=" /> The Mile High Eater: 11/01/2010 - 12/01/2010

Saturday, November 27, 2010

neuro

Hi all,

A respresentative from Neuro contacted us to try their drink. There are seven flavors in all: neuro Sonic, neuro Trim, neuro Bliss, neuro Gasm, neuro Sleep, neuro Aqua and neuro Sport.


She dropped off bottles for us to try and this is what we have to say. First off each bottle has between 35 and 50 calories. Each bottle costs around $2.00. You can visit their site to find a store to purchase the product http://drinkneuro.com/.

Neuro Sonic
I really liked the taste of this. It was refreshing and quinched my thirst. It also gave me an energy boost. We also let a friend of ours who is a die hard energy drink person try this and he said the taste was very good and he could feel the boost of energy fairly quickly.

nuero Bliss
I had a co-worker try this one and she did not like it much as it had a chemical taste and smell to it. It did hold it's carbonation though!

neuro Trim
This one had a citrus taste to it. I don't recall much of an effect with this drink, as it was supposed to curb your appetite. Jonathan also tried this one and he likes the taste but as for the effects it claims it is really hard to say after one bottle.

neuro Gasm
Another co-worker tried this one and had the following to say:
It had a strawberry citrus flavor and I liked the lightly carbonated aspect. The carbonation isn't overpowering like it is with a lot of sodas. It also did not have a sharp aftertaste. I got quite a bit of energy from the caffeine. Jonathan tried this one as well and liked the taste as well.

neuro Sleep: Jonathan tried this one and thought the taste was ok, however, whether it was the drink or just being tired it's hard to say. He got to sleep quickly and stayed asleep that night which for him is a pretty nice thing.


neuro Sport
A co-worker's son tried this one for us and said it had an apple taste to it and that he really liked it.


All in all, we recommend trying this drink. The price is really good compared to other drinks and with these, not only do you get a low calorie count, you also get the added benefits the different varieties claim to give, and you get something that actually tastes good and you want to drink.

Thanks for stopping by our Colorado food blog. Send us any questions or comments here or email us at jonathan or barb @milehigheater.com.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Things and Stuff

We get sent alot of news notices about restaurant events and we have been trying to just list them once a month but it seems it may be easier to list them once a week so thats what we will be doing on Fridays if we have any news.

Chef Michael Long of Opus Restaurant and the soon-to-open ARIA is teaming up with Star Bar and New Belgium for a beer dinner Wednesday, December 1 at 7pm. $49pp++. Please call Star Bar for reservations at 720.328.2420. Menu is attached and pasted below.


Star Bar
2137 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80205


MENU:
La Fleur Misseur / Ranger IPA
Tropical "Fish-n-Chips": Escabeche of Salmon and Mahi on Taro Chips with spicy sweet scallion sauce


Trippel / Mothership Wit
PB&J Thai Chicken: Redbird Chicken Tenders with coriander rub, Thai peanut sauce, coconut milk jelly


La Folie / Abbey
Colorado Lamb Bison Camp Stew with root vegetables and pumpkin

Dear Friends of Meadow Lark Farm Dinners,


As winter wind scours the plains with snow and farm fields are left to rest, we savor our memories of a wonderful farm dinner season. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to all who helped us celebrate Colorado's farms and farmers last summer. It was a privilege to have you at our table. And most importantly, we thank our hosts—the farmers—for welcoming us all on their farms, and for inspiring us with their dedicated work and fine harvests.

We are already making plans for our 2011 season. In the meantime, we're keeping our wood fire burning just a little longer: We are preparing for two special Meadow Lark Farm Dinner fundraisers at Cure Organic Farm.

Anne and Paul Cure have been working toward turning the old Tree House nursery shop into a farm store and community kitchen for teaching classes and preserving their harvest. Our holiday fundraiser dinners will take place inside the Tree House farm store and kitchen building, on Thursday, December 16 and Saturday, December 18, at 6:00 PM. The cost of these dinners will be $100 per person, plus tax (wine is purchased separately, as at our regular dinners). All profits from these two evenings will go toward equipment and improvements of the Tree House kitchen.

Reservations will open on Monday, November 29, at noon. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We hope you can join us!

We wish you a Happy Holiday Season.

Meadow Lark Farm Dinners

We're proud to announce our
Fourth Annual White Truffle and Barolo Event

featuring

Guest Chef Michael Tusk
(Quince Restaurant, San Francisco)

MICHAEL TUSK is the renowned chef and owner of Quince, one of San Francisco's most critically acclaimed restaurants. At Quince, Michael draws inspiration for his Italian influenced cuisine from exceptional locally- sourced and seasonal ingredients-sourced and seasonal ingredients found throughout Northern California.

2010 James Beard Foundation Awards Nominee Best Chef: Pacific
2008 James Beard Foundation Awards Nominee Best Chef: Pacific
2007 James Beard Foundation Awards Nominee Best Chef: Pacific
2006 James Beard Foundation Awards Nominee Best Chef: Pacific

and

Guest Vintner Matteo Molino
(Azienda Agricola Molino, Piemonte, Italy)

MATTEO MOLINO is the winemaker of his family estate, Azienda Agricola Molino, founded in 1953. The winery is located near the ancient abbey of S. Martino di Marcenasco and includes one of the most famous cru of the Langhe, "Vigna Conca", among its vineyards. The excellent wines of Molino, based in the commune of La Morra, epitomize the supple tannins and overt, seductive fruit which
this commune is renowned for.

Monday, December 6th
6:30pm

5 courses
including wine pairings and white truffles

$550 per person*
*not including tax or gratuity

Call 303.442.6966 for reservations
Seating is limited to 45 guests


Thanks as always for stopping by our restaurant blog.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Black Cat Comes to You!

