Those of you who’ve been around the Denver dining scene since the 1990s might remember Michael’s, a former fine dining spot at 2710 E. Third Ave. that lasted until 2000 when chef/owner Michael Shiell sold the place and relocated to The Big Apple.

After a chef stint there, he headed to the other coast as a restaurant consultant in California. But he longed to get back to his chef self, and to again own his own restaurant. Shiell got his wish when Lime owners Curt Sims and Pam Savage decided to leave Larimer Square and set up shop in the Denver Pavilions.

Shiell leased the below-ground level space in a Larimer Square courtyard (near Bistro Vendome), and will open Milk & Honey Bar Kitchen (he hopes) in August.

“We chose the old Lime spot because … well … it’s Larimer Square, and I always love those tucked away little gems personally when I go out,” Shiell said. He was particularly attracted to the large below-ground patio, which he plans to decorate with numerous flowers and plants similar to his Bistro Vendome neighbor.

The “contemporary American” cuisine includes appetizers such as yellowfin tuna tartar, roast hen and foie gras terrine, rabbit rilette and honey-soy lacquered pork belly.

Entrée selections vary from butter-poached halibut, roast French hen, crispy duck breast and veal osso buco. Other dishes are soups and salads, an assortment of artisan cheeses and salumi, pasta and a burger.

Further West as part of the Union Station redevelopment, Zoe Ma Ma, an Asian eatery with a location in Boulder, will open in the former south parking lot on 16th and Wynkoop.

The menu features Dim Sum, noodle and rice dishes and daily specials.”We use organic unbleached wheat flour, all-natural meats, cage-free eggs and wind power,” the menu says. “We don’t use MSG.”

Check out the complete menu at www.zoemama.com.

Moving east from LoDo to Uptown, Pitch Coal-Fire Pizzeria is slated to open on 19th and Pennsylvania with another Marg’s taco joint opening across the street next month.

Marg’s World Taco Bistro, which has Denver locations in Cherry Creek North and LoDo, serves soft tacos with unusual fillings, housemade guacamole, chips and salsa. Complete menu at www.margstacobistro.com.

Pitch Coal-Fire Pizzeria, with one store in Omaha, Neb.,  is expanding into the Denver market.

Pitch is the brainchild of Willy Theisen, the founder of Godfather’s Pizza who sold the operation in 1983 for millions of dollars. But despite his gah-zillionaire status, Theisen, in his mid ’60s, has marinara sauce running through his veins and refuses to retire.

But Pitch is more than a pizza place. The menu includes steaks, pasta, fish, fowl, salads and appetizers. Check  it out at www.pitchpizzeria.com.

Rabbit rilette at the new restaurant, Milk & Honey Bar Kitchen, which chef/owner Michael Shiell hopes to open in August. Milk & Honey will be located in Larimer Square next to Bistro Vendome.

Wayment’s the winner

The only super-secret double probation award given out during the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Industry Spotlight Awards was the coveted Richard P. Ayers Award for Distinguished Service, the CRA’s highest honor.

All the other deserving award-winners had been previously announced, and were there to pick up their prize last Thursday at The Ritz-Carlton Denver.

This year’s Ayers Award went to Roland Wayment, joint venture partner in Bonefish Grill. This award, presented annually to the CRA member who has distinguished his or herself through service to the CRA,  the food service industry and the community, honors the late Dick Ayers, who exemplified distinguished service.

Wayment worked his way up in the food service industry from dishwashing at Valley Country Club to working in the kitchen at Steak and Ale, then serving 17 years at Bennigan’s before opening the Outback Restaurant in 1993 in Littleton.

In 2004, Wayment became a joint venture partner with Bonefish Grill in Westminster. He currently oversees 12 stores – five in Colorado and seven in other states.

He has been involved with the CRA since 1996, serving on the Mile High Chapter Board, the CRA Education Foundation Board of Directors and on the CRA Executive Committee. Wayment was CRA’s chairman of the board 20011-2012.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award from my friends and colleagues in this amazing industry,” Wayment said. “It has always been a distinct pleasure to work with the Colorado ProStart program. My greatest satisfaction comes from watching young people develop and go on to become great chefs and career professionals in food service.”

Spokes town

The people have “spoken” and Denver has emerged triumphant in REI’s hotly contested Cycle Town Showdown, which pitted several U.S. cities against each other in a battle to see which city was the most bike friendly.

