Denver Hotel Magazine - Winter 2013 by Dallas Hotel Magazine

WINTER 2013

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO DENVER

THE FRAY Hometown Heroes Swimming In Mainstream Success

GRACEFUL LIVING PBS Chef Christy Rost Takes Us Home

COWBOY UP

PRECIOUS MEDALS

DOG-TIRED?

ONE-DAY SKI GETAWAYS

Inside The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo Let The Dogs Do The Work In Telluride

Colorado’s Olympic Breeding Ground

IrresIstIble

InspIred

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MACY’S

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16 0 A M A ZIN G S T O R ES , O V ER 4 0 EX C L US I V E T O D ENV ER 3 0 0 0 E A ST F IR ST AVE N UE • D ENV ER , C O • S H O P C H ER RY C R EEk. C O M

CONTENTS

ISSUE 02: WINTER 2013

FEATURES

Denver’s rich radiant history still shines at the historic Hotel Teatro after a magnificent transformation. BY CATHERINE ADCOCK

24 THE GREATEST SHOW ON DIRT

In 1906, the citizens of Denver rallied around the first National Western Stock Show. A century later, tradition lives on at the Super Bowl of all livestock events. BY AMY SPEER

30 FINE ART OF LIVING LOCAL

42 HER ROYAL SWEETNESS

36 OLYMPIC CITY, USA

48 THE FRAY

Author, PBS television host and lifestyle expert Christy Rost invites DHM into her spectacular Breckenridge surroundings for an intimate conversation on home, hospitality and heart. BY DAVE MUSCARI

Steamboat Springs produces more Olympic athletes than most countries. Over a century, this sleepy town perfected the recipe for producing international champions. BY JUSTIN PATRICK

48 COVER STORY: THE FRAY

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Venezuela-born, world-traveled chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom makes an indelible mark on the local cuisine scene with her tantalizing, award-winning assortment of desserts. BY DAVE MUSCARI

Denver’s hometown heroes open up on the long journey from local bar band to international rockstardom. BY DAVE MUSCARI

s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

18 HISTORIC HOTEL TEATRO

BEST TRAVEL

Lose yourseLf here — in paradise found

PARADISE ON THE PACIFIC LAS ALAMANDAS, MEXICO

Las Alamandas is a getaway like no other. An unspoiled tropical paradise, located midway between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo along Mexico’s famed Costalegre, the resort haven immerses guests in a luxurious lifestyle of privacy, romance and relaxation. Exceptionally spacious, beautifully appointed suites provide sensual, private cocoons with chic Mexican décor, extra-large bathrooms, Jacuzzis and lovely terraces with panoramic views. The gracious hospitality is defined by personalized, friendly and attentive service. At the beachfront Spa Pavilion, treatments are enjoyed to the sounds of the surf, while guests partake in numerous activities, including tennis, nature hikes, mountain biking, kayaking, surfing, riverboat trips and horseback riding on the beach.

A sublime natural ambiance sets the resort apart from others. Las Alamandas is located within its own private, 1,500-acre eco-reserve of untouched beaches with soft-white sand and turquoise waters. Lagoons, shaded by flowering trees, provide a habitat for countless birds, while seaside cliffs boast spectacular lookout points. Sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand here, and whales migrate along the coast. The resort’s exquisitely manicured, lush gardens are graced with splashing fountains, aflame in fragrant blossoms, including the yellow alamanda—the flower for which the resort is named. Farm-to-table gourmet Mexican cuisine is prepared using vegetables and herbs grown in the resort’s gardens. Local seafood is freshly caught, and organics meats are used to create delicious dishes. After a recent renovation that added many new amenities and spacious facilities, an even-more chic Las Alamandas emerged—full of gracious luxury and seductive comfort. Las Alamandas is an extraordinary getaway where the ultimate vacation experience awaits you. (888) 882-9616

info@alamandas.com

www.alamandas.com

CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE 08 THE RUNDOWN

A quick tour through what’s got the Denver Hotel Magazine staff buzzing right now.

54 THE SCENE

Denver’s cultural events span varieties that suit every visitor’s taste. Mark your calendar with the best of Mile High’s offerings.

Mile High’s innovative restaurants and talented chefs mine flavors from all over the globe. Check out this guide before planning your next culinary adventure.

From high-end boutiques and malls to trendy vintage shops, DHM shows you Denver’s top spots to shop.

73 ATTRACTIONS

Spending time in the Mile High City is always a trip less ordinary. Learn about local attractions that make for unique experiences and excellent adventures.

78 OUR PARTING SHOT

Our writer goes for a guided backcountry adventure and reports on having a mountain all his own.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Mike Ridewood/FIS

69 SHOPPING

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

60 DINING

ISSUE 02: WINTER 2013

WELCOME PUBLISHER’S NOTE

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Dave Muscari

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Catherine Adcock

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris Hanchey

COPY EDITOR Ginger Bellamy

CONTRIBUTORS Jordan Blakesley Justin Patrick Amy Speer

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Josh Emery

PRODUCTION production@denverhotelmagazine.com

CORE PUBLISHING PUBLISHER, PRESIDENT Pete Northway

PUBLISHER, DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE William Secor

VICE PRESIDENT, NEW MARKET DEVELOPMENT Shelly Northway

VICE PRESIDENT, SALES Cathy Smaha csmaha@denverhotelmagazine.com

WEB DEVELOPMENT Kevin Ulrich

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE 7931 South Broadway, No. 160 Littleton, Colorado, 80122-2710 Tel: 303.952.0485 Fax: 303.952.0489

Snow shoveling and months of dreary, gray skies. But as we say in Denver, “If you don’t like today’s weather, just wait…it’ll change!” We can have a snowstorm one week and be playing golf the next. So for a fourth-generation Coloradan like me, winter is the most exciting season. In fact, this year marks my 50th on the slopes. From Wolf Creek to Steamboat Springs and plenty in between, I can tell you from firsthand experience that the Rocky Mountains offer some of the best alpine and backcountry skiing of anywhere. Our low humidity makes for smooth, dry snow, terrific for skiing. (Coloradans call it “champagne powder.”) Equipment and technology improve all the time, making the sport more accessible and fun. And with 300 days of sunshine a year, some months we can snow ski at Arapahoe Basin in the morning and water ski in the afternoon at Chatfield Reservoir. Easy to see why Coloradans love winters. In our second issue of Denver Hotel Magazine, we celebrate the season and spotlight fantastic activities for the in- and outdoors. We begin this issue with an introduction to a group of local musicians who may need no introduction at all. High-school friends Isaac Slade and Joe King began writing songs as teenagers. Over time, they developed a unique, piano-driven sound that resonated deeply with local fans. Since then, The Fray’s music has caught on all over the world, cementing the band’s place on the powerpop landscape. We talk with Isaac while on tour on the other side of the globe. Fans of the Old West know it doesn’t get more western than Denver and the National Western Stock Show. Check out our in-depth look at a grand tradition unique to the Mile High City: the Super Bowl of all livestock events.

Who knew a sleepy town like Steamboat Springs housed a powerhouse of Olympic training? Denver Hotel Magazine takes a groundlevel look at the town that produces more Olympic athletes than most countries. And who doesn’t like dessert? One of Denver’s top chefs is all about the sweet stuff. A native Venezuelan, Yasmin Lozada-Hissom is a four-time James Beard Foundation–nominated pastry chef with an fantastic story behind her tasty treats. Speaking of creativity, if you love entertaining, then author, PBS host and Breckenridge lifestyle guru Christy Rost has some inspirational thoughts to help make the holiday season bigger and brighter. For the outdoor enthusiast, we’ve got great tips on how to pull off a one-day skiing getaway. Plus, get an adventurous taste of Colorado’s magnificent backcountry and a look at dogsledding adventures. Finally, we invite you to check out our comprehensive section of listings. Check out The Scene for a calendar of events ranging from classical performance to professional sports. Our Dining, Shopping and Attractions sections will help guide you through one of the most exciting cities in America. The fact that you are reading Denver Hotel Magazine means you are staying in a fine hotel and expect the best when you travel. Rest assured, we won’t steer you wrong. Thank you for reading our magazine, the definitive guide for discerning visitors to Denver. And have a great time while you are here. Enjoy your stay!

Bill Secor Publisher, Denver Hotel Magazine DenverHotelMagazine.com Reproduction without permission from publisher is prohibited. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the publication, the publisher cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

A quick tour through what’s got the Denver Hotel Magazine staff buzzing right now...

>>>>>>>>>>>Lifestyle>>

More Time to Light Up Forget the lazy neighbor leaving holiday décor out until mid-July. Denver’s downtown does us all a favor by leaving the holiday lights up long after seasonal celebrations end. Through Jan. 22, you can take in more than 460,000 sparkling LED lights and decorative snowflakes while shopping along the 16th Street Mall. Need more twinkle in your holiday? Check out Denver’s City and County Building (1437

Bannock St.). Decorated entirely in LED lights, the historic neoclassical building boasts one of the largest holiday lighting displays in the world. A dramatic seven-minute light show set to holiday music plays each night at the building when the lights go on at 5:45 p.m. every evening until Jan. 22. downtowndenver.com — CATHERINE ADCOCK

Walk. Drink. Repeat. Combat your holiday stress with a Holiday Cocktail Tour, Local Table Tours’ most recent addition to its savory selection of walking tours. Guests can sip festive libations while enjoying one-on-one face time with many of the cities’ top mixologists. Local bartenders demonstrate how to create their favorite holiday cocktails, with indulgent sampling required, of course. Dishing up an intimate taste of the Denver’s foodie scene for more than two years now, Local Table Tours offer top restaurant, coffee, pastry and farm-to-table dining experiences, all in the company of expert area guides.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Take advantage of the special cocktail tours offered every Saturday in December from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Reasonably priced at $40 per person, the tour visits three to four local hotspots such as Green Russell, Euclid Hall, Williams & Graham and Colt & Gray. You may just survive the holidays after all. localtabletours.com — JORDAN BLAKESLEY

Main photo courtesy Comedy Works. Inset photos Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

EntertAinment>>

Seriously? Funny! Where to Go When You Need a Good Laugh. Colorado: home to funny people, funny movies and funny television shows. Any given Denver day, one can find a film crew around town and the best standup in America. Woody Allen’s 1973 classic Sleeper was shot in the Denver area, as was the 1994 slapstick comedy, Dumb & Dumber with Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels; and, in 2000, Nurse Betty was a hit with Renée Zellweger, Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock. Denver’s comedy roots go back much further than that, though. The 1950s saw a version of the Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days with English actor David Niven filmed in the area. In the ’70s, Robin Williams made his network television debut in Mork & Mindy as an extraterrestrial living in Boulder. Who could forget National Lampoon’s

Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase, an ’80s comedy staple. Since then, Imagine That starring Eddie Murphy was filmed in Denver and Blades of Glory with Will Ferrell and Fort Collins native Jon “Napoleon Dynamite” Heder was shot at the Pepsi Center downtown. But seriously folks, show business’ comic elite haven’t just shot dozens of features films and TV shows in the area, they’ve also logged serious time on Denver stages. Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, Dennis Miller and Chris Rock all performed around town. Tim Allen (Home Improvement) and Trey Parker, (cocreator of South Park and the Tony Award–winning The Book of Mormon) are Denver natives. Roseanne Barr got her start locally at Comedy Works.

