Jennifer “Jen” Wiard, longtime Elway’s Cherry Creek director of sales (and wife of Elway’s culinary director Tyler Wiard), was just named general manager of Elway’s Cherry Creek by Tim Schmidt, co-owner of the restaurant along with Broncos great and Hall of Famer John Elway.
Yay, Jen! You go!
Four Seasons Hotel Denver announced recently that Jim Guttau (pronounced as in Utah) has been named its director of public relations, replacing the fabulous Dana Berry, who was recently appointed director of public relations at the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.
“I have seen Denver grow into a world-class city in my 10 years here, and downtown Denver is flourishing,” Guttau said. “With Four Seasons as the iconic tower in the heart of it all, I am thrilled for this new opportunity and aim to elevate our visibility in the city.”
Guttau returns to Four Seasons, as he was previously director of public relations for Four Seasons Resort Vail. He was instrumental in the rebranding of its signature restaurant, Flame, and increasing the property’s involvement in the Vail community, such as the Vail Valley Foundation.
Prior to Four Seasons, he owned and operated Guttau PR, a boutique firm specializing in nonprofits, hospitality and lifestyle clients.In eight years, Guttau and his firm received several awards, including ones from the National School Public Relations Association and the National Kidney Foundation.
An active member of the community, Guttau is a past president of Denver Art Museum’s CultureHaus and has volunteered for numerous local nonprofit organizations—from Volunteers of America to SafeHouse to Human Rights Campaign.
A graduate of Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, Guttau first embarked on a career in elementary special education, but eventually followed his passion for restaurants and hospitality.
“My new position at Four Seasons combines my experience in hotels, restaurants, spas and community relations,” he said. “I’m excited to implement innovative ideas with our talented team at EDGE Restaurant, the hotel and the Spa.”
For more information on Four Seasons Hotel Denver, visit www.fourseasons.com/denver
Jim Guttau is the new public relations director at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. (Four Seasons photo)
Award-winning architecture firm Arch11 is riding what appears to be the new restaurant tsunami in the Denver/Boulder area with four recently completed projects and six new ones on tap.
The Colorado architecture firm is currently in high demand for its stylish approach to new-American dining experience. The firm’s restaurant design portfolio includes Denver and Boulder standards like Jax, Lola, and the Bitter Bar.
Most recently, Arch11 has set the stage for Boulder’s award-winning Oak at Fourteenth. The open kitchen design at Oak highlights the growing trend toward experiential dining where customers can see their food prepared. “More and more, you see how your food is put together, which impacts finish selections and kitchen efficiencies,” says Arch11 principal and founder E.J. Meade.
The firm’s design for Fate Brewing Company in Boulder successfully re-purposes an industrial space to fit the spirit of a boutique batch brewing outfit and restaurant. Meade notes that Fate is a large restaurant as trends go. “There is a lot of activity with young restaurateurs to move into smaller and tighter spaces, providing more intimate dining experiences and reducing initial start-up costs,” Meade said. “At 7,000 square feet, Fate bucks that trend.”
For Ignite! – in Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood – Arch11 re-imagined a historic pawn shop to create a modern urban gastro-pub with a rooftop bar and open street seating. “The building is in a historic district, and we basically rebuilt the entire inside of it while maintaining its 19th century charm,” said Arch11 partner, Ken Andrews, the project architect.
Humboldt Farm Fish Wine in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood is Arch11’s newest restaurant design, inhabiting the space formerly occupied by the city’s beloved Strings restaurant. The menu features northern California-inspired seafood cuisine with a nod to the burgeoning farm-to-table concept. Arch11’s interiors match the restaurant’s fresh approach with an open kitchen, warm dark woods, exposed steel and cozy, brightly upholstered seating areas.
Additional new restaurant projects coming from Arch11 will span the culinary globe, including a restaurant featuring low-country Southern fare near Coors Field and a Nuevo Mexican taco bar. In between these cultured concepts are plans for a juice bar to complement the micro-juice trend and another gastro pub, among others.
Oak at Fourteenth, above, and Ignite, below, are two of restaurant designs developed by Arch 11 Architectural firm. (Arch11.com photos)
The Mendelsberg family had a lot to smile about leading up to the Denver Broncos game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
They were hanging out at The Edge bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver for Maria’s birthday, but scooted to Sports Field at Mile High Station five hours prior to kick off so the Mendelsberg men could snag some autographs and photos.
They did manage to pose with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and CBS Sports analyst and former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms.
Some of the players were willing, but some were prima donnas. No matter, it turned out our way in the end! Go Broncos and kill it in the Super Bowl.
Ken Mendelsberg, right, posed with CBS Sports analyst Phil Simms at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver on Sunday. (Ken Mendelsberg photo)
Ariana and Ethan Mendelsberg posed with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver before Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. (Ken Mendelsberg photo)
The downtown branch of Elway’s steakhouse, co-owned by Denver Broncos quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway, is undergoing renovations which began in early January with an anticipated unveiling in early spring 2014.