Just ran across this and thought it interesting, just wish I could afford to do that for our Holiday meal :)

Black Cat to Offer Holiday Farm-to-Your-Table Private Dining Series

Who: Chef/Farmer Eric Skokan

What: Private Chef Dinner Events

Where: In your home

When: Beginning after Thanksgiving and running through January 15th

Cost: $1200 for a party of 10

Contact: (303) 444-5500

Details: Enjoy the best of Black Cat’s farm and bistro at your home. Chef/Farmer Eric Skokan of Black Cat is packing up his knives for the holiday season and heading to your home to cook. Price includes a multi-course meal for you and your friends, paired wine and full service. Space is limited and filling up quickly.

About Black Cat Farm-Table-Bistro:

Opened in 2006 in Boulder, Colorado, Black Cat is a smart, soulful farm to table bistro. Chef/Farmer Eric Skokan creates inspired dishes by employing the careful technique and preparation of local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s ten-acre farm grows over 250 different fruits and vegetables and serves as an incubator for the further development of ‘Front Range’ cuisine.

For more information: www.blackcatboulder.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Montanya Rum

Hi all,

A month or so ago we went to a Rum distillery while on vacation and while this may bring up thoughts of warm weather and tropical breezes, it was actually high up in the mountains in Colorado in the town of Silverton. Yep, I know that sounds a bit odd that Colorado would have a rum distillery but it does and Montanya Rum is a great one at that (http://www.montanyadistillers.com).


We arrive up in the town of Silverton early on a cool October day looking for the Montanya Distillery. If you ever have been in Silverton it's way up there - 9300ft and the drive up to it from Ouray is nothing short of spectacular. But the town itself is not large and it really had us puzzled that we couldn't seem to find it.

Finally we pull in and the reason we missed it becomes obvious in our heads when we heard distillery (especially one that is distributed in 6 states). We expected a large operation but the distillery is actually in a fairly small building that looks as much like a house as a place that makes great run.

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We are greeted by Lizzie Loyer who shows us around a bit. When you walk in the first thing you see is the big copper distilling pot where the rum is made and a bar which when walking into a distillery is a very welcome sight indeed. We are there pretty early in the morning and at the moment rum isn’t being made but the copper of Bella (what they have named the distillery pot) is still warm from last nights brewing.

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The first thing we do is take a little tour. The distillery consists of three floors. Upstairs is where they keep the barrels of rum till they are readied to be bottled, which they do themselves on the little machine shown below.
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The main floor is where "Bella" is and the bar where they hold nightly tastings because they want to be known as much for their mixed drinks as the rum itself. And lastly the bottom floor where the mash is made in preparation to get turned into alcohol in "Bella".

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After that we talked a bit with Lizzie Loyer about the distillery and why it is located up high in the mountains in Colorado. Below I have copied a bit of information on why the rum they make is so good.

There are some compelling reasons why making rum in the mountains of Colorado just makes plain good sense.
Here are just a few:
• The main ingredient in rum, comprising 85% of the fermented wash and 60% of the final bottled product, is water. Rum comes out of the still at about 140 proof and is blended with water to be bottled at 80 proof. Now, I am not sure if you have ever been to the Caribbean, but water there is not only scarce but it is not of the highest quality. Here in Silverton, our water is crisp, clean snowmelt straight out of Silverton's own pristine Boulder Creek.

• The finest rums in the world are aged at altitude. It's true - we didn't make this up for our marketing campaign. In Guatemala at the Ron Zacapa distillery, barrels are carried up into the mountains to age because the temperature fluctuations from day to night which force more rum into and out of the barrel's oak pores. The crazy magic of the oak makes the rum more smooth and delicious. It is true that Guatemala has some nice mountains. But the San Juan mountains of Southwestern Colorado are pretty hard to beat.

• Rum is traditionally aged in American Oak casks. Caribbean and Central American rum producers import their barrels from whiskey makers in the US. We are actually closer to the source! Our barrels reach us fresh from the whiskey distillery. A fresher barrel ages tastier rum.

• Rum fermentation attracts fruit flies (and yes, even bats) en masse to the tank, and the good news is...Silverton just doesn't have any of those because of our cool temperatures and high elevation. We don't think they added any good flavors anyway.

• Making rum produces a lot of heat. Ever seen photos of Caribbean distillers working over a hot still in a full sweat? They actually have to cool their wash during fermentation to keep the yeast from dying. In our distillery, the temperature on a summer day is ideal for fermentation. On a chilly winter day, the heat from our still keeps the building in the high 60s, a fine temperature for fermentation and comfortable visitors. What better idea for a business in a chilly climate than one that produces heat as its main by-product?

• Silverton's miners have been drinking rum for 120 years, and we think they should have a source closer to home!



The process for making the rum itself takes about 7-10 days for the yeast mixed with sugercane and water to eat up the sugar and make the mash for "Bella" then get reduced from 100 gallons down to 12 gallons of rum in "Bella". Then from there to be cut with Boulder Gulch spring water and placed in the cask for aging.


Montanya makes two different types of rum, a light that’s called Platino and a dark called Oro, and both are pretty darn good and have been winning lots of rewards (if you would like to know which ones please take a look at their website). For myself, being a Scotch fan I liked the dark run better myself while Barb preferred the light.

Now we got up there pretty early in the day around 10 am and were planning to head on out of town after the tour so when we were offered a drink of the rum and a mixed drink we hesitated a bit but decided why not, we were on vacation and it seems just wrong to pass up a free drink!

What Lizzie Loyer made for us was the “Freestyle”.


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The Freestyle:
Rim: Mix equal parts of Ground Cinnamon, and Nutmeg. Add Turbinado Sugar to mix for desired taste.
1oz Clove Simple Syrup
2-3 oz Montanya Oro
1 Full Lemon
Spoonful of Pineapple chunks
Muddled 4-5 Basil Leaves
Clove Simple Syrup: Make Simple Syrup- Equal Parts sugar and water- infuse cloves for one day or Toast cloves slightly then add the water and sugar to make the simple syrup
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And man was it tasty. Barb the ever practical one cut me off after a sip or two because according to her I was driving. Myself I believe it was so she could have more to herself.