The outcome was no surprise to anyone who has enjoyed the Mile High City’s 850 miles of paved off-road bike paths and more than 300 days of sunshine every year. Denver defeated Portland in the final round of the eight-city NCAA Tournament-style bracket. See the final bracket at www.rei.com/features/infographics/cyclingtown-showdown.html.

Visitors can experience this two-wheel paradise by using Denver B-cycle, the pioneering bike-share system. B-cycle features 56 B-stations located all over th e city. The program will increase to 86 stations by the end of 2013. More information: www.denver.bcycle.com.

Women Cook!

There are still a few tickets left for Women Cook! the all-female chef food fest from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 6 at Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape St.

Like always, this ninth annual event benefits Work Options for Women, an organization that trains displaced women to work in the food service industry.

This year’s chick chefs are:

Alex White, Jonesy’s Eat Bar; Aniedra Nichols, Elway’s Cherry Creek; Dana Rodriguez, Bistro Vendome; Elise Wiggins, Panzano; Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja, Euclid Hall and Bistro Vendome; Kathleen Kenny Davia, Gateaux; Lisa Bailey, D Bar Desserts; Mary Nguyen, Parallel Seventeen and Street Kitchen Asian Bistro; Rachel Kesley, Water Course Foods; Rasha Husseini Trujillo and Summer Polson, Project Angel Heart; Samm Sherman, Root Down and Linger; Sandra Adams, Grand Hyatt and Sheila Lucero, Jax Fish House.

Oh, and there are a couple of guys thrown into the mixing bowl. They are: Craig Dixon, Cafe Options and Jeff Koch, WOW Cafe.

Tickets are $125 each, and available at www.workoptions.org or by calling 720-944-1920.

Eavesdropping  on one woman to another at the Blue Bonnet bar talking about the start of the Rockies season: “Back when I moved to Denver, the Rockies were the hockey team. Coming from Kentucky, I didn’t know a thing about hockey, but fell totally in love with the sport – it was like Jerry Springer on ice!”

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.

The night before Tammy Cunningham announced that she was closing Strings, the 27-year-old restaurant owned and operated by her late husband, Noel Cunningham, she spoke at the Colorado Restaurant Association Industry Spotlight Awards where she gave out the Noel and Tammy Cunningham Humanitarian Award to Sharon Magness Blake.

“He’s up in heaven,” Tammy said, raising her arms skyward. “I learned many things the last year and a half (since Noel died on Dec. 1, 2011), plus how to use the f-word.”

Then she proved it by dropping f-bombs in sentences mimicking Noel’s Irish accent and turn of phrase.

But all through her speech on Thursday night in The Ritz-Carlton Denver ballroom, she never let on about the bombshell she would be dropping the next day.

Not that anyone in Denver’s close-knit restaurant community was shocked. Strings was never Tammy’s thing. She much preferred her profession as a life coach at her company Heart Intelligent (www.heartintelligent.com).

Still, a wave of wistfulness quickly swept over restaurant industry professionals and diners alike over the demise of the fine-dining restaurant that had been a fixture on 17th Avenue and Humboldt St. for more than a quarter of a century.

“The Colorado Restaurant Association is saddened by the decision to close Strings,” said Pete Meersman, president and CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association. “The restaurant is one of Denver’s jewels in our fine dining crown … Noel Cunningham was unique, to say the least. He was a gruff Irishman inside, but also a very talented chef, and he always had that wonderful twinkle in his smilin’ Irish eyes.

“He was a passionate man who fought for the things he cared about and there were so many – maybe too many – things he cared about.”

Meersman called Tammy “the softer side of that relationship. Tammy tried very hard to make the restaurant work after Noel’s death. Running a restaurant was simply not something she could do as well as Noel. Her heart wasn’t in it, especially without Noel.”

Patricia Woodin, division chief with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, sent an e-mail to Strings the day the news of its closure came out.

She retold a story of Noel’s kindness during the Columbine High School shootings when various law-enforcement agencies worked around the clock at the crime scene. In the 10 days following the initial assault, the JeffCo sheriff’s deputies spent 10 days in the school to process the scene.

They didn’t have the time or resources to feed the 30 to 40 people who were in the school each day. Several benevolent people and businesses brought food, and Strings was one of those businesses.

“One day, Strings delivered portobello mushroom sandwiches,” Woodin recalled. “…One grumpy old cop asked, ‘What are those?’ We excitedly answered that those were portobello sandwiches from Strings … we began to talk about our visits to the restaurant. We spoke of the service, the food, the wine and the wonderful experience that most of us had the pleasure to enjoy.