Here at DHM, we love the up-and-comers. Denver native Josh Blue won TV’s Last Comic Standing with his reputation as the guy who “puts the cerebral in Cerebral Palsy.” Steve McGrew, a former Denver newspaper artist, transitioned to radio with his redneck humor (you might know him better as Mudflap). When he wasn’t hosting nine seasons of Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Chuck “The Bear” Roy appeared on shows including Will & Grace and 3rd Rock From the Sun. If you feel like you need a good laugh, and who doesn’t… Denver’s got a comedy club to suit you. You never know, you might also catch the next big thing on his or her way up. — DAVE MUSCARI

Comedy Works Larimer Square 1226 15th St. 303.595.3637 South at the Landmark 5345 Landmark Pl. 720.274.6800 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 comedyworks.com Denver Improv 8246 E. 49th Ave. 303.307.1777 denver.improv.com Bovine Metropolis Theater 1527 Champa St. 303.758.4722 bovinemetropolis.com Denver’s Dangerous Theater 2620 W. 2nd Ave. No. 1 720.233.4703 dangeroustheatre.com Voodoo Comedy Playhouse 1260 22nd St. 303.578.0079 voodoocomedy.com DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Make It Work!

Photos courtesy Winter Park Resort

RELAX>>

HOW TO PULL OFF A ONE-DAY SKIING GETAWAY.

It must be torture to visit our city on business: sitting at a conference table staring wistfully through a window at the Rockies — if only you could ditch the meeting for a carefree day of hitting the slopes. Wish no more, a day or a half-day of skiing is easily within reach. Locals do it all the time. Here’s how to turn that business trip into a minivacation.

STEP 1 Pick a nearby resort. From Denver, these resorts are less than two hours away (depending on traffic): Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, Ski Cooper, Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Winter Park and Eldora. Be sure to spend some time online checking out hours, tickets prices and current conditions. Some resorts even allow you to buy lift tickets online the day before.

STEP 2 Rent your own vehicle, preferably a 4-wheel drive SUV. The I-70 corridor can carry you to any one of the resorts above. If you don’t want to drive the rocky terrain

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Don’t spend your whole trip inside the confines of conference rooms. Plan ahead, so a day of skiing can be yours!

yourself, hire a private vehicle from Colorado Mountain Express to transport your party (up to 10) from your Denver hotel to the Vail Valley (with access to Vail and Beaver Creek resorts) or Silverthorne (with access to Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin resorts). If you’re traveling solo, a group CME shuttle runs daily from Denver International Airport to both Vail and Silverthorne.

STEP 3 Leave early. Most resorts open at 9 a.m. and close by 4 p.m. Maximize your day and beat the traffic. Always check the weather — a snowstorm will slow you down at best; at worst, it will leave you stranded for a day.

STEP 4 Pack appropriately. There’s nothing worse than buying a lift ticket only to realize your boots don’t fit or you forgot gloves. Try to pack all you need to ski before departing your home city. If you must purchase ski goods while on the road, find a retail outlet in Denver — prices escalate with altitude.

STEP 5

STEP 7

Be a savvy renter. If time allows, rent your equipment in downtown Denver the day before you ski. Renting at a resort seems nice — you don’t have to transport equipment up a mountain — but it cuts into your slope time. Check snow conditions to get an idea of the terrain you’ll be skiing — you will be better prepared to rent equipment to complement your needs. Wherever you rent, be sure a technician gives the bindings a safety check, and insist that your rentals are tuned and waxed.

Get a taste of après ski. Make time to indulge in a couple of drinks by a fireplace while watching the sun sink and bathe the mountaintops in pinks and oranges. Bask in the breathtaking glory of the Rockies during winter. Chat with friendly locals and raise your glass to a day well spent. — JUSTIN PATRICK

STEP 6 Explore the mountain tactically. You only have one day — make it count. If you’re a beginner, enlist yourself in a day of adult ski school. Intermediate skier? Book a half-day with a ski instructor to brush up on your skills and learn the mountain quickly. If you decide to go your own way, spend a few minutes with a ski map planning your day’s movement. Don’t be afraid of spending your first 45 minutes riding lift-to-lift to get far away from crowds.

Colorado Mountain Express* 434 Edwards Access Rd. Edwards, CO 970.754.7433 coloradomountainexpress.com Sports Authority* 1000 Broadway 303.863.2260 sportsauthority.com Christy Sports* 201 University Blvd. 303.321.3885 christysports.com Colorado Ski & Golf* 2650 South Havana St. Aurora, CO 80014 303.337.1734 coloradoskiandgolf.com *Check websites for more locations and information.

Denver to the Mountains

HISTORY>>

35 45 $

Breckenridge Keystone

Buckhorn Exchange: As Storied as its Steaks Denver’s Buckhorn Exchange boasts a history more colorful than its signature red-and-white checkered tablecloth. Henry H. Zietz founded the restaurant, one of the nation’s oldest steakhouses, almost 120 years ago. Nicknamed “Shorty Scout” due to his short stature by Sioux Chief Sitting Bull, Zeitz began his wild ride through history in 1881 at the age of 12 joining Col. William “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s band of scouts. But it was the restaurant and saloon Zietz opened in 1893 that earned him lasting recognition. Named Buckhorn Exchange, it attracted everyone from miners to silver barons with its hearty fare. Over the years, the Buckhorn has played host to plenty of history. When Theodore Roosevelt’s Presidential Express train pulled into Denver in 1905, he disembarked and headed to Buckhorn. In 1938, Chief Sitting Bull’s nephew, Chief Red Cloud, ceremoniously turned over the military saber taken from General George Custer to Zietz himself. Whether a Hollywood legend, like Charlton Heston, or British royalty, like Princess Anne, few have traveled though Denver without tasting the Buckhorn’s savory fare. Buckhorn honors its legacy by displaying over a century’s worth of collectibles on the restaurant’s walls. Check out the Zietz’ family’s impressive 250-plus gun collection or almost 200 taxidermied hunt-

ing trophies (all shot by Zeitz or his son Henry H. Zietz Jr.). That’s to say nothing of the Native American and Old West memorabilia the restaurant proudly displays. While honoring the past, the staff at the Buckhorn also looked to its future, pioneering the current craze for exotic game. “For 85 years, the restaurant prided itself on its beef steaks,” Bill Dutton, current Buckhorn Exchange general manager, says. “We started experimenting with exotic steaks — buffalo and elk — and found tremendous success.” Other restaurants noticed and followed suit, introducing a nation to delicacies like yak steak. “We’re a victim of our own success,” Dutton says, “because things like rattlesnake are in limited supply.” Indulge in what made the Buckhorn great by trying the Big Steak, a large New York Strip specially cut to leave a delicious charred crust. Sliced tableside, the Big Steak serves two to five guests. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for an elk or buffalo steak. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a succulent meal while taking in 120 years of American Pioneering heritage — a legacy that pushes the Buckhorn forward rather than holding it back. Dutton says, “The Buckhorn’s history is a source of pride, but it’s also an obligation to be successful…to protect this as a Denver landmark.” — CA

Vail

Daily departures from Downtown Denver locations and Morrison Park and Ride Lot 24/7 reservations and customer service center Private car and charter services available Frequent traveler program -CME Priority Club 28 years of mountain driving experience Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard

Wi-Fi onboard

Shared Ride Shuttles Charter Vans Private Car Service

ColoradoMountainExpress.com 800.525.6363 970.754.7433 Above rates include $2 fuel surcharge for Summit County and $3 fuel surcharge for Vail. Rates are per person each way. Schedules may vary by season and are subject to change. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Visit the website for seasonal specials, schedules and information on all CME transportation services. DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE 11

Your new winter home. The Hotel Telluride is the premier Telluride ski resort for the foremost in hospitality and comfort just off the slopes. Nestled in the heart of historic Telluride, Colorado we offer our guests the best in service, convenience and accommodations. Relax after a thrilling day on the slopes with a soak under the starry sky in our beautiful outdoor hot tubs. Guests can ﬁnd everything they need during their Telluride vacation at The Hotel Telluride.

Awards and Accolades CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER 2010, 2008 Voted one of the Top Ski Hotels by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Poll Best Places to Ski & Stay in North America Gold List of World's Best Places to Stay 2005 and 2006 TRAVEL & LEISURE

thehoteltelluride.com Reservations: 866-764-9515

2007 Top 500 Hotels in the World and World’s Best Values

199 North Cornet Street

2006 Top 100 Hotels in Continental US and Canada

Telluride, Colorado 81435

AdVENTURE>>

Dog Tired? LET THE DOGS DO THE WORK.

