Wine & Dine

Archive for the ‘The Taste of Colorado’ Category

Photos from Pickle’s Deli in Littleton CO

September 8th, 2010 |

If you read my blog at all you would know that I have been busy doing a special on A Taste of Colorado and some of the restaurants that participated this year. (and if you are new to my blog WELCOME! I’m glad you stopped by! Tell your friends and family to stop by too! I love new readers.) I had a ton of fun meeting with all the managers, owners, and chefs. I had a TON of extra video content that maybe someday I will put together in a compilation. I also had some pretty great photos left over. Some of the photos I want to share with you today.

All the below photos were taken at Pickle’s Deli, which may go down in history as one of my favorite deli’s on the west side of Denver (AKA Littleton.)

Jars of goodies to top your ice cream!

A pretty unique space to have lunch.

Every drink you could want including my personal favorite Zuberfiz Rootbeer from Durango CO

Beautiful case of cheese

Gourmet meats for your gourmet sandwich.

Specials board highlights some of the best dishes of the house!

A cheese lovers heaven!

Lunch! BBQ pulled pork with citrus bourbon sauce.

You can also read my write up and watch the video I created for Executive Chef James Mazzio who runs Pickle’s Deli:

Chef James Mazzio at A Taste of Colorado

www.pickles-deli.com

Posted in Misc., Restaurant Reviews, The Taste of Colorado |

Tags: Cheese, Chef James Mazzio, Chef Mazzio, Colorado, Deli, food, foodie, Gourmet Meats, James Mazzio, Littleton CO, Photos, Pickles Deli, rootbear, sandwich, Zuberfiz rootbear |

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My Recommendations for A Taste of Colorado

September 6th, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

Today is the last day of A Taste of Colorado and I wanted to share with those of you who are planning on attending today’s festivities my recommendations for food. After three visits to A Taste of Colorado I think I have come to some great conclusions of what is a must try and what can be skipped.

Here are my top 5 must eat foods at A Taste of Colorado:

5. Chocolate covered bacon from Famous Dave’s

4. Mini (taste) cannoli from 528 Degrees

3. Prime Rib Sandwich from The Broker

2. Spicy Chicken Sandwich with gorgonzola mayo from Assignments Restaurants

1. Bacon wrapped chicken taste from Texas De Brazil

BEST BUY: mini donut taste for 1 ticket at the mini donut stand next to the 5280 booth. One ticket will get you 2 mini donuts with cinnamon and sugar. A great way to spend those last tickets! Also the meatball taste at Olive Oil in the fine dining area. 2 tickets will get you a huge meatball!

Not worth the trouble:

The Green Chili at Rosa Linda’s Mexican Café. It was so non exciting I tossed it after one bite.

Based off of what I had to eat this year at A Taste of Colorado here is my list for restaurants I will be going to dine in and try out more menu items:

Texas De Brazil: The taste I had of the bacon wrapped chicken was enough to get me hooked and with the coupons they are giving out I will be in for dinner in no time!
Assignments Restaurant: The chicken sandwich was awesome and I even enjoyed the strawberry shortcake taste they offered. I here they have great prices on gourmet dishes so I will be checking out Assignments soon!
528 Degrees: I only tried the mini cannoli but from what I tasted and from what I saw I think I would like to try some more food from this restaurant.
Ling and Louie’s: I tried the Korean short ribs and they made me want to try more from their menu.

So there you go readers! If you plan on checking out A Taste of Colorado today you should at least try some of the above suggestions. Have fun!

Did you go to A Taste of Colorado this year? If so let us all know what was your favorite and least favorite foods at A taste. Just leave your recommendations in the comments section below.

Here are some photos from A Taste of Colorado this year:

Some of the goodies Assignments is serving at A Taste of Colorado

Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Assignments

The Famous Dave's Booth

Chocolate Covered Bacon from Famous Dave's

Talking to a Culinary Student About A Taste of Colorado

September 4th, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

Some of the goodies Assignments is serving at A Taste of Colorado

Assignments is a student run restaurant located at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Colorado. Assignments is opportunity for students to get hands on experience running the front and back of the house in a real restaurant setting. It really is a cool concept when you think of how many culinary students are let out into the world with very little experience on an actual line. Each semester a new class will take over the running of the restaurants and with the help from their instructors they will experience what it is like in the real culinary world.