“There was a moment in which we forgot about our mission and why we were there in the school. For about 15 minutes, Strings and those with the kindness to understand our need, brought us joy. In the midst of turmoil, hate and unbelievable sadness, we had a moment of joy … I will never forget the kindness of Strings, its owners and its employees.”

Cool Cold Crush

Cold Crush, a restaurant, bar and lounge, is busting onto a burgeoning business scene at 2700 Larimer St. in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. The grand opening party from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. April 19 is open to the public.

The Cold Crush name is inspired by the late-’70s hip hop group Cold Crush Brothers. The restaurant-lounge is the creation of Brian Mathenge, co-owner of the Killer Shrimp Restaurant and Bar in Marina Del Rey, Calif., and three other planned locations.

Mathenge, a longtime fan of Denver’s art community, has been coming to Denver for years to visit family, and now splits his time between Colorado and Southern California.

He is opening Cold Crush as an artist’s haven, a place where artists, poets and musicians can meet, mingle and dine on locally sourced food.

“Lots of places hang and sell art on the walls, and call themselves an art bar,” Mathenge said. “Our vision is for Cold Crush to be part of the art community, to be a place where artists can hang out, eat great food, and even showcase their own work.”

Cold Crush’s management team consists of three longtime Denver residents: DJ MU$A, a local musician, DJ and producer; Cassie Stevens, a model and DJ and Eric Cunningham, general manager and art enthusiast.

Cold Crush’ fare includes a juice bar, fresh Panini sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees from lunch until late.

Cold Crush, a restaurant, bar and lounge at 2700 Larimer St., holds its grand opening party on April 19.

Celebrate good times

One of the fastest foodie fights you can get into is bringing up the subject of who’s got the best pizza. Nice way to disturb the peace.

But you can  argue until your face is the color of sauce over who has the best pie, fact is that many pizza places have come and gone over the years. Not Beau Jo’s.

Say what you will about the Mountain pies piled high with toppings and thick crust with dippin’ honey or Prairie Pies with a more traditional crust and a lighter amount of ingredients, fact is that Beau Jo’s has been putting out pies for 40 years.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Beau Jo’s Colorado Style Pizza wants to say “thank you” by offering 1973 pricing on its top five selling pizzas and by giving four winners free Beau Jo’s pizza for a year.

The five bestsellers – the three-pound hamburger or sausage combo Mountain Pie, the three-pound Dude Ranch Mountain Pie, the three-pound Pacific Plantation Mountain Pie the large L’il Italy Prairie Pie and the large Margherita Prairie Pie – will sell for $19.73 each through the end of April.

To register to win free Beau Jo’s pizza for a year, “like” the pizza place on Facebook this month at www.facebook.com/beaujos. The four winners will be randomly chosen in early May.

Chip Bair opened the first Beau Jo’s in downtown Idaho Springs on April 1, 1973 – a tiny 570-square-foot store with seating for 15 people. The Idaho Springs flagship restaurant is now more than 10,000 square feet and seats 600 diners.

Beau Jo’s has expanded to eight stores, including six owner-operated locations in Arvada, Boulder, Denver, Evergreen, Fort Collins and Idaho Springs. There are two licensed restaurants in Steamboat Springs and Rapid City, S.D. More information: www.beaujos.com.

Beast + bottle + brunch

Beast + bottle, the new “nose to tail” eatery from the brother and sister team of Paul C. Reilly and Aieleen Reilly, opened recently among much fanfare for its “farm to fork” philosophy.

All animals are butchered on site (with the exception of a steer, which is too large to handle in a small space). The restaurant opened for dinner only recently in the former Olivea and Aix space at 719 E. 17th Ave.

Last Friday, beast + bottle added brunch to the menu on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with plans to offer brunch Tuesday through Sunday in a few weeks.

beast + bottle boasts its own flock of Rhode Island Red hens, which lay organic eggs just for the restaurant. As it says on the brunch menu, “These girls are living the ‘life of Reilly’ at Cottonwood Creek Farms in Merino, in northeast Colorado.”

Most of the brunch menu offers gluten-free options. Check out the menu and make reservations at www.beastandbottle.com.

Eavesdropping on a Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel employee on Friday: “You know it’s opening day when work sends a strolling cart of popcorn, peanuts and root beer floats through the offices.”

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.

Remember when “take me out to the ball game” meant a meal of peanuts and crackerjack along with a hot dog and beer?

So imagine what a healthy home run that Aramark, Coors Field’s exclusive concessionaire, is hitting with the introduction of a sustainable garden located at Gate A of the ball field.