DOGSLEDDING CAN ADD AN UNEXPECTED TWIST TO YOUR VACATION. Give your legs a rest! Sure, Telluride’s famous skiing deserves a turn during any vacation, but you can supplement slope time with family-friendly dogsledding while still enjoying the great outdoors. Dogsledding as a sport and pastime exists in many snowy regions outside of Alaska, including Telluride’s backyard. Family-owned Wintermoon Sled Dog Adventures has been running dogs since 1993, opening up the untouched natural terrain that defines southwestern Colorado with half-day sled trips through the national forest. Unlike snowmobiling, dogsledding requires no driver’s

license. A quieter activity that moves at a slower pace, sledders can fully enjoy the gorgeous expanse of wilderness through which they travel. Wintermoon utilizes 8 to 10 Alaskan huskies per sled. A standard trip is 10 miles, but the huskies, sleeker and more athletic than other breeds, can cover up to 25 miles in a day. Guides pick up clients in either Telluride or Mountain Village at 9 a.m. and return by 1 p.m., leaving ample time to fit in a half-day of skiing. The first five miles of every trip include a slow, uphill climb that allows clients time to enjoy the rhythm of the team. The second half of the trip consists of a five-

mile, pulse-quickening, downhill run full of hairpin turns. Wintermoon owners Chantal and Mark Wood made dogsledding their lifelong career — and it shows. They’ve got the sport down to a fine science and strive toward maximizing customer satisfaction by tailoring each expedition to the needs and wishes of the client. A trip can take the form of a romantic getaway for a couple or offer a family — from newborns to the elderly — a chance to experience the outdoors in a manner they won’t soon forget. Kids especially relish going on an adventure with a pack of

beautiful dogs, happy to pull a sled over special-permit trails through isolated backcountry. Each trip includes a friendly petting session where clients can get an up-close look at the well-trained animals, while guides explain the dynamics of the pack mentality and how it helps the dogs work in perfect harmony. Include a dogsledding adventure during your Telluride trip to forget the stress of modern-day life while enjoying the simplicity of natural transportation from a bygone era. As Chantal and Mark like to say, “It’s a howling good time.” telluridedogsledding.com, 970.729.0058 — JP

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

TrAvel Tech>> VIRTUAL KEYBOARD Between 2-inch-wide keyboards and auto-correct, it’s a wonder any work gets done on a smart phone. Add the convenience of a full-sized keyboard to your tablet or phone with this keychain-size device and whipup documents on-the-go with ease. With advanced optics to track finger movements, a USB-rechargeable battery and Bluetooth technology, the virtual keyboard brings the ease of use of a desktop computer to life on the road. $100 brookstone.com — CA

POCKET PROJECTOR Go big or go home! Compatible with most smartphones and tablets, this 4-inch miniprojector packs major punch. With a 60-inch 1080p HD projection, 85 lumens of brightness and a two-hour-long battery life, the pocket projector can turn a standard business proposal into a stunning, account-winning presentation. Celebrate with a wide-screen HD flick streamed right off your tablet onto your hotel room’s wall and scoff at those still ordering pay-per-view. $300 brookstone.com — CA

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

WEATHER-RESISTANT WIRELESS SPEAKER The high season of Denver makes for all kinds of outdoor activities, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your tunes indoors. This outdoor speaker comes with a versatile dock to connect your iPhone, iPad or smartphone wirelessly to a powerful weatherresistant woofer and tweeter that deliver omnidirectional sound. If the weather gets the best of you, grab your party-pumping speaker by its handle and take the festivities indoors — the dock can transmit up to 150 feet, through walls, ceilings and floors, so don’t fret about losing the signal. $170 brookstone.com — CA

OKOBAN LUGGAGE TRACKER TAG CONFERENCE CALL ON-THE-GO Stop packing your undies into your carry-on! Worry no more about lost luggage with the affordable Okabon Tracker. Hook the Tracker onto your luggage and your bag is protected by the tag’s unique Okoban identifier, linked to the company’s free, global, lost-and-found registration system. Okoban features the only property registration system linked to 300 airlines in 2,000 airports worldwide. Be sure that if your property ends up in Tokyo when you’re in Milan, it will be returned safely, soundly and more quickly those flying trackerless. $10 brookstone.com — CA

Stream any audio from your Bluetooth enabled device with Big Blue Live. With crystal clear sound, the easy-to-connect device allows you to take calls via its built-in mic. No cords, no apps, nothing extra, just connect the speaker once, and it will connect instantly every time, picking up your Bluetooth device from up to 33 feet away. Ultra-portable, with six-hour battery life, the Big Blue Live allows you to live out a dream, taking a conference call while soaking in a Jacuzzi in a mountainside château, with no one the wiser. $100 brookstone.com — CA

S PE CIA L A DV E RT IS ING S E CT ION

Denver: The Prime City for Prime Beef. “The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook,” said the late great Julia Child. We couldn’t agree more. You didn’t claw your way up the food chain just to eat grilled vegetables. Colorado is

cattle country — and Denver is home to some of the finest steakhouses in America. The editors at DHM know a thing or two about the local restaurant scene, so we assembled the following listings to aid serious

foodies searching for the perfect cut of prime beef. If you’re in the mood for a mouth-watering steak served by an experienced staff in an elegant atmosphere, this section is perfect for you.

Enjoy!

S PE CIA L A DV E RT IS ING S E CT ION

Denver: The Prime City for Prime Beef.

BUCKHORN EXCHANGE

DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAKHOUSE & SEAFOOD 8100 East Orchard Rd. Greenwood Village 303.796.0100 delfriscos.com

ELWAY’S

Founded in 1893, Buckhorn Exchange boasts a colorful history reflected in its food and décor. Take in the Old West artifacts while enjoying some of Denver’s best beef steak, or get adventurous with some wild game, like rattlesnake, yak or ostrich steaks.

1000 Osage St. 303.534.9505 buckhorn.com

CAPITAL GRILLE 1450 Larimer St. 303.539.2500 capitalgrille.com

CHART HOUSE 25908 Genesee Trail Rd. Golden, CO 80401 303.526.9813 chart-house.com

CHOPHOUSE & BREWERY 1735 19th St. 303.296.0800 chophouse.com

CHERRY CREEK 2500 East 1st Ave. 303.399.5353 DOWNTOWN 1881 Curtis St. 303.312.3107 elways.com

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR 191 Inverness Drive West Englewood, CO 80112 303.768.0827 flemingssteakhouse.com

THE FORT

19192 Colorado 8 Morrison, CO 80465 303.697.4771 thefort.com

THE PALM

1672 Lawrence St. 303.825.7256 thepalm.com

SHANAHAN’S STEAKHOUSE 5085 South Syracuse St. 303.770.7300 shanahanssteakhouse.com

SHIP TAVERN AT BROWN PALACE HOTEL 321 17th St. 303.297.3111 brownpalace.com/dining/ship-tavern

19308 Cottonwood Dr. Parker, CO 80138 303.248.2132 trapperschophouse.com

WILLIE G’S SEAFOOD & STEAKS

STEAKHOUSE10 3517 South Elati St. Englewood, CO 80110 303.789.0911 steakhouse10.com

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE 1745 Wazee St. 303.295.2664 sullivanssteakhouse.com

TRAPPER’S

An upscale seafood and steak restaurant with a loyal following, this downtown hotspot enjoys a national reputation. Enjoy lunch, dinner or fabulous happy hour specials in a comfortably chic atmosphere.

1585 Lawrence St. 303.575.9000 williegs.com

LOHI STEAK BAR 3200 Tejon St. 303.927.6334 lohisteakbar.com

MORTON’S

1710 Wynkoop St. 303.825.3353 mortons.com

experience at a local favorite. Owned by fourth-generation cattle ranchers, Trapper’s only features the finest steaks around. Locals and visitors head to Trapper’s for all kinds of occasions, from romantic dates to business dinners.

With a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies and the Denver skyline, enjoy a one-of-a-kind steakhouse

BY CATHERINE ADCOCK

Denverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich radiant history still shines at the historic Hotel Teatro after a magnificent transformation.

Photo courtesy Hotel Teatro

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy Denver Public Library

The interior of the Denver Tramway Building’s car barn, which now houses the offices and workshop for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

he historic Denver Tramway Building, built in 1911, lived many lives before settling into its current role as luxury boutique Hotel Teatro. Well before the building’s namesake, the Denver Tramway Company existed, the area the eight-story building now occupies housed the Evans Mansion, home of Colorado’s second territorial governor, John Evans (appointed by thenPresident Abraham Lincoln, a personal friend). His oldest son, W. G. Evans, held the position of president of Denver Tramway Company around the turn of the century. By then, the company had managed to edge out all competitors, securing control of streetcar transportation in the Denver area. The bustling business needed a building to house not just its offices, but also the rail cars themselves.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

W.G. Evans selected upand-coming Denver architects William E. and Authur A. Fisher to design a tower for offices and two-story barn for the cars. Local lore has it the company competed against Daniels and Fisher Department Store, then constructing a clock tower, to see who could complete the respective project first. The buildings, both highly anticipated landmarks in their day, raced to finish first — but historians still argue over who emerged the victor. The building featured traditional Renaissance Revival elements of glazed red brick mixed with white terracotta. This style carried into the lobby, where one can still see light-pink Tennessee marble flooring and green Vermont marble base combined with white Arizona marble wainscoting. Following WWII, streetcars became obsolete in Denver, as did the Denver Tramway Company. The building stood

“We’ve come a long way since 1911. We’re proud of the building’s rich history and the care we’ve taken to preserve it.” — Mark Plonkey, general manager of Hotel Teatro

lifeless until it became the nucleus of the University of Colorado at Denver’s Campus. UC Denver added a floor to the car barn, turning it into a threestory edifice of classrooms while faculty spent their office hours in the tower. In the late ’80s, UC moved its facilities to its current Auraria location. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts purchased the car barn portion of the building for its offices, workshop and storage area in 1991. However, the adjacent Tramway building tower stood vacant, without purpose for several years.