Colorado-based design and architecture firm, Rowland+Broughton, was selected to spearhead the redevelopment with several high-profile hospitality projects already in its portfolio.
One new feature of the ambitious project is a chef’s table, which will accommodate up to 12 guests with a private viewing window into the bustling kitchen. Décor will feature rich-colored leathers in earthy tones to complement the upgrades, which will include the new, locally sourced stone wall on the back of the bar in the dining room.
The lounge area behind the hostess stand soon will act as an extension of the restaurant and will feature a stone fireplace along with community-style high-top tables and banquette-style seating creating a new space for walk-in guests to dine, gather and meet.
The bar itself will expand with upgraded tables and stools and banquette seating along the curved wall. All new seating areas will come equipped with charging stations while the entire restaurant will continue to offer Wi-Fi access.
Steve Janicek, general manager, said, “We are thrilled to undergo these improvements to the restaurant which will only enrich the overall guest experience while generating additional seating to meet the high demand we continue to see. I’m happy to share that since most of the work is being done overnight, Elway’s Downtown will remain open for the duration of the renovation.”
Rowland+Broughton Architecture and Urban Design is a Colorado-based architecture firm with studio offices in Aspen and Denver. The firm provides residential, commercial, hospitality, interiors and urban design services that are sustainable and modern.
The Ritz-Carlton Denver is a four-time recipient of the coveted AAA Five-Diamond award, the first and only in the Mile High City, and is ranked Four-Stars by Forbes Travel Guide. The hotel also features the Forbes Four-Star winning Ritz-Carlton Spa and a new outdoor terrace.
Denver can boast being the best city in the U.S. for fitness 2014, according to Yahoo Shine, which ranked “America’s 10 Best cities for Fitness.” No big shock since we’re a collection of outdoors and mountain lovers.
Here’s what Yahoo wrote:
“The Mile High City is miles above the rest when it comes to exercise. Between the incredible hiking in the nearby Rocky Mountains, skiing in Winter Park Resort and the more than 850 miles of paved off-road trails around the city for biking, it’s no surprise that Denver tops our best cities for fitness list. Denver also has a citywide bike-sharing program, which is even more of an incentive for residents to be active.”
While Denver’s No. 1, four California cities made the top 10 (San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Los Angeles).
Read the whole story at http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/america-10-best-cities-fitness-slideshow/1-denver-co-photo-2746569-162200421.html.
Bourbon and bacon? Does it really get much better than that?
Congratulations to Jeff Defreece, who wins two VIP tickets to Denver’s first Bourbon & Bacon Fest just for subscribing to this column (see how easy it is to be a subscription winner?). The event (which is already sold out, by the way!) takes place on Jan. 25 in the McNichols Civic Center Building with VIP entry from 2 to 2:30 p.m., and 2:30 to 5 p.m. for general admission.
The Bourbon & Bacon Fest will feature bacon-y treats from local chefs along with bourbons and unique whiskeys from distilleries both large and artisanal. For more information, go to www.bourbonandbaconfest.com.
The Denver Post has compiled a list of 10 new eateries anticipated to open this year, which you should add to your “watch list” if you’re the type who likes being on the foodie forefront. They are:
* Ruth’s Chris Steak House – 700 15th St., Jan. 27
* Work and Class - 2500 Larimer St., Jan. 29
* Atticus – 1135 E. Evans Ave., late January
* Lowdown Brewery + Kitchen – 800 Lincoln St., early February
* Guard and Grace – 1801 California St., February
* Solitaire – 3927 W. 32nd Ave., spring
* Stoic & Genuine – 17th and Wynkoop streets, Union Station, July
* Mercantile Dining and Provision – 17th and Wynkoop streets, Union Station, July (read more about Mercantile here)
* Argyll Whisky Beer – 1035 E. 17th St., summer
* Sarto’s – 2900 W. 25th Ave., summer
Read more at http://www.denverpost.com/food/ci_24904811/big-restaurant-year-set-table-dozens-more-denver?source=nav.
Broncos former tight end and 2011 Pro Football Hall of Famer turned TV NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe will be the keynote speaker at The Journey, the Junior League of Denver’s fundraiser to support literacy efforts in the Denver metro area, on March 13.
A lesser known fact about Sharpe is his dedication to literacy and education. It wasn’t until his early teen years that he learned to read, guided by his grandmother’s influence.
All proceeds support the Junior League of Denver’s focus, which is changing lives through literacy in the Denver metro area. Funds raised enable the organization to provide financial and volunteer support to its community partners.
“Attendees are helping us get books and tools to families in need in the Denver metro area,” said Junior League President Lisa Lumley. “In addition to our literacy programs, we sponsor One Book 4 Colorado, in partnership with Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and the Mile High United Way.”
The March 13 event starts with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by Sharpe’s speech and dinner at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Tickets are $125 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.jld.org or call 303-692-0270.
Former Broncos tight end and current CBS Sports pregame analyst Shannon Sharpe is returning to Denver to speak at a March 13 event for the Junior League. (CBS Sports photo)
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