The Colorado Rockies and Aramark have partnered with The Institute for the Built Environment at Colorado State University and Designs by Sundown to produce the on-site garden, which will provide the concessionaire with herbs and vegetables for use in Coors Field’s Mountain Ranch Club menu and build-your-own salad station.

The design of “The Garden”, which is its official name, mimics a baseball stadium with raised beds terracing upward from The Garden’s “infield” to the outfield, to the stands. Ornamental flowers, followed by herbs, followed by vegetables will be on display for fans that pass through Gate A over the course of the Rockies’ season.

The beds will be constructed of beetle kill pinewood sourced from Morgan Timber Products of Fort Collins. The plantings will be propagated at CSU from seeds adapted to the Colorado climate.

The installation of The Garden marks a further commitment by the Rockies and Aramark to develop environmentally friendly programs in alignment with Major League Baseball’s recent green focus.

On the other side of the snack spectrum, Aramark has added plenty of indulgent items that will be offered starting with the home opener today. They are:

* Sausage on a stick – Italian, smoked cheddar, spicy Polish sausage.

* Carnitas nachos – tortilla chips smothered in green chili queso topped with pork carnitas, jalapenos, pico de gallo and sour cream.

* Smothered empanada – topped with former Bronco Mark Schlereth‘s Stinkin’ Green Chili, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream.

* Pizza nachos – fresh fried pizza dough chips topped with house-made marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, diced pepperoni and sausage.

* Rib eye sandwich – a 4-ounce rib eye served with sliced Havarti horseradish cheese, topped with onion tanglers and tangy gold barbecue sauce.

* Souvenir refillable popcorn.

Laird lands at Sarto’s

Since talented chef Brian Laird left Barolo Grill, after a 12-year stint in command of the kitchen, he bounced around Denver’s dining scene between the now-shuttered Russo’s down south to the now-shuttered RockBar on East Colfax to Sketch at 101 Broadway.

I don’t think that Laird knew what he wanted to do when he grew up. But the boy wonder (he looks younger than his years) finally has landed at a spot I think he can call home. Sarto’s, a northern Italian eatery poised to open in the fall in a vacant century-old property at the corner of Eliot and 25th Avenue, will be the centerpiece of an emerging neighborhood between Highland and Sports Authority Field.

Laird and majority owners Taylor Swallow and Kjsa Gotlin share a passion for northern Italian cuisine, which will be adapted to reflect contemporary tastes.

Laird will craft a seasonal made-from-scratch menu featuring locally sourced products, hand-selected Italian specialty items, antipasti creations, house-made pasta and wood-fired selections.

A floor-to-ceiling bar will feature custom cocktails, Italian wines and beers, as well as a handful of domestic selections. The space will seat 90 indoors and include covered patio seating outdoors.

Adjacent to the restaurant will be Sarto’s Pantry, which will offer quick bites for lunch or dinner including soups, sandwiches, salads and pizzas, plus take-home ingredients such as fresh pastas, sauces, meats and cheeses.

For more information, visit www.sartos.com or www.facebook.com/sartosdenver or follow on Twitter @sartosdenver.

Singin’ and dancin’ in Denver

“Ballroom with a Twist”, a super show coming to the Buell Theatre June 8 and 9, combines celebrity pros from “Dancing With the Stars” with “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance ” finalists.

The international dance production, with stunning costumes and performances that push the boundaries of ballroom dancing, features “Dancing With the Stars” competitors Jonathan Roberts, Anna Trebunskaya, Tristan MacManus and Chelsie Hightower. “American Idol” finalists are Gina Glocksen (season six) and Von Smith (season eight). “So You Think You Can Dance” finalists are Randi Lynn Strong, Jonathan Platero and Legacy.

“Dancing With the Stars” Emmy-nominated Louis van Amstel’s choreography brings sizzling dance moves and fancy flash to this family friendly evening.

Single tickets for “Ballroom With a Twist” start at $20. To charge by phone, call Denver Center ticket services at 303-893-4100 or buy online at www.denvercenter.org.

Good eats in Estes

If it works for Denver, why can’t it work for Estes Park?

Estes Park Restaurant Week takes place from April 12 through 25. The deal? Enjoy a three-course meal for only $20.13.

The week winds up with Taste of Estes on April 25 with area restaurants participating at the Conference Center at Rocky Mountain Park Inn.

Some participating restaurants in Estes Park Restaurant Week will offer breakfast and lunch specials or upgraded dinner packages at $30.13 or $40.14. More restaurant and menu information at http://www.dineestespark.com/Page_2.php.