In 1997, Astonbridge Partners and David Owen Tyrba Architects were commissioned to begin the restoration of the building, with the help of a grant from the Colorado Historical Society and State Historic Fund. Eighteen months later, in 1999, it opened as Hotel Teatro. The Hotel Teatro (Italian for theater) takes its cues not just from its history, preserving many of the buildings original elements, but also from its current downtown theaterdistrict location.

INSIDE HOTEL TEATRO Today, Hotel Teatro offers a take all-its-own on what it means to be a luxury boutique. Business travelers or getawayers will find luxury, comfort and convenience in the hotel’s suites, all of which feature 12-foot ceilings and soothing décor with a sandstone palette.

Restaurant Kevin Taylor features an impressive wine cellar, perfect for private parties.

The neighboring Denver Center Theatre Company contributes much of the décor having provided a captivating collection of black-and-white photographs, costumes and props from 20 seasons of past company productions. Highlights include a beautiful gown worn by Annette Bening in a 1980s production of The Cherry Orchard. The elegance of the building’s original design and vision can still be seen today in the hotels’ entrance — careful attention was paid to preserve many details. Other elements that are still visible include the

original, ornately constructed mail chute, as well as beautifully decorated safes scattered throughout the property. If you want to take a gander at the Tramway Building’s construction competitor, the Daniel and Fisher Department Store Clock Tower is located just a few blocks away. “We’ve come a long way since 1911,” says Mark Plonkey, general manager of Hotel Teatro. “We’re proud of the building’s rich history and the care we’ve taken to preserve it.

It’s Hotel Teatro’s focus on health and wellbeing that earns it a distinctive status among luxury hotels. In-room well-being offerings include aromatherapy baths and massages. The hotel’s Dreammaker Program, featuring meditation CDs, tranquility fountains and a pillow menu, ensures a restful night’s sleep. Those wanting to stay fit can avail themselves of the complimentary 24-hour fitness center, privileged access to the nearby Colorado Athletic Club; a daily guided running program; and a Yoga-On-Demand program. Discerning dogs will enjoy the hotel’s petfriendly amenities, including complimentary walks and dog-sitting, as well as a Pet-a-Porter closet, to ensure visiting pooches a fashionable, warm and cozy stay. hotelteatro.com, 303.228.1100

Photos courtesy Hotel Teatro

Denver chef, Kevin Taylor shook up the city’s foodie scene almost 25 years ago with his take on Southwestern cuisine. Today he operates two newly renovated restaurants within Hotel Teatro: the eponymous Restaurant Kevin Taylor, Denver’s only four-star, four-diamond restaurant, as well as Prima Ristorante, a more casual venue serving modern Italian fare.

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107 YEARS

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

In 1906, Denver rallied around the first National Western Stock Show. A century later, tradition lives on at the Super Bowl of all livestock events.

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

BY AMY SPEER

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

Crowds of Denverites and cattlemen from all over the country filter into the bigtop that housed the first Western National Stock Show.

Just three years after the first Western National Stock Show, Denver erected a pavilion to house the entire event.

1909

A young man and woman enter the arena at an early Western National Stock Show.

King Soopers supermarkets proudly announces its purchases.

success that Eastern meat packers took notice. Denver proved two things — the region could produce some of the hardiest cattle, and the city could put on one heck of a show. Later renamed the National Western Stock Show, the Super Bowl of all livestock events remains one of the largest events of its kind, boasting more than 40 ticketed events, 15,000 animals on display and 900 trade-show vendors. This year’s stock show runs Jan. 12–27. The circus tent is long gone, but the smell of manure still cleaves to the Denver air every January. Some things — the important things — just don’t change. Cattlemen from all over descend upon the city at the start of every year, during their “slow season,” to set the bar for beef. “It’s always been said about Denver that we set the precedent for whatever happens in the cattle industry for the rest of the year,” says Marvin Witt, National Western Vice President of Operations. “In fact, we didn’t give ourselves the Super Bowl name. About eight or nine years ago, our friends in Australia did.” But the National Western isn’t just about parading around hearty animals. In 107 years,

he tart smell of manure clung to the dust-filled air. Men shuffled under a bigtop circus tent, the brisk January air nipping at them as they filled a space not even the size of a football field. It was Jan. 29, 1906 — the first Super Bowl ever. Except no one called it that then. Instead, everyone was preoccupied with one thing — proving that one little, scrappy city could host a stock show rivaling those in Eastern cities. Needing a place to sell cattle without traveling all the way to the East Coast, Western ranchers chose Denver. A city-wide holiday was declared, and Denverites turned out in the thousands to crowd under a 150-by-175 circus tent. The first Western National Stock Show came off with such

Photo courtesy Denver Public Library

C. 1950

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

1906

Photo courtesy Denver Public Library

C. 1910

2011

Thanks to the ramped-up entertainment, the stock show has grown to 644,818 spectators in 2011 from 15,000 stockmen in 1906. Drawing crowds with tickets to shows isn’t the only way the National Western provides a good ol’ rural education. Hundreds of young agriculturists from across the country converge on Denver each year with their prize stock in tow. Each contender, after having spent thousands of hours caring for their animals, can win money, trailers, scholarships and rewards. Ninety of the best animals qualify for the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, where a winning animal can sell for more than $100,000. (The going cost of an NFL Super Bowl ring? A meager $5,000.)

2002

Longhorn steers are herded through downtown Denver during the 2011 Annual National Western Parade.

The Livestock Exchange building was built in 1916.

Photo courtesy Denver Public Library

the show has truly become a show — with one important mission — to expose us city folk to Colorado’s rich, western heritage. “It’s important to stay in touch with where we’ve been... otherwise, we won’t know where we’re going,” National Western Historian Keith Fessenden says. Not to say the Stock Show is stuck in the past. “We want to evolve our city through this show,” says Witt. Over time, the show has evolved, too. In 1993, the stock show only featured 23 ticketed PRCA rodeo events. Since then, 20 more ticketed performances were added to draw spectators, including a Wild West Show patterned after the shootem-up Buffalo Bill shows of yesteryear, two Mexican rodeos complete with exhibition bull fighters and an evening of dancing horses choreographed to Denver Brass music. A Western art exhibit, a 900-booth trade show and a free petting zoo add to the stock show offerings. The Grand Champion Steer is even taken off-site for a red-carpet appearance (and an afternoon of tea) at the Brown Palace Hotel.

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

A team of horses pull a carriage through the pavilion during the Mexican Rodeo, a popular Stock Show event since 1995.

Courtesy National Western Stock Show

Modern-day stockyards showcase cattle for sale.

2006

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

Photo courtesy Denver Public Library

2002

stock show lingo

BLOOPER CITY SLICKER A clumsy mistake, usually caught on video and uploaded to YouTube.

WESTERN An animal with very little bucking ability.

DAM CITY SLICKER WESTERN What city folk use A mama sheep. to create lakes.

DOGIE CITY SLICKER A domesticated pet, sometimes named Spot or Rufus.

WESTERN Pronounced with a long o as in own, a dogie means a stray or motherless calf.

GLASS-EYED CITY SLICKER The effect jet lag can have on you.

WESTERN A blue- or whiteeyed horse.

HIGH ROLLER CITY SLICKER A high-stakes gambler, likely headed for Blackhawk.

WESTERN A horse that leaps high in the air when bucking.

JERK CITY SLICKER A driver who thinks road rage is a necessary means of getting around.

WESTERN A trip through a small piece of rough terrain where cattle are hard to gather.

LIMOUSIN CITY SLICKER Transport used by city-slicker high-rollers to and from casinos.

WESTERN A breed of cattle, primarily from southwestern France, known for its trim meat.

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PICK-UP-MAN CITY SLICKER A man patiently waving a sign at the airport, looking for a passenger at his or her destination.

WESTERN A man who aids in the dismount of a saddle bronc or bareback rider by riding up on a horse and helping the rider to the ground.

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

WESTERN A common horse color, characterized by a red-brown body and black mane, tail and lower legs.

WESTERN A group of young rabbits raised by one doe, a mature female rabbit.

A future rodeo star hangs on at the 2006 PRCA Rodeo Mutton Bustin’ competition.

PINTO CITY SLICKER An unfortunate subcompact car once produced by the Ford Motor Company.

WESTERN A horse with a coat made up of more than one color in large irregular patches.

POLLED CITY SLICKER The act of collecting votes to gauge public opinion.

WESTERN An animal that doesn’t have horns because of a genetic trait.

PURSE CITY SLICKER A personal item that airlines permit you to carry onto an airplane.

WESTERN The money paid to the winners of each rodeo event.

RAWHIDE CITY SLICKER A type of bone you give to your dogie.

WESTERN Cattle skin that has not been processed to make leather.

STAG CITY SLICKER Someone who shows up to an event without a date — could be worse.

WESTERN An animal which has been improperly castrated.

TATOO CITY SLICKER Permanent body art applied with ink and needle.

WESTERN A permanent identification mark on a rabbit’s left ear.

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

BAY CITY SLICKER The locale for a waterfront vacation. (You won’t find many around here.)

LITTER CITY SLICKER Not disposing of trash properly, an offense that carries a $1,000 fine in Colorado.

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

In town for the stock show? Don’t let on that this is your first rodeo! Study the words city slickers commonly confuse when talking to Western folk.

Even a horse can dance to Denver Brass at the 2011 Evening of Dancing Horses.

The event lineup and the scholarship offerings aren’t the only things that have expanded in 107 years. The venue itself has changed to meet the needs of its visitors, starting with the 1909 construction of a 6,000-seat National Amphitheater to replace the monster tent. The building still stands today. Eight more expansions followed over the course of 100 years with the bulk of improvements coming in 1972 thanks to a $2.5 million infusion of funds. With all that growth, though, comes challenges. In the last 10 years, stock show officials have been forced to research options for rebuilding the current site or relocating to a new one. In 2008, a task force determined that the $100 million cost of a rebuild was too steep, eliminating the current site as an option. Since

then, officials have focused on searching for a new site. (So far, nothing has passed the buck.) So, in the meantime, the show goes on. “It’s all about keeping modern Denver in touch with its roots,” Fessenden says. “Every January, we bring rural life back to D enver.” So, as the cold settles in and the ranching season winds down, Denver readies for another Super Bowl. Bring on the pigskin.

