Reserve seats for fine wine with dinner

Every month there are opportunities to go to wine-pairing dinners and our favorite such dinners are the ones hosted by the Independent Restaurant Cooperative.

The IRC consists of chefs and owners of independent restaurants. They are dedicated to supporting local farmers and ranchers. And the dinners always have been creative and delicious.

Ten eateries will have a dinner at Jake & Telly’s Greek Cuisine, 2616 W. Colorado Ave., at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17.

It will be a seven-course meal with seven wines. Cost is $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity). All 10 of the chefs will be there to prepare different courses. Call 633-0406 for reservations.

February marks the start of the regular dinner series. The dinners are on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and cost $50 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Call for reservations.

- February: Jake & Telly’s Greek Cuisine, 2616 W. Colorado Ave., 633-0406.

- March: To be announced

- April: Blue Vervain, 56 Park Ave. in Manitou Springs, 685-2400.

- May: Briarhurst Manor, 404 Manitou Ave. in Manitou Springs, 685-1864.

- June: The Margarita at PineCreek, 7350 Pine Creek Road, 598-8667.

- July: Edelweiss Restaurant, 34 E. Ramona Ave., 633-2220.

- August: Caspian Cafe, 4375 Sinton Road, 528-1155.

- September: The Warehouse, 25 W. Cimarron St., 475-8880.

- October: Paravicini’s Italian Bistro, 2802 W. Colorado Ave., 471-8200.

- November: Craftwood Inn, 404 El Paso Blvd. in Manitou Springs, 685-9000.

Recent openings

- Old World European Restaurant, 945 S. Eighth St., serving German and other European dishes, is open 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays for lunch; dinner is 5:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, it offers “coffee time,” serving pastries and beverages. Call 578-1902 for reservations.

- The second Heart of Jerusalem Cafe is open at 15 E. Bijou St. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.

- Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, 2965 S. Academy Blvd. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Recent closings

- Fire Rock Grill, 575 Garden of the Gods Road (formerly Ranch Steak House and Hungry Farmer), has closed.

- The local Buca di Beppo at 7252 N. Academy Blvd. closed Dec. 30. We hear that a local investor has bought it and plans to open it as an independent restaurant.

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.