Parker: Chef Jamey Fader torn between food and pending fatherhood

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 21, 2006 at midnight

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It was hard to tell what made Lola chef Jamey Fader more nervous during the restaurant's relocation party Wednesday: making sure the guests had enough nibbles to nosh and margaritas to sip or worrying about becoming a first-time father at any minute.

Gail Fader is expecting the couple's baby girl to arrive - soon.

"My wife said to me last night, 'Look, the baby's dropped,' " Jamey said above the din of the Santana-singing band and hearty partiers celebrating Lola's new digs. "I said, 'Oh no, you can't come out yet.' "

While he awaits the baby's debut, Fader and Lola owner David Query have busted their burritos tucking the coastal Mexican eatery into its new crib at 1575 Boulder St. The new spot, nearly triple the size of the quaint South Pearl Street place, is part of a burgeoning Lohi (as in Lower Highlands) restaurant scene that's seen Duo, Z Cuisine and Sushi Sasa also take up residence in the 'hood.

The gorgeous new building was packed with friends and fans - some of whom were bitter to see the South Pearl place go.

"I'm so depressed," whined ListenUp honcho Phil Murray, who frequented the old Lola with his wife, Terri Dorman, roughly three times a week when it was within walking distance of their home. "I told Terri, I didn't want to come to see my little restaurant all grown up, but it's awesome."

The new Lola, in a site once occupied by Olinger Mortuary, seats 120 inside, 85 in the downstairs private room and 60 on the rockin' patio.

"I love it, it's the coolest thing we've ever done," said proud papa Query. "The space just feels good."

Lola opens to the public Saturday night; Saturday and Sunday brunch starts on April 29.

TAYLOR TIME: It's etown's 15th anniversary and founders Nick and Helen Forster also have birthdays. So having James Taylor come May 16 to play a benefit concert for etown is about as good as it gets.

The Boulder-based public affairs and music radio show moves to the Paramount Theatre on May 16 for the Taylor "one man band" performance. It'll be Taylor's third etown appearance; the first came in the very first year of the show's existence.

Tickets ($45 to $100) go on sale to the public on April 28, but you can sign up for free at etown.org or kbco.com to be on a mailing list that gets early tickets next week. While most etown tapings include just a couple of songs, Nick Forster says Taylor will be doing an extended set at the benefit.

LUNCH BUNCH: The Bushes (as in President George W. and first lady Laura) hosted a luncheon in honor of the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Madame Liu Yongqing at the White House on Thursday.

Included in the list of invited dignitaries: figure skating champ Michelle Kwan, with guest Christian Anschutz, chairman of Denver-based Western Development Group.

Kwan and Anschutz had been spotted together in Denver around the time of the Winter Olympics, after Kwan withdrew from competition due to injury. She came here to celebrate his ski-party birthday.

BEAM HIM DOWN: George Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu, will hit Denver on his countrywide Equality Trek tour, speaking about his life as a gay Japanese American at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Auraria Campus, St. Cajetan's, 1190 Ninth St. The event, part of the Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Project, is free and open to the public.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman at Sketch: "This is a Wonder Bra. It's no wonder that I need a bra."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-892-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.

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