Jesse Morreale, owner of the beleaguered El Diablo restaurant at First and Broadway that was temporarily shut down by Denver, is crossways with the city again.

This time the Department of Excise and Licenses is investigating RockBar, Morreale’s ’70s joint at 3015 E. Colfax Ave., for allegedly operating an outdoor patio “in violation of its temporary modification permit issued in September 2011, and in violation of its February 2011 Stipulation regarding the suspension of its hotel and restaurant liquor license for the unlawful sale of an alcohol beverage to an underage person,” according to the Third Amended Order for Hearing.

The hearing on the renewal of RockBar’s dance cabaret license is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Department of Excise and Licenses, Dept. 206, 201 W. Colfax Ave.

Morreale, who’s already embroiled in a air max thea femmes fierce fight with the city over its allegations that his historic First Avenue Hotel building is unsafe (which forced El Diablo, the restaurant in the building, to close for two weeks), questions the coincidental timing of his latest dust-up with a City agency.

Tom Downey, director of Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses, burst out laughing when I told him of Morreale’s assertion that he was not notified prior to the Third Amended Order for Hearing that he was in violation of his liquor license.

Downey said that RockBar had a temporary modification to its liquor license, which expired on Feb. 5, 2012 — a date that was chosen by Morreale – and that RockBar continued to serve liquor on the patio past that date.

“We didn’t send out the police and arrest them for serving on the patio without a license,” Downey said. “We let them know through our inspectors and others that they were in violation.”

Also in the messy mix is an alleged violation filed by the Americans With Disabilities Act over accessibility to the RockBar patio, Downey said. The timing of Morreale’s RockBar problems with the city and his troubles at First and Broadway are unrelated, Downey said.

“I have received no requests nor nods and winks from anyone in the city,” he said. “The complaints we received about all of this was from the neighborhood associations. We did not initiate this renewal hearing by request from anyone in the city. This is happening because the neighborhood association is quite upset by the actions of the RockBar.”

For Morreale’s part, he says he is mystified by excise and licenses’ order for a hearing.

“The only times we ever used the patio was when the patio was licensed,” he insisted. “We have no violations, we have no accused violations. There is some very questionable and suspect timing happening with all this stuff. We’ve (received) no real justification or explanation, it doesn’t make any sense.”

As they say, stay tuned.

Charlie Palmer closing Denver restaurants

On Aug. 31, the Charlie Palmer Group will close Charlie Palmer’s District Tavern and Wazee Wood Fire Pizza in the old Il Fornaio space on Wazee, its sole project in the Denver area.

“It was our intention to settle in and become part of LoDo, and, while we were unable maintain the volume needed to remain open, one thing we know for sure: It’s a great neighborhood in a great city and we enjoyed the time we spent there,” Palmer said in a statement. “At this time, I’d also like to publicly thank our local employees for their great service, particularly the invaluable part they played during the recent changes that garnered praise for their performance as well as the food including our ‘best pizza’ win.

“We appreciate those who have embraced and welcomed us to the community from the start and invite you to come in and bid adieu during our last few days.”

Bites bits

The surprise stand-out during LoDo Bites, the strolling, sipping air yeezy 2 and snacking event held among 26 restaurants on Tuesday, was Chloe, the nightclub-restaurant inside the old Ruth’s Chris space on 14th and Market.

The Francois Safieddine-owned lounge, which is known more for its drinking and dancing than dining, knocked it out of the park with the variety of fine fare it offered to LoDo Bites participants. Chloe, in fact, became the big buzz around town among those of use wearing green wristbands.

The menu listed in the LoDo Bites program was enticing enough — albondigas, lamb sliders, garlic shrimp, chicken shawarma and watermelon margaritas — but when the kitchen couldn’t keep up with the demand for those items, it started improvising with bruschetta, beef and shrimp skewers and more.

Other noshes worth noting: The slightly sweet french fries at Bistro Vendome, the strawberry gazpacho shooters at 1515 Restaurant, and the chilled corn soup with lobster caviar at Charlie Palmer’s District Tavern (who knew it would announce its closing two days later).

Artful burgers

Red Robin’s Burger Works on the 16th Street Mall is hosting Chadwick, an acclaimed live performance artist, from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the restaurant (16th and California streets).

The event will include food (for purchase), music and a live painting performance of an iconic Denver scene by Chadwick using his signature tribal/urban style. The resulting painting will become the central piece of artwork for the 16th Street Mall restaurant.

Eavesdropping on a woman who called her friend to thank her for persuading her to refinance her house and save several hundred dollars a month:  “With the money I’m saving, I can hire a pool boy.  Oh, that’s right, I don’t have a pool.”