If you’re ever in the area stop by here at night and try out some of their drinks and see the distillery for yourself. It's pretty darn cool and the drinks are fantastic.

They are coming up with new drinks all the time and seem to be happy to share them, so take a peek at their website.

Thanks for stopping by our Colorado Denver based Restaurant/Food review and blog. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment here or email us at jonathan or barb @milehigheater.com.






Friday, November 12, 2010

Muir Glen Tomatoes

Hi all,

We were invited out to Opus Restaurant in Littleton (www.opusdine.com)for a wine pairing dinner. What made it different was this was a dinner focused on one ingredient and of all things a premium organic canned tomato. Yeah, canned tomato’s being used as a centerpiece for a high end meal with wine pairings. The whole idea seemed a bit odd but we were definately intrigued.


So, we geared up and headed out to Littleton not really knowing what to expect. We were greeted at the bar with Bloody Mary's made out of one the brands of tomatoes called Meridian Ruby. And,to go along with it crostini and cheese with Muir Glen Tomatoes. Now I have to be honest here I am not a huge Bloody Mary fan so my opinion here should be taken with a large grain of salt but these tasted pretty good and you could defiantly taste the tomato in it.


Next, we made it out to the table when Chef Michael Long came out and talked a bit about the meal, and why he was participating in the Muir Glen Tomato Event. What I really came away with was that as far as canned vegetables (yes I know tomatoes are a fruit but they do get treated like veggie a lot) the only one he would use in the kitchen would be a tomato as long as it was a very good one. His family has a farm that raises tomatos back east so he is fairly knowledgeable about them. He also had a chance to actually harvest some of the tomatoes that Muir Glen uses and said they had a better taste and were much juicier than most commercially grown tomatoes and of course Muir Glen are all organically grown.

tomandcholon0007


After Chef Long spoke a bit, the Muir Glen represenitive chatted with us a bit and passed out some information. I actually found it interesting so I will go ahead and pass it along to you.

tomandcholon0003

Just as many Napa Valley wineries bottle both their house wine and a special Reserve line that gets a bit more attention, Muir Glen also harvests and cans a very limited run of Reserve Tomatoes each year. Muir Glen started producing the annual Reserve Tomatoes in 2008 and is excited about this new tradition they’ve begun.

Grown exclusively for Muir Glen in Yolo County, Calif., under certified organic practices, the 2010 Reserve Tomatoes are hand-harvested at the peak of ripeness to guarantee exceptional quality and taste, going from vine to can in eight hours. The unique Meridian Ruby™ variety was chosen as the 2010 Muir Glen Reserve Tomato for its deep red color and delectable tomato flavor. Meridian Ruby is offered in two varieties: Meridian Ruby Diced Tomatoes and Meridian Ruby Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. The fire roasted tomatoes are grilled and smoked over a proprietary blend of hardwoods to add the smoky depth that foodies and home cooks alike have come to expect from Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes.


Now came the food which was mostly prepared by Chef Shaun who is now the Head Chef at Opus.

Course 1: Fire Roasted Tomato Shrimp Bisque with Fresh basil and Mozzarella Crouton. Pared with a 2006 Gunderloch (Gewurztraminer) wine.

tomandcholon0006


He says: By far my favorite dish of the night - this was just killer. From the incredible taste of the bisque which was not really heavy and creamy like you would expect to the wonderful Crouton and shrimp MAJOR YUM. The wine also was a hit and enhanced the Bisque which for me to be honest doesn’t happen all that often with wine pairings.

I am pretty glad this was my favorite because it is one of the recipes that comes with the box of the Muir Glen Tomato’s so I got a copy of it and can't wait to try it at home. The whole recipe looks pretty easy, even for me.

She says: The Shrimp Bisque was a wonderful start to the evening and is also my favorite of the night. It was smooth and warm (on a cold November night) and the flavor combinations combined into a sweet bite when getting a little shrimp, the bisque and the mozzarella crouton. I also liked the wine (which if you've read our blog before know that I am very picky when it comes to wine - so that's a high compliment coming from me).


Second Course was An “Italian Tamale”. Handmade Italian Sausage and Fennel stuffing roasted in a Corn Husk over Soft Polenta and Meridian Ruby Tomato Sauce and Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Cheese from Fruition Farms. This was paired with a 2007 “Langhe” Nebbiolo.

tomandcholon0008


He Says: I liked this ok but it was not a stand out. It really had a good solid taste and I enjoyed the over all flavors but not something that really shines. The wine also was ok but I am not a big red wine fan so I would say just ok.

She says: I agree with Jonathan's assessment. This was ok, but not one for the memory books. The sausage was good, but wasn't memorable. The polenta though was very good and I would have liked more of it. The wine was ok, again, I'm not a wine fan, and definately prefer white over red.

The Dessert was an Olive Oil Cake with Basil Crema and Muir Glen Tomato Sorbet. Paired with “Nivole” Michele Chiarlo.

tomandcholon0009


He Says: Yep, you read that right: Tomato Sorbet! I read this and kind of shuddered. I mean come on, a tomato freaking ice cream - that’s just wrong. I do give tons of props to the kitchen for sticking with the tasting theme and doing a tomato based dessert. That being said this was a hard one to pull off and to some extent it worked. If you got just a little bit of sorbet along with the cake and Basil Creama it was very tasty and had a nice fresh taste with a hint of the tomatoes sweetness. However, if you got even a bit too much sorbet it was like a slap to your mouth as it was inundated with tomato so much so it tasted like biting into a whole semi frozen tomato, which can be good some times but not in a desert.

She says: Intriguing. Tomato Sorbet was not what I was expecting and had no idea what an Olive Oil cake would taste like. Again, I have to agree with Jonathan. If you got the right proportions, this was an ok dish, but get more than the other and it was sweet cold tomato time. And, I'm not a eat a tomato slice kind of girl. The Olive Oil cake was nice, but needed the kick of something other than tomato.


