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.

Eavesdropping 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.”

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.