“But you can still hire the pool boy!”

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, owner of the beleaguered El Diablo restaurant at First and Broadway that was temporarily shut down by the City of Denver, is crossways with the city again.

This time the Department of Excise and Licenses is investigating RockBar, Morreale’s ’70s joint at 3015 E. Colfax Ave. for allegedly operating an outdoor patio “in violation of its temporary modification permit issued in September 2011, and in violation of its February 2011 Stipluation regarding the suspension of its hotel and restaurant liquor license for the unlawful sale of an alcohol beverage to an underage person,” according to the Second Amended Order for Hearing.

The hearing on the renewal of RockBar’s dance cabaret license is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Department of Excise and Licenses, Dept. 206, 201 W. Colfax Ave.

Morreale couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

On Aug. 31, the Charlie Palmer Group will close Charlie Palmer’s District Tavern and Wazee Wood Fire Pizza in the old Il Fornaio space on Wazee, its sole project in the Denver area.

“It was our intention to settle in and become part of LoDo, and, while we were unable maintain the volume needed to remain open, one thing we know for sure: it’s a great neighborhood in a great city and we enjoyed the time we spent there,” Palmer said in a statement. “At this time, I’d also like to publicly thank our local employees for their great service, particularly the invaluable part they played during the recent changes that garnered praise for their performance as well as the food including our ‘best pizza’ win.

“We appreciate those who have embraced and welcomed us to the community from the start and invite you to come in and bid adieu during our last few days.”

Jump on the bus, Gus and get a mini mani, Frannie when TV Guide Network’s Nail Files mobile spa rolls into the Mile High City Friday through Sunday.

The nail salon on wheels is rolling into town as part of a promotional effort for the second season of the reality series Nail Files airing at 7 p.m. our time Sundays on the TV Guide Network.

“We’ve recreated my salon on a bigger type of food truck,” said Katie Cazorla, owner of The Painted Nail in Los Angeles, a celebrity hot spot for mani/pedis. “Come by, say hello, get some free goodies like files, remover wraps, free mini mani and watch clips of the show.”

The beauty bus will be stationed at the 16th Street Mall and Lawrence from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

It was a ring thing

When comedian Phyllis Diller died on Monday, Chris Wiger, director of marketing and public relations at the Lone Tree Arts Center, air yeezy 2 femmes was moved to tell a story about the friendship he formed with Diller during Wiger’s days at Disney World. He posted this on his Facebook page:

“So sad today to hear of the passing of my friend Phyllis Diller. I hosted Phyllis on her five trips to Walt Disney World. She was one of my favorite celebrities, always made me laugh and wasn’t the least bit mad at me when I forgot I had the diamond she’s wearing in this photo, valued at $2 million, in my pocket. She had to put her hands in cement for a Chinese Theatre ceremony and handed me the ring…I almost fainted.

“I took her back to her hotel suite, returned to my office, reached into my pocket and there it was. When I asked her about her plastic surgeries she said the only thing that worried her was that when she arrived in heaven God would not recognize her. I’m sure God, Bob Hope and so many others welcomed her to heaven with a standing ovation.”

Good gift

Big DCPA backer Roger Hutson had a surprise in tow for Book of Mormon authors and Coloradans Matt Stone and Trey Parker, which he presented during the cast party after opening night Sunday.

Stone and Parker, the creators of the adult cartoon South Park, threw the opening night party for the cast and Denver VIPs in the Seawell Ballroom.

“Matt Stone and Trey Parker always said the Casa Bonita South Park episode was one of their favorites, so I brought them their own Case Bonita dive team T-shirts as a welcome home and thanks for premiering their (road) show in Denver,” Hutson said. “They absolutely loved them. They had been to Casa Bonita just the week before as part of a South Park convention that was in town.”

Book of Mormon, the Broadway smash hit, launched its U.S. tour in Denver, but you’re on your own for snagging tickets. The show was a sell-out the first day tickets went on sale.

If you’re Dave, you’re famous

Men (or women, for that matter) named Dave, David, or Davey are invited to eat free entrees at all Colorado Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que restaurants Sunday during the fourth annual Dave’s Day.

You just need to show a valid ID with the first name of Dave or a derivation of the name. Anyone showing a valid ID with the middle name of Dave, David or Davey will receive an entree for half price. Sorry, last names don’t count.

Dave’s Day is in honor of the founder, “Famous Dave” Anderson, and this one-day event has been brought back due to its success in spreading the story of Famous Dave and in generating enthusiasm among local communities. This annual celebration is held to honor the living breathing founder of the barbecue chain.

