TABLE TALK: TasteCasters get free lunch (or dinner)

Do you have more than 250 followers on Twitter? Then you could be the next food critic on the Colorado Springs TasteCasting team. The idea combines social networking with food to benefit restaurants.

It started in Columbus, Ohio, and now there are TasteCasting teams forming in 22 cities, including Denver and Colorado Springs. Louis N. Batides and William Flentje are co-captains for the Springs.

According to tastecasting.com, team members taste, tweet, and then repeat, broadcasting the experience across their social media platforms.

Restaurants who want to be reviewed provide a complimentary meal for the TasteCasting team. Then the socially connected team members spread the word with hopes of creating a buzz about the place they are reviewing.

Currently, there is no charge to restaurants and no further compensation for tasters.

If you think you’d like to get involved, you can join at the Web site.

So many dishes, so little time
Victor Matthews, owner of the Black Bear Restaurant, 10375 Ute Pass Ave. in Green Mountain Falls, will be creating his 30,000th original dish at his restaurant tonight.

“I have promised myself and the press that I will not create the idea until it is time,” he e-mailed. “It will be completely spontaneous just like the other 29,999.” Call 684-9648.

We haven’t been counting, so I guess we’ll trust him on this.

Bakery moving
Because of the Woodman Road construction project, Mark and Ainley Jewell, owners of Great Harvest Bread Co., have moved their store to 1466 Garden of the Gods Road. With more space, they have expanded their menu to offer soups, salads, and paninis, along with all the good breads for which they are famous.

Learn about wine
Swirl Wine Emporium, 717 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, will feature a Wines of Italy class at 4 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $18 per person and includes cheese with four wines. Call 685-2294.

Shuttered
• Antonio’s Italian Restaurant, 301 Garden of the Gods Road, has a sign on the door announcing that it is no longer in business.
• Phone service for El Palenque Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, 2165 Academy Circle, has been disconnected.
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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.
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