Mornings with Moreno

I told you recently that CBS4 has hired Britt Moreno from KSAZ-TV in Phoenix, as Alan Gionet‘s other half on the “CBS4 Morning News” at 5 and 6 a.m. as well as on the noon news.

The news is that Moreno will make her morning debut on Monday.

“We are very pleased to have Britt join CBS4,” said news director Tim Wieland.  “She is a great journalist who connects with viewers and will be a strong addition to our talented team.”

Moreno, who is bilingual, is originally from Austin, Texas. She attended Trinity University in San Antonio, where she received degrees in communications and Spanish.  For more information, call 303-861-4444 or visit www.cbsdenver.com.

Texas native Britt Moreno will join the CBS4 morning newscast on Monday. (Photo courtesy of CBS4)

Playing footsie

This couple takes togetherness too far: John and Joanne Davidson each are sporting (not cowboy) boots on their right feet. John hurt his foot and Joanne, The Denver Post Society editor, sprained her ankle.John wass scheduled to get his boot off Thursday.

No boot-scooting boogie for Joanne and John Davidson (Photo from Joanne Davidson's Facebook page)

Eavesdropping on a woman talking about her friend’s recent mammogram: “She said when the lady asked her if she had any implants her reply was, ‘Well if I did I was robbed!'”

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.

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.

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.

Westword magazine much-anticipated “2013 Best of Denver” edition is out on newsstands, online and on a free mobile app.

This issue  – all 196 pages of it – marks the 30th year the newspaper staff has taken on the daunting task of settling on the best in shopping & services, sports & recreation, food & drink, arts & entertainment – and replacing people and places this year – Colorado Classics, representing 30 “individuals, institutions and enterprises” celebrated in each of the previous year’s publications.

Westword editor and founder Patty Calhoun chose the list of Colorado Classics, well, because she can, and she’s only one of two staff members who’s been there for all 30 “Best of” years. And since she’s a gal pal o’ mine, I wasn’t surprised by many of her picks.

Starting in 1984 with the brand new Broncos QB John Elway.

1985: My Brother’s Bar.

1986: Mayan Theatre.

1987: Benny’s Cantina.

1988: Chuck Morris.

1989: Wynkoop Brewing Company.

1990: Barry Fey.

1991: Mercury Café.

1992: Lake Steam Baths.

1993: Chubby Burger Drive Inn.

1994: “America, Why I Love Her.”

1995: Denver Central Library.

1996: Phil Bender and Pirate.

1997: Tattered Cover.

1998: Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

1999: Antique Row.

2000: El Chapultepec.

2001: Oxford Hotel.

2002: Rockmount Ranch Wear.

2003: Confluence Park.

2004: Chipotle.

2005: La Fiesta.

2006: PeaceJam.

2007: Buffalo Museum and Grave.

2008: Racines.

2009: Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

2010: 16th Street Mall.

2011: George Karl.

2012: “Mustang.”

2013: John Hickenlooper.

In most of the zillions of “Best of” items, reader’s choices are also listed. So love it or hate it, “Westword’s” annual “Best of Denver” makes a good read.

Patinkin keynote speaker at JFS Luncheon

Jewish Family Service of Colorado manages to consistently snag a super speaker for its annual JFS Executive Luncheon, and this year promises to be no exception when dynamic Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor and singer Mandy Patinkin takes the stage as the keynote speaker on April 24 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center.

Patinkin, who’s currently starring in Showtime’s hit drama series “Homeland,” has a litany of stage and screen roles on his resume. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., program starts at noon.

Tickets are $150 each at www.jewishfamilyservice.org/luncheon. All proceeds benefit the life-transforming work of Jewish Family Service, which helps more than 20,000 people of all ages, faiths and incomes every year.

Riedel’s right

Maximilian Riedel, the 11th-generation glassmaker and CEO of Riedel Crystal of America, will demonstrate why shape matters when it comes to pairing the proper glass with the right wine from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 11 at the Metro State University of Denver Hospitality Learning Center, 1190 Auraria Parkway.

Tickets are $100 for this fundraising event for the university, and includes a three-piece set of Riedel glasses valued at more than $103. Riedel has held this seminar two years in a row at Denver Food and Wine, and it sells out quickly. Register at https://events.mscd.edu/riedel.

Well-suited

Andrisen Morton, the upscale men’s wear store in Cherry Creek North whose typical customers are Denver’s well-heeled dudes, donated a custom-tailored suit to 16-year-old Moises Banuelos for his big night recently being recognized as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver’s Colorado State Youth of the Year.

