Eavesdropping on a man talking about corporate phrases  that would not work at home:
“Having a sit-down dinner with the whole family on Sunday night really improves our ecosystem.”

Fruition Restaurant is undergoing a makeover and reopening Feb. 6, its eight-year anniversary.

Opened in 2007, the much-lauded Fruition Restaurant, owned and operated by Chef Alex Seidel, has been perennially honored as one of the top restaurants in Colorado and helped earn Seidel a spot on Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chef list in 2010.

When Fruition opened its doors, the restaurant was Seidel’s first venture and he did it on a tight budget.

“I never imagined opening my own restaurant. It was never a dream of mine because (while I was) working as a cook and working for others I never thought it would be a possibility,” Seidel said. “The help of family and friends made it possible for me to realize a dream that I had never envisioned.”

The new look will keep in line with his philosophy of approachability and hospitality. He felt that it was time to make the room more comfortable, bringing a consistency and sophistication to the decor that matches the level of food and service while still maintaining the neighborhood feel to the space.

Designer Jeffery Elliott heads up the interior remodel.

“For Fruition, I wanted to design a timeless and understated space in this historic neighborhood that felt like it had always been there,” Elliott said. “The inspiration of  the  design is a simple interpretation of an early New England dining room. Walls of subtly toned painted paneling, tufted woolen banquettes, vintage lighting and large-scaled linoleum relief prints on paper by Denver artist Geoffrey Ridge are the highlights of this nostalgic space.”

The design also includes a custom built cherry wood wine cabinet which doubles Fruition’s wine storage capacity and allows wine director Aaron Foster to carry even more wines that represent the full global scope of wine with attention to unique small production family wines.

In keeping with its philosophy of hospitality, Fruition has invited the original guests who dined with there on the first night of dinner service eight years ago to dine with them again on reopening.

“I thought it would be fun to invite all of the people who supported us on day one even though we could have invited thousands more that mean so much to us. We are so grateful for our incredible neighbors and our strong community,” Seidel said.

Reservations for evening dining at Fruition Restaurant can be made on www.opentable.com or by calling 303-831-1962.  For more information visit www.fruitionrestaurant.com.

In more restaurant remodeling news, the popular Larimer Square spot Rioja closed recently for a major makeover following its 10-year anniversary last November.

The restaurant, owned by Chef Jennifer Jasinski and business partner Beth Gruitch, is scheduled to reopen with its updated look including new furniture, wall coverings, ceiling treatments and floors on Feb. 2.

The redesign is by Boss Architects who did Stoic & Genuine; construction by Jordy Construction.

“Beth and Jen understand how difficult it is to stay relevant in the fickle restaurant world after 10 years,” said Rioja spokesman John Imbergamo. “Menu, wines and service have been constantly upgraded. A major remodel seemed appropriate in their effort to stay on top.”

For reservations, go to www.riojadenver.com or call 303-820-2282.

Tickets are still available to see “domestic goddess” Roseanne Barr for one show only at 4:45 p.m. Feb. 22 at Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village.

Comedy superstar, award-winning actress, best-selling author, recent presidential candidate, Barr keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny of stand-up. After nine years, 224 episodes, four Emmy Awards, and countless other accolades, who would blame her if she retired. But, no!

For tickets, go to www.comedyworks.com/comedians/820.

The producers of the ABC series “Extreme Weight Loss” are casting for season six with an open casting call at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in Aurora.

(Pssst. If you want a front of the line pass, e-mail me at parkerp1953@gmail.com.)

In a non-competitive show about weight loss, “Extreme Weight Loss” documents the makeover of obese people who, in 365 days, set out to safely lose around half of their body weight, ultimately revealing an amazing metamorphosis.

Trainer and transformation specialists Chris and Heidi Powell guide each of the participants through their transformation process. By assuring that they have the proper nourishment and exercise movement, Chris and Heidi will provide a fresh perspective to individuals whose lives have become unmanageable because of their weight.

In each of the two-hour episodes, the participants undergo a transformation not only of their bodies, but of who they are as individuals. “Extreme Weight Loss” will chronicle each participant’s journey in a stand-alone episode as each individual goes about reclaiming his or her life.

Candidates are asked to either attend an open call send in a home audition video. Information about how to apply and casting call specifics can be found at www.extremeweightlosscasting.com.

Join Chef Richard Sandoval and Concha y Toro Wines for a four-course wine dinner and cookbook signing, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Zengo, 1610 Little Raven St.

The hors d’ 0euvres and reception kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and the first course is served at 7. The price is $75 per person and tickets include a copy of Sandoval’s new cookbook “New Latin Flavors.” Seating is limited. Call the restaurant at 720-904-0965 to RSVP.

The Fort, Denver’s nationally known truly Colorado restaurant has partnered with The Wedding Connection to host The Magical Western Wedding bridal show from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Future brides and grooms can tour The Fort and take advantage of access to top local wedding vendors in one convenient location.

The Fort and The Wedding Connection have also teamed up to offer brides the chance at a free wedding valued at $20,000 for up to 30 guests. Brides-to-be have submitted their incredible, romantic or outrageous love story in essay form. The wining entry will be announced at the bridal show.