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

Inside T Stock Show Scene

Milling around in 107-year-old dirt requires two things — an insatiable hankering for adventure and a good pair of cowboy boots. Go get ready to kick up some dirt with our guide to the stock show! For tickets, free parking and other information go to nationalwestern.com.

RODEOS Jan. 12–27 Tickets: prices vary

With more than 30 rodeo events, there’s no shortage of action at the National Western. If you like your rodeo on the caliente side, the Jan. 13 Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza is a hot event packed with folkloric dancers, exhibition bullfighters, bareback riders and bull-riding charros. Meanwhile, if bull riding is your thing, don’t miss the Jan. 14–16 Professional Bull Riders. Finally, cap off the Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Jr. festivities with the MLK Jr. AfricanAmerican Heritage Rodeo in honor of black cowboys who comprised nearly one-third of the Old West cowboys.

COLORADO VS. THE WORLD Jan. 12 Tickets: $17–$65

If you like to root for a team, the National Western has you covered with its second-annual, openingweekend Colorado vs. The World rodeo event. Remember, rodeo is typically an individual sport, so this is a different kind of rodeo, pitting Century Link’s Team Colorado against Cinch’s World Team. Winners from 2012 Colorado rodeos make up the Colorado team. Which team will you root for?

WILD WEST SHOW Jan. 19–20 Tickets: $22

If you came to Colorado to experience the Old West, then you won’t want to miss the Wild West Show, featuring a six-horse stagecoach holdup, dance-hall girls and Native American tribute.

EVENING OF DANCING HORSES Jan. 23–24

THE COWBOY LOUNGE

Tickets: $23

1941 Market St. tavernhg.com/cowboy_lounge

Choreographed to the music of the Denver Brass, the Evening of Dancing Horses boasts formal dressage, freestyle reining, drill elements and equestrian discipline.

Billed as “the only country rock bar in LoDo,” this bar features a big ol’ dance floor and a mix of country music and current club hits in a spacious brick building.

WET YOUR WHISTLE

COWBOY CULTURE

THE STOCKYARD SALOON

NATIONAL WESTERN TRADE SHOW Jan. 19–20

4710 National Western Dr. denverstockyardsaloon.com

Throughout the complex

The Stockyard Saloon is within spittin’ distance of the National Western Complex. So if you’re looking for a cold Coors or a stiff glass of bourbon, this modest brickbuilt bar delivers convenience.

From cookware and home décor to fine jewelry and belt buckles, the National Western Trade Show delivers shopping with Western flair. With over 900 vendors wrapping through a maze of buildings, prepare to shop.

CHURCHILL’S

COORS WESTERN ART EXHIBIT AND SALE Jan. 8, Red Carpet Reception

Brown Palace, 321 17th St. brownpalace.com

High-rolling showgoers can sidle up to this Brown Palace bar, featuring single-malt scotches, small-batch bourbons and a humidor of over 60 different cigars.

The Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale combines photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints, capturing art with a Western flair. This year’s exhibit opens with a Jan. 8 Red Carpet Reception; a percentage of reception proceeds support the National Western Scholarship Trust. Advance reservations are $175 per person until Dec. 15; $200 thereafter. Call 303.299.5560 to receive an invite.

THE GRIZZLY ROSE 5450 N. Valley Highway grizzlyrose.com

Designated the “official live country-music nightclub of the National Western Stock Show,” the Grizzly Rose features big-name artists and lots of line dancing.

Photo courtesy National Western Stock Show

THE MAIN EVENTS

GRAND CHAMPION AT THE BROWN PALACE Jan. 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Brown Palace, 321 17th St.

This is as close as it gets to a bull in a china cabinet. Every year, the National Western Grand Champion Steer is led down a red carpet to be displayed during afternoon tea in the hotel lobby of the iconic Brown Palace for complimentary photos.

COWBOY CHURCH Jan. 13, 9 a.m. Jan. 20, 10 a.m. Denver Coliseum Centennial Room 4600 Humboldt St.

If you need a place to tip your hat and pray during your travels, there’s no better place than at a cowboy church service where country gospel, cowboy boots and heartfelt sermons are the norm. Barry Ward will be one of the featured singers during the Jan. 20 Fellowship of Christian Cowboys Service.

THE NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW KICKOFF PARADE Jan. 10, 12 p.m. Starts at Union Street; runs down 17th Street

A sight to see, this historic parade boasts 100 Texas Longhorn cattle parading through downtown Denver, along with stagecoaches, covered wagons, trick ropers, mountain men, country-andwestern bands, horse drill teams, and, of course, floats.

AUCTION OF JUNIOR LIVESTOCK CHAMPIONS Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. Beef Palace Arena

Watch hard work pay off during the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, where top junior agriculturists vie for high-dollar bids. From the thousands of junior market animals that compete at the stock show each year, only 90 of the very best make it to the auction — the final marketplace for these ribbon-winning animals. Past winning bids have reached as high as $110,500.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Author, PBS television host and lifestyle expert Christy Rost invited DHM into her spectacular Breckenridge surroundings for an intimate conversation on home, hospitality and heart.

All photography by Rick Souders, from Christy Rostâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book Celebrating Home: A Handbook for Gracious Living (Bright Sky Press, 2012), unless otherwise noted.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Rost’s beef tenderloin sandwiches with roasted-garlic mayonnaise, featured in Celebrating Home.

Rost created a master bedroom retreat in Swan’s Nest that embraced a European Monarch style.

ntertaining guests in memorable fashion takes skill. In the case of Christy Rost, she has elevated her signature brand of hospitality to an art form. For years, she’s shared her signature approach to casual living with an elegant flair on public television, radio and in books. “I have always loved the art, process and the creativity of entertaining,”says Rost. A wellknown culinary instructor, Rost is also a popular guest presenter for top retailers around the country and a passionate counselor in all things related to home and family. Watching her parents entertain guests on a regular basis planted the seed that would grow into a career. “I was a great imitator. From the time I was a little kid, I made special Saturday morning breakfasts for my sisters.” Over the years, Rost’s popularity and influence in the lifestyle industry has snowballed. Rost is among a number of American authors who continue the traditions of late chef Julia Child, who popularized French cuisine years before in the U.S. CELEBRATING HOME Rost’s thoughtfully written, accessible and popular books

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include The Family Table: Where Great Food, Friends, and Family Gather Together and Where’s My Spatula? Fast, Healthy Meals for When Your Kitchen or Your Life Is A Mess. And if that’s not enough, Rost is also a registered nurse. “My license is faithfully renewed every two years,” she beams. “Continuing education allows me to approach what I do in a different fashion because I am very health-conscious.” Celebrating Home: A Handbook for Gracious Living, published in September, focuses on the simple joys of nesting and athome gatherings. In the book, Rost offers advice on the kinds of touches, both large and small, that make an enduring impression on guests including serving suggestions, seasonal table settings and ideas for fresh floral arrangements. “It’s all about spoiling people,” she explains. “I want them to feel pampered while they’re here. Little tiny things can amount to a lot. That’s really what I concentrate on.” But Rost’s true mission goes much deeper. “I have been fortunate to have a life and a home where things are joyful, and peaceful…and I have beauty

around me,” she says. “I wrote the book in an effort to help people find the little nuggets of information they need to create a peaceful and joyful home.” AN AMERICAN IN PARIS A move overseas with her husband Randy and their young family in 1981 transformed Rost’s attitudes toward entertaining and cooking. “We lived in Paris for a year, and I learned a lot about how the French entertain,” says Rost. The relaxed approach of the French put guests at ease, impressing Rost. “They may have china, crystal and silver on the table...and it may even be heirloom…but it’s still a relaxed event,” she remembers. “You never feel that there’s any stress involved at all. I loved that, and I adopted that way of doing things very quickly.” Rost gravitated to the culinary habits she observed while in Paris. “Technique is so important in French cooking, as is a creative approach to food. And the French always cook fresh. Home cooks go to the market every day and buy just enough for that day. You can’t get fresher than that.” Back in the U.S., Rost’s Parisian experiences found a

The exterior of Rost’s idyllic Swan’s Nest Breckenridge home.

new life. “I was looking for a way to start following my passion for entertaining,” she remembers. Rost became the food editor at a Dallas newspaper, a position she held for 14 years. Guest spots on local television and special in-store programming with small retailers followed. Aiming higher, she called Macy’s. “I thought, why not? I’ll start big. Pretty soon I had a gig with them, and other major retailers around the country.” SPECTACULAR SWAN’S NEST Rost’s current Colorado focus can be traced to her family’s purchase of a spectacular 1898 Breckenridge mountain home known as Swan’s Nest in 2006. It is a magnificent residence with a grand, Old West history — a perfect place to practice what she preaches. Ben Stanley Revette, a mining engineer, built the house at the turn of the century. A largeframed Englishman, Rivette operated a gold-dredging operation on the Swan River. “He had a fondness for grandiose things,” says Rost. “That was a big undertaking back in 1898, especially out in the wilderness on a mountain.” Rost calls Swan’s Nest “the

Rost writes “I’m rarely happier than when I am setting a table.”

largest historic home in Summit County at 5,000 square feet.” “We had a vision for Swan’s Nest from the start” recalls Rost. “I could see what the house was going to look like. We knew it needed a lot of loving — it was absolutely a labor of love.” “I said, ‘We’re going to put in beautiful trim work around the ceilings to emphasize the fact that they are so high. We’re going to restore all the flooring so that it shined the way it did when Ben Revette built the home. We’re going to have beautiful chandeliers in the house, even though we’re way up in the mountains where hardly anyone installs crystal chandeliers, but Ben Revette would have done that.” “I knew I wanted to restore a sense of graciousness to this home. I could picture how the house was going to look…and how we would transform it from a house into a home.”

Christy writes memorably about the daily ritual of sharing “a cup of hot tea, a glass of wine or a cocktail” with her husband in Celebrating Home: A Handbook for Gracious Living.

