TABLE TALK: Try Afghan cuisine at new restaurant

Shams and Feriba Forough are bringing a taste of their homeland, Afghanistan, to downtown. Their Rumi’s Kabab, 36 E. Bijou St. (in the former Persian Grill spot), will open soon.

As the name implies, they will serve a variety of lamb and beef kebabs along with some rice dishes. Lunch will feature a buffet. Visit gazette.com to see a video interview with the Foroughs and get a peek of the newly decorated restaurant.

Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily.

Restaurant show moves
“The Mike Boyle Restaurant Show” has jumped from KVOR (740 AM) to KZNT (1460 AM), where it will air 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to noon Sundays. Boyle will broadcast from the Airplane Restaurant, 1665 N. Newport Road, for his Lunch Bunch on Saturday, which is Military Appreciation Day. A picnic buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and Cokes is free for active duty military members and their spouses and kids, $3 for nonmilitary.

New hours
Pizzeria Rustica, 2527 W. Colorado Ave. in Old Colorado City, will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting Sept. 14. On Wednesday, it will feature a $9 pizza and $9 bottles of house wine. Call 632-8121.

Chef-duel winner
It was a proud moment for Lawrence “Chip” Johnson’s family at The Colorado State Fair on Sunday, when son Aaron Johnson won first place in the Colorado “Dueling Cooks” Challenge.

The Johnson family mostly filled the bleachers in the Creative Arts building, where the contest took place. Professional chefs are paired with home cooks to cook from a mystery basket of food. Aaron has been trained and works in his dad’s The Warehouse Restaurant and Gallery, 25 W. Cimarron St.

The home cooks were selected from top culinary winners in fair food contests. The four teams had one hour to prepare an appetizer or salad; a main course including a protein, starch and vegetable; and a dessert. Aaron and his partner prepared a salad of broccoli, carrots and radishes topped with a warm cheese sauce; beef kebabs with grilled corn and potatoes; and thin slices of cantaloupe topped with whipped cream and honey. Each partner received $150 and medals. Visit gazette .com and watch a video of the action.

Happy anniversary
Vintages Wine & Spirits, 9 S. Tejon St., will celebrate being 12 years old with specials all month. First up will be a free Sake 2 Me sake tasting from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Get on Vintages’ e-mail newsletter list and stand a chance to win a weekly free bottle of wine for opening the e-mail. Call 520-5733 or go to vintageswines.com to sign up.

Surfs up
There’s a special seafood dinner at Joseph’s Fine Dining, 1606 S. Eighth St., today and Saturday. Here’s what $39.99 per person will get you: Maryland-style crab cakes drizzled with Tequila 1800 lime beurre blanc sauce; English peppino (cucumber) salad with grape tomato blossom and orange citrus dressing; and Maine lobster tail paired with choice center-cut filet mignon with Bearnaise. Call 630-3631 for reservations.

Hit the streets
Sunday on the Town will take place downtown 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 13. It’s an opportunity to sample most downtown eateries, hear live music, enjoy eclectic shopping and see art demonstrations. Cost is $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event. Children 7 to 12 cost $10 in advance and $15 on event day. Children 6 and younger are free. Visit csphilharmonic.org for details.

Dine for a good cause
The Broadmoor’s culinary team will host “Taste of The Broadmoor” at Charles Court restaurant at 6 p.m. Sept. 29. The dinner will benefit The Broadmoor’s Culinary Apprenticeship Program and the Colorado Restaurant Association’s ProStart Program. The five-course dinner will be prepared by The Broadmoor’s executive chef, Siegfred “Sigi” Eisenberger; Summit’s chef Bertrand Bouquin; Penrose Room’s chef Justin Miller; Charles Court’s chef Greg Barnhill; and executive restaurant pastry chef Remy Funfrock. Wine director Tim Baldwin will pair wines with the meal. Cost is $150 per person. Call 577-5733 for reservations.

Raise a stein
Oktoberfest at Second Street Art Market and Wine Bar, 366 Second St. in Monument, will kick off Sept. 18 and continue through Oct. 3. Get your fill of German beers, harvest wines and food. Call 488-2506 for details.

Tasty event
The Denver Food and Wine Classic will be at Metropolitan State College, Seventh Street and Lawrence Way in Denver, noon-4 p.m. Sept. 12. There will be more than 300 wines, spirits, cuisine, a wine auction, and a “Denver Five Chef” culinary showcase. Cost is $60. Visit denver foodandwine.com to purchase tickets.

Openings
Look for Pikes Peak Ice Cream & Gelato to open Nov. 1 on Colorado Highway 105 (behind Rosie’s Diner) in Monument.

Shuttered
Sien Sien Chinese Restaurant, 765 W. Garden of the Gods Road, and Magic Wok, 1855 N. Circle Drive, have closed.
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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. Do
you manage a restaurant? Send us your e-mail
address so we can keep in touch.