“We are very excited to host The Magical Western Wedding here at The Fort,” said Private Dining Manager Jennefer Weeks. “More and more, brides are seeking a charming rustic theme to set the tone of their wedding, especially here in Colorado. The Fort’s adobe brick structure, romantic dining rooms and view of Denver truly make you feel as though you stepped back into the early West. We’re thrilled to offer brides a convenient place to meet with the best local professionals, as well as see what The Fort has to offer them in celebrating their big day.”

The Magical Western Wedding show is one of The Wedding Connection’s three distinctive bridal shows this spring, titled The Bridal Series. Each show offers four levels of participation: General Admission, Passport Three Show Admission, VIP Bridal Concierge Admission and VIP Bridal Concierge Three Show Admission.

The Wedding Connection, a free online listing of local bridal vendors, has created the series so that each show reflects a trendy ceremony theme in a comfortable and personal environment.

“I believe what makes these bridal shows so unique is that we have a fun theme for each of them and a limited amount of hand-picked vendors so the brides don’t feel overwhelmed,” said Tricia Turpenoff, founder and president of The Wedding Connection.

To purchase tickets to The Magical Western Wedding Bridal Show, visit www.theweddingconnectioninc.com/#!events/cwi.

Elitch Lanes, the 63-year-old bowling alley at 3825 Tennyson St., will host its last bowlers on May 17 when the lease on the historic building runs out.

Business owner Cal Eichinger, who’s owned the kitschy place for 13 years and has been in the bowling biz for 40 years, said he wasn’t surprised when land owner Littleton Capital Partners declined to renew the lease.

With Denver’s land values hitting record highs, Eichinger figured that the landlord can sell the site for beau coup bucks or lease it to a tenant with deeper pockets. An e-mail and phone call to Littleton Capital Partners were not returned.

The building housing the bowling alley was built around 1900 as a trolley turn-around structure that was later converted to a coal barn, Eichinger said. It was part of the original Elitch Gardens amusement park and performing arts center location on West 38th. The Gardens moved, but the Lanes didn’t.

Eichinger said he’s been notifying the regulars little by little. “Some of the seniors are so bummed out,” he said.

But there’s a chance that Elitch Lanes will roll on in a new venue. Eichinger, who owns the name Elitch Lanes, said he’s meeting with another land owner today to discuss taking over an existing bowling alley 4.4 miles (he wouldn’t say which direction) from the existing business, which likely will take him to the ‘burbs.

“This center is so unique, I’ve never been anywhere like it,” said Eichinger who’s worked in and visited roughly 100 bowling alleys. “Our customer base is so cool — it’s a true cross-section of ages and ethnicities.”

To thank that customer base, Eichinger said he and his crew will throw a big exit bash around the May 17 closing date.

The 63-year-old Elitch Lanes in northwest Denver will close on May 17. (Elitch Lanes photos)

owner of the 63-year-old Elitch Lanes bowling alley at 3825 Tennyson St. wasn’t totally surprised when the building’s landlord declined to renew the lease on the expensive piece of land.

Out of town friends or family traveling here for the AFC Divisional game at Sports Authority Field Sunday?

Denver welcomes Colts and Broncos fans alike with suggested hotels, dining options and sightseeing venues. The Mile High City loves out-of-towners who spend their money here and go home, but if you’re betting on the wrong horse, let there be no doubt that this is Broncos country.

Visitors coming to see the Denver Broncos face off against the Indianapolis Colts at 2:40 p.m. Sunday can also see a priceless exhibition of jewelry, dine out in a restored train station, stay at new “historic” hotels, grab brunch in the trendy LoHi, Baker, or RiNo neighborhoods, or take a walk on the Denver Beer Trail in America’s craftiest beer city.

Here is a list of stay, dine and see spaces compiled by Visit Denver, Denver’s convention and visitors bureau.

Stay:

There are 44,000 hotel rooms in Denver with 9,400 rooms downtown offering easy access to Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. Most of the downtown hotels are just a block or two from the 16th Street Mall, Denver’s mile long pedestrian walkway. Hop on a free bus to Union Station, and catch the Light Rail two stops to the football stadium. Or you can travel there by pedicab or join the parade of people who walk across two pedestrian bridges to the South Platte River and walk along a paved river trail to the stadium.

Some of Denver’s newest hotels include:

The Crawford Hotel

This historic 112-room property opened in August 2014 as the centerpiece of the newly restored 1914 Union Station and offers three styles of rooms. The Pullman rooms on the second floor are modeled after the luxury private sleeping cars of old. The Classic rooms on the third floor come with tall ceilings and large windows. The former attic area is now the Loft, featuring exposed wood timbers, vaulted ceilings and a more contemporary design. To make the most of the architectural features, most of the rooms in the hotel are one-of-a-kind designs and shapes. The hotel shares The Oxford Club Spa with the award-winning Oxford Hotel across the street.

Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center

This full-service, four-star, 221-room hotel opened in May 2014 in the restored Colorado National Bank Building, which was originally built in 1915 from the same white marble used in the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The hotel incorporates many historic details from the old bank, including three vaults with 33-inch thick doors that now serve as meeting rooms. The ground floor restaurant, Range, specializes in foods of the American West with many Colorado specialties, while the lobby bar is surrounded by huge, wall-size murals painted by local artist Allen Tupper True. Considered one of Colorado’s premier native-born artists, True focused his work on Western subjects. The murals in the hotel depict the lives of American Indians on the Plains region during the 1800s.

Play:

Football fans are lucky that Denver is hosting two world exclusive art exhibitions in January and is a year-round destination for professional sports and locally crafted beer.

The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and Tour at Sports Authority Field at Mile High

If you arrive a day or two early for the game, make sure to take some time to visit Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The stadium is home to the free Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, which highlights the achievements of the great athletes who have played for the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, Avalanche and others. You can also get a behind the scenes look at this state-of-the-art football stadium on a 90-minute guided tour (offered every hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Denver Beer Trail

The Mile High City brews more beer than any other city.  From the world’s largest single brewing site, Coors Brewery in nearby Golden, to small tasting rooms with only a dozen chairs, Denver has more than three dozen breweries in and near downtown and more than 100 in the metro area.  In 2013 and 2014, metro Denver opened a new brewery on average every other week. There are several beer tour companies set up that will drive you to several of the coolest – and tastiest – breweries near downtown Denver. Or, go out and explore on your own with some guidance from the Denver Beer Trail.

Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA), through April 14.

Organized by MCA Denver, this retrospective exhibition brings together the first comprehensive presentation of Mark Mothersbaugh’s art and music to date, from the beginning of his career in the early 1970s through the present. Though well known around the globe as a founding member of the popular band Devo, Mothersbaugh has been a prolific artist since before the band’s inception.

Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century at the Denver Art Museum, through March 15.

This worldwide-exclusive exhibition at the Denver Art Museum includes an astonishing assortment of jewelry, timepieces and precious objects from the Cartier collection. Many of the pieces in the exhibition were owned by aristocrats, celebrities and royalty, including Princess Grace, Elizabeth Taylor, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, J.P. Morgan and the Aga Khan, among other luminaries.

Eat:

Before the game, explore some of Denver’s trendy neighborhoods, all of them accessible from downtown.

Denver Union Station

Denver’s historid Beaux Arts 1914 train terminal reopened with 10 new restaurants and bars in July 2014, as well as a selection of fine retailers including a branch of the popular Tattered Cover Bookstore. Local powerhouse chef Jen Jasinski (winner of the 2013 James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest) has opened Stoic & Genuine, a seafood-centric restaurant in the tradition of Grand Central Station’s Oyster Bar, while Alex Seidel (Food & Wine’s Top New Chef of the Year 2010) has opened Mercantile, featuring locally sourced, farm-to-table items from his sheep farm located in nearby Larkspur. For larger groups, The Kitchen Next Door offers community-style seating and casual atmosphere. Step up to the Terminal Bar, situated in the station’s old ticket windows, to order one of 30 Colorado beers on tap, or relax in the Cooper Lounge overlooking the station’s grand hall.

Lower Highlands (LoHi)

Connected to downtown by three pedestrian bridges, LoHi has become one of Denver’s most popular dining destinations. Linger is housed in an old mortuary and was selected by Travel + Leisure for having one of “America’s coolest rooftop bars.”  Sister restaurant Root Down has a menu dedicated to locally sourced foods, while Ale House at Amato’s has 45 local beers on tap, outdoor fireplaces and an expansive city view. The walls of Denver Beer Company literally “roll up” (it was once an auto repair shop) and the outdoor beer garden has picnic tables and food trucks. Nearby, Prost Brewing has copper kettles from Germany and a delicious selection of sausages. Colt & Gray, Old Major and Duo are local neighborhood favorites, while My Brother’s Bar is a Denver institution, once frequented by beat generation legends Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassidy.

River North (RiNo)

RiNo is a former industrial neighborhood that is exploding with art galleries, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and even a winery (with the grapes supplied from the Western Slope of Colorado). Swing by The Source, an old brick manufacturing plant that now houses a bakery, butcher, florist, the acclaimed Acorn restaurant, street tacos at Comida, Crooked Stave brewery known for their wide variety of sour beers and several shops. Work & Class, Populist, the Butcher Block, and Amerigo Delicatus are just some of the new restaurants gaining national attention. Down the block, Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery is building a name for its canned sparkling wines, while Epic, River North, Black Shirt and Our Mutual Friend are just some of Denver’s breweries located in this area.

South Broadway and Baker

Yet another hip neighborhood with new eateries, bars and nightspots is just one mile south of downtown along South Broadway. Check out the rooftop decks of the Historian Ale House or the Irish Rover, stop by for palm trees and umbrella drinks at Adrift Tiki Bar, or play a game of bowling, darts or shuffleboard at the massive 20,000 square foot Punch Bowl Social. From fine dining at Beatrice & Woodsley to homemade Sweet Action Ice Cream, Baker has a Brooklynesque feel with pizza shops next to bookstores on a street lined with one-of-kind clothing shops, galleries, original home furnishings and music clubs.