FARM-TO-TABLE MANTRA Rost’s experience in France polished her culinary focus — but living in Breckenridge finetuned it even more. Immersed in the local cuisine culture, she learned that the emphasis

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When Julia Child’s The French Chef premiered in the early ’60s, it launched a revolution in cuisine. Through her many books and television appearances, Child demystified French cooking for the masses, giving home chefs what they needed to create meals in their own kitchens. She forever transformed the way Americans pursue culinary adventures. Today’s television rockstar chefs have much gratitude for the distinctive 6'2" chef with the wonderfully warbly voice, who passed away in 2004, and they showed it during the JC100 campaign, celebrating Child’s 100th birthday last August. It included the debut of a replica of her kitchen in a National Museum of American History exhibition in Washington, D.C., a revival of her classic cookbooks, various restaurant fund-raisers across the U.S. in addition to a number of other tributes. Christy Rost knew the great chef. “I met Julia very early in my career at a conference,” recalls Rost. “I was just completely bowled over. I got my picture taken with her. I still have that photograph.” During JC100, Rost staged several cooking events and classes that celebrated Child’s cultural contributions to public television. Rost says that Child made it easier for amateur chefs to let their guard down and embrace the adventure of cooking, no matter what the ingredients or techniques involved, changing the culinary landscape forever. The great chef profoundly affected Rost’s broadcasting aspirations. “I went to see Julia at a book signing,” says Rost, who had her own local television show at the time. “‘Ooh, Christy! How are you? How is your television show?’ she asked me. I told her it was doing well. She asked if it aired on PBS? ‘No, Julia,’ I said. ‘It’s on local television.’ She said, ‘One day, Christy, you should have your own show on PBS.’ I said, ‘Julia, some day I will.’ And, of course, now I do. I never forgot that. I thought, ‘Julia Child told me I need to do this!’” “So the day that we shot at Swan’s Nest for my first Thanksgiving special for public television, before the cameras rolled, I mentioned that Julia Child had told me years earlier that one day I should have my own show on PBS. ‘So I want you all to know that beside the day I got married and the day I had my babies, this is the most important day of my life, because Julia Child told me I should do this. So let’s get going!’” “It turned out to be a tremendous hit,” she said. “A Home for Christy Rost Thanksgiving aired in 86 percent of the country in 2009. My distributor was blown away.”

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy Christy Rost

Celebrating Julia Child

Rost’s high-altitude red-velvet cake featured in Celebrating Home.

on fresh foods is every bit as important to Colorado kitchens as it is to those in Paris. “The ‘farm-to-table’ mantra is very active in Colorado,” she explains. “Chefs have their own gardens, and they cook from them in their restaurants. Many people have their own gardens in their yards, and they cook from them, and they share what they have.” “That really influences my cooking. I concentrate on cooking with local ingredients like bison, Colorado lamb and beautiful herbs that grow here. It is important to me, personally, to cook locally.” “There is such an emphasis on nature and the environment here. There is really a code of the Old West, insofar as survival goes. We have unexpected, heavy storms here, snowstorms, where it really can be difficult just to get around. “Sometimes neighbors have to help neighbors just to survive, which translates into a very social community. Not going to restaurants…people invite you into their homes. It’s unlike anything I have ever seen before.” TASTE OF SNOWMASS Each July, for the past three years, Rost has served as a

featured presenter at Colorado’s Snowmass Culinary & Arts Festival held in Snowmass, Colo. The annual event brings together thousands of food, wine and art enthusiasts for an inspirational celebration in one of the world’s most gorgeous natural settings and travel destinations. “I get to talk about the practicality of cooking farm-totable and about using what’s freshest in the market,” said Rost of the event. ”Then I get to create something wonderful for them to taste.” The Snowmass Festival features a variety of food, wines and big names, such as contemporary Mexican chef Richard Sandoval, and Diane Hendricks, a noted nutritionist and regular contributor on ABC’s Good Morning America. Rost knows many on the impressive list of chefs from across the state who participate and do amazingly creative work. One of them is Jennifer Jasinski, owner of several restaurants in Denver including Rioja (1431 Larimer St.), Bistro Vendôme (1420 Larimer Sq.) and Euclid Hall (1317 14th St.). “Besides being a really nice lady, she is a supercreative chef,” says

Snowmass photos courtesy Christy Rost

Christy Rost draws crowds at Denver’s annual Snowmass celebration.

Rost, who met Jasinski at the Snowmass Festival. Others are Kelly Liken, best known for her restaurant Vail, and Mark DeNittis of Il Mondo Vecchio, (1174 South Cherokee St.) “Mark is an artisan butcher, which is what will really put him on the map — he’s amazing. Artisan butchery is a hot topic right now,” says Rost. Rost’s high-energy presentations quickly made her a fan-favorite of Snowmass. Her 2012 special farm-totable production “Celebrating Mountain Flavors” was a success story…and a pulpit for her to spread her message. “I get to serve and talk with people as they go by,” says an excited Rost. Beyond the food — a delicious pan-seared cod with baby spinach and roasted red pepper coulis, plus grilled, coffeerubbed bison steak soft tacos with caramelized onions and crème fraîche — her demonstrations also include real-world entertaining tips. “My favorite is when someone comes into the line and says, ‘I heard about you all the way at the other end of the festival.’ That is absolutely the best,” says Rost.

What are the essential ingredients one of America’s top experts on entertaining or anyone truly needs to be the genial host? “Wine, candlelight and time to spend with people,” says a reflective Rost. “And a heart that always wants to give.” Christy lists some other must-haves for the holiday season: Planning ahead is important. It provides the freedom to think about the little things that you can do to spoil your guests.

I mix and match my dinnerware and my glassware. I like to have different heights on my table so my glassware is always at different levels.

Candlelight…not just on the table, but also in other areas. It adds an interesting element and a different feel when there is candlelight.

I always have fresh flowers in the guest bath because it looks lovely when a guest walks in there.

I use charger plates on the table underneath the dinner plates. It allows me to introduce a different color, or pattern, or texture to the table. I try to introduce color and pattern wherever I can.

On top of my china cabinet and bookcases I always have seasonal greenery intertwined with tiny white lights. It creates this beautiful glow at a very high level in the room that captures people’s attention and makes them feel special.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Oliver Krause/FIS

U.S. Ski Team/Tom Kelly

Mike Ridewood/FIS

than s n a i d mp r Oly perfecte e t n i n ore w mall tow s. m s e s oduc ury, this champion r p s t g l Sprin ver a cen rnationa t a o b te .O Steam countries ducing in ro many ipe for p K RIC c e PAT r N e I h t UST BY J

Olympians Johnny Spillane (top left) and Michelle Gorgone (bottom left) grew up and trained in Steamboat Springs.

f it takes a village to raise a child, what sort of town does it take to raise an Olympian? Steamboat Springs, best known for its first-class skiing terrain and top-notch accommodations, generates more winter Olympians than any other town or city in North America. Not too shabby for a town of 11,000 permanent residents. With its own cottage industry cultivating world-class athletes, Steamboat Springs will send more competitors to the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia, than over 50 other nations, according to some estimates. How can a single town, and a remarkably small one at that, find itself on par with industrialized nations when it comes to producing winter Olympians? To understand how this cozy mountain community cultivated an athletic powerhouse from within, one must look back almost a hundred years. Carl Howelsen, a 1910s Denver resident, could never have envisioned what the ski area he lightheartedly founded nearly a century ago would look like today. Born in Oslo, Norway, in 1877, Howelsen was a gifted skier who helped popularize

the sport in its early days. After immigrating to the U.S., he toured with Barnum & Bailey Circus, appearing in acts like “Ski Sailing” and “Sky Rocket,” wowing audiences with his mastery of a sport still considered strange and mysterious by most Americans. He eventually made his way to the Rocky Mountains to an isolated town named after the sound of bubbling hot springs closely resembling the noise of a passing steamboat. Though residents at the time, mostly ranchers and miners, had adopted skiing as an effective mode of transportation during winter, they were greatly amused by Howelsen’s construction of a ski jump in 1914. The “Flying Norseman” introduced his neighbors to the sport by landing a 100-foot jump in what is now downtown Steamboat. Howelsen’s Hill, the oldest continually operating ski area in Colorado, now contains regulation 30-, 50-, 70-, and 90-meter jumps used for training by Olympians. He is regarded as a pioneer of skiing in America, and his legacy earned him an induction into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 1977. Today, much of the Olympic

Freestyle aerialist and Olympian Ryan St. Onge trained with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.

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Photos courtesy Denver Public Library

y if the .” , n o p ti mbi ir way u a e h t he have work t y e f th can ow i n they teacher n k kids lent, theeman School e h T “ e ta Lowell Whit h t e hav ts, retired

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training occurs at the Howelsen Hill Nordic Center in downtown Steamboat. It contains a meticulously groomed alpine ski area, an ice-skating rink, Nordic jumping hills, a terrain park and a network of Nordic crosscountry skiing trails. Because Steamboat Springs developed relatively early as a ski resort, it was able to nurture a love and respect for the sport for over a century. It also consequently developed some unique assets that set it apart. As more of its children pursued skiing as a disciplined passion, and as the mountain’s reputation grew and attracted young athletes from abroad, Steamboat became increasingly serious about competition. It needed organized institutions to provide a framework for growth. The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), founded in 1914, has burgeoned into an internationally lauded institution that provides winter and summer athletic programming for over 1,000 children and adolescents of various ages, abilities and pursuits. But it is all extracurricular. To compensate, many of its members are also students at the Lowell Whiteman School. The private school

was founded in 1957 by an outdoorsman with a passion for teaching who hoped to combine education with sport. The school continues to stay true to its original mission; one might say they’ve finessed it to a science. Most everyone associated with these two organizations agrees that they are codependent. Many Whiteman students are avid winter athletes, and the school offers programs to balance academics with intense training. The Whiteman School and SSWSC work in close conjunction to foster a community-supported youth development program that has instilled a lifelong love of snow sports in countless graduates. And, yes, a healthy number of its members have gone on to land spots on the U.S. Ski Team and compete in the Olympics. Johnny Spillane is one of the more notable examples of how an environment that nourishes potential can turn a kid who just loves to rip down a ski slope into an international legend. Spillane is a Steamboat Springs native and went through both the Whiteman School and the SSWSC. He won three silver medals in Nordic Combined Skiing in Vancouver in 2010 and is currently preparing

Photo courtesy SSWSC

Howelsen Hill, seen here in a series of photos taken circa 1920, is where Carl Howelsen introduced his neighbors to ski-jumping by landing a 100-foot jump in 1914.