After the dinner we were giving a box that contained 1 can Muir Glen Fire Roasted Meridan Ruby Tomatos, 1 can of the diced, one can of tomato paste and one can of dices fire roasted with chipolte peppers to take home. I am looking forward to making a batch of Chili soon with these. If you want to give them a try for yourself they only sell the handpicked premium ones a few months each year starting today. The cost for the 4 pack (including a recipe book with that killer Bisque in it among others) costs $8.00 with free shipping and you can get them at http://www.muirglen.com/ seems like a pretty darn good deal for tomatoes of this quality.
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After the dinner we asked Chef Long a few quick questions about the event

1. Why did you choose to participate in the Muir Glen event?
To be perfectly honest Muir Glen choose myself...I had a recipe published in Cooking Light Magazine where I specified the use of Muir Glen organic tomatoes and they noticed it....because I and the other chefs are not paid there is a certain legitimacy to our sponsorship.

2. A lot of restaurants are preaching farm to table, why choose to use a canned tomato?
Two reasons: One, it is a way to great tomato flavors in the winter! I would not use them say in a caprese salad, but I personally have no problem capturing the harvest and using them in soup, toppings, sauces, stews etc. Second, tradition: while not a venerated ingredient like say truffles, honey, verjus, etc...there is a tradition of using canned tomatoes for fine cuisine since canning was invented....you can say the same about canned peas or beets for example.


3. The Tomato Sorbet was a really daring dessert choice why did you decide to go with a tomato dessert for the meal instead of sticking with more traditional tomato based meal items?
I must say that is an example of my personal commitment to exploring cuisine...the try and let people experience the different and unexpected.

4. Can you tell us a bit about your new restaurant you will be opening soon in Cherry Creek?
The restaurant will be called Aria and will feature fun and creative dishes in a slighly less formal setting than Opus. We hope to open before the New Year.



Thanks for stopping by our Colorado based Restaurant and Food Review and Blog. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a comment here or email us at jonathan or barb @milehigheater.com





Saturday, November 6, 2010

Argyll: Highs and Lows

Hi all thanks for stopping by www.milehigheater.com

We dined recently at Argyll: A Gastro Pub in Downtown Cherry Creek. We found out about the Argyll when we attended the Cherry Creek Food and Wine Festival this summer. So, we took a couple of friends to expand our palette.
The Argyll’s food is based on English pub style food, but raising the bar a bit (not to dis pub food).

Sadly due a camera mishap the first few items we dont have pictures for.

They do their own House Made Charcuterie Selections, which is in house curing of meat. We chose the Rabbit Rillette, Gruyere, and Colorado purple onion jam.

She Says: As you know, I love rabbit. And this rabbit was nice and smooth and delicious. Paring it with the Gouda and the red onion and bread was a nice bite. I could have had more and been very happy.

He Says: This is one of the highs. It tasted really good and the combination of the Rillette, cheese and the red onion was just fantastic. I could have done a whole meal of this. If you end up going, they have a list they give you of several different Charcuteries cheeses and “sauces” that you mix and match you should SO try it.

Jonathan ordered one of the drinks of the day and one of our friends ordered one of the others and of course we all shared They were

He says: The lemonade drink was very tart which I found refreshing and good over all, but if you like sweet lemonade you would want to steer clear. The one I ordered was basically a mulled wine and I was very, very happy with it. It was one of those drinks that makes you want to curl up next to a fire sipping this and settle down to read a nice book.


The second appetizer we tried was a traditional Scotch egg.

He says: Well here is where the pendulum swings down. The egg was very well cooked but the overall flavor was extremely greasy and this may be a case of high expectations (the last one I had was YUM). This one was just not. In fact, I was the only one at the table who wanted a second bite.
She says: I didn’t even have a first bite after everyone else gave their opinion, so I was spared.

They also have a house chip they serve before your meal which was made with malt vinegar gastrique reduction and dried thyme and parsley.

Argyll20001

Oh OHH I liked these alot at first I could not figure out what the dark thick sauce was on the chips but I knew I loved the taste. These were such a winner and would be great to just munch on while you are enjoying a drink.




Onto the menu!

Barb had the Confit Chicken Pot Pie - Confit Chicken, Bechamel, Carrots, Parsnips, Potatoes, Celery, Leeks & Pie Crust
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She says: I have to admit first, that Jonathan makes a mean pot pie from his Gran’s recipe. And I ask him to make it a lot. But, if I were closer to the Argyll I might have to stop in there more often. It was creamy, with the right amount of ingredients. The crust was beautifully made and melted in your mouth.

He says: This was good; ok yeah no disrespect Gran but this may be better than yours (but not much really). If you like a pot pie you can’t go wrong with this, it is very creamy and the vegetables and meat inside are about as perfect as you can get. As far as a traditional pot pie goes I don’t think you can get much better.

Jonathan had the daily special which was House cured Duck Confit with Parpadelli Pasta, Carrot Puree Cream Sauce, Colorado Peaches, Chives and Chantrelle Mushrooms.


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She says: You know how much I love duck, but it seemed to be missing from the dish. The noodles were good, but it just felt incomplete somehow. I was high hopes for this dish, but was let down.

He says: Ok when the server read this I got more and more excited hearing about it. Peaches, duck, and Fruition Farms Ricotta, so of course I had to try it and I was expecting something special. What I got was a bowl of noodles with a little sauce but not enough to keep the whole thing from being a bit stuck together and seeming a bit dry. The flavor was actually good however the duck was almost nonexistent and if there were peaches or even a hint of peach flavor there I know I never tasted it. Overall, with this dish I thought I had been promised a Lexus and got a K-car.