At Assignments Restaurant the food is like no other. With a focus on classic and new techniques, fresh sustainable foods, and the use of high quality local ingredients the food at Assignments is outstanding. Today I ventured out to A Taste of Colorado to speak with one of the students at the culinary students. Jesse is a last year student who is eager to graduate in three months and start his career as a chef. He and I sat and discussed what made him choose this school and what it was like to work at Assignments. Check out the video below to see Jesse’s story:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfuryTxNG44

Spicy Chicken Sandwich

After the interview I was able to try some of the food the students are serving at the Assignments Restaurant booth at A Taste of Colorado this year. I had the spicy chicken sandwich on fresh made focaccia bread with a gorgonzola mayo which was then topped with slaw. Although I struggled with how to tackle this beautifully plated sandwich, I had no trouble eating every single last crumb of it, once I figured out how to fit it in my mouth! The flavors at the Assignments booth are spot on. The students running the booth are friendly and welcoming and the price of the menu items rival those of many a fried food and turkey leg vendor. So if you are to make your way out to A Taste of Colorado this Labor Day weekend I would highly recommend you stop in at Assignments Restaurant in the fine dining area and enjoy one of the mouth watering treats they are serving up this year.

Not able to make it out to A Taste of Colorado but still want to give Assignments a try? Check out http://www.artinstitutes.edu/denver/about/assignments-restaurant.aspx for more information on assignments. OR make a reservation for lunch or dinner which is served Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday while school is in Session.

For Reservations:

303.778.6625

www.opentable.com

Assignments Restaurant is located in the Denver Design District at 675 South Broadway.

Saj Mediterranean Grill

September 3rd, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

When you first enter Saj Mediterranean Grill you may think it’s just another quick serve restaurant in a trendy neighborhood, but after your first visit you will come to realize that Saj Mediterranean Grill is far from your run of the mill quick serve restaurant and it is nothing like the chain restaurants in Colorado! Despite only being in business for a little over a year, Saj Mediterranean Grill is making a name for itself. Their philosophy is “Eat Well…Live Long…Saj Style” and they mean it! With fresh healthy ingredients, an in house bread room and the traditions of Lebanese style Mediterranean recipes, Saj Mediterranean Grill is the best thing to happen to Centennial since the Southglenn mall was re-done.

Saj Mana-Keesh

The name Saj is derived from the saj bread they make in house everyday. It is similar to pita bread only it is only leavened once and is thinner and does not have a pouch. On my visit I tried the Saj Mana-Keesh, which is freshly made Saj bread that is filled with Zaatar (a pesto like sauce) then grilled on a saj grill. Truly a unique dish, the Saj mana-keesh was wonderful. I also had a shawarma wrap with the saj bread and I must say that I have never had better potatoes than the potatoes they make fresh everyday at Saj! I would also highly recommend the house made lemonade which is sweetened with honey. The food is simply amazing!

When it comes to providing healthy low calorie and gluten free choices, Saj Mediterranean Grill is a great choice. Boasting 5 meals for under 500 calories and with a strong commitment to families and the community, Saj Mediterranean grill is a stand out in a sea of normal. They provide excellent and helpful service, top quality ingredients and authenticity! To learn more about Saj Mediterranean Grill please watch this short video.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD1VCnxKObQ

For those of you who wish to give Saj Mediterranean Grill a try this weekend you can either stop into their location at the Southglenn Mall, or you can visit them at A Taste of Colorado down at the Civic Center, where they will be all labor day weekend serving up some mouthwatering favorites. They plan to serve: Falafel, kabobs and hummus with a side of their homemade saj bread! Make sure to tell them Kelly sent you!

With great prices, fast and extremely friendly service, plus amazing and authentic food, Saj Mediterranean Grill is a place you simply must check out next time you are over at the Southglenn Mall.

