Who knew?

Forbes Travel Guide blog has named Boulder as one of the Five Secret Foodie Cities in a recent post. Here’s what it said:

“Boulder may have a reputation for snow bunnies and tapping the Rockies, but there’s much more happening here than ski lifts and beer (what ski lifts?).

“Flagstaff House Restaurant, the Forbes Travel Guide Four-star rated restaurant and Boulder staple for fine cuts of meat and perfectly prepared seafood, is undergoing an extensive renovation that will be complete in February.

“Chef Corey Buck recently opened a breakfast and lunch restaurant called Food at the Riversides.

“And local foodies won’t let you leave until you know that Boulder is also home to five out of the country’s 118 master sommeliers. Boulder’s not just for skiing, folks (where, exactly?). Not anymore.”

To see the rest of the story, go to http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/five-secret-foodie-cities.

Just ignore the skiing references, which clearly came from an out-of-towner. The nearest ski resort to Boulder is Eldora Mountain resort, about a 40-minute drive to the west (depending on the weather) in Nederland.

One of the glorious meat course dishes (duck) served at Flagstaff House restaurant in Boulder. (Flagstaff House photo)

The Soiled Dove Underground at 7401 E. First Ave. is throwing the Ultimate Broncos Party to celebrate the big game on Feb. 2.  Doors open at 3:30 p.m. with kickoff at 4:30 p.m.

While Broncos fans root on the home team against the Seattle Seahawks, they can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet including wings, hot dogs, sliders and more at The Soiled Dove Underground.  Also included are unlimited Budweiser & Bud Light drafts, house wine and well drinks.

Free square pools will be available with winnings after every quarter.  Raffle prizes will be given throughout the game with the grand prize being a 42-inch HD TV.

Owner Frank Schultz says, “Football season is one of our busiest times of the year.  It’s completely magnified with the Broncos being in the Super Bowl.  It’s such an exciting time for the city.  We’re looking forward to having people join us for the big game watch.”

The game will be projected on three six-foot movie screens for prime viewing.  With tiered seating, there’s not a bad seat in the house.  Entry price for the party is $60 per person in advance and $65 at the door.

To book tickets in advance for $60, visit www.soileddove.com.

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)

Eavesdropping on a woman après ski at The George in Vail where two friends ordered $4.50 happy-hour dirty martinis. The bartender asked: “Do you want it Miley style? It’s filthy!”

In perhaps an unprecedented move, Visit Denver and Visit Seattle — the booster organizations for both Super Bowl cities — issued a joint press release Thursday listing the similarities between the two (now) rival burgs. Here’s what it said:

“Their geographic locations could not be more different.  Denver is located 5,280 feet above sea level on high rolling plains at the base of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  Seattle is located in one of the most spectacular natural harbors of the world. But despite these physical differences, Denver and Seattle actually share much in common.

Not on the list is the fact that I have lived in both cities – twice! And that Colorado and Washington both voted to approve recreational marijuana sales.

Other than that little-known factoid, compare these stats:

“Denver – founded in 1858 as a gold-mining camp.

“Seattle – founded in 1851 as a logging and fishing center.

“Denver – 2012 population of 634,264 making it the 23rd largest city in the U.S.

“Seattle – 2012 population of 634,535 making it the 22nd largest city in the U.S.

“When bypassed by the transcontinental railroad, Denver built its own connecting railroad in 1869.

“When bypassed by the transcontinental railroad, Seattle forced its own connecting railroad in 1883.

“Denver was rescued from a deep depression by the discovery of gold nearby in Cripple Creek in 1890.

“Seattle was rescued from a deep depression by the discovery of gold nearby along the Klondike River in Canada in 1897.

“Denver has a history of boom and bust economies and is currently booming with eight new downtown skyscrapers, 1,500 hotel rooms and a rail line from downtown to Denver International Airport all under construction.

“Seattle has a history of boom and bust economies and is currently booming with aerospace, computer software, biotech, e-commerce and international trade.

“From the late 19th to mid 20th century, Denver was known as The Queen City of the Plains.

“From the late 19th to mid 20th century, Seattle was known as The Queen City.

“Denver has a national reputation for beer, including Coors, Great Divide, Breckenridge and Wynkoop breweries.

“Seattle has a national reputation for beer, including Red Hook, Pike and Pyramid.

“The cartoon South Park takes place near Denver and frequently features Denver landmarks.

“The comic strip Doonesbury takes place in Seattle and frequently features Seattle landmarks.

