Only the annual Children’s Hospital Gala would sell out of individual tickets more than two weeks out.
Denver denizens dress in their fancy black-tie finery and come out in droves to support such a worthy cause – this time for the 35th year.
Some attendees come for the entertainment – this year comedian Craig Ferguson of CBS’ The Late Late Show – others show up because the gala is among the top events of the season, and then the majority of the gala goers come to support such a great cause.
The event, from 5:30 to 11:45 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center, includes a live auction with a trip to the 55th annual Grammy Awards and a five-night Hawaiian vacation, a silent auction, dinner and dancing.
Table sponsorships are still available. For more information, go to www.childrenscoloradofoundation.org/gala or call 720-777-1768.
For 35 years, the Rocky Mountain community has contributed more than $25 million to Children’s Hospital Colorado through the Children’s Gala, and the event continues to be one of the largest annual fundraising events for the hospital.
Liquor license approved
Denver’s first Trader Joe’s grocery store at 790 N. Colorado Blvd. has received approval from Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses for the only liquor license the state will allow the chain.
The applicant, Trader Joe’s Company, was represented by attorney Brian C. Proffitt, of the firm of Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP. The licensing authority was represented by assistant city attorney Dan Douglas. No parties appeared in protest to the proposed application.
The liquor license application approval is tentative until final inspections.
Bonanno taking Lancer Lounge space
Chef/proprietor Frank Bonanno has added Vesper Lounge, in the recently shuttered Lancer Lounge space at 233 E. Seventh Ave., to the Bonanno Concepts restaurant group.
“Over two weeks ago, Becky Conda, longtime neighbor and owner of the Lancer Lounge, acceded to personal financial pressures and shuttered the neighborhood staple,” Bonanno said in a prepared statement. “I’ve been part of this neighborhood with Becky for over 11 years, and the transition hasn’t been easy to witness. It’s been especially strange on the weekends, walking by a patio eerily void of guests, Becky and her dog.
“Our landlord approached me about assuming the Lancer lease last week. We’ve shared a real estate footprint — the Lancer neatly situated beneath the Bonanno Concepts office and among Mizuna, Luca and Bones — and although I never set out on this particular course (I’m more of a restaurant guy, for sure), I’m honored to announce that the Lancer will be reopening, under a different name, and under my ownership.
“I’ll keep it a neighborhood spot — a nice, clean little bar with inexpensive drinks, a couple of televisions, and maybe a few more beers on draft. We’ll also implement a small bar menu, and I’ve toyed around with the idea of offering brunch on Fridays and Saturdays. I haven’t worked through the entire concept yet, but Vesper Lounge will be opening as soon as my colleagues and I can wrap our heads firmly around the undertaking — a homage to over 40 years of drinking done under the same roof and in a neighborhood for which I care deeply.”
Vesper Lounge will be one of two new additions to Bonanno Concepts, which already includes Mizuna, Luca d’Italia, Osteria Marco, Bones, Green Russell, Wednesday’s Pie, Lou’s Food Bar and Russell’s Smokehouse. Bonanno announced plans for Bonanno Brother’s Pizzeria earlier this month, which will open at The Vistas at Park Meadows in Lone Tree, early 2013.
An opening date for Vesper Lounge has not been announced, but the bar will likely open before the end of the year. Follow @FrankBonanno on Twitter for concepts updates.
Perfect pair
Pairsine (pronounced pair-ZEEN) is a chef and wine pairing from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Grand Hyatt Denver (1750 Welton St.) during The Denver International Wine Festival.
Nine wine-savvy chefs will compete to make 20 dishes paired with award-winning wines. Chefs are provided sample bottles of wine to taste and develop their paired dishes.
A panel of local food and wine critics will taste each culinary creation with its assigned wine and will select the Best Chef and Most Creative Chef winners. Event attendees will geet to cast their votes for the People’s Choice award.
Competing chefs are Tom Coohill, of Coohills, Lon Symensma of ChoLon, Jensen Cummings of Row 14, Sergio Romero of Le Grand Bistro, Patrick Hartnett of Kachina Grill, Jay Leandro of Pub 17 on Welton, Ryan Leinonen of Trillium, Samir Mohammad of Lala’s Wine Bar + Pizzeria and David Harker of The Meritage Restaurant in the Omni Interlocken Resort.
Tickets are $100 (but there’s a $20 discount with the code eatsip20 by Nov. 2) at http://denverwinefest.eventbrite.com/.
Product placement
The Today show’s fourth-hour hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are known for famously sipping cocktails or wine during their show (at 11 a.m. locally on 9News), but on Tuesday – booze day – they switched things up.
During “The Guy Show”, where they examined the male intellect while chilling out on overstuffed recliner chairs, the goofy gals slugged down Golden’s own Coors Light nestled in Koozies. That’s one for the home team!
Eavesdropping on a man talking about Halloween: “There is no fun in ‘fun-sized’ candy.”
Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.
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