TABLE TALK: Foodies can get their fill in the week ahead
Get ready to do some serious eating in the next week.
Two of the biggest chef events of the year are planned for Sunday, and then, starting Monday, local restaurants will celebrate the first-ever Pikes Peak Restaurant Week.
If you’ve been to Denver’s Restaurant Week or First Bite Boulder, you get the concept. During one week, Monday through Sunday, participating local restaurants will offer special deals for multicourse dinners.
Modeled after San Diego’s Restaurant Week, the local one will offer dinners for two for $35, $45 or $55. The Pikes Peak Colorado Restaurant Association, which is helping to organize the event, went with the three-tiered approach so that modest as well as upscale restaurants could participate.
So far, participating restaurants include: Paravicini’s, The Airplane Restaurant, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Pizzeria Rustica, Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna, Front Range BBQ, The Warehouse, McCabe’s Tavern, The Margarita At PineCreek, Phantom Canyon, Adam’s Mountain Café, Coquette Bistro & Bakery and Rasta Pasta.
Gazette.com/entertainment will be a clearinghouse for menus and participating restaurants. Restaurants that would like to join the fun can e-mail menus and prices to warren.epstein@gazette.com. Those looking for a thrifty night on the town should check gazette.com/entertainment frequently this weekend and next week for updates.
As for the other big foodie events:
The Pikes Peak Colorado Restaurant Association Food Expo will hold an “Iron-Chef”-like competition at the International Center at The Broadmoor noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $27 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets will be available at The Airplane Restaurant, 1665 N. Newport Road; McCabe’s Tavern, 520 S. Tejon St.; and Pizzeria Rustica, 2527 W. Colorado Ave. Or visit ppcra.org.
The other is the Chefs’ Gala, an annual fundraiser for The Colorado Springs Chorale, featuring samples from about two dozen of the Pikes Peak region’s best restaurants and caterers. It’s set for 5 p.m. Sunday at the Antlers Hilton Heritage Ballroom. Tickets are $95. Call 634-3737 or e-mail csc@cschorale.org.
Folding crepes
The great crepe explosion of 2010 seems to be imploding. Following on the heels of Wholly Crepe at Chapel Hills Mall, Crepes Francaise closed last week.
Gumbo time
With Fat Tuesday coming up next week, it’s time to think about all things Mardi Gras and New Orleans.
First up is the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off Saturday in Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave., in Manitou Springs. Contestants will begin cooking their secret recipes at 8 a.m. Judging commences at 10:45 a.m. with tastings open to the public after the winners are announced. A buck buys you two samples.
A Mardi Gras Carnivale Parade follows, starting at Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., and continues up Manitou Avenue. Participation is free. Be at the park by noon.
Here are other places to have fun and fill up on Mardi Gras food on Tuesday.
• Ritz Grill, 15 S. Tejon St., the Cajun dinner begins at 4:30 p.m. with a band beginning at 9:30 p.m.
• Oscar’s Tejon Street, 333 S. Tejon St., where Chef Phil Duhon will be preparing his famous crawfish boil and other popular Cajun foods.
• Tony’s, 311 N. Tejon St.. will be having gumbo and special drinks.
• SouthSide Johnny’s, 528 S. Tejon St., where the Cajun dinner starts at 5 p.m. and live music at 9 p.m.
Cook with a chef
What better way to learn how to cook than from a professional chef? The Picnic Basket Catering, 1701-A S. Eighth St., continues to offer a series of cooking classes taught by its chefs.
The following classes are 6 to 9 p.m., unless noted. Cost is $69 each, unless noted. Call 635-0200 for reservations: Tuesday, charcuterie; Thursday, cheeses of the world; March 17, beer pairing; March 29, “Tastes! The unusual.”
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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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Hear Farney’s “KVOR Table Talk” radio show noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays on 740 AM.
