If Steve Cominsky’s hunch is right, there’s a “very good chance” that movie and music star Justin Timberlake could show up for the opening of Colorado’s first Southern Hospitality Restaurant & Bar at 1433 17th St.
Timberlake, who along with two partners created the New York-based barbecue and Southern food eatery, no longer has a financial stake in the restaurant, but “still aligns himself with the brand,” said Cominsky, chief operating officer of Southern Hospitality Franchisee Holding Corporation, which owns the exclusive franchise rights to expand the brand. “He’s a big suppporter of us.”
One rising music star who will definitely be around for the late January opening is Colorado Springs native Ryan Tedder, lead singer of the band OneRepublic, who remains an investor.
“Ryan lives in town and has a studio in Denver,” Cominsky said. “He’ll be around the restaurant for the first couple of weeks.”
Cominsky and his team have the franchise rights to open 30 Southern Hospitalitys throughout the country. The Denver restaurant will open for dinner only to start with plans to add lunch by early February.
The menu includes Memphis-style barbecue, dry-rubbed spare ribs, sweet and saucy baby-back ribs, crispy fried pickles and creamy cheddar grits. The bar list includes a selection of micro-brews on tap, an extensive list of bottled beers and a variety of bourbons.
For more information, go to www.shdcrestaurants.com.
Game of Giving
With the Broncos clinching the AFC West title, and the team’s sound drubbing of the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, there’s a chance Denver’s team will be New Orleans-bound in February.
Since we can’t all make it to NOLA for the festivities, you can celebrate in town during the second annual Game of Giving fundraiser at Casselman’s Bar & Venue, 2620 Walnut St., on Feb. 3.
The annual Super Bowl watching party benefits Metro Volunteers, Families First and Florence Crittenton Services of Colorado Parent & Child Foundation.
Tickets are $25 for admission, a food buffet (from Elway’s, Jason’s Deli, Y.Lo Catering and Garbanzo’s), free beer and one prize drawing ticket to win items including restaurant gift cards, signed sporting goods, event tickets and more.
Tickets: www.casselmans.com.
Panzano adds space
Panzano restaurant inside The Hotel Monaco at 909 17th St. has added 415 square feet of private dining space adjacent to the bar.
The room, dubbed Toscana, features an expansive view of Champa Street through a large glass window wall opposite a wine wall that holds 450 bottles from the restaurant’s award-winning wine list.
“We’re excited to expand our offerings and create this unique space for our guests,” said Panzano General Manager Josh Mayo. “The street view from this new room makes it a great addition to our private dining spaces.”
The new space will seat 20 guests for a seated dinner at counter-high tables and chairs. Up to 40 guests can use the space “reception style” for cocktails and appetizers. The new room is equipped with a 52-inch high definition flat screen TV designed for professional presentations.
Executive Chef Elise Wiggins will be available for events in this new venue. When Toscana is not reserved for private events, Panzano’s happy hour will expand into the new room.
More information at www.panzano-denver.com.
Grand Old Party
Grand Hyatt Denver Downtown, 1750 Welton St., and MIX 100 FM present Denver’s Grandest New Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31.
Enjoy open bar with premium pour, admission to four areas of entertainment, buffet dinner, party hats and favors and balloon drops. Featuring entertainment by The Nacho Men, Denver’s best dueling piano bar, a premier dance party and casino night.
While overnight packages at Grand Hyatt Denver are sold out, party only tickets are availabe for $139 per person. (Price does not include tax. Guests must be 21 years of age to attend the party.)
Tickets: https://www.blacktie-colorado.com/calendar/event-detail.cfm?id=24584.
Bonanno breaks out New Year’s Eve menus
All of the Bonanno Concepts restaurants, owned by Chef Frank Bonanno, will be open New Year’s Eve with some serving special menus to celebrate the birth of 2013.
Mizuna and Luca d’Italia at Seventh and Grant will serve chef’s tasting menus with optional wine pairings. At Luca, Executive Chef Hunter Pritchett has created a seven-course menu. At Mizuna, Chef Stephen McCary will orchestrate a stunning six-course prix fixe menu.
Osteria Marco on Larimer Square will serve a three-course prix fixe menu from Executive Chef Burton Koelliker. Across Larimer, cocktail enthusiasts looking for a snazzy spot with live music are invited to Green Russell, which will host the Scott Grove Quartet for the evening.
Reservations are highly recommended at each restaurant: www.mizunadenver.com, www.lucadenver.com; www.osteriamarco.com and www.greenrusselldenver.com.
“Kenton Claus”
My Blacktie boss Kenton Kuhn is generously giving me the day off on Christmas, so I won’t be writing a Wednesday column.
I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday! My column will return on Friday.
Eavesdropping on Santa: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
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