Saj Mediterranean Grill

6955 S. York St. #423

Centennial CO, 80122

303.707.8000

www.sajgrill.com

Chef James Mazzio at A Taste of Colorado

September 1st, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

I can honestly say I have not been this excited for a restaurant opening since I don’t know when! Olive Oil is poised to be one great foodie paradise. A Place where love and passion are combined with the talents of award winning Chef James Mazzio.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXIIWNa6VFA

So what makes James so special you ask? Have you ever heard of a little magazine called Food & Wine? Back at the start of his career, Chef Mazzio was honored by the Food & Wine magazine as the 1999 Best New Chef and he has been making an impact on the culinary community ever since. James has been at the helm of many a great kitchen here in Colorado he has also worked under some of the most highly regarded chefs in the country. Mentored by Charles Dale, who won best new chef in 1995, then moving on to work under culinary greats like Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller, there is no question that James received one hell of a good education in cooking! However, it’s his passion for cooking and food that really makes James a gem. He has a background in both French and Italian cooking and with his new venture, Olive Oil, James plans on creating fresh approachable Mediterranean comfort foods that come from the heart. There is no question that man means it when he says his food comes from the heart! From the way he expresses his love for cooking to the excitement you see in his eyes when he talks about this new restaurant, James is madly in love with what he does and it will surly translate on to the plate!

Sitting down and talking to Chef Mazzio I can tell this man loves what he does, and this time he’s doing it his way. You can feel the electricity in the room when James talks about the food and concept of Olive Oil. A creative outlet for one hell of a good chef! Olive Oil will be a reflection of everything James has learned about food from his childhood cooking with his Sicilian Grandmother to his Chef years working in Aspen with Chef Dale and beyond. Diners should expect fresh Italian, Spanish and Mediterranean dishes. There will be olive oil tastings as well as a wine list that features wines all under $50. A five star quality restaurant for the rest of us. Everything will be made from scratch, from the pasta to the breads, you will taste the difference.

I wait with baited breath until the opening of Olive Oil, which is planned to open in late 2010. In the mean time you can still sample the food styling of Chef James Mazzio by checking out Pickles Deli.

Inside Pickles Deli

After my interview with James I ventured over to the Deli. Pickles is a gourmet deli that takes you to another place! Old world deli classics and new creations come alive in this open space connected to Tipsy’s Liquor Store. James seems pretty excited to be able to play with his ideas for the menu at Pickles. The item I ordered was one of his own. A pulled pork sandwich with homemade citrus bourbon BBQ sauce and cole slaw to boot. James smoked the pork in house himself and let me tell you it was worth the burns on his arms! Let’s just say that just because James Mazzio is an award winning chef who has worked with some of the best chefs out there, does not mean he can’t throw down some killer smoked pulled pork!

The sandwich was a masterpiece with all the right touches. Just enough sauce but not so much to overwhelm the smokiness of the pork. The meat was super tender and packed with flavor and the slaw was just the crunchy touch the sandwich needed to take it to the next level. The saddest part of my day was when I was too full to finish. When it comes to Pickle’s Deli, James means business! Perhaps this is a taste of what is to come in regards to the quality we should expect at the highly anticipated Olive Oil Restaurant.

Today's Specials at Pickles Deli

Can’t wait to try the food at Olive Oil? You are in luck! James will be featuring several dishes from both Olive Oil and Pickles Deli at the 2010 A Taste of Colorado this Labor Day Weekend at the Civic Center. I was fortunate enough to watch James put together some Italian style meatballs that he plans on serving at the event along with eggplant parmesan, a muffaletta sandwich with homemade olive relish, smoked pulled pork and homemade tiramisu. The meatballs looked amazing and I know when I go to A Taste of Colorado this year I will be swinging by the fine dining area to sample all James and his gang has to offer. With fresh ingredients, a flair for bold flavors and a passion for his craft, there is no doubt in my mind that Chef James Mazzio’s booth will be one of the most talked about spots at A Taste of Colorado this year!