Our friends had:
Sea Bass: Herbed Sea Bass, Goat Cheese & Tarragon Gnocchi, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Tomatoes & Chioga Beets
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She Says: She says: The sea bass was thick and delicious, and eaten with the gnocchi and beet became a taste sensation in your mouth.

He Says: The fish was good, well cooked but really nothing all that special. However, the vegetables that surrounded the fish were just wonderful. Had this been a vegetable dish not a fish dish I would of raved about it as it the vegetables were good enough to still make it a overall enjoyable dish.

And Hickory Smoked Venison: Smoked Venison Flank, Roasted Tomatoes, Colorouge Cheese Fondue, Anson Mills Grits
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She says: The venison had great flavor and was tender and delicious. But I only had a small bite as I was loving my pot pie.

He Says: Hmmpff! Leave Barb to give a one sentence description to one of the best things in the meal: The venison was perfectly cooked and tender with a flavor that made me want to steal it outright from Elena (but no way she would of given it up for my noodles darn it).

We also all shared a small portion of their award winning Argyll Shrimp MacCheese: Mini-Rigatoni w/ 5 Cheese Sauce, Braised Shallots, Oyster Mushrooms, Bacon, Peas, Parmesan Breadcrumbs & Prawns


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She says: This was a smart choice as we could all have a bit, but not get too overloaded, because it would have been so easy to eat the whole bowl and order another. I can see why it’s won awards!

He says: Wow this is not the Mac and cheese I grew up with. It was so rich and creamy that it just made you smile when you took a bite. But be warned when I say “so rich”. I should say SOOO RICH! If you order a full portion of this you had darn better be hungry because each bite just coats your stomach with its creamy cheesy shrimpy goodness.

Considering the entire meal even if not everything was a hit, enough of it was to make it a place worth visiting. Even if they do hit a few foul balls, when they get it right it goes all the way.

Thanks as always for stopping by our Denver/Colorado based restaurant and food review/blog. If you have any questions of comments feel free to leave a comment here or email us at jonathan or barb @ milehigheater.com

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Argyll on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Dunkin' Donuts Coffee


Hello all,

For the Holiday season Dunkin Donuts is producing three new coffees and luckily for us they sent some for us to sample. With that said, Jonathan and I really are not coffee drinkers. I like an occasional cup here and there, and I love the smell of coffee, but I just don't drink it regularly.

So, we took the bags to work with us and had our co-workers try it out. And, here is what they had to say about it.

We received 3 different flavors: Mint Mocha, Vanilla Nut and Pumpkin Spice.



One co-worker said: She liked the vanilla nut as a all day coffee, it had subtle hints of vanilla.

She did not care for the pumpkin as she said it tasted way too heavy of nutmeg for her taste and she did like the mint but felt it was definately a dessert coffee.

Another co-worker said: The mint was very good and would be perfect with any dessert or for an afternoon pick me up.

The pumpkin spice smelled wonderful but the flavor wasn’t true pumpkin spice in my opinion. It tasted very strong and dark to me, like a “first thing in the morning with a bran muffin” sort of drink.

It looks like for the most part people liked them and if you would like to give them a try take a look in your grocery store, they are on the shelves already!

Thanks for stopping by our blog. If you have any questions, you can email us at jonathan or barbara@milehigheater.com.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Whats Going on in November 2010

Hi all,

It’s hard to believe November is here already. This is the week I put down a list of things we have heard of that are happening in November. I will add to it as the month goes on and we hear of more things. Next week we are heading out to Cholon Bistro to give them a try. If you ever want to join us, drop us a line and we will let you know the particulars.

Also wanted to add quickly, after a couple of our Vegan readers tried out the black cats tasting menu and told us how much they enjoyed it ( www.blackcatboulder.com ) I talked to Chef Eric Skokan briefly and he passed on a little information about how the farm had done this year
" Here's the update on the farm: we've expanded to seventy acres and moved onto the farm which is on 75th and Valmont. Our first animals we've raised are making their way onto the menu: duck and pork come from our farm! The pork is amazing. It is the best I've tasted, bar none. We built a second root cellar at the farm, much bigger than the first. We are starting to pack it with produce. 5,000 pounds of potatoes, 10,000 pounds of carrots"

All I can say is wow the farm has gone a long way from the little vegtable garden I saw a few years back and I think Barb and I may be due to head back over to the Black Cat one of these days to try out that pork Chef Skokan is raving about.



This month in Restaurant Special Events:

Newly added 11/15 Frasca
Monday, November 15th
Jamie Adams of the Sorting Table presents the wines of Castello di Ama, Tuscany, Italy

You could make the argument that Castello di Ama is the greatest producer of Sangiovese in Chianti Classico. The wines, made from impeccably farmed vineyards, at high altitude near the village of Gaiole, are always seriously complex and concentrated. Not to mention sought after, with demand always outstripping supply.

$45 per person for a 4 course menu (not including optional wine pairings)






Wednesday, November 17th
Guest Chef Event with Chef Michael Chiarello-only a few seats left!!

If you're a Top Chef Masters Season 2 fan, this is an event you won't want to miss! Come meet Chef Michael Chiarello of Bottega in Napa Valley as he prepares a 4 course menu from his new cookbook, Bottega. He's also bringing his Chiarello Family Vineyard wines to pair with his menu. There are only a few seats left, so call now to book your reservation!

$160 per person includes a 4 course menu, wine pairings, signed copy of Bottega cookbook and a NapaStyle parting gift! Does not include tax or gratuity.







Monday, November 22nd
Rico Thompson of Baroness Wines presents the wines of Cordero di Montezemolo, Piemonte, Italy



Barolo specialist Rico Thompson, of Baroness Imports, joins us to pour an all red flight from Cordero di Montezemolo. Based in the commune of La Morra, the wines of Cordero di Montezemolo show the suppler tannins and approachability that characterize the village. We will pour the single vineyard Barolo Monfalletto, Barbera and Dolcetto.

