TABLE TALK: Restaurant Week satisfied chefs, owners

The first Pikes Peak Restaurant Week, organized by The Pikes Peak Colorado Restaurant Association and The Gazette, ended Sunday with positive responses from the chefs and restaurant owners who had jumped on the bandwagon.

By way of background, if you’ve been to Denver’s Restaurant Week or First Bite Boulder, you get the concept: Special prices for dinners for two throughout the week.

According to Eric Viedt, executive chef and partner at The Margarita at PineCreek, “I thought (restaurant week) was good,” he e-mailed. “We really did have folks who came out and thought it was a great deal. I would urge The Gazette & CRA (Pikes Peak Colorado Restaurant Association) to put some oomph behind it. Turn it into a must and make it a annual event like Denver. I liked the price difference as well.”

Nosh general manager Tyler Schiedel said the inflow of first-time customers was “pretty stinkin’ huge. ... We can’t wait for next year.”

At least one chef and restaurant owner liked it so much he’s continuing the special for the

month.
“Restaurant week was great,” e-mailed Franco Pisani, co-owner of Paravicini’s Italian Bistro. “We are going to run the dinner for two all month because it was so well received.”
 
Pork relief
What’s not to love about a Bacon Happy Hour? That’s the latest — and, as far as I’m concerned, the greatest — idea to hit the bar at The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St., 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

“Bacon happy hour is the love child of chef Andrew Sherrill,” e-mailed Nicole Stocker Aldrich, events manager for The Blue Star.

The bar menu includes bacon-themed dishes like two bacon tater tots ($3.50), petite bacon “steak” with tomato polenta, Brussels and jus ($15), two strips brown sugar bacon ($2.50) and a daily bacon special. Nate Windham, the bartender, will be creating cocktails “that love bacon,” according to the menu.

Hear more about Bacon Happy Hour on my “Table Talk” show on KVOR (740AM) noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, when Sherrill and Windham will be my guests.

Cocktails with dinner
To introduce their new bar menu, the beverage team and chef Bertrand Bouquin at Summit restaurant at The Broadmoor, will have a five-course dinner with cocktail pairings at 6 p.m. Monday. Cocktails served for the meal will be presented as interactive demonstrations, using Colorado spirits blended with fresh ingredients. Cost is $99 per person plus tax and tip. Call 577-5896.

Dinner deal
Don’t miss out on “Dinner for Two for Twenty Two” being offered at La Zingara Italian Restaurant, 75 Colorado 105 in Palmer Lake, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The deal ends April 1 — no fooling. Call 481-2222 or visit lazingarapalmerlake.com to see the menu.

Knight on the move
Jeff Knight, who has been with the Craftwood Inn in Manitou Springs for 16 years, has taken a job as a sales representative with Baroness Wine distributors.

Raise a glass
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, 3011 E. U.S. 50 in Cañon City, is hosting Spring Fling tastings from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays in March. Cost is $5 per person. Each of its new reserve wines will be paired with food from Cañon City chefs. On Thursday, the 2009 Colorado Merlot Reserve will be released with food pairings by chef Sharon Cosat of Madness Catering and the Royal Gorge Brewing Co. Call 1-719-276-5191 for details; reservations not required.

Tyke chefs
The Picnic Basket, 1701 S. Eighth St., is offering “Lil’ Chefs’ Cooking Classes” for children ages 8 to 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children learn to cook in groups to make their lunch and then make a special dish to take home and share. Cost is $69.99 for individual classes or $174.50 for all three. Call 635-0200 or visit pbcatering.com.

The lineup:
• Tuesday — French Bistro
• Thursday — Tuscany
• March 25 — Appetizers
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CONTACT US: Send tips about restaurant openings, closings, menu changes and food specials to teresa.farney@gazette.com or call 636-0271. ear Farney’s “KVOR Table Talk” radio show noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays on 740 AM.
Do you manage a restaurant? Send us your e-mail address so we can keep in touch. Hear Farney’s “KVOR Table Talk” radio show noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays on 740 AM.