Check out Pickles Deli now and get a little taste for what’s to come at Olive Oil:

www.pickles-deli.com

5869 S. Alkire Street

Littleton CO, 80127

Experience It All at A Taste of Colorado

August 30th, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

Ever wondered what Colorado is all about? Ever wish you could explore the Denver area all in one day? Are you a bit intimidated by new foods but you always wanted to try a falafel? Then you are in luck my dear readers because it is almost time for A Taste of Colorado and you will be able to do all of the above and so much more all in one gorgeous location, the Civic Center in the Capital Hill area in Downtown Denver, CO.

The streets surrounding the Civic Center were bustling as usual when I went down to meet up with Patty Johnson, the Marketing Director for the A Taste of Colorado. I was excited to interview Patty and get an insiders look at A Taste of Colorado and the history behind this huge free event. In this video you will learn all about the history of A Taste of Colorado along with what to expect when you get to A Taste of Colorado over Labor Day Weekend.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW6kqYk-1Ek

Some other cool things about A Taste of Colorado are the number of other things there are to do besides eat (even if eating IS my favorite part!! From shopping for unique items to riding the carnival rides, there really is something for everyone at A Taste of Colorado! Since this event is free admission it can cost you virtually nothing to enjoy most of the activities. The music at A Taste of Colorado is FREE and there are some pretty awesome local and national bands to listen to this year. Here is an idea of what you can expect on the main stage:

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Bret Michaels
Gregg Rolie Band (Santana original lead singer and Journey co-founder!!)
The Four Tops
Steve Azar
Dave Mason

Possibly even better then the main stage is the Colorado Heritage Stage presented by Westword. The Colorado Heritage Stage features acts that will entertain people of all ages. From Polynesian dancers and belly dancers to jazz music, there will be plenty of solid entertainment to enjoy while you are at A Taste of Colorado.

I am especially excited about the cooking demos at A Taste of Colorado. There will be a Culinary Showcase hosted by: “The Gabby Gourmet” Pat Miller, where chefs will let you in on their tips and tricks in the kitchen. There will be cooking competitions and eating competitions and I can’t wait to check out the fine dining area to try some food from some of Denver’s most acclaimed restaurants!

There is far to much fun to be had at A Taste of Colorado to name here. For more information on this event please visit www.atasteofcolorado.com and be sure to visit A Taste of Colorado’s Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/atasteofcolorado. Fans get the inside look at what is happening at A Taste of Colorado so head on over there and check out all the excitement at the fan page.

Now that you have a good idea of what to expect at A Taste of Colorado over Labor Day Weekend I hope to see you there! If you do end up going please send me some photos and leave comments of what your favorite food and events were. I want to hear all about your experience at A Taste of Colorado!

Related Blog Post:

It’s almost time for Taste of Colorado!!

Ling and Louie’s – A Love Story

The Broker Restaurant at A Taste of Colorado 2010

Chef James Mazzio at A Taste of Colorado 2010 – Executive Chef of Olive Oil Restaurant and Pickles Deli

Saj Mediterranean Grill

Talking to a Culinary Student About A Taste of Colorado – Assignments Restaurant

Posted in The Taste of Colorado |

Tags: A Taste of Colorado, chefs, civic center, Colorado, cooking demos, denver co, downtown denver, events, family fun, food, free, free admission events, patty johnson, restaurant, restaurants, rides, Taste of Colorado, The Taste of Colorado |

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The Broker Restaurant at A Taste of Colorado 2010

August 27th, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

The Broker Restaurant

The Broker Restaurant has been serving up high quality dishes with impeccable service for over 35 years in Denver Colorado. Located in the basement of the old Denver National Bank, going to the Broker Restaurant is like taking a step back in history. The setting is romantic and glamorous. You just feel special to be there. Every dinner comes with complimentary shrimp bowl as a starter and the private rooms are perfect for special occasions and private parties! One room is even a wine cellar which was converted from a secret underground railroad used by the bank back in the earlier days before the restaurant.

