Table talk, April 11

Marty Meitus, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Coat of many colors: Those dull brown sleeves for coffee? They're just so yesterday. is the latest in haute sipping. The reusable thermal sleeves for paper cups come in the glamorous line (faux fur) or the celebrity line, in color combinations befitting stars, including the Brigitte, the Elizabeth and the Carmen. The Audrey has classic black dots on hot pink with a black liner. Coffee at Tiffany's? $12 to $16. cupcouture.com

Molto Mario

Mario Batali - famous for Food Network shows, umpteen successful restaurants in New York and lotsa food products - just inked a deal with General Mills to pull his pasta out of the pan and into the freezer at warehouse grocery stores. Called Mario Batali's Regional Recipes by Progresso, Gemelli Pasta With Meatballs is available at Sam's Club, Orecchiette With Italian Sausage and Broccoli at Costco. Whoever said that a larger-than-life chef who wears shorts and clogs and sports a reddish-blond ponytail wouldn't make it in a corporate environ?

Hot seller:

Crespelle ai Funghi (mushroom-stuffed crepes, fonduta sauce, white truffle oil) $9, Panzano, 909 17th St., 303-296-3525

Jennifer Rosen's wine pick:

Familia Zuccardi Santa Julia Tempranillo Reserva 2005 (Argentina) $11

This full-bodied red offers earth and smoke, along with strawberry, fig and black cherry flavors. Ten months in oak adds hints of vanilla and silky tannins. You can always count on Zuccardi for a lot more wine than price.

1925

American Licorice Co., the Red Vines candy folks, came up with a licorice shoe for Charlie Chaplin to chew on in his classic The Gold Rush. Thursday is National Licorice Day.