Nibbles, March 3

John Lehndorff, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 3, 2006 at midnight

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More Dining

Eatery update

Speaking of dining guides, 5280's annual restaurant issue names Barolo Grill, Frasca, Mizuna, Restaurant Kevin Taylor and Solera as the best five eateries over $50. Cafe Star, Deluxe, Parisi, Red Tango and Via were tabbed as the finest under $50. The magazine also labels Café Star chef Rebecca Weitzman a rising star. Meanwhile, the February Sunset magazine lauds the charms of East Colfax Avenue, including Weitzman's fare at Café Star, the sopes and carnitas at Mezcal and the wine flights and cheese plates at the Cork House (in the former Tante Louise space). . . . A recent Wall Street Journal feature naming the nation's Top 15 nachos included Denver's own Rosa Linda's Mexican Café. During Lent, Rosa Linda's features a special meatless menu that includes cactus soup and Mexican Bread Pudding. Meanwhile, Chicago in Lakewood is serving pepper and egg sandwiches and beer-battered cod and chips. . . . LoLa has closed at its South Pearl Street location in anticipation of reopening in April in a spiffy new space at 1575 Boulder St. near downtown. . . . We were deeply saddened to learn that Bingham Hill Cheese Company had closed in Fort Collins. Founded in 1999, the artisan cheesemaker in Fort Collins had won numerous awards, including 10 medals at the 2005 World Cheese Awards in London. The company's exquisite products, including Rustic Blue and Poudre Puff, had been served at some of the best restaurants in Colorado and the nation. . . . Larimer Square's Gelazzi Gelato Italiano Café has introduced Scream Cream, claimed to be the "world's first energy gelato" because it contains the stimulant guarana and Amazonian acai berry juice.

On the menu

At Strings, 1700 Humboldt St., pan-seared sweetbreads with sweet corn, pancetta, watercress and buerre noisette ($12); at Euro, 231 Milwaukee St., lobster cappuccino ($7); and at O's Steak and Seafood at the Westin Westminster, 10600 Westminster Blvd., balsamic- and maple-glazed duck with fennel apple slaw and mushroom tart ($24).

Culinary calendar

Sean Yontz's new Chama Restaurant in Belmar hosts a Herradura and El Jimador tequila dinner Tuesday. Cost: $35. Reservations: 303-935-5170.. . . Denver ChopHouse hosts a four-course winemaker dinner Wednesday featuring Christine Griffith of Jordan Winery with a menu featuring cilantro-seared black grouper. Cost: $75. Reservations: 303-296-0800. . . . The fifth annual Chefs Up Front dinner March 19 at the Colorado Convention Center features 25 top Denver chefs cooking some of their best dishes. Participating eateries include 240 Union, Jax, Luca d'Italia, McCormick's and the Palace Arms. Tickets are $175 and proceeds benefit Operation Frontline. Reservations: 303-892-8480. . . . Avenue Grill chef Andrew Lubatty teaches a class March 23 at the Seasoned Chef Cooking School. Cost: $50. Information: 303-377-3222.

Reader mail

A local food fan recently e-mailed the following missive:

"You helped me in the past find a good Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Can you tell me where I can find one or more restaurants serving food from the Philippines?"

I'd love to help again but, as far as I know, there are no Filipino eateries open locally at the moment. Readers, if you can help, let me know at lehndorffj@RockyMountainNews.com.

Deal of the week

Boudreaux's Bayou Buffet, opened recently by folks from Louisiana at 12200 E. Cornell Ave., in Aurora, offers an all-you-can-eat Alaskan crab feast on Friday and Saturday evenings. The deal also includes the regular buffet items such as boiled shrimp, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice plus salads and desserts.

If you visit the buffet's Web site, www.boudreauxsrestaurant.com, you can print out a coupon for 15 percent off your total bill.

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