Banuelos, a sophomore at Abraham Lincoln High School, has been a member of the William E. Cope branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs for 10 years. The ambitious young man plans to attend the University of Denver to study to be a FBI agent.

The suit will get a second showing when Banuelos competes in regional competition this summer.

Andrisen Morton men's clothing store donated a suit for Moises Banuelos to wear for being recognized as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver's Colorado State Youth of the Year. (Photo by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver)

Sparkle

Chris Parente, the zany Emmy Award-winning host of the “Everyday Show” on KDVR Fox-31, will emcee NightSparks from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Wellshire Event Center, 3333 S. Colorado Blvd.

The event benefits LifeSpark Cancer Resources for cancer patients through the use of Reiki and Healing Touch. The volunteer driven organization provided more than 1,000 session hours to more than 100 individuals with cancer in 2012.

The evening will include dinner, cash bar, dancing, silent and live auctions and entertainment provided by The CopperTones, a division of The Nacho Men. Doug Tisdale, mayor of Cherry Creek Hills Village, is the auctioneer.

Tickets are $75 each, $140 for two and $65 for young professionals 40 and under. More information: www.lifesparknow.org.

More than Tex Mex

Zanitas Mexican and Margaritas, a fast casual eatery that turns most perceptions of Mexican fare on its cabeza, is now open at I-25 and Hampden at the Shoppes at High Pointe.

Owners Nick Hayes and Matt Dark set out to create a “Nu Mex” menu including “toasted burritos” with chicken and bacon or mac and cheese with grilled smoked sausage and crispy fried pickle, and tacos with fried avocado or wood roasted salmon with arugula.

They also serve more traditional dishes such an enchilada, taco platter and taco salad, plus house-made salsas, pico de gallo and guacamole and fresh-lime margaritas.

More information at http://zanitasmexican.com/.

Eavesdropping on one male skier to another in the lift line on chair 4 at Vail: “I told my dad I’d never be out of shape.”

“You’re not. It’s just the shape you’re in!”

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.

If you’ve ever wanted to travel on a weight-loss journey in front of millions of folks on TV, your chance is coming up.

Eyeworks USA, the producers of the hit series, “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition,” is beginning a nationwide tour to 13 cities – including Denver – in search of participants for season four of the weekly show.

Candidates are invited to either attend an open call in one of the cities or send in a home tape.

“Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” features transformational specialist Chris Powell, author of the New York Times bestseller “Choose to Lose.” Powell documents the amazing makeover of 15 courageous “super obese” people who have 365 days to safely lose up to half their body weight.

Powell provides a fresh perspective to individuals whose lives have become unmanageable because of their weight. He guides each of the participants through a transformation process by moving into each person’s home.

The Denver open casting call takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 13 at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill, 8260 Northfield Blvd., #1370, Denver.

Information on how to apply can be found on the official casting website at www.extrememakeovercasting.com. Casting call attendees should bring a non-returnable photo.

Chris Powell, host of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." (ABC photo)

Wild about Harry

Britain’s Prince Harry will make an official visit to the United States – including Colorado Springs – in May, according to a story broadcast this week on CBS.

The prince is scheduled to be in the U.S. from May 9 through May 15 on behalf of several charities and the British government, the report said.

“The 28-year-old royal is also scheduled to attend the Warrior Games for wounded veterans in Colorado Springs and visit New York City for an event promoting community-based youth athletics,” CBS reported.

The prince also plans to visit New York City and New Jersey towns that were severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Harry’s last visit to the U.S. in May 2012 didn’t end up as a positive PR campaign after naked photos surfaced showing him with a female companion that were reportedly taken inside a VIP suite in a Las Vegas hotel.

Southern comfort

Southern Hospitality, the much-ballyhooed eatery that opened with barely a whisper recently, is a delightful and casual entrant into the downtown Denver restaurant scene.

A gal pal and I checked it out on Tuesday, and I can’t wait to bring back Mr. On the Town, a Southern-fried food freak.

The restaurant, at 1433 17th St., arrived among a plethora of press because of its New York roots with original investor, entertainment superstar Justin Timberlake, who since has sold his interest.

But the Denver location is backed by Ryan Tedder, lead singer of OneRepublic and a Colorado native. Celebrity buzz aside, we found some solid Southern comfort with the service and the fare.

Some of what we sampled were crispy buffalo shrimp, crispy fried pickles, Southern fried chicken and roasted corn. No room for the much-lauded banana pudding or “grandma’s bourbon pecan pie.”

