Restaurant Show on Saturday, July 25, 2009

This week's PLAYBACK

Part 1:


Part 2:


We were at the Big Fat Cupcake at 128 Adams—what fun and the cupcakes-and Kathleen are so great.

Big Fat Cupcake is doing shipping and cupcake of the month.

The specials are divine!!! We had them all and they are fabulous.

They will be at taste of Colorado on Friday, the 4th of Sept with a cupcake tasting contest.

The question of the day: how many Monkey Love cupcakes in a week-180

Janet and Michael Johnston stopped by---they are the fabulous folks from Savory Spice Shop with several locations-but local folks with the best stuff ever!!!!

They will be at taste of Colorado on Sat, sept 5 at noon to do a demo and give samples, etc.

Go to my webpage and see on the homepage the great recipes using their spices.

They have locations on Platte, Lowry, Littleton and Boulder and are the best!! They are open every day and have a bbq rub contest going on.

Remember it’s time for big dinners!!!

Minibar, Argyll, and Ling and Louie are coming up.

And remember the East meets West with Matsuhisa coming to Denver (Nobu’s famous spot in Aspen) and serving their great food and Shochu and dishes from Elway’s Cherry Creek to match those from Aspen. This is one exciting event-August 6 at Elway’s Cherry Creek-call 303-399-5353-ask for Jen or Lara.

August 3—that is the dinner at minBAR where Chef Michel is doing a fabulous dinner for very excited guests-and there is a huge waiting list. If you are not coming, cancel now---we will take you off our lists if you are one of the people who continue to cancel last minute as then it is too late to fill the places. The restaurants go to great trouble for us and it is not fair to them-or to the people who really want to attend. Remember if you do not cancel—I greatly appreciate your caring and taking the time to cancel well in advance. Remember, you would not like it happening to you.

We went to dinner at Indulge French Bistro and it was excellent. The food and wine were just super. We had wonderful warm rolls with butter and great olive oil. A lovely fresh green salad and steak tartar were our appetizers. Entrees were the most wonderful halibut nicoise with a 6 minute perfect egg, sweetbreads, and baked salmon with fresh peas and pea cream. Desserts were molten chocolate cake and a very fresh peach tart. It was lovely. They have a special Mussel night on Thursdays with your choice of 5 different preparations and a glass of wine for $18.

We went to Taste of the Nation and it was great. Matty Selby and his team did a phenomenal job and the event was super---and a huge success-congratulations to all.

Dinner at Shells and Sauce was fabulous-first-the roof top patio is incredible-full bar, lots of umbrellas-even a mister-and great fun. We had the super bread, fabulous wine—a new one 4 Vines naked chardonnay-my favorite summer wine and it is fantastic. Then we had the Caesar salads, and entrees of veal parmesan, penne with chicken and mushrooms and lasagnas—all are winners!!! So is the place with food, wine, and service.

We went to Elway’ Cherry Creek for lunch. It was fabulous. Of course-service perfect and food too. We shared the new egg salad, chicken breast, cheese sandwich-to die for!!! And then we each had the Cherry Creek salad which is both of our favorites. Everything was perfect. BE SURE TO READ ABOUT THE MATSUHISA/ELWAY’S DINNER ON AUGUST 6.

Another not to miss idea!!! That is carryout at Elway’s Cherry Creek-you can have those divine salads or anything else from Elway’s to enjoy at home. I order those salads constantly and then eat like a queen at home!!! Your box includes dressing, the goodies---and even silver and napkin should you need those.

We went to Root Down for dinner-on Monday night-the entire inside and patio were totally full by 6-and remained so—good for them. The reason is the food, service, wine and all are just fabulous. And they were again. They keep adding new items-we had the curry carrot soup, the Bing cherry salad with almonds, goat cheese and more, the beggars purse filled with blueberries, cherries, cheese and surrounded by fabulous arugula. Then we had rare tuna with a cucumber orange salad and tomatoes, halibut with artichoke hearts, asparagus and more, and then ended with avocado key lime pie with animal cracker crust and prickly pear whipped cream!!! What a deal and I could go back tomorrow and keep trying dishes without ever ordering the same thing-although I would in a second.