$45 per person for a 4 course menu (not including optional wine pairings)








Monday, November 29th
Chiara Leonini presents the wines of Felsina, Tuscany, Italy


Chiara Leonini, winemaker at the legendary Fattoria Felsina, ofsingle vineyard Cru Rancia, and Fontalloro fame, joins us. The winery is located just north-east of Siena in Castenuovo-Berardenga, at relatively low altitude. This warmer micro climate produces richly fruited Sangiovese, with a softer acid structure than some of its more highly situated neighbors. We will pour Fontalloro and Rancia.




$45 per person for a 4 course menu (not including optional wine pairings)



To Make Reservations
Please Call 303.442.6966


Newly added: Restaurant Kelly Liken:







RESTAURANT KELLY LIKEN LAUNCHES “BITES AND FLIGHTS NIGHT,”

EVERY TUESDAY, STARTING NOVEMBER 9 THROUGH DECEMBER 20, 2010



Diners are invited to enlighten their palate with unconventional pairings featuring hand-selected American and French wines, award-winning seasonal cocktails, and micro brews



WHAT: From Tuesday, November 9 through December 20, 2010, Restaurant Kelly Liken announces “Bites and Flights Night” offered every Tuesday at the bar. Owned by celebrated Chef Kelly Liken along with her husband and Wine Director Rick Colomitz, Restaurant Kelly Liken, is located within the world-class ski resort town of Vail, CO. and features seasonally inspired American cuisine with a strong emphasis on locally sourced Colorado ingredients and products. Available every Tuesday from opening until 7 p.m., the menu will change based on what is available and in season featuring side-by-side pairings of wine, cocktail, and beer flights along with canapés of Chef Liken’s extraordinary culinary offerings that bring the essence of the Colorado Rocky Mountain flavors to the palate.



‘Bites and Flights Night’ allows Kelly and I to really experiment with unexpected or contrasting pairings,” says Colomitz. “It brings the culinary experience to a whole other level especially when we are pairing with wine, Kelly’s amazing cocktails, or micro brews.”



The “Bites” menu will change weekly and will include canapés of a trio of items thoughtfully prepared by Chef Liken as influenced by the notes of the wines, nuances of a seasonal cocktail, or by a heartier micro brew. Examples of bites will include a Roasted Beet and Herbed Goat Cheese with Crispy Katifi, Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Citrus Dressed Water Cress and Shaved Macadamia Nuts, and Seared Duck Breast and Duck Confit with Arugula Hazelnut Vinaigrette paired with “The Wine Flight:” 2007 William Fevre “Champs Royaux” Chablis, 2008 Alphonse Mellot “La Moussiere” Sancerre, and a 2005 Clos Des Moielles, Cote de Bourg.



Beer and wine flights will include True Blond Ale-Ska Brewing, Amber Ale-Crazy Mountain, and India Pale Ale from Avery Brewing and “The California Collection” wine flight. Chef Liken’s award-winning seasonal hand-crafted cocktail flights will be showcased on the menu featuring seasonal martinis such as, High Altitude Beet, Pumpkin, and Pear Pleaser, and cocktails inspired by specific eras such as flights of the 30s or 60s.



WHEN: Every Tuesday starting, November 9 through December 20, 2010

Opening until 7:00 p.m.



Seating is limited. Please call the restaurant for further information.



COST: $25 per person including pre-selected flights of wine, cocktails, or beers

“Bite and Flight” pairings will change weekly



WHERE: Restaurant Kelly Liken

(At the bar)

12 Vail Road

Vail, CO. 81657

970.479.0175




Frasca: Frasca Food and Wine is now re-open!

To help celebrate our re-opening, we've invited award winning
Chef Michael Chiarello
of Bottega in Napa Valley to join us for a Guest Chef Event.

Come meet Chef Chiarello on Wednesday, November 17th
as he prepares a 4-course menu from his new cookbook BOTTEGA
Wine pairings by Chiarello Family Vineyards.

You'll leave smiling with a signed cookbook and a NapaStyle gift.
Seating is limited so call now for reservations
303.442.6966



Terroir in Longmont: Please join Executive Chef Tim Payne
this Friday or Saturday morning, November 5 or 6, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon
for a Holiday Cooking Class.
Learn new takes on classic holiday dishes as well as how to brine your Thanksgiving turkey.

Classes are limited to four students to allow for a unique, hands-on experience. Classes cost $65 and include a $10 gift certificate to Terroir as well as lunch. Please call 303.651.0630 to make your reservation.

Other Upcoming Cooking Classes:

Saturday, November 27: "North African and Middle Eastern Cooking"

Russian River Valley Wine Dinner

Course 1:
Crab, shrimp, and lobster cake with celery root remoulade paired with the Fieldstone Sauvignon Blanc

Course 2:
Salad of Aspen Moon Farm red butterhead lettuce, warm brie, roasted shallots, shaved Toohey Farm hakurai turnips, watermelon radishes, focaccia croutons, and citrus vinaigrette paired with the Branham Russian River Chardonnay

Course 3:
Monkfish bourgogne with smoked salmon and potato puree paired with the Kokomo Russian River Pinot Noir

Course 4:
Duck confit served over sweet potato gnocchi with grilled apples and pecan butter paired with the Baker Lane Ramondo Vineyard Pinot Noir

Course 5:
Raspberry upside down cake with spiced pistachios and raspberry coulis paired with the J Vineyards Brut Rose

Tickets for this event are $55 per person excluding tax and gratuity.


_________________________________________

Other Upcoming Cooking Classes:

Saturday, November 27: "North African and Middle Eastern Cooking"

Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4: "All About Lamb"

Friday, December 17 and Saturday, December 18: "All About Duck"




This month in food/ wine festivals and events:
First and foremost:
A LOCAL CELEBRATION OF WORLD CLASS DINING
First Bite Boulder is an annual event highlighting Boulder’s dining scene. For one full week, more than 40 of Boulder’s top restaurants will offer a special three course $26 prix fixe dinner menu to the community.
The week celebrates Boulder's exceptional dining community and will help bring our well-deserved reputation into the national spotlight. We invite you to join us as we celebrate the establishments that make Boulder the culinary destination it is.
This year's event: November 12-20, 2010
http://www.firstbiteboulder.com/

This is a great time to try out that restaurant you have been dying to try!


