Jesse Morreale, the beleaguered owner of the historic 101 Broadway building – home of restaurants El Diablo and Sketch Wine Bar – must feel like Public Enemy No. 1 to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s administration.
In the latest bout between the restaurateur and the city, Morreale was found to have violated his liquor license for allegedly serving alcohol to a minor – an allegation he vehemently denies.
In the final order issued April 1 (ironically on April Fool’s Day, as Morreale points out), the Department of Excise and Licenses director Tom Downey sided with the hearing officer who found the restaurant in violation of its liquor license and recommended a penalty.
The end result of the penalty gives Morreale until April 11 to choose six days where the restaurants will not be allowed to serve liquor and two of those days must include a Friday or Saturday.
In NO WAY does that mean the restaurants will have to shut down during those six liquor-free days. If he elects not to appeal and the order stands, Morreale said he’ll likely “make lemonade out of lemons” by branding those nights “family nights.”
The underage liquor violation took place at El Diablo on Aug. 24 during an incident that Morreale called “a sting” by the Denver Police Department.
But this latest dust-up isn’t Morreale’s first legal rodeo with the city. He famously fought the law last year when the city shut him down by deeming the building “unsafe” for public occupancy even though El Diablo had been serving diners for three years.
Whether 101 Broadway has been repaired and now meets the city’s safety standards is a point of contention between both parties with no real resolution in sight. Stay tuned for updates on that evolving drama.
Juicy
This restaurant rumor has some meat to it. According to a broker, Del Frisco’s Grille, long rumored to be coming to the Denver market, will supposedly take a large space in the First Bank redevelopment project on First and St. Paul in Cherry Creek North.
The more casual sibling of the dynamite Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse (with one in the Tech Center), Del Frisco Grille’s motto is “food and drinks that are built to share.”
Del Frisco Grilles are located in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, New York, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The menu features less-expensive items including flatbread, chicken wings, deviled eggs, sandwiches, pasta, meatloaf and chicken schnitzel. Open Table lists the price point at $31 to $50 as opposed to Del’s “special occasion” prices that start at $50 per person.
Go for broke
The 41-year-old Broker Restaurant at 821 17th St. is celebrating its birthday by giving a gift to lunch diners. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday, prices will flash back to 1972.
No reservations, however, so go early or late to avoid the lunch rush. More information: 303-292-5065.
Looking for love
Was Denverite Eric Elkins looking for love in all the wrong places? Perhaps that’s why he decided to give “The Steve Harvey Show” a shot.
Elkins, a social media expert, put his love life in the comedian/talk show host’s hands.
“A single dad who says he’s ready to date comes to Steve for help finding Mrs. Right. Can Steve help him find a love connection?” says a post on Harvey’s website.
Apparently cupid’s arrow found its target: A brunette named “Erin,” who has agreed to go on a date with Elkins in Colorado. You can comment on what you think chances are that there’s a love connection at http://www.steveharveytv.com/single-dad-date/.
“The Steve Harvey Show” airs at 9 a.m. weekdays on KTVD, Channel 20.
Pasquini and pasta
Long-time restaurateur Tony Pasquini, owner with Judy “Mama” Pasquini of three Tony P’s restaurants in town, will roll out ravioli on Thursday’s “Best of Colorado,” beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday on KDVR, Fox-31.
The segment will feature a ravioli-making demo for the home cook. He’ll also talk about the restaurants’ new menu items including roast chicken, vegan options (including vegan cheese) and gluten-free items.
Take me out to the patio
With temperatures predicted in the ’70s for the Rockies home opener on Friday, it’s perfect a time to kick off patio season at Elway’s in The Ritz-Carlton, 18th and Curtis.
Get the party started with cold beers, grilled brats, live music from local talent Josh Meyers and a drawing for tickets to the home opening game during a pair of patio parties from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Ballpark-inspired specials by Elway’s chef Robert Bogart feature grilled brats; chicken nachos; Philly, short rib and barbecue chicken sliders’ Elway’s signature smashburger and French fries of the day.
Five-beer buckets of Coors Light, Coors Banquet and Coronas (which can be mixed and matched) are $15, and Coors Light drafts are $3.
Josh Meyers will appear on the Elway’s downtown patio on Friday. (Photo courtesy of www.joshmeyers.vpweb.com)
Symphony sweepstakes
The Colorado Symphony Association is launching its first raffle in more than two decades: The Great Symphony Sweepstakes, which will be music to the winner’s ears.
Grand prize includes a 2013 Prius Persona with sales taxes paid by the Symphony, one year of free parking at the Denver Performing Arts Complex and two tickets to all 51 2013/14 Colorado Symphony performances at Boettcher Concert Hall.
Only 4,999 tickets will be sold, and the grand prize winner will be drawn June 8 at “Solid Gold,” the Doc Severinsen concert. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.
Raffle tickets cost $75 each or five for $300, and are available online at www.coloradosymphony.org, at the Boettcher box office and through one of the Symphony’s in-person sales agents.
Eavesdropping on a man to his wife: “You’re Beverly Hills, I’m Beverly Hillbillies.”
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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