Southern Hospitality is known for its extensive whiskey and bourbon selection, but since I don’t drink brown, I was perfectly happy with a vodka and soda.

Great place to drop into or go on the website for a reservation: www.shdenver.com. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Game day Grill grub

Vesta Dipping Grill wants to “take you out to the ballgame” (so to speak) beginning April 5 when baseball fans will have another alternative for food on the way to Coors Field.

Vesta’s Pre-Game Pop-Ups will feature Korean BBQ Rib Sandwiches ($6) and Fresh Fruit Cups ($4) sweetened with agave syrup and chili lime. Other specials may “pop-up” throughout the season as well.

The concept is the brainchild of Chef Brandon Foster, who says he wanted to “provide an alternative to traditional ballgame food on the way to Coors Field.”

Both the sandwiches and fruit cups will be available out front of Vesta, 1822 Blake St., 90 minutes before every Rockies day game, and select evening games through the 2013 season.

Check out the restaurant’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/vestagrill for additional games and specials.

Bloody good

A host of metro-area restaurants are adding Easter brunch to their menus on Sunday (check www.opentable.com for participating eateries and availability), but Trillium, the Scandinavian-influenced eatery is emphasizing an “Easter Brunch Liquid Menu,” featuring a new Bloody Mary program.

Trillium’s concoction of the classic cocktail starts with a high-quality tomato juice, shaken (not stirred) with Worcestershire, horseradish, celery salt, a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of dill and a splash of brine from Trillium’s custom cured pickles with elements of caraway, dill and horseradish.

The menu also gives the guest options to create their own Bloody Mary with house-infused bacon or horseradish Aquavit (a Scandinavian vodka-like spirit), house pickled shrimp or air-cured beef as a garnish.

These drinks will be features on all brunch menus in the future. Check out the rest of the menu and make reservations at www.trilliumdenver.com.

A Bloody Mary from Trillium restaurant. The Scandinavian-influenced restaurant is featuring an Easter Brunch Liquid Menu" for Sunday's holiday. (Penny Parker photo)

Eavesdropping on two girls at the bar at Hacienda Colorado after their workout class when one put on her hood and jokingly said: “Do I look sexy?”
“Oh yeah, like the Unibomber in pink.”

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.

As part of the National Random Acts of Life Improvement campaign, IKEA, the humongous furniture store off I-25 in Centennial, is giving away free blue-and-yellow umbrellas (while they last) from 7 to 9 a.m. today.

The umbrella give-away will occur in local high-traffic areas not in the IKEA stores. The public can follow the Centennial store on Twitter for details.

Colorado Meetings + Events magazine threw a fab party Monday night to hand out the awards for the 2013 Best Of Colorado Readers Choice award winners, selected by the readers of “Colorado Meetings + Events” magazine via online voting.

The top picks include attractions, planning companies, photographers, caterers, venues and more. As the magazine said, “We’re confident that the winners represent businesses and organizations that are defining the excellence our state is so well-known for, and we thank you for joining us to honor this elite group.”

The event (which was quite fun, and attracted a host of well-dressed young folks) took place Monday at the Denver Art Museum, catered by the awesome staff at Kevin Taylor Restaurant.

Here’s the description of the awards criteria from the Colorado Meetings + Events website: “Every single winner in the annual Readers’ Choice Best Of Award campaign is hand-picked by the meeting planners, event planners and suppliers who read Colorado Meetings + Events magazine.

“The Best Of awards are designed to honor the cream of the crop in the regional meetings and events industry. We achieve this by giving the power to determine the winners solely to the readers— every vote in each category is influential and important to determine the final winner.

“The awards are a celebration of the hard work and above-and-beyond service of suppliers who help planners be at the top of their game. Once the votes are tallied, the top nominees are notified, and the winners are kept secret until the Best Of party, then announced in a special issue of the magazine.”

This year’s distinguished readers choice winners were:

Best Attraction Denver Metro Area:

Denver Zoo (www.denverzoo.org; Denver Zoo’s fourth consecutive win).

Runners-up were Denver Art Museum, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.

Best Attraction Outside Denver Metro Area:

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs (www.cmzoo.org).

Runners-up were Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, Rocky Mountain National Park.

Best Restaurant With Meeting/Event Space:

Coohills (yes, a client, but I had no say in the matter), 1400 Wewatta (www.coohills.com).

Runners-up: Mangia Bevi Café, Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar, Restaurant Kevin Taylor.