We had a great fun night and dinner—gabby—at the Cherry Cricket-the new room is great-the place was mobbed and the food and service were super-the beer and wine flowed too. We had the white chile and tortillas to start and then choice of giant burgers, delicious and juicy or burritos of choice-then we all had fries and onion rings. And we ended with chocolate cake. A good time was had by all!!! Thanks to the folks here.

Fogo de Chao has opened in Denver—it is a Brazilian Steakhouse and does it all right!!! The place is gorgeous-and huge with walls of wine, beautiful seating-and room for 300 diners. There is a bar area as you enter-and valet parking!!! The salad bar is spectacular-in looks and in the variety and options here. It is a meal-or seven—in itself. Heart of palm, artichokes, smoked salmon, cheeses of every ilk, meats, and then the produce and veggies-amazing chicken salad, and yes, lettuces and salad ingredients too. And breads to go with. The cheese buns on the tables are the best. You are allowed to only have the salad bar—but go for the whole experience. 15 different chefs arrive with skewers of filet, prime rib, ribs, pork, chicken, lamb shops, sausage, and different meat preparations-and on and on. Plantains, polenta and mashed potatoes are served to accompany the meats—and they are replenished constantly too. Eat until you are full and turn off the green-bring me more—tab and put on the red. There is dessert if you can-a great papaya mixed ice cream with liqueur, divine flan, chocolate and more. Great wines, perfect service, and lots of fun describe this new place.

Strings celebrated its 23rd birthday in style-grand style-on Thursday night. They hosted a cocktail party on the patio first. Then diners stayed for dinner-inside and out. And the food, service, wine, and fun were all perfect. We had the watermelon gazpacho and the asparagus with poached egg salad to start. Then we had the specials-the biggest veal chop ever and the divine half chicken with potato chips (housemade of course) in a potato basket and tomatillo sauce. A car club of porsche, BMW, Austin Martin—and so many I have no clue the names-all came in their fabulous cars and parked them in front and stayed for dinner. It was a treat to see the cars-and the people. Congrats to Noel and Tammy.

We went to dinner before the play at Osteria Marco---a great choice. The food, wine and service were great-the timing perfect for us and the staff was aware of our getting out. We had salads –Caesar and the greens with pistachios, fruit and cheese. Then we all had pizzas and panini—loved the chicken panini with prosciutto, cheese and all sorts of goodies.

Kathy loves the Big Fat Cupcake and has had them for meetings-and the fans love them.

She was at Strings for the birthday celebration and adored it-and the food and fun. And congrats to Noel.

Kevin loves Senor Miguel’s in Aurora –and they have great green chili—very hot!!!

Doris loves Zaidy’s—where we had a great lunch with egg salad and turkey sandwiches.

She is now ready to try Big Fat Cupcake.

Sandy is having a wedding—her daughter—and wants to do cupcakes instead of cake

Big Fat Cupcakes does this and decorates accordingly and does great concepts-we talked aobut doing several varieties to please all. This is a great way to go.

Steve's Snappin' Dogs is holding the hot dog eating contest tomorrow at 1—be there and enjoy.

And the Taste of E. Colfax is July 28 at 5.30—several restaurants are participating --go to mycolfax.org or call Steve’s for more details.

Marsha wanted great Mexican without all the sauce and stuff- BOA is amazing on W. 32nd and so is Lola—our picks.

Julie went to Bonefish Grill and loved the fish but not the meat-they wanted well done and should have asked to have the meat butter-flied.

Watch the food network at 9am Aug. 1 for Savory Spice.

We were way out of time

Thanks for listening and calling.

Gabby