Eavesdropping on a man having a beer at the 12 Volt Tavern in Olde Town Arvada: “You know you’re in a dive bar when they don’t ask you if you want a menu.”

When Miki Hashimoto closed Japon, an 18-year fixture in Wash Park, it was a shock to our sushi systems.

But the venerable owner, who was lured to the United States 26 years ago at age 15 by the movie “American Graffiti,” promised to return to Denver’s dining scene.

And he’s done just that with the recent opening of Tokio, a 60-seat ramen, binchotan grill and sushi spot in the burgeoning Prospect neighborhood at 2907 Huron St.

“Dining at Tokio is the most authentic Japanese experience one can have in Denver, and we are very excited to bring the unique flavor of real Japanese ramen, binchotan grilling and imported Hakushika sake and spirits to the Prospect neighborhood,” Hashimoto sad. “Tokio transports diners to a small house in Japan where only the freshest, highest quality delicacies are served, and we know that our patrons will taste the difference.”

During the media menu tasting Wednesday, Hashimoto and his crew prepared an array of goodies including a spicy B&B Roll, vegetarian ramen (with house made noodles) bacon-wrapped asparagus, shumai (dumplings) and yakitori chicken skewers from the binchotan (Japanese charcoal) grill.

Each course was paired with sake samplers – four tumblers of sake neatly served on a plate bearing each drink’s name. Tokio’s decor is industrial minimalistic, designed by Kanji Ueki, who also helped design the original Apple retail stores.

Downstairs is the hopping and happening space with sushi bar seating and a long community table made from a piece of ash that Hashimoto found in Longmont.

Upstairs is a more romantic and intimate surrounding with a sake bar. Parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant, and reservations can be made at www.mytokio.com or by calling 720-639-2911.

ArtDenver, an all-new indoor fine arts experience featuring national fine artists, Colorado makers, art installations, interior design and fashion, will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Colorado Convention Center.

Produced by the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, ArtDenver includes a juried art show with 135 exhibiting visual artists from all over the country, in 13 media categories, including ceramics, mixed media, digital art, photography, metal works and drawing. For a complete list of artists, visit www.cherryarts.org/art-denver/visual-artists.

The event kicks off from 6 to 10 p.m. tonight with the opening night party, featuring a first look at the event and the opening night fashion show, highlighting national and Denver-based designers. The fashion continues throughout the weekend with designer trunk shows and free runway shows (with a general admission ticket for event entry) on Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to the visual artists and fashion, visitors will enjoy handmade goods, food and beverages from Colorado creators; an art installation from images of patrons at the 2014 Cherry Creek Arts Festival; and a 5,000 square-foot luxury-living showcase, presented by Colorado Homes and Lifestyles, complete with living areas, bedroom, bath, outdoor living spaces and more.

“We are thrilled to offer Denver urbanites an exciting new venue for experiencing art,” said Terry Adams, Cherry Creek Arts Festival president and CEO. “As the finale event of Denver Arts Week, ArtDenver will bring together artists and art patrons, highlighting our vibrant arts and culture community and engaging our sophisticated city dwellers.”

For ticketing information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.cherryarts.org/art-denver/TICKETS.

The 2014 Mile High Holiday Mart, presented by the Junior League of Denver, takes place today through Sunday at Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 Syracuse St. The 35^th annual event features a central location with select merchants with high quality merchandise and an exclusive shopping experience.

All proceeds support the JLD’s community focus, improving literacy rates for children birth through third grade in the Denver metro area. Funds raised by events enable the Junior League to provide financial and volunteer support to its community partners.

“We are thrilled with the success of the 2013 Mile High Holiday Mart, and are confident our 2014 event will be no different,” said President Carleigh Elkus. “Attendees are supporting our community focus, literacy, and are helping us get books and tools to families in need in the Denver metro area. In addition to our literacy programs, we are the lead sponsor for Earlier is Easier parent tip cards.”

Earlier is Easier was founded by early childhood literacy professionals from three organizations: the Denver Public Library, Reach out and Read Colorado and the Colorado Parent & Child Foundation. Earlier is Easier highlights the importance of interacting with children ages birth to three through singing, playing, talking, reading, writing and laughing.

Holiday Mart public shopping hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

General admission tickets are $10 in advance at www.jld.org, $12 at the door.

Denver Botanic Gardens is offering an array of gifts for sale during its annual holiday sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Gardens’ York Street location.

More than 50 vendors will sell one-of-a-kind, handcrafted holiday items, bath and body products, pottery, jewelry, specialty foods, clothing and antiques. An assortment of gourmet vinegar, herb blends and soaps made by Denver Botanic Gardens Guild will also be sold.

Admission to holiday sale, which also grants access to the Gardens, is free.

Botanic Gardens Members receive a 10 percent discount on all gift purchases at holiday sale when they present their membership cards. More information at www.botanicgardens.org.

Barolo Grill, 3030 E. Sixth Ave., has extended it’s Truffle Celebration Week through Saturday where chef Darrel Truett and his team will prepare a five-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings to complement each course, or choose the a la carte option with pasta served with fresh black or white truffles shaved table side.

“Best tubers ever!” said Barolo owner Blair Taylor about the truffle bumper crop.

For reservations, call 303-393-1040 or e-mail info@barologrilldenver.com.

Thanksgiving is only two weeks away (yikes!). Shorten your to-do list by ordering pecan, apple, pumpkin and cherry pies from Pie in the Sky, Project Angel Heart’s annual pie fundraiser presented by Anadarko. Pies, fresh-baked by Bluepoint Bakery, will be available for pick-up at 18 locations in Denver and Colorado Springs on Nov. 25.

The goal is to sell 3,500 pies, which will allow Project Angel Heart to provide 1,750 weekly meal bags to critically ill Coloradans. Pie sales will end on Nov. 20.

Order your pies online  at www.PieInTheSkyColorado.org. Every two pies you purchase provides a week’s worth of nutritious, heart-warming meals to a man, woman or child in need.

Eavesdropping on Facebook: “Next time somebody says they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder, take it off, dip it in salsa and give it back.”

Celebrated chefs Kelly Liken of Restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail goes tong to tong with Steve Redzikowski of Boulder’s Oak at Fourteenth, during the Esquire Network series “Knife Fight,” at 8 p.m. Tuesday our time.

Hosted by “Top Chef” season 2 winner Ilan Hall, this underground cooking competition brings together some of the nation’s leading chefs including James Beard Award winners and Michelin star chefs within a raw setting where no rules apply.

Viewers can expect surprising twists and turns throughout the half-hour episode. This original series is described as an after-hours war zone, and America will see who takes home the win for “Battle Colorado.”

For additional information about “Knife Fight,” go to www.squiretv.com/KnifeFight, follow on Twitter @KnifeFightESQ and “like” on Facebook at http://facebook.com/KnifeFightESQ.