Denver International Wine Festival ReportYesterday evening, I was honored to be a judge at the "Taste of Elegance" chef competition at the
Denver International Wine Festival. My fellow judges (illustrious Coloradans indeed) were last season's "Top Chef" winner Hosea Rosenberg of
Jax Fish House in Boulder, Amanda Faison of
5280 Magazine and Teresa Farney of the
Colorado Springs Gazette. We ate and wine-paired two dishes from each of 14 leading chefs (plus a "bonus" third dish from Boulder's
Restaurant 4580). Even a bite from each dish and a sip of each paired wine meant a lot of food and a lot of wine.
At the end of the competition, we judges met in a private room with video camera trained on us while we deliberated. We had very few differences of opinion -- a dish here, a dish there, perhaps a pairing. There were many excellent dishes that were carefully thought-out and beautifully presented. In the end, our top two chefs for overall excellence were Michael Long of
Opus, Littleton, and for creativity, Robert Corey of
Sandoval's Kitchen, Denver. I'll write another post with photos when I've digested, literally and figuratively, the evening's fab foods and wines.
Red Hot News: Kleinman Gone from Westin WestminsterI mentioned that 14 chefs competed in the "Taste of Elegance." Number 15 would have been Ian Kleinman, Colorado's captain of molecular gastronomy, except that is no longer at O's Steak and Seafood's in the
Westin Westminster. I confirmed this morning and learned that Kurt Zuger, the executive chef, and Christoph Schöttle, who is the executive sous chef are filling the void. Again according to rumor, Kleinman is planning to open a restaurant on Larimer Square. Stay tuned.
Boulder Eatery NewsSteve Abo, owner of
Abo's Pizza, and a partner, whose name I can't recall have taken over the shuttered space that was occupied by Seven on Pearl (previously Seven Eurobistro) at 1035 Pearl Street, a bistro/bar just west of the Pearl Street Mall. Workers have been busy remodeling
(right), so it ought to be opening soon...An Australian pub is reportedly going into the beguiling but challenging space on Broadway between Canyon and Araphahoe that, between sitting empty, has housed a variety of restaurant. The most recent was the short-lived Alexander & Livorio (or similar). With the recently closing of the Scotch Corner, it might fill a pub void on the street....I haven't previously reported on two restaurant that opened not long ago at
The Peloton, the upscale condo development at 3601 Arapahoe. The
Gindi Café is an an eco-practicing morning, noon and night eatery (i.e., it services breakfast, lunch, happy hour and small plates).The phone number is 720-206-5157. It joins
Pizzeria Basta, a southern Italian restaurant with a wood-burning pizza oven and what it calls an "intelligent wine list." Sounds smart to me. Alas, I can't find Pizzeria Basta's phone number. The website is "under construction" and dexknows.com doesn't know...Agave Mexico Bistro & Tequila House opened on Wednesday at 2845 28th Street, Boulder; 303-444-2922. They're offering an extensive menu with organic and all-natural products and many gluten-free and vegetarian offerings. Until November 22, they're mixing their house margaritas for $4 as a grand opening special...Chef Fabio Flagiello is now is working with
Bácaro Venetian Taverna owner/chef Anthony Justice, overhauling the menu and adding cred to the restaurant's middle name. Chef Flagiello trained in Italy and France and on this side of the pond, has run restaurants in California. While in Los Angeles, he was as a film, coaching actors with roles that required culinary technique, including Tony Shalhoub’s character, Primo, in the 1996 movie “Big Night.” He's a Boulder kind of buy, a triathlete and Iron Man competitor and interested in finding the balance between both great tasting and healthful meals. Bácaro is at 921 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-4888.
