocolate soufflé. It was a great night.

On TV we did sweets for Valentine’s Day and it was so terrific—D-Bar Desserts, Pierre Michel, Devil’s Food, Katherine’s, Gateaux, and Chunka Monka—so much fun and so good.

Next Wednesday we will show off some of the places doing Restaurant Week which starts the 20th and goes until March 5. You can see all the menus by clicking on restaurant week on my homepage. Make your reservations now.

We went to Park Tavern on 11th and Ogden----and what a surprise. We knew it was a great bar—but the food is really great!!!! Service is outstanding, prices right-breakfast till 4pm—but let’s get back to dinner. We started with divine hummus and perfect pita. Then we had the Greek platter with chicken, lamb, pork, dip, dolmades, olives, and more. Then we had a super burger and onion rings, a great turkey, cheese, avocado melt, the BLT and A club, the fried mac and cheese, and Irish nachos. We never got to the whole list of Mexican goodies and the pizza—so next time. And the Greek desserts were fabulous. This is one great little spot.

We went to Elway’s Cherry Creek for lunch—it was great-food, service, everything. And we both had the blackened mahi mahi sandwich-the fish, the bun, the slaw, and the chips were divine. And so was everything else about the place.

We went to 1515 Restaurant and what a treat. The place is lovely, the food and service just fabulous. They are going to the Beard house this summer and deserve it. Gene’s wine list is awesome for starters. The breads are homemade and wonderful. We started with an amuse of crab with caviar, and then we had crispy sweetbreads with corn bread, a fabulous Brussels sprout salad with cheese, shrimp and candied beets and the best-croissant soup-they take a croissant and make a paste and then add a quail piece, a poached egg, and caramelized onions and cream. It is awesome. Entrees were barramundi, pork belly and snapper-each with a fabulous preparation. And then the desserts-the best fresh baked pineapple tartin, and a fantastic cupcake with ice cream in a waffle cup and chocolate sauce. Every coffee drink, wine, and detail is perfect. Get on down there for a great night.

Kathy called about the great brunch at Strings—and it was. She had a great dinner at Bistro One and also at 1515---a fabulous treat.

Danielle adores Strings.
We had several calls about spices, recipes and more. I will not list them.

Mary Kay was at the brunch at Strings and adored it too.

Diane dittoed-the Strings and raved about the Gabby dinner at Prime Steakhouse.

There were more calls on Restaurant Week-and where to go---look at the menus and decide. We talked about several places.

Don’t forget the brunch and prizes to give away at Marco’s next Saturday.

Thanks for listening

Gabby