November 18th!
http://www.celebritycheftour.com/events/denver.html

Also a James Beard Dinner which looks like it could be really good.
HOST VENUE - Osteria Marco

Osteria Marco, named for the youngest Bonanno son, opened its doors just in time to celebrate Marco's fourth birthday in October, 2007. Chef-proprietor Frank Bonanno wanted to complement his highly successful high-end Italian eatery, Luca d'Italia (named for the older Bonanno boy) by offering a little brother—a more playful version of Luca d'Italia, but with the same artisan spirit and impeccable service.

Wide striped black and white awnings greet passersby as both a tribute to the original grocer's shop that stood at 1453 Larimer in the 1880's and as a nod to the traditional bold butchers' cloth. Pigs—in metal on the street and in canvas as within the osteria—were crafted by Denver artist Quang Ho and ironsmith Michael Mancerella, not only as additional tribute to the butcher (and the wares found within Osteria Marco) but to bring luck and good fortune to all who enter.

With our classic hand-tossed Italian pizza, extensive and accessible wine selection, house crafted meats and cheeses, and rustic elegance—Marco carries on the tradition of a classic osteria—a place where an upscale chef might flip a few pizzas; where great food, fabulous wine, and laughing friends connect to experience the Italian table.

GUEST CELEBRITY CHEF - Matt Selby
RESTAURANT - Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben's, Denver CO

Matt Selby is the community driven chef behind the critically acclaimed restaurants Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben's Food Service in Denver, Colorado. One of Denver's few native chefs, Chef Selby has been at the helm at Vesta since 1997. Over the past ten years, Vesta has consistently been named one of Denver's "Ten Best Restaurants" helping to launch Matty's reputation as one of Denver's top chefs while he was still in his twenties. Steuben's, while only one year old, has been named "Best New Restaurant", and made its debut on the "top ten" lists as well. At twenty-two years old, most cooks aren't ready to supervise themselves, never mind a kitchen full of cooks. Now, at age 32, after nine years as Executive Chef, Matt Selby has done his part to put Denver and Vesta Dipping Grill on the culinary map.

Born and raised in Denver, Selby's kitchen odyssey began by serving up burgers and cheese sticks in Bennigan's kitchens. After a five year stint at Bennigan's, Matty got the first big opportunity to work under two of his greatest influences, Tim Anderson, and Jimmy Schmidt at The Rattlesnake Grill in Denver. It was here that Matty chose to dedicate his professional life to food. In 1995, with Anderson and Schmidt, Matty participated in City Meals on Wheels in New York City. This was a dream come true meeting of some of the best chefs in the country, before the term "celebrity chef" ever existed.

Vesta Dipping Grill offers a unique concept with a special kind of menu freedom that has allowed Matty to be whimsical, creative, and worldly all at the same time. After only a year in business, Vesta was receiving incredible reviews, and Matty's reputation as one of Denver's best new chefs was growing. And the raves just kept coming: Best Chef in Denver, Denver's Top Ten Restaurants, Best Dessert, Best Appetizer, Best Cheese Plate, Best Duck, Best Place for a First Date, Best Place for Groups, Most Romantic, and the list goes on. Vesta has been noted in the New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, The Washington Post, Travel and Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and Maxim (the most respected of food magazines). Recently Vesta was featured on The Food Network's Unwrapped, and Rachel Ray's Tasty Travels. In her magazine Rachel Ray claimed Matty is "going to be a rock star." Perhaps one of the most gratifying highlights in Matty's career was an invitation to represent Denver at the James Beard House in New York City in 2005.

Matty could be the only chef in Denver that has remained in the same kitchen for nine years. His loyalty to Vesta and his continued desire to make it better has allowed Vesta to remain one of Denver's best restaurants year after year. Finally, in June of 2006, Matty took on another challenge by opening Steuben's, with the team and partnership he had built at Vesta Dipping Grill. While Vesta allows Matty to cook with his mind, Steuben's regional American and comfort menu has allowed Matty to get back to his roots and cook with his heart. After only two months Steuben's has been called "retro fabulous", "the hottest new joint in town", and recognized by the New York Times as "where to eat now."

Matty regularly contributes his time to a variety of local charity work including Vesta's annual "Small Plates For The Spot", Co-Chairing Culinary Conversations for the Liver Foundation, Too Many Chefs in the Kitchen (Children's Hospital), nine years in a row of Share Our Strengths Taste of the Nation, Chef's Out Front Operation Front Line, Dining out for Life, and numerous local art openings. Matty teaches regularly at The Seasoned Chef, and Mise en Place cooking schools. He has broadened his horizons with stages at Chez Panisse, An American Place, Goodfellows, and Gramercy Tavern.

GUEST CELEBRITY CHEF - Alex Seidel
RESTAURANT - Fruition, Denver CO

Alex Seidel, now Chef/Owner of Fruition Restaurant, began his career in the kitchen at age 14 in his home state of Wisconsin. From there, he quickly moved from the line to Sous Chef of Main Street Bistro by age 20. Inspired by food at a young age, Seidel studied at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, graduating at the top of his class. After graduation, he wanted to move to the California coast and work with the best chefs, local produce, and bounties from the nearby waters. He found his way at Hubert Keller's Club XIX at the prestigious Pebble Beach Resort, along with some of the state's finest kitchens. He went on to become Sous Chef at Antione Michelle and Chef at Carmel Valley Ranch both in Carmel, California. From there, he left the coast for the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

After a spontaneous trip to the Vail Valley, Alex fell in love with the strikingly beautiful natural setting and quality of life in a mountain town. He found a home as the Chef De Cuisine in one of Colorado's most renowned establishments, Sweet Basil in Vail, Colorado. Keeping his roots in Vail, Alex's thirst for culinary knowledge and experience took him to France, Italy and Morocco, where he experienced first hand the foods that formed his foundation in French cooking techniques. Following his first love (wife Melissa), Alex moved to Denver and became the Executive Chef at Mizuna. There he stayed for four years compiling the necessary ingredients (Vision, Hard Work and Ethics) needed to grow and understand what it takes to become a successful restaurateur.

