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Did you hear that I have a 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.

While Google searching stories about Nishantha “Nish” de Gruiter, the Sri Lankan-born head of Suitsupply U.S., I caught a theme emerging among his photos.

“Do you have something against socks?” I asked the admitted “metrosexual” about his missing ankle wear. De Gruiter burst out laughing, then offered to send me a “selfie” photo showing off his hiking boots and woolen socks he donned during a snowy Denver day on Thursday.

Sure enough, the evidence was clear. However, by the time of the opening party later that night, de Gruiter and the sales staff at the new store at the corner of Detroit Street and East Third Avenue were indeed sockless. And the store sells socks, so go figure.

But the shop, which opened on Friday, centers its inventory on European-styled menswear with in-store tailoring on the spot. After opening more than 40 stores worldwide with notable U.S. sites in big-city cities of New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., Suitsupply opted to add Denver to its arsenal with a 7,000-square-foot space.

“I was looking at on-line sales last year and saw a lot of (brands) being shipped out to Denver, especially to the Cherry Creek area,” de Gruiter said. “I went to Denver two weeks later and was sitting in the bar at Second Home (inside the JW Marriott), and saw a guy wearing our suit. I told him, ‘I like your suit, where’d you get it?’ He said, ‘At this company called Suitsupply.’ He was raving as if he were a spokesman for the company.”

De Gruiter said he was further encouraged by the number of nice dressing Denver dudes he’s seen around town. “Also with the mix of international retailers opening their doors here, we’re here in the right time in Denver,” he said.

The average price for a Suitsupply suit is $469 to $569, de Gruiter said. The vertically integrated company buys directly from high-end mills in Italy, which cuts out the middle man wholesaler and pushes down prices.

The company was founded in Amsterdam by Fokke de Jong. “The men of Denver are just as hungry for impeccable fits, the finest fabrics and smart details,” de Jong said. “Guys in Denver know that whether they’re skiing, snowboarding or mountain biking, it’s essential to have the right gear. The same is true at the office or for a night on the town – and that’s where we come in.”

For more information, go to www.suitsupply.com.

Nishantha “Nish” de Gruiter, head of Suitsupply U.S., shoots a “selfie” inside the new Cherry Creek store to prove that sometimes he does wear socks. (Suitsupply Photo)

Bryan Moscatello returns to The Little Nell in Aspen on Dec. 2 as executive chef. Moscatello served in that position from 1992 to 2000, and has since worked at a variety of restaurants around the country.

Moscatello most recently has been the chef/partner at Storefront Company in Chicago, where he earned three stars from the Chicago Tribune. He was the executive chef/general manager at Bistro Toujours, Levy Restaurants in Deer Valley; executive chef/managing partner at Adega Partners in Denver; executive chef at Stir Food Group in Washington, D.C., and culinary director with Tenzing Wine & Spirits in Chicago. He was recognized by Food & Wine magazine as one of America’s 10 Best New Chefs in 2003.

“Coming back to Aspen is like coming home,” Moscatello said. “I’ve returned to Aspen over the years for snowboarding trips and events like the Food & Wine Classic, but there has always been this desire to find my way back.”

Denverites may best remember Moscatello as the opening chef for the much-lauded Adega at 1700 Wynkoop, now occupied by Venice Ristorante.

Little Nell general manager Simon Chen, who himself returned to the property this year after nearly 20 years away, said he is excited to offer guests the next iteration of dining at the hotel.

According to the hotel’s website, “Bryan’s style of cooking is really the alpine mountain cuisine that put Aspen on the map,” Chen said. “He will continue to promote our farm-to-table ethos and devotion to great local products, but what guests should expect to see is a heartier approach to food with deeper flavors and sustenance.”

Moscatello looks forward to working with the hotel’s team of dedicated chefs and cooking dishes like Colorado lamb with charred local onion, sautéed kale and Yukon gold gnocchi with wild chanterelle mushrooms.

He also looks forward to getting back into Colorado’s famous healthy lifestyle.

“I was so much healthier when I lived in Aspen,” he said. “I can’t wait to start snowboarding and mountain biking again.”

Moscatello replaces Robert McCormick.

Bryan Moscatello is returning to Colorado and The Little Nell in Aspen. (Twitter.com photo)

For more than 50 years, The Oxford Hotel Dolls’ Tea Party has been one of Denver’s holiday traditions. Experience this joyful winter celebration this year on Sunday (Dec. 1) at LoDo’s historic boutique hotel.

The Oxford Dolls’ Tea Party, in the hotel at 17th and Wazee, is a classic tea, with hot cocoa, tea sandwiches and assorted sweets. The highlight of the Dolls’ Tea Party is a ballet performance designed especially for children, who will have an opportunity to meet the ballerinas and take photos with them.

Two seatings are available at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Each child will take home a teddy bear apron and a cookie cutter.

Dolls’ Tea tickets are $28 for children and $48 for adults.  To make your reservation, e-mail reservations@theoxfordhotel.com or leave a voicemail at 303-628-5482 with your name, preferred seating, number of adults and children and phone number.  You will be contacted for payment to guarantee your reservation.

In the spirit of the holiday season, The Oxford is asking each family in attendance to bring a new teddy bear to donate to the patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

If your little one wants to get “dolled up” for the special event, The Oxford Club Spa & Salon has created a special Dolls’ Tea Mommy & Me Spa Package. Priced at just $128 for two people – including gratuity – the offer includes: shampoos and styling for two people and two classic Oxford manicures. Additional children may be added for $64 each.

To book an Oxford Club, Spa & Salon visit, call 303-628-5435 or visit www.oxfordclubspa.com.

Mark Ferguson, formerly of Spago in Vail and Las Vegas, and his wife, Andrea, will be opening Solitaire restaurant next spring in the building that housed Highland’s Garden Café, 3927 W. 32nd Ave., for nearly two decades.

Posted on the website www.solitairerestaurant.com: “Everyone will miss the beautiful gardens, fresh food, Sunday brunches, and holiday cheer of Pat Perry and The Highland’s Garden Café, but Ferguson has great plans for the much-loved space. The gardens are already being tended, the house is being painted, and the interior is being reconfigured with a brand-new bar.

“After 16 years in Las Vegas and five years in Vail, Ferguson has returned home to Denver and is excited to be opening a place of his very own. Soltaire’s world cuisine and comfy bar should be a very welcome addition to the West Highland’s community.”

Highland’s Garden Cafe closed in August.

(Solitairerestaurant.com photo)

If you were at the Brown Palace Hotel around 11 a.m. Wednesday, you could have had high tea by candlelight while the venerable John Kite remained at his post at the piano. I’m told this is the first time the 121-year-old hotel has had a power outage with the exception of a citywide blackout.

According to one of my pals who was lunching at Ellyngton’s when the power failed, “The Brown did a great job. No power but the service never stopped. Took us back in time. No wonder they are the best!”

Said Brown Palace managing director Marcel Pitton, “We had to replace a 500-amp circuit breaker which required to shut down the power for a few hours.”

Seen on a sign at Ink! Coffee in Aspen: “The second most preferred stimulant of Aspen.”

Facebook response: “Every day is a powder day in Aspen.”

Eavesdropping on a woman watching former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe wearing a dark blue tie with a light blue shirt and a plaid jacket with a blue stripe on “The NFL Today”: “Shannon’s sharp!”

We love our advertisers; they are what keeps this column running. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com or call her at 720-985-6947 . And be sure to click on each ad to read more.

Did you hear that I have a 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.