Category Archives: Food & Wine

Fun Food and Drink Events Coming Up

  By admin | March 5, 2009 - 2:32 pm | Food & Wine
Comments Off

I wanted to let you all know about a couple of events coming up that you might be interested in.

14th Annual Hospitality and Restaurant Show – March 8th, Broadmoor West 12p-3p

This event will feature 40 restaurants from southern Colorado, as well as a cooking competition with local chefs and radio stations. I volunteered to help out last year, and it was a lot of fun. Tickets are $40 at the door, or purchase at www.ppcra.org and receive $5 off! Lots of food and wine samples, so don’t each lunch before you go.

Annual Scorpion Mezcal Dinner – March 12, Tambien Cantina 7pm

This dinner features 5 courses, each with a scorpion mezcal pairing. The courses include Achiote Rubbed Lobster, Chocolate Duck Sope, Roasted Sea Scallop, Crisp Pork Shank, and Mexican Guava Jerricalla. To make a reservation call 303-333-1763, you can check out www.tambien-restaurant.com for more info on the restaurant. Tickets are $75 per person. This one just sounds fun. If any readers go, please let me know how it is (sadly I have classes that night).

Washington Liquor Law Reforms

  By admin | March 2, 2009 - 2:28 pm | Everything Else, Food & Wine
Comments Off

Washington’s Liquor Control Board recently attempted to pass a bill to soften some of the restrictions on the three-tier system (retailers, wholesalers, producers). Many laws in Washington are leftover from Prohibition’s repeal, even though it is the second-largest wine-producing state with over 600 vineyards.

Supermarket Wine Sales

  By admin | March 2, 2009 - 2:27 pm | Everything Else, Food & Wine
Comments Off

There’s a heated debate in the world of liquor sales. Should grocery stores be allowed to sell wine? Currently 35 states do allow supermarket wine sales, and a few others are attempting to join them. A proposal in Kentucky was already shot down this year, mainly due to the opposition encountered from small business store owners. They argue that changing the laws won’t end up helping the economy, as officials propose, but that instead it will cause many people to lose their jobs. Supermarket sales may help big chains like Kroger’s or Walmart, but wouldn’t create any new jobs, and would lead to thousands of small liquor stores closing their doors.

Robert Mondavi Passes at 94

  By admin | May 17, 2008 - 2:25 pm | Food & Wine
Comments Off

Robert Mondavi, the great innovator and entrepreneur, passed away today at the age of 94. Mondavi was an incredible man that changed the face of wine as we know it today. Without him, Napa Valley would not be what it is and the American wine industry would be a much different place.

Check out Napa Valley Register’s wonderful article on Mondavi and his life, http://www.naparegister.com/articles/2008/05/16/news/local/doc482dd5626d76f161005272.txt

2008 Colorado Restaurant Expo

  By admin | April 2, 2008 - 2:11 pm | Food & Wine, Reviews
Comments Off

This past weekend I volunteered as a “plate runner” for the chef’s competition at the 2008 Colorado Restaurant Expo at the Broadmoor Hotel. I had the privilege of working with Chef Jeff Knight from the Craftwood Inn, and I’m very pleased to say that we won!

While I wasn’t running plates back to the judge’s room, I spent my time tasting in the exhibit hall. There were a lot of restaurants represented, but only a few really stood out to me this year.

The first thing I tasted was Palapa’s Surfside Island Dining, which featured a fantastic ceviche in mini taco shells. I haven’t had a meal at their restaurant yet, but I will definitely try it out now. Rocco’s Italian Restaurant had absolutely wonderful tortellini out for tasting. I’m a sucker for stuffed pasta, and this was some of the best I’ve ever had. I’ve seen Merlino’s Belvedere Restaurant in Canon City several times on my way through, but I’ve never stopped to eat there before. I recall hearing the name quite a bit when I first moved to Colorado, but not as much lately. But after tasting their Sausage and Mozzarella plate, I’m going to have to make a special trip down there for dinner soon.