Seidel opened his first restaurant, "Fruition," in the historical 7th Avenue district tucked between downtown Denver and Cherry Creek. Fruition quickly became popular with a 31/2 star rating in the Denver Post. In June of 2007, Gourmet Magazine featured Alex's new eatery, noting, "Fruition has opened a whole new chapter for Denver." The next month, Denver's 5280 Magazine rated Fruition with four stars. "Spectacular technique, innovation and precision define this dining destination that is destined to become a superstar in the metro area". Gayot.com rated Fruition as one of the top 10 new restaurants in the U.S. for 2007, along with World-renowned Chefs such as Gordon Ramsey, David Burke and Michel Richard. Zagat Guide has honored Fruition by rating the food the highest in the state. Recently, Seidel was recognized by the James Beard Foundation via an invitation to cook for the 20th Anniversary "Dinners across America."

Honored by his success and recognition from the national media, Alex's focus remains on the quality and consistency of his food and the ultimate dining experience for Fruition's patrons.

GUEST CELEBRITY CHEF - Michael Ginor
RESTAURANT - Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Lola - Great Neck NY

Michael Aeyal Ginor is co-founder and Chef of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, the most comprehensive Foie Gras producer in the world. Michael, with his partner Izzy Yanay, modernized the ancient delicacy known to Pharos and kings by utilizing the hi-tech and scientifically advanced production techniques of the twentieth century. Production is now a unified, controlled and consistent operation based on nature, nurture, and technology. It is a closed, independent production system where the duck and the egg both come first!

Michael was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1963. He is a graduate of Brandeis University and studied for an MBA at New York University. After four years on Wall Street as a Senior Vice-President with David Lerner Associates he decided to take a revolutionary step: having been born to Israeli expatriates living in America, in 1988 Michael joined the Israeli Defense Forces. He served as a patrol-commanding Captain in the Gaza Strip and as the Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson. It was in Israel that Michael first discovered the potential of modern-age Foie Gras processing. Michael pursued his dream by establishing what is today the major Foie Gras producer in the United States. The company distributes its moulard duck products through a network of distributors extending throughout the United States, and beyond.

HVFG has received the 1993 Gold Merit Award from Chefs in America and the 1996 Award for Excellence from The James Beard Foundation. In 1996, HVFG received the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and the 1998 Award of Excellence from the American Tasting Institute. Michael has served as Honorary Event Chairman for the Spinazzola Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Fund. In May 1996, Michael received the first Olive Branch Award from the Jewish National Fund for humanitarian and professional achievements. He was honored with the 1997 Angel Award from The James Beard Foundation for dedication, contribution and foresight and in 1998, Michael received the American Master Taster Award from the American Tasting Institute. Both Michael and Izzy Yanay were inducted into the James Beard Foundation Who's Who of Food and Beverage.

While HVFG is the bedrock of Michael's pursuits, since 1990, Michael has dedicated his time to the many facets of the culinary world, including product development, creating and organizing gourmet and charitable events, workshops and demonstrations. Thus, Hudson Valley Foie Gras is committed to and is associated with: The James Beard Foundation, where Michael serves as a member of the National advisory Board, The Culinary Institute of America, New England Culinary Institute, Meals on Wheels, Share Our Strength, The Robert Mondavi Master Chefs Program, The Television Food Network, The Masters of Food and Wine, The St. Mortiz Food & Wine Festival, Singapore World Gourmet Summit, and the Bangkok World Gourmet Festival among numerous others.

Michael is also founder of Culinary Brainwaves which consults to the gourmet food industry. He has worked with Rio Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas; Hyatt International; The Regent Group; The Four Seasons Group; Shangri-La Sheraton International; Inter-Continental and the Disney Corporation. He inaugurated the Food and Wine Festivals for Club-Med International.

Michael organizes culinary events and festivals worldwide. By bringing together celebrated American chefs and local chefs, Michael helps to create an intercultural culinary exchange program, which introduces American ingredients and techniques to world markets. Such events have been organized in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Finland, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Michael is a food and travel contributor to such stellar publications as Food Arts Magazine; The James Beard Magazine; Art Culinaire; Coffee & Cuisine; Singapore's Cuisine Scene and Great Britain's Great Hospitality. His cookbook, the internationally acclaimed Foie Gras…A Passion, is a comprehensive reference book accompanied by 84 recipes, received the prestigious 1999 Prix la Mazille for best international cookbook of the year from the International Cookbook Revue in Versailles.

Michael, along with Chef Ken Oringer launched Boston's La Verdad, a casual Mexican Taqueria and restaurant, which has already been awarded "The Best Casual Mexican Restaurant in the US" by Bon Appetit Magazine and "One of the best 100 Restaurant in the US" by Food and Wine Magazine. In July 2007 Michael opened TLV in Great Neck, NY, a Mediterranean restaurant which is garnishing critical acclaim and has received three stars from Newsday – "An oasis of serious food…. by culinary luminary Michael Ginor" as well as "best new restaurant (Long Island) 2008'. It received a Zagat "most notabl" distinguish in 2009. In September 2009 Michael opened "Lola", a new personal cuisine restaurant, also in Great Neck, NY. Lola is already being hailed as one of Long Island's best restaurants.



Thanks for stopping by our Colorado restaurant review and food blog. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them here or email us at jonathan or barbara @milehigheater.com