“Our restaurants observe some unusual behavior on this special day, such as babies named Dave showing up for free BBQ, guests who proclaim they are going to change their name to Dave, and multiple generations of Daves using our celebration as a celebrations for their families,” said Dallas Massey, director of marketing for the Famous Dave’s in Colorado. “This even gives us an opportunity to show our guests what we do best – being Famous.”

For Colorado Famous Dave’s locations and more information, go to www.legendarybbq.com or for the official Dave’s Day video, go to www.facebook.com/famousdavescolorado.

Bar stars

Elway’s at The Ritz-Carlton has expanded its bar menu to give us more reasons to hang out in that beautiful and bustling bar (not to mention the free valet).

New menu items include: Elway’s green chili dog; Elway’s signature pretzel; Colorado cheese plate; duo of slider;, Wagyu patty melt; nosh sampler with Elway’s snack mix, corn nuts, free run 3.0 v2 femmes Tuscan olive blend and bacon caramel corn and warm spinach and crab dip. Put me in coach!

Eavesdropping on a Twitter post about Missouri Congressman Todd Akin’s outrageous comment about rape victims: “It’s the Show-Me state, not the Show-Me-U-Are-an-Idiot state!”

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.

Want a hunk of a historical hoax?

Aurora store owner Michael Fruitman, who famously won the infamously balloon boy’s mylar saucer in auction, made a deal with the Topps company to plaster pieces of the balloon onto trading cards. The balloon boy swatch cards are randomly inserted into packs of trading cards sold at Mike’s Stadium Sportscards, 4022 S. Parker Road.

The balloon boy hoax took flight in 2009 when Fort Collins father Richard Heene purported that his 6-year-old son accidentally set sail in the saucer. The child, however, free run 3.0 v3 femmes was found hiding on solid ground. Heene and his wife, Mayumi, were ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution.

Fruitman paid $2,502 for the balloon, which he displayed in his store until he decided to take it to a new level.

“I never thought I had bought the Mona Lisa here,” Fruitman told me. “It is an interesting piece of Colorado history and rather than keeping it intact, I thought it would be more fun to let people get a piece of it out of a pack of cards the same way they can pull a card with a piece of John Elway’s or Todd Helton’s jersey on it.”

Packs of Topps Allen & Ginter trading cards are $4 to $5 at Fruitman’s store.

Ritz is a hit

For the third year in a row, The Ritz-Carlton has been named the top-ranking hotel company for guest satisfaction in the luxury segment of the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index.

The company achieved its highest score ever with an overall score of 864 on a scale of 1,000 – a six-point increase from 2011. The Ritz was the leader in every category with a perfect five out of five ranking in overall satisfaction as well as in subcategories such as reservations, check-in and check-out, guest room, food and beverage and hotel facilities.

In “opinion of staff,” a new segment introduced this year, The Ritz-Carlton had the highest rating with 80 percent of customers saying they had a “high opinion of the staff.”

Art for Angel Heart

Project Angel Heart’s 11th annual Art for Life, an event with food, cocktails, wine and fine art, takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at Abend Gallery, 2260 E. Colfax.

Guests will have the opportunity to view and bid on the works of more than 80 local and internationally recognized artists who have donated work in support of Project Angel Heart, a charity that delivers free meals to people with life-threatening illnesses.

To view some of the pieces available at this year’s auction, go to www.projectangelheart.org. For tickets, go to www.blacktie-colorado.com/calendar/event-detail.cfm?id=23771.

Top chef

Rich Byers has been promoted from sous chef to executive chef at The Corner Office Restaurant + Martini Bar inside the Curtis Hotel on the corner of 14th and Curtis streets.

Byers’ background includes stints at Olives Restaurant in Aspen, Oskar Blues in Lyons, St. Julien Hotel in Boulder and in the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

A native of Long Island, N.Y., Byers studied at The Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, N.Y. When he’s not cooking, Byers enjoys Colorado’s Rocky Mountains by skiing, mountain biking and camping. More Corner Office info at www.facebook.com/TheCornerOfficeDenver.

Curtis continued

In more Curtis Hotel news, JoAnn Elston, otherwise known as “Leading Lady,” has been promoted to general manager of The Curtis – a Doubletree by Hilton, Denver’s only pop culture-themed hotel.

With more than 18 years of hospitality experience, Elston was most recently the area director of sales and marketing for Sage Hospitality’s Premier & Lifestyle Division overseeing the Curtis, free run 3.0 v4 the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek and The Oxford Hotel.

Elston’s resume includes positions at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, The Paramount Hotel in New York and the Wyndham Bristol Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Eavesdropping on two women: “I finally started going back to the gym.”

“What motivated you?”

“My spare tire would fit an 18-wheeler.”

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.