Steamboat Springs Winter Sport Club members pose after a race.

Photo courtesy SSWSC

Katie Perhal

Oliver Kraus/FIS

Olympians Ryan St. Onge (far left) and Michelle Gorgone (left) are both Lowell Whiteman School graduates who trained with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.

The Nordic ski jumps in Steamboat Springs after a competition.

for his fifth Olympic appearance. “I am very fortunate to have grown up in Steamboat,” says Spillane, 34, who is raising his two daughters there. “There is tremendous opportunity to become a great skier because of the atmosphere that Steamboat has created. You get to grow up skiing with Olympians; it gives you a different kind of motivation and dedication to become the best that you can.” Joe Roberts, a retired Whiteman School teacher, agrees that there are powerful forces at work. “The town permeates skiing in the United States in so many ways,” he says. In his opinion, no single entity can claim credit for its success. It’s attributable to the manner in which several moving parts come together. “I’m looking at this as a package. You look at the history, you look at the Winter Sports Club, you look at the development of the ski area, and you look at Whiteman School. It’s a package.” Indeed, the combined elements found in Steamboat Springs have produced more than 75 Olympians throughout history. Whiteman alone has sent students and alums to every recent Winter Olympics. In ’94, five students

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competed in Lillehammer. In ’98, six students went to Nagano. Five went to Salt Lake in ’02, seven to Torino in ’06, and seven to Vancouver in ’10. Insiders are hoping the record will be broken in Sochi. Notable Olympians Ryan St. Onge, Michelle Gorgone, Travis Mayer and Johhny Spillane, amongst others, are graduates of the Whiteman School. “It’s a mecca,” says Roberts, speaking of Steamboat Springs. Children who are born there — often to parents who view walking and skiing as equally important hallmarks of child development — are brought up in a culture that encourages healthy, but also very serious, competition. Additionally, promising young athletes move to Steamboat with their families from around the globe to test and develop their skills alongside

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U.S. Ski Team/Tom Kelly

Olympic Silver Medalist Johnny Spillane celebrates with the other members of the U.S. Nordic combined event ski team in Vancouver in 2010.

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similarly talented children under the guidance of worldclass coaches. “The kids know if they have the ambition, if they have the talent, then they can work their way up,” says Roberts. “In the locker rooms, athletes who are very high powered will be in the kids’ presence…. It’s very compelling. It gives them something to shoot for.” Those locker rooms are found inside the grounds of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. SSWSC is a 501c(3) non-profit. It is a private club, not owned or managed by either the city or ski area, though they do happen to be its two biggest supporters. Given its size and scope, meeting fundraising needs is a constant challenge. Perpetuating the organization’s existence through fundraising depends on not only consistently producing Olympic-level results, but also offering something for everyone who walks in the door. Actually, that the organization reliably churns out elite athletes is more of a byproduct of its dedication to its mission, which is to offer a satisfying experience to all of its members. Rick DeVos has been the executive director of the

SSWSC since 1999, a position he accepted after working for the Steamboat Springs ski area overseeing the ski school and its racing program. DeVos estimates over 18,000 young athletes have been involved in the club, which is the oldest of its kind west of the Mississippi. To date, the SSWSC has over 1,000 members under the guidance of about 150 staff, most of whom are coaches. “We offer programming in more sports than any winter club in North America,” he says. Fifty-one programs train children from the age of 3 and up, the most active of them in their early to mid teens. There is also an adult masters racing program; its oldest competitor is 80. The youngest athletes start in the alpine ski division learning the basics, including adapting to cold-weather conditions and high altitude. The goal is “to teach them the love of the sport.” As they get older, participants who stick with the program tend to specialize and receive training tailored to their passions. SSWSC utilizes age-specific products designed to maximize potential in a developing athlete. But as DeVos stresses, SSWSC’s mission is not to produce

Olympians, but to provide an atmosphere that accommodates its members’ many interests and skill levels. “It’s all kind of blended,” he explains. “For every kid that’s in this, number one we’re going to try to help them be able to afford it, and number two to meet their goals, not necessarily ours. But that means we have to have a product mix from completely recreational to Olympian-based.” As far as high-stakes competition goes, the philosophy is that greatness must be encouraged and fostered, not demanded. It is up to the individual athletes and their families to go all in. “The kids that have the passion required to be an upper-level athlete…it’ll show itself,” says DeVos. The elite athletes headed for higher competition do so because they want to, but their success is dependent on the support of other individuals and the community at large. Steamboat culture embraces the notion that striving towards greatness is a team effort, and if everyone does their best, the fruits of that labor will show eventually. “There are a lot of factors that can make an Olympian,” muses Johnny Spillane. “Hard work, dedication,

Steamboat’s 100th Annual Winter Carnival

Olympic freestyle skier Travis Meyer, who trained in Steamboat, retired in 2006.

commitment, courage and a little luck all factor in, but your support team is also very important. You need a lot of help to be successful.” Despite earning a name for their remote town on the world stage, Steamboat’s residents ultimately believe it’s about having fun and enjoying mountain sports, a practice that lends itself to a way of life they relish. SSWSC members and Whiteman School students will tell you that winter sports are about more than winning awards. They inherently generate a respect for nature, an appreciation of recreation wholly dependent on mountains and snowfall. And surrounded by vast expanses of wilderness where human civilization is the exception, they force an understanding of the real value of mutual sacrifice and teamwork. Triumph in a place like Steamboat exists because of a community-wide effort to give and help and support. It is a powerful force that cannot easily be mimicked, and the reason that Olympians from Steamboat Springs attribute much of their success to the town year after year.

conditions. Head up to Howelsen Hill to watch the Alpine Ski Jump event, using traditional alpine equipment, or the more adventurous International Muzzle Loading Biathlon, which combines fur-trapper frontier outfits, early American black-powder firearms and cross-country skiing using primitive equipment. But it’s not just about games, the Winter Carnival offers residents and visitors plenty of other reasons to get outside and celebrate the snowy months. Opening Ceremonies take place at Howelsen Hill Lodge and honor the Winter Carnival Queen, her Court of Attendants, Little Princesses and Grand Marshals. Head to the “must-see” Night Extravaganza for Steamboat’s famous Lighted Man, torchlight parades and elaborate fireworks show. The Diamond Hitch Parade offers a chance to join a team of four skiers pulled by a car, horse or dogs and become part of the spectacle. Truly a community-oriented celebration, participants need only purchase one $7 Winter Carnival button to enjoy the entire weekend’s events and join locals in experiencing Steamboat’s long history and traditions. — CATHERINE ADCOCK

For more information, visit steamboat-chamber.com.

Photos courtesy SSWSC

he Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club traces its beginnings back to the town’s Winter Carnival. Originally formed to organize the city’s first Winter Carnival in 1914, the SSWSC continues to maintain the carnival as a service to the community. The early years of the Winter Carnival, intended to alleviate cabin fever during the height of the cold season, featured a handful of ski-jump events and cross-country ski races taking place on Howelsen Hill and city streets. The Winter Carnival will be commemorating its 100th annual festivity with five days of liberating activity and fanciful celebration from Feb. 6–10, 2013. For the upcoming event, Steamboat City employees will pack 400 tons of snow on top of Lincoln Avenue to extend the carnival “grounds” from Howelsen Hill through downtown, creating fitting environs for the weekend’s freeing and freezing events. On the downtown streets, one can witness kid-friendly, three-legged ski races, skiers pulled by horses over a two-foot “donkey” jump and shovel races (contestants sit on snow-shovels pulled by horses; first one to finish wins, anyone who falls off the shovel is disqualified). It’s exactly the kind of celebration one would expect from a group of people enduring days short on sunlight and long on dreary

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Her Royal Sweetness

BY DAVE MUSCARI

Venezuela-born, world-traveled chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom makes an indelible mark on the local cuisine scene with her tantalizing, award-winning assortment of desserts, served in many of Denverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest restaurants.

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All photos courtesy Yasmin Lozada-Hissom

“I walk around imagining a dish, removing, adding in my head, and then I run into the kitchen to put my thoughts onto the plate.”

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Spuntino’s lemon meringue copetta

asmin Lozada-Hissom has lived the highs and lows, literally. Born in Venezuela, she spent her early years in Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city, located at an elevation of 7,661 feet in the western Andes. Roughly translated, Arequipa means “the place that lies behind the peak,” in this case, a long dormant, snow-capped volcano named El Misti.

“I’m constantly thinking about different ways to explore ingredients and presentation.” As a teenager she returned to Venezuela’s beautiful beaches. “There is something healing and uplifting about the ocean, the salted water, the white sand and the sun,” she says. A traveled background gives the Denver chef a unique perspective on, and a deep appreciation for, the ways geography supplies the essential ingredients to her brand of cuisine.

