CRL Associates associates Roger Sherman and Cathie Greig on Friday night continued their tradition, in its sixth year, of treating the staff at The Palm to a high-end toast for the holidays.
The annual ritual – which has included shots of expensive cognac or glasses of high-end wine – arose from a winter blizzard six years ago that cancelled Sherman and Greig’s holiday trip to Chicago, and it has since become a beloved holiday tradition.
“Cathie and I appreciate the warm welcome and exceptional service we always receive at The Palm,” Sherman said. “This is our small way to say ‘thank you’ to the entire staff from dishwashers to managers.”
The Palm’s sommelier Brian Brandt chose 3.0 liter Jeroboams (aka double magnums), which equal four standard bottles of wine, of Quintessa 2009 and Duckhorn 2008.
The Quintessa bottle was signed by the winemakers from the boutique winery in the Napa Valley.
Sherman and Greig have worked together at CRL for 13 years. “We’re the glue that holds CRL together,” they joked.
Bye-bye Burnsley
The historic Burnsley Hotel, an iconic Capitol Hill building, closed last week after it was acquired by Denver developer RedPeak Properties.
The 17-story all-suite hotel was originally built as an apartment community in 1963. Shortly thereafter, the building was converted into a hotel and jazz club, whose owners included singer Ella Fitzgerald and actor Kirk Douglas.
In 1969, philanthropists Joy and Franklin Burns purchased the property and completely renovated the hotel.
“Mrs. Burns has decided to reduce the scope of her real estate portfolio and to enjoy more personal time,” said a press release about the closure.
RedPeak intends to reposition the property to a luxury apartment community and invest more than $5 million to achieve that goal.
“We are very excited to add this wonderful Denver story and trophy asset to our portfolio. This will further expand our central Denver apartment presence,” said Mike Zoellner, CEO of RedPeak Properties.
RedPeak plans to begin renovation in early 2013. Preliminary plans include common area upgrades, life-safety improvements, mechanical system upgrades and complete unit overhauls.
Watch list
Restaurant trend watcher Fast Casual.com recently posted its “2012: The five fast-casual executives to watch.”
“They are all industry veterans, but some are new to the fast-casual segment, the concepts they represent, or both,” the report said.
Snagging the No. 1 position of the top five executives to watch in 2012 is Monty Moran, Denver-based Chipotle co-CEO.
“Although Chipotle founder Steve Ells has long-held the company limelight, it was the chain’s illegal workforce issue this past year that put co-CEO Monty Moran there as well,” the report said. “Chipotle was the target of a major federal crackdown on illegal employees, causing the company to lose more than half of its 900 workers in Minnesota and hundreds more in the Washington, D.C., and Virginia markets. Martin has become an outspoken advocate for immigration reform and has met this year with senators across party lines.
“He has expressed to lawmakers that he needs access to a strong legal workforce as the company is expected to hire more than 100,000 employees over the next three years…So far, the investigation into Chipotle’s hiring practices has cost the company more than $1 million in legal fees. In 2012, we expect Moran will continue to help shape a solution to the immigration debate.”
To see the whole list, go to www.fastcasual.com.
Sweet treat
Vail’s Sweet Basil restaurant, arguably the ski town’s most popular eatery, unveils its first cookbook to celebrate the restaurant’s 35th anniversary.
The Sweet Basil Cookbook includes more than 50 recipes that have been modified for cooking at home, but includes all the flavors and substance of the dishes served in the restaurant.
“We had thousands of menu items to consider when choosing the recipes for the cookbook,” said Executive Chef Paul Anders. “Our goal was to select dishes that resonate with guests. The challenge was scaling them back to a size that works for cooking at home.”
The Sweet Basil Cookbook is available by calling 1-970-476-0125 or at www.sweetbasil-vail.com. Sweet Basil has been voted “Colorado’s Most Popular Restaurant” by the editors of Zagat.
The Seen
At Mail It! Pack It! Ship It! in Cherry Creek North: former Chairman of the National Western Stock Show Pat Grant, events and design guru David Alexander, realtor Carrie Warnecke, TV sports radio personality and motivational speaker Mark McIntosh and nail salon extraordinaire Diane Doughty Winslow.
Eavesdropping on advice from one woman to another regarding an upcoming trip to Africa: “Smoke, smoke, smoke. It’ll cover up the B.O.”
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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