“Denver is home to the first Chipotle and the first Quiznos, both of which started here.

“Seattle is home to the first Starbucks, Nordstrom, Boeing and Amazon.com, which started there.

“Favorite city movie titles: ‘Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead.’ ‘Sleepless in Seattle.’

“Actors from Denver: Amy Adams, Don Cheadle, Keri Russell, AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Stone, Trey Parker.

“Actors from Seattle: Anna Faris, Raine Wilson, Tom Skerritt (who ironically lived in Crested Butte for awhile), Bruce Lee.”

But come Super Bowl Sunday, these towns will have nothing in common except the desire to win!

After almost a year in the making, Old Major at 3316 Tejon St. will launch its charcuterie program to the public this week. In 2013, Old Major received certification for a HACCP plan (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points to ensure food safety) for salumi production and has an abundance of dry-aged, cured meats ready for consumption.

“We have been working with the Department of Environmental Health and waiting for a year to dry-age and launch the perfect salamis, whole cured muscles, pates and terrains from our innovative charcuterie room at Old Major,” said chef and co-owner Justin Brunson. “The charcuterie plates will show the time and passion we spent to source the perfect pork, select and butcher them properly as well as illustrate our nose-to-tail philosophy.”

Starting this week, Old Major will offer a chef’s daily selection of five meats for $15 per plate on the dinner and bar menu. Below is an example of what a plate might look like:

1.     Duroc Salami (salt);

2.     Monkey Meat Salami (IMT Merlot garlic and pepper);

3.     Calabres Salami (Vermouth, Calabrian Chile);

4.     Copa (cured salt, sugar, paprika, cayenne and juniper);

5.     Guanciale (sage, rosemary and garlic).

For the past year, Old Major has cured Lomo, Loinza, Coppa, Lardo, Orange Fennel Salami, Sopresata, Calabrese-Style Salami, Nauja and Guanciale. For more information on the charcuterie program or to book an online reservation at Old Major, go to http://oldmajordenver.com or call 720-420-0622.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2,  Zengo at 1610 Little Raven St. will be running its $35 bottomless brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which includes unlimited small plates, free flowing brunch cocktails and a live DJ.

Show your spirit on game day and cheers with an “Orange Crush” drink consisting of  vodka and orange crush soda to be included in the bottomless brunch options for $7 (John Elway‘s number) on the a la carte menu. Reservations are recommended by calling 720-904-0965.

As the largest on-premise account for Jose Cuervo in the United States, the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant gets some great perks.

When the Rio’s executive team toured the Cuervo agave fields in Mexico in October, they selected a barrel of Maestro Dobel Tequila, exclusively blended for the restaurants. This Monday the barrel will be tapped to offer a limited edition margarita — the Maestro Margarita — offered at all six locations until this tequila runs out.

The Maestro Margarita is a blood orange marg that costs $9 per drink or $7 for a 2-ounce pour of the Maestro Dobel. The drink is made of Maestro Dobel Rio Barrel Edition Tequila, fresh blood orange citrus mix and Triple Sec, served on the rocks and garnished with a fresh blood orange wheel.

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

Because of a conflict with the Super Bowl, the Colorado Symphony’s Masterworks concert on Feb. 2 will begin at noon, instead of the original time of 2:30 p.m.

The rescheduled concert will allow ticket holders and the orchestra time to enjoy pre-game festivities leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII, which pits the Denver Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Colorado Symphony will host a pre-concert Broncos Breakfast at 11 a.m., to include coffee and orange and blue doughnuts.

Tickets for the Feb. 2 concert are 50 percent off for those in Broncos orange and blue, available in person at the CSO box office. For those wearing Seattle Seahawks merchandise, the price is double.

“It’s exciting that the Broncos are in the Super Bowl; the whole city should have fun and enjoy this moment,” said Jerry Kern, CEO and co-chair of the Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees. “Now you can start your day with the Symphony, hear some great music, get primed for the big game and make it back in time for the tailgate party.”

This weekend’s Masterworks concert highlights Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, one of the most popular works of the 21^st Century. Featuring conductor Peter Oundjian; Chee Yun, violin. Performances are Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and at noon on Feb. 2. All performances are at Boettcher Concert Hall.

Tickets are available at www.coloradosymphony.org, by calling 303-623-7876, and in person at the Colorado Symphony Box Office, located inside Boettcher Concert  Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Student tickets are available for $10 at the box office. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, and two hours before every performance.