“I can’t believe I have a friend that old,” one party person jested during Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown‘s 70th birthday celebration at his Observatory Park home on Friday.
Brown, who’s not known for standing for hours because of nagging bouts of plantar fasciitis, never strayed from his station at the front door where he warmly greeted party-goers.
This birthday bash was a who’s who of Denver’s political players and business movers and shakers. Spotted in the crowd of 200 plus were: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock; former City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth; policy maker Maria Garcia Berry; City Council candidate Roger Sherman; Westword’s Patty Calhoun; Neiman Marcus nymph Nancy Sagar; milk maid Ellen Robinson; Silver Spur marketing man Bradley Joseph; CBS4’s nose for news Brian Maass; Colorado Expression magazine owner Terry Vitale; Laramie Company’s Mary Beth Jenkins and husband, Bill; Bouquets boys BJ Dyer and Guenther Vogt; D&F Tower owner Holly Kylberg and CH2M Hill boyfriend Scott Yenzer; Mariel boutique owner Denise Snyder and husband, Brent; Diamond dude Steve Rosdal; developer Jim Sullivan; former Cherry Creek mall marketer Lisa Herzlich and a surprise appearance by the Browns’ oldest son, Cody.
Epicurean Catering did a bang-up job serving a “cowboy up” menu of chicken or sirloin sliders, sautéed veggies, mac and cheese along with frosted sugar cookies and cupcakes from Gateaux Bakery.
Charlie’s most prized gift had to be the slot machine cookie jar from Calhoun, which he proudly showed off to anyone who would listen. Happy birthday, pal o’ mine! I hope I’m a pistol when I turn the big 7-0.
Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown celebrated his 70th birthday in high cowboy style on Nov. 1 at his Observatory Park home (which is not where this photo was taken). (Denvergov.org photo)
Rio redo
“I can’t believe I drank a margarita I actually liked,” said one media member who attended a new menu and margarita tasting at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant in LoDo Tuesday.
After 27 years peddling potent house margaritas (with a three-drink maximum) that, frankly, taste like lighter fluid, The Rio has grown up.
The six-store chain, with outlets in Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Park Meadows, Steamboat Springs and one in the works for Frisco, have undergone extensive remodeling of each space along with drink and bar food menus. And from what we sampled last week, the improvements are worth a nod.
Not like The Rios need more business on Friday and Saturday nights when lines typically extend out the doors. Like many other eateries, it’s the rest of the week that could use a (tequila) shot in the arm to boost business.
“We’re known for a thing called the margarita,” joked Jason Barrett, The Rio’s CEO. “After 27 years, we wanted to look at new things to expand our brand and to stay relevant in the market place. We have served a lot of margaritas over our time, but now we are looking at what is our responsibility with our brand to move it forward.”
Based on last week’s taste and sip tests, I would definitely return to the restaurant I once avoided because of those gasoline house margs and mediocre (at best) food.
New food features include small bites or shared plates for diners who want a small nosh and a drink. Everything we tried: tropical guacamole with mango salsa, grilled pork flautas, steam and seafood empanadas and shrimp ceviche were flavorful and satisfying.
But the new cocktail menu is even better. We sampled sips of Ranch Water (El Tesoro silver, soda water and fresh lime); Paloma with Herradura Silver, soda and fresh grapefruit juice; a Skinny Marg with Patron Silver, fresh orange juice Cointreau and citrus and the Coin Margarita (our fave) with Cuervo Platino, Cointreau and fresh lime.
Check out the menus and store locations at: http://www.riograndemexican.com/.
Rio Grande margaritas got an upgrade as did the popular, six-store Mexican restaurant chain’s menu. (Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant photo)
Super powers
Susan Stiff and some super employees of the Westin Denver Downtown Hotel invited media members and past banquet services clients to the Westin SuperFoodsRX lunch Friday to sample meat, grains and produce that pack a punch.
The idea was to show potential party purchasers an alternative menu to beat the hum-drum holiday party fare.
Guests were treated to appetizers including a viscous pumpkin soup, shrimp with pico de gallo, turkey skewers and healthful fruit drinks. In the Augusta dining/meeting room, we were treated to a first course of mache lettuce and haricot bert salad with poached figs, orange, walnuts and Roquefort with apple cider Green yogurt dressing; a second course of braised beef short ribs in Pinot Noir sauce and salmon roulade with ginger beurre blanc topped with a herb and sprouts salad and seasonal vegetable and sweet potato gratin and a dessert presentation of crème brulee, assorted fruit tartlets, oatmeal and cranberry cookies, dark chocolate chips and blueberries.
We all felt satiated with super foods and less guilt over what we would eat for dinner that night. For more information on the Westin’s SuperFoods menu, call 303-572-9100.
Trolling for talent
Think you’ve got what it takes to entertain America? Then prove it.
Denver is one of only five cities hosting auditions for “America’s Got Talent 2014,” the talent show with judges Heidi Klum, Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, MelB and host Nick Cannon. Auditions are Dec. 7 at the Colorado Convention Center. Potential contestants wanting to audition should go to: http://www.americasgottalentauditions.com/.
“America’s Got Talent” airs Wednesdays on 9News.
Shots (above and below) from last year’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ auditions in Anaheim, Calif. The NBC talent show is auditioning prospective acts in Denver on Dec. 7 at the Colorado Convention Center. (Photos courtesy of America’s Got Talent/NBC)
And the screen goes on…
The 36th Starz Denver Film Festival kicks off Wednesday and runs through Nov. 17. One festival entry “Hanna Ranch” is a feature documentary about visionary cattleman Kirk Hanna and his personal struggle to protect a once prominent way of life in Colorado.
Born into a life on the family ranch, Hanna became a leader in the environmental ranching movement that set out to protect the West from the encroachment of developers and misuse. Chronologically told through family members, environmental leaders and ranch industry insiders, the story also touches on the sensitive issue of mental health.
This new film is directed by award-winning producer and director Mitch Dickman of Listen Productions, a Denver-based media production company specializing in film, video and theater. “Hanna Ranch” is produced by Karl Kister and best-selling author Eric Schlosser. Hanna Ranch is located in Fountain, just minutes from the Colorado Springs area.
Movie screenings will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House (1101 13th St.) and Nov. 13 at 2:15 p.m. at the Sie FilmCenter (2510 E. Colfax Ave.). Tickets: http://www.denverfilm.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=25862&FID=77.
Special event: “The Land That Feeds Us,” a panel discussion moderated by Daniel Asher, culinary director of Linger and Root Down restaurants, with panelists Schlosser (“Fast Food Nation,” “Food Inc.,” “Command and Control”), Chris Pague (The Nature Conservancy), Matthew Jones (Slow Food USA), Dale Lasater (Lasater Grasslands Beef) along with brunch by Linger and Root Down, beginning at noon Sunday at RedLine (2350 Arapahoe St.).
Tickets: http://www.denverfilm.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=26147&FID=77.
‘Hanna Ranch’ will be screened Saturday and Nov. 13 show at the Starz Denver Film Festival on Nov. at the Sie Film Center. (Listen Productions)
Eavesdropping on a woman talking about her husband during the Super Food luncheon at the Westin Denver Downtown Hotel: “He’s going to have to work until he’s 70 to pay off my MasterCard, if for no other reason.”
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. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.
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