It’s no secret that the ingredient to The Broker’s success is their dedication to their customers and guest. They strive to make their guest’s experience the best it can be. Their guest will experience the service of a 5 star restaurant but with the ease and comfort of eating at a good friends house. Since taking over the broker earlier this year, Jerry Fritzler has tried to keep the classic charm of the Broker, however he has made some changes. The Broker used to only serve a few select set dinners, whereas, now you can order from an al a cart menu that has fresh and new selections. Some items that sounded especially enticing include the ahi tuna tartare and of course the award winning roasted prime rib. You can still get the all inclusive set dinner options but it’s always nice to have something for every budget and appetite.

Jerry Fritzler, Owner of The Broker Restaurant

Something else that many people may not be aware of is that the Broker Restaurant offers an outstanding happy hour! With $2 to $4 cocktails and exceptionally priced appetizers the Broker restaurant is a fantastic place to stop in after work or before going out downtown. Stop in for the happy hour Monday through Friday between 2PM and 6:30PM to enjoy some high end food and drink at amazing happy hour prices!

For those of you who might have missed the Broker Restaurant at A Taste of Colorado last Labor Day weekend, do not despair because this year is your chance to try some food from a Colorado institution. Think of it as having a little taste of history. The Broker Restaurant is excited to be offering their famous prime rib sandwich, shrimp cocktail and Jerry’s favorite, the lamb ribs so you will have to make sure to stop in at the Broker booth to give those a try! One might wonder why a restaurant like The Broker would keep coming back to participate in A Taste of Colorado for the past 12 years. According to Jerry the best part about participating in A Taste of Colorado each year is being able to be outdoors and talk to the people.

Among many other fantastic local eateries participating in A Taste of Colorado this year, The Broker Restaurant is looking forward being a part of this Colorado free admission event and best of all they are most excited to talk to you, the guest! “The most fun is the people” says Jerry.

Learn more by watching this short video profile I made for The Broker Restaurant.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6HGYLgtyi0

The Broker Restaurant

821 17th St.

Denver, CO 80202

(303)-292-5065

www.thebrokerrestaurant.com

Ling and Louie’s – A Love Story

August 20th, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

It was a Wednesday at around 4pm when I wandered into the Ling and Louie’s off the 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver. I was to meet with Owner Steve, General Manager Rich and Executive Chef Donnie to discuss their participation in this years A Taste of Colorado.

The first thing I noticed when walking into the restaurant is the stunning decor. With a cascading water feature on the wall behind my table and beautiful Asian inspired artwork frosting the walls, it is not only welcoming but also able to whisk you away to another place. I was instantly calmer as I collected my notes and got ready to hear the story of this stellar restaurant concept.

Like many of my favorite stories, the story of Ling and Louie’s Restaurant and how it came to be in Colorado is a love story. The story goes that the every first Ling and Louie’s was based on the love of Louie, a promising young pitcher from America and Ling a beautiful young cook from Shanghai (You can read the whole story HERE). The couple eventually fell in love and moved to California to open a restaurant of their own.

The Ling and Louie’s in the Mile High City is also a love story. Owner Steve Halliday came out of retirement from a successful career opening and running restaurants because he fell in love with the food and the concept of Ling and Louie’s. It is easy to see why Steve fell for Ling and Louie’s. After one taste of their delightfully fresh lettuce wraps or the flavorful and vibrant Mango Wango Chicken anyone would be hooked. Ling and Louie’s stands out for offering fresh authentic recipes that are made to inspire. Fresh food is no understatement! Fresh produce and foods are brought in every morning and prepared for that days crowds. Executive Chef Donnie comes in bright and early every morning to make sure everything is ready for the days guests. Whenever possible they will order local foods to serve in their dishes and they pride themselves on creating made to order meals that are both healthy and delicious. Offering gluten free and healthier dishes made with only the best ingredients help set Ling and Louis apart from other Asian inspired restaurants. According to General Manager, Rich it’s “just the small simple things that make the difference.”