Best Historic Venue:

McNichols Civic Center Building (www.artsandvenuesdenver.com). Totally disagree, there’s no parking!

Runners-up: The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, Mile High Station (both have parking, BTW!).

Editors choice winners were:

Best Meeting/Event Space (No Hotel) Denver Metro:

Mile High Station (www.milehighstation.com).

Most Impactful Renovation:

Westin Snowmass & Wildwood Snowmass (www.westinsnowmass.com; www.wildwoodsnowmass.com).

Best Meeting/Event Space (No Hotel) Outside Denver:

Spruce Mountain Ranch (www.sprucemountainranch.com).

Best Hotel or Resort with Meeting/Event Space in Denver Metro:

Denver Marriott City Center (www.marriott.com).

Best Hotel or Resort with Meeting/Event Space Outside Denver Metro:

The Broadmoor (www.broadmoor.com).

Under-the-Radar Ranch:

Smith Fork Ranch (www.smithforkranch.com).

Best Meeting/Event Planning Company:

Convention Designs (www.conventiondesigns.com).

Best Destination Management Company:

Convention Designs (www.conventiondesigns.com).

Best Destination Marketing Organization in Town/Area 25,000+ Population:

Visit Denver (www.visitdenver.org).

Best Destination Marketing Organization in Town/Area Less than 25,000 Population:

Vail Valley Partnership (www.vailvalleypartnership.com).

Best Memorable Campaign:

The Brown Palace’s “It All Starts Here” (www.brownpalace.com).

Best Audio-Visual/Visual Presentation:

J&S Audio Visual (www.jsav.com).

Best Photographer/Videographer:

All Digital Photo & Video (www.alldigitalphotoandvideo.com).

Best Caterer Denver Metro:

Footers Catering (www.footerscatering.com).

Best Caterer Outside Denver Metro:

Taste of the Wild (www.cmzoo.org).

Best Entertainment (Performer or Talent Agency):

Talent West (www.talentwest.com).

Best Event Décor/Florist:

DesignWorks (www.denverdesignworks.com).

Best Rental Service Provider:

Event Rents (www.eventrents.net).

Best Transportation:

Presidential Worldwide Transportation (www.presidentiallimo.com).

Unique Activity:

Classical Music Raft Trips (www.dvorakexpeditions.com).

Coohills restaurant owners Tom and Diane Coohills show off their honor for best restaurant with meeting/event space at Monday's Colorado Meetings + Events magazines awards ceremony.

More honors

The Business Journals (the company that owns the Denver Business Journal) rated 102 metro areas with a population of 500,000 or more in the U.S. and Denver ranks ninth of the nation’s best places for young adults. The Business Journals’ G. Scott Thomas gave the rankings in his “On Numbers” blog, ranking Austin, Texas at the top. See more at http://denv.co/16WnBVN.

Fore!

Hey, golfers: DineOut Colorado’s Restaurant Hound is producing a restaurant guide for golfers who bring their greens-fee receipts to local restaurants for exclusive Facebook specials. To learn more, “like” DineOut Colorado’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dineoutcolorado. As a golfer, this sounds like a great idea!

Blush!

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is the new musical that brings all the naughty fun of the best-selling book “Fifty Shades of Grey” to life with sexy and fun musical comedy performances from a hunky leading man plus lots of surprises.

The Paramount Theatre shows are at 7:30 p.m. April 4, and at 8 p.m. April 5 and 6. Plus,  a performance was added at 3 p.m. April 6. Tickets are $45 and on sale by calling 303-534-6773. For more information about the show, visit www.spankshow.com.

Goodwill hunting

Goodwill Industries of Denver will open its newest retail store at 3100 S. Sheridan Blvd., in Denver’s Bear Valley Neighborhood, at 8 a.m. May 25.

The 24,000-square-foot building will contain a retail store, donation drop-off area and Goodwill’s newest Career Connection Center.

In addition to the 35 new jobs Goodwill plans to create to staff the store, the Career Connection Center will serve as a free career resource for anyone seeking job skills or career support.

The center will host classes on how to write a resume, dressing for an interview an other tools needed to gain employment. People will have free access to computers to search for jobs, research companies, work on resumes and answer professional e-mails.

On the May 25 opening, Goodwill will host a celebration for the community which will include a 50 percent off sale on nearly everything in the store.

Regular store hours will be 9 am. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. More information at www.goodwilldenver.org.

Eavesdropping on 9News’ Amelia Earhart to her colleague: “Proud to say that this morning, I informed Texas native Belen De Leon what the Glendale Ballet is.”

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.