Penny Parker On The Town: Swoozie’s celebrates its one-year anniversary in good style with giving back

Any of you who missed the Swoozie’s first anniversary party, missed a freaking good time!

Not only did Swoozie’s, the darling gift store at Sixth and Fillmore, throw a great party, but Three Tomatoes Catering did a great job, plus Jay’s Valet parked a gahzillion cars and put a million toothpicks into everyone’s auto.

On top of all that, we raised money for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Excelsior Youth Center, Cancer League of Colorado and Women With a Cause. (Yes, I personally spent way too much money with the 20 percent discount plus the charity contribution!).

So, thank you Kelly Plank-Dworkin, founder of Swoozie’s, and to the Gart brothers, who now own the company, for putting your faith in us to throw you an awesome party. We had a great time, as I hope all of our attendees did as well.

Thanks to Ryan at Butler Rents, and Mr. B’s Wine and Liquors for contributing, plus Karen at Three Tomatoes for all the deliciousness, and to Jay at Jay’s Valet for all their hard work. Love to all!

Plus a big hug to Guenther and BJ at Bouquets for flower arrangements more beautiful than we ever expected!

Urban Almanac

Erica McNeish and Laurie Smith are both food lovers and food “professionals,” having worked as a food stylist and food photographer.

The pair have recently announced the launch of “The Urban Almanac” at www.theurbanalmanac.com.  The website  offers a seasonal online guide that features the bounty of food, drink and artisanal  products that come solely from Colorado.

“The idea is to bring Coloradans great stories about passionate, local and sometimes unknown purveyors. Through blogging about these artisans, we get to do what we love most: discover what is happening locally, document their stories with photographs, develop recipes with their products, and do what we can to spread the good word,” said Smith.

The Urban Almanac includes feature stories and recipes for breakfasts, lunches, desserts and main courses, hot drinks, cold drinks, cocktails and much more all featuring Colorado products.

It provides “foodies” with a unique resource for tracking and tasting local flavors.

McNeish has been a food lover her entire life and made a career of it as a freelance food stylist. She has styled 10 cookbooks (including two award winners) and her work has been featured in magazines including Gourmet, 5280, Sunset and Cowboys and Indians.

Smith is a freelance photographer, specializing in the world of food and travel. She has photographed and documented food stories around the globe, and her photos have been published in 35 cookbooks and national food magazines, such as Savor, Food and Wine, Sunset, 5280 and Cowboys and Indians.

“We’re excited to be able to express our passion for the food, farmers and foragers of the front range!,” said McNeish.

Vesta is besta

Why be limited to $52.80, asks Vesta Dipping Grill at 1822 Blake St.? During Denver Restaurant Week, which runs thorough March 8, for select dates, Vesta will let guests create their own $52.80 menu (for two) off of Vesta’s regular menu dinner menu if you make your reservation after 9:30 p.m.

Diners can choose any appetizer, entree and dessert for $26.40 per person.  So go ahead and order such signature entrees as Ponzu shrimp, Madras grilled venison and sticky toffee pudding, all for $26.40 (a huge discount from the regular value of $53.).

Reservations for this offer will be limited to after 9:30 p.m. on select dates during Denver Restaurant Week.

Call Vesta at 303-296-1970 and mention the promo code: “Vestal Virgins.” Limited to five tables per night. Max table size is six guests and the open dates are March 4, March 4 and March 6.

Simon says: Eat at 1515

Kerry Simon (aka the Rock-n-Roll Chef and owner-chef of four restaurants in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J.)  could eat anywhere he wanted when he came to Denver, but Gene and Paula Tang were so honored that he chose to join them for dinner recently at 1515 on Market Street.

“We had a wonderful time serving him and were thrilled that he seemed to savor every bite of Chef Garren Teich’s fare”, Tang said.

Kerry Simon, aka the "Rock 'n Roll" chef, joined Gene and Paula Tang for dinner at their restaurant, 1515, in Lower Downtown recently.

Ace is the place

Who doesn’t love a snow day? (me!). Memories of skiing, riding, lunch on the slopes, drinks in the lodge and of course the gear! (yuck!).

The next time it snows three or more inches, Ace at 501 E. 17th Ave., Denver, 80203, is hosting its own Snow Day Party. Show up in your own retro one-piece snowsuit or favorite snow gear, and enjoy food and drink specials, fire pit, music and ping pong on the outdoor patio.

The party will go from 3 to 7 p.m. the day after every big snow.

Prizes for the best snowsuit and the best homemade hat will be given Since these parties are all dependent on Mother Nature, the invites will be impromptu, so keep an eye on Ace’s website at www.acedenver.com.

Eavesdropping at a library on a kid to his mom: “Why do I have to go to the library? All they have there is books!

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.