Besides the food and the atmosphere it is important to note the passion that these three men exude when they talk about not only Ling and Louie’s but also their entire career in the restaurant industry. “I liked the energy” Steve says about why he stayed in the restaurant industry for over 35 years. For General Manager, Rich it was about the people, and to this day both men enjoy the interaction they have with their customers and their employees. On any given day you can find Steve or Rich greeting and checking in on guest. They especially love to encourage guest to enjoy the patio. “Perfect for people watching,” the patio is a great place to hang out before a game or after work while enjoying a Louie’s Lemongrass Wheat Beer, which is made special for them by Tommyknocker Brewing Co. here in Colorado. You will never have a case of the Monday’s again with the Ling and Louie’s Monday happy hour featuring $5 mojitos among other house favorites. The ideal place to relax and unwind after a long day of work.

General Manager Rich (left) and Owner Steve (right)

A Little Taste of Ling and Louis…

Ling and Louie’s Restaurant is excited to participate in A Taste of Colorado again this year. Last year they saw a lot success in the restaurant after sharing guest favorite’s like pot-stickers with A Taste of Colorado attendees.They even won the prestigious “Best in Taste” last year! This year you can expect some of the same as well as Hoisin Ribs and the deliciously named banana caramel spring rolls.

When asked what they love most about the Taste of Colorado Steve answers “working outside and the high energy.” There is no doubt in my mind that they all truly enjoy the interaction with the people. They also really enjoy getting out and tasting the different foods at A Taste of Colorado. So what is their favorite vendors from last year, besides themselves? “Argyle” comments Rich, and although Argyle is not participating in the Taste of Colorado again this year all three guys still look forward to discovering new places to taste this year.

I highly recommend that you check out A Taste of Colorado this year, and when you do stop by the Ling and Louie’s booth to try some Sweet hoisin-honey-glazed tender pork ribs and say “hi” to the guys. Tell them Kelly sent you! You can also always check out the full menu and extensive happy hour Ling and Louie’s offers at both locations, if you are unable to make it to the Taste of Colorado this year:

On the 16th Street Mall

1201 16th Street, Suite 104

303-623-5464

At the Northfield Mall

8354 Northfield Blvd.

303-371-4644

Learn more about Ling and Louie’s by checking out their website, www.lingandlouies.com

It’s almost time for Taste of Colorado!!

August 18th, 2010 |

Author: Kelly Noble

It’s almost that time of year again folks! The time when we Coloradans get to go out and sample some of the best food Colorado has to offer, listen to live music, play games, ride rides and shop at some pretty cool vendors. Is it the state fair you ask?? Nope. It’s time for A Taste of Colorado!

A Taste of Colorado 2009

A Taste of Colorado has been around for a VERY long time! Originally named Festival of Mountain and Plain and established in 1895 as a carnival similar to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, the Festival was created to boost the city’s morale and vitality following the silver panic. The event, unsuccessful in ending Denver’s depression and declining in attendance, folded in 1902 when organizers were unable to obtain financial support. In 1983, the Downtown Denver Partnership decided to bring back the spirit of the original Festival to commemorate the opening of the 16th Street Mall. The following year, A Taste of Colorado was added to the Festival of Mountain and Plain name and concept and moved back to Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver, where the event first began. (Source: atasteofcolorado.com) A Taste of Colorado is now the largest and most successful free festival in Colorado!

Cooking demo at A Taste of Colorado 2009

This year you are in luck readers! I will be giving you the inside track to everything Taste of Colorado! I will be sharing interviews with participating restaurants, video and photos, as well as a special video interview with Patty Johnson, the Marketing Director of A Taste of Colorado. Patty will be giving us an inside look at the history and location of A Taste of Colorado as well as what it takes to put this event on.

Fine dining crowd at A Taste of Colorado

From eating contest to cooking demos, food vendors to street merchants, from Eagle Scots to cowboys. A Taste of Colorado has it all!

So stayed tuned readers because it is going to be a fun countdown to A Taste of Colorado! Let me know if you have questions for our guest or about the Taste of Colorado and I will get you what you need to have a great time at this FREE event!!

For more information about A Taste of Colorado please visit their website at www.atasteofcolorado.com or follow them online:

Twitter: twitter.com/atasteofco

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ATasteofColorado

Ice cream eating contest at A Taste of Colorado 2009