Parker: No beef here - Morton's recipes no longer a secret

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 16, 2006 at midnight

Text size

More News Columns & Blogs

Klaus Fritsch knows a little sumpin' sumpin' about steak, as co-founder of Morton's. So what took him so long to share the tasty chain's steak and sides secrets in the new cookbook Morton's Steak Bible, Recipes & Lore From The Legendary Steakhouse?

"I didn't realize how much fun it would be," Fritsch told me Thursday during a phone interview from the book-promotion road in San Diego. "Honestly, over the years people have been asking for the recipes. We kept saying, 'Should we? Shouldn't we?' Then we decided we might as well give them the recipes, it's no secret."

Fritsch, who lived in Evergreen for six years before moving back to Morton's headquarters in Chicago, says the key to great steak is buying a prime product. The yummily photographed book contains numerous recipes, cooking tips and trivia.

"We included the trivia so it doesn't make the book so boring," Fritsch said. "People always ask 'Who was famous who ate at Morton's?' Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope. Now a younger generation like Tiger Woods is a big fan. If there's a tournament nearby, you can bet he's coming to Morton's."

Fritsch will return to his old Colorado steak stomping grounds from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to sign books and offer sips and snacks at Morton's downtown. The $30 admission includes a copy of the new book. Proceeds from the silent auction go to ProStart, an organization that provides scholarships to students in the culinary arts field. Reservations: Amy Evans, 303-825-3353.

Denver, Fritsch says, has been good to Morton's. "We were the first name steakhouse in Denver, and in spite of all the competition, we still have a loyal following."

IN THE ZONE: Miss Colorado Janie Allen is so busy preparing to compete in the Miss America pageant in January, that she rarely has time for her regular job as a hostess at ESPNZone in the Tabor Center. But she'll be at the hostess stand Monday to push the Superior Service Award program that's part of her pageant "platform."

"In the Miss America system, each contestant has to have a platform," Allen said. "My mom is a teacher and my dad a pastor, so service is how I was raised. I was taught to put others ahead of myself."

On Monday, Allen will meet and greet ESPNZone visitors and encourage them to nominate someone in the community who represents superior service in any walk of life, not necessarily the hospitality industry. She'll be signing autographs and pushing the program from noon to 1:30 p.m., and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Twice a month she will select a Superior Service Award winner, who among other things, will get a gift certificate to the restaurant.

BEBIDAS Y COMIDA: Mezcal, the Mexican joint on East Colfax and Adams, is celebrating El Grito, Mexican independence day. The fun starts at 10 a.m. today and doesn't stop til closing time at 2 a.m. Mariachis will serenade you as you partake in "street" food, including tacos, oyster shooters and Hornitos margaritas. Viva Mexico!

THE SEEN: Fierce foodie Dana Cowin, editor in chief, of Food & Wine Magazine, in town to take in the new wing of the Denver Art Museum, stayed at the J.W. Marriott and lunched on Tamayo's roof.

EAVESDROPPING on a man and a woman in LoDo: "Can I buy you a drink?"

"No, but can I have the cash instead?"

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News