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CULINARY FAMILY AFFAIR The popular local pastry chef insists her love of the culinary arts began as a child in the family kitchen. “Both my mother and my grandmother are great cooks,” she says with pride. On Sundays, Lozada-Hissom accompanied her grandmother to the open-air market on the way home from church. “She had her favorite caseros: a fishmonger, a butcher, a spice merchant and the cheese maker who sold queso fresco and fragrant fresh butter as yellow as egg yolks,” Lozada-Hissom remembers. “She sniffed the lamb and would know without looking whether it was male or female; she would prod the fish in search of the perfect texture or surreptitiously slash into an ear of corn with her thumbnail looking for the milkiest ones.” Back in the kitchen, LozadaHissom says her grandmother would prepare meals for an entire extended family, “anywhere from 20 to 40 people.” “She taught me the things aspiring cooks learn in culinary school: how to multitask; how to season with precision; how to

duo’s almond tort

caramelize food properly; how to work neat. I remember that she even seasoned the dog’s food like she was cooking for a king.” Her mother was equally talented in her kitchen. “Every single dish that she makes is better than the last one. She cooks in such an unpretentious and relaxed way that makes you appreciate her creations even more.” “I couldn’t be more grateful for their guidance and inspiration,” she explains. While studying at the storied Sorbonne in Paris, Lozada-Hissom gravitated naturally to cuisine. She left France and moved to New York, immersing herself in its culinary culture. But she was green and impressionable, with little appreciation for the highstakes, dog-eat-dog grind of big city restaurants. “When my chef at Quilty’s, Katy Sparks, told me that Ruth Reichl [noted food writer and restaurant critic of The New York Times] had visited the restaurant and the review was coming, I shrugged,” she says. “I had no idea who she was or how crucial the review was. “That night after service… everybody…owners, cooks and servers all gathered, anxiously

waiting for the early edition of the Times with the review in it.” “When we finally read the review [which was very positive], and everybody applauded, Katy, who is now my dear friend, hugged me, crying. Looking back, I realize that my naïveté gave me the freedom to create that I wouldn’t have felt otherwise.” With several years of New York City culinary experience under her belt, Lozada-Hissom moved to Denver in 2000. It was quite an adjustment. “I have to confess that when I moved here from New York, I thought I would never get used to the pace in Colorado, but now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” Lozada-Hissom is now well known for her ultracreative desserts served in two of the city’s more popular restaurants: duo (2413 W. 32nd Ave.) in north Denver and Olivéa (719 East 17th Ave.) in Uptown. She calls husband John Broening, the executive chef at both haunts, her most significant culinary mentor. “I trust his palate and knowledge more that anyone else’s,” she says.

duo’s lemon icebox cake

duo’s chocolate ganache tart

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Spuntino 2639 W. 32nd Ave. 303.433.0949 spuntinodenver.com Spuntino’s white bean, Kalamata and rosemary oil bruschette

A CRITICAL DARLING Last February, for the fourth year in a row, she was named a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s outstanding pastry chef award — the Oscars, if you will, of the culinary dessert world. Lozada-Hissom says she was honored to be included, of course. “I especially enjoyed cooking for the awards ceremony last year along with some of my culinary heroes.” However, she hasn’t let the rockstar attention go to her head. “I feel extremely grateful for these awards, but I have to confess that I miss tremendously the freedom that I felt in New York,

and salted peanuts served with banana gelato; an almond torte lightly warmed with roasted pineapple and buttermilk pink peppercorn ice cream; or the goat cheesecake with mango sorbet, mango marmalade and a homemade graham-cracker crust. “I’m constantly thinking about different ways to explore ingredients and presentation. Sometimes the inspirations come from nature, sometimes from a savory dish from memories of my travels. I usually walk around imagining a dish, removing, adding in my head, and then I run into the kitchen to put my thoughts onto the plate.”

“I feel very fortunate to be part of a community of chefs and artisans that work hard, every day to put Denver on the culinary map.” being a completely unknown little pastry cook moved just by the desire to feed people and make them happy.” At duo, her desserts are popular works of art: a frozen meringue with raspberry rose sorbet and fresh berries; a chocolate ganache tart with caramel

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At Olivéa, Lozada-Hissom’s desserts provide delectable endings to the Mediterranean-styled meals. Try the chocolate and fleur de sel caramel tart with milk chocolate gelato and nougatine crunch; the almond lemon torte with fresh summer berries, mascarpone and lemon zabali-

one gelato; basil semifreddo and strawberry black pepper sorbet with toasted olive oil cake; or a variety of housemade ice creams and sorbets. “I really love to cook savory food, but I guess the perfectionist in me likes the challenge or the precision that pastries require,” she admits. “Most of all, the kid in me likes the almost magical element of seeing a pale and loose pan of batter transformed into a golden, puffy and fragrant cake or the process of transforming a chunk of chocolate into shiny and silky ganache.” WORKS OF ART Last March, Lozada-Hissom and her husband bought the two-year old Spuntino (2639 West 32nd Ave.). The couple lived in the area and came into the restaurant from time to time, so they jumped when the ownership opportunity was presented. Today, her charming restaurant, located in a spot that was once an ice-cream shop called Red Trolley, is a big hit in Denver’s trendy Highland area. It features a variety of accents, including a fine selection of firstrate coffees. Wines pair nicely with handcrafted, Italian-inspired

Olivéa 719 E. 17th Ave. 303.861.5050 olivearestaurant.com

duo 2413 W. 32nd Ave. 303.477.4141 duodenver.com

seasonal entrées and side dishes, both featuring special touches “that come from our roots, food philosophies, travels and experiences.” “The menu relies on fresh ingredients from local farms, sustainably raised seafood, locally sourced meats and housemade pastas and breads. Of course, it’s the desserts that are close to my heart,” explains Lozada-Hissom. More like to die for. Her signature dessert may be the painstaking creation she calls her chocolate crunch bar. It layers pralines, ganache, gelato, hazelnuts, and, of course, chocolate, in what may be Denver’s tastiest treat. “I always try to create desserts that have fully-rounded flavors and a contrast of textures,” she says. Spuntino also features a special tart of the day. “I adore them, so I usually have five or six different tarts available every day,” she says. “Passion fruit, chocolate, apple coriander, pear almond, berry marscarpone, apricot chamomile...they change depending on what’s in season.” Lozada-Hissom’s almond coconut macaroons are another favorite. “They have a nice, crispy coat outside and are supermoist inside,” she says. All-natural gelatos and popsicles feature offbeat

flavors such as pomegranate and rose water, celery-lime and pink peppercorn-grapefruit. It prompted one local publication to present her its annual “best dessert that’s not chocolate” award and landed her on GrubStreet.com’s hot list of “101 of America’s Most Crazy-Awesome New Desserts.” But, by all means, whatever you do, don’t pass up her chocolate. For now the Wild West pace of Denver restaurant life marches on at Spuntino, duo and Olivéa. One day Lozada-Hissom says she hopes to be, “Living on a farm, lots of dogs running around us, cooking for my friends and family, teaching, writing and traveling.” “My husband and I live in front of a beautiful lake within the city,” she says. “The view of the mountain and the water every morning reassures me that we are in the right place. I also feel very fortunate to be part of a community of chefs and artisans that work hard, every day to put Denver on the culinary map.”

Spuntino’s seasonal peanut and chocolate tarts

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swimming in mainstream success

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“...we’ve always subscribed to the ‘work-tillyou-like-it-yourself’ school of thought.”

Denver’s hometown heroes open up to DHM on the long journey from local bar band to international rock stardom. WRITTEN BY DAVE MUSCARI

Photo courtesy The Denver Post

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Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

The Fray at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Dec. 4, 2006.

he Rocky Mountains are a musical melting pot. Legendary bandleaders Paul Whiteman, Glenn Miller and Jimmie Lunceford attended Colorado high schools. Philip Bailey and Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire, and fiery jazz guitarist Bill Frisell are all Denver natives. The state is also home to a variety of influential contemporary performers including India.Arie, Big Head Todd & the Monsters and progressive bluegrassers The String Cheese Incident. These days, however, Denver bands don’t come much bigger than The Fray. Formed in 2002 by classmates Isaac Slade and Joe King while attending Denverarea schools, the Colorado band with a worldwide following has a story all its own. From local band climbing a steep ladder of success

to international popstars with a boatload of record sales, Grammy nominations and Billboard Music Awards in tow, The Fray has already chiseled their names into rock history. The band laid the foundation for success right in their own backyard — a lot of gigs around Boulder and Denver playing to enthusiastic local fans like Claire Portwood Lumsden. She is an Internet sales representative with a national company who grew up in Denver. Lumsden was there when the band took off. “My sophomore year at CSU, when they started to play The Fray on the radio, I remember they talked about them being ‘an up-and-coming local band,’ and trying to find them on the Internet.” The first time she saw The Fray perform was 2003 at one of KTCL’s famous Freeloader shows at Denver’s Gothic Theater. “My girlfriends and I drove down from Fort Collins to see them. We only knew maybe a couple of songs, and, of course, we sang and screamed along with the band.”

“Out of all the local acts we’ve played over the years, [they’re] definitely in the top 5 of all time.”

— Sam Hill, radio personality at Denver’s Alice 105.9 FM

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The Fray’s first major success story arrived in an odd fashion. Slade’s younger brother, Caleb was once the band’s bass player but left after a disagreement. “You’ll need to buy me a whiskey for that one,” Isaac Slade told us when we asked about the specifics. “Or three.” Ironically, the rift became the inspiration for the song, “Over My Head (Cable Car)” which appeared on The Fray’s 2005 album How to Save a Life. The song went on to become the fifth-most downloaded single of 2006. The album’s title track was inspired by Isaac’s work at a camp for troubled teenagers. As for Caleb, he’s now a solo artist with a career of his own and an album, Victory in Defeat, which is available on iTunes. Since those early years, the band has toured almost nonstop and released three well-received albums. Now, with a slew of industry honors and a wide base of rabid fans, The Fray’s anthemesque, piano-driven sound has secured its place on the power pop landscape. Obvious comparisons to English groups including Keane, Radiohead and

BristolMusic / Shutterstock.com

Adam J. Sablich / Shutterstock.com

The Fray perform on Dec. 14, 2006 in Lowell, Mass., at KISS 108’s Jingle Ball.

Coldplay have been made in the press. “There are certainly worse bands to be compared to. Like Coldplay…or Tiny Tim any day,” joked Slade. Some critics suggest that The Fray’s sound is probably more heavily influenced by bands such as U2 and The Wallflowers, however, for Slade’s money, he says, “Ray Charles, Bush, Third Eye Blind, Counting Crows. Always wished I could be Ray though.” When Westword magazine tabbed The Fray as Denver’s “best new band” in 2004, they received more airplay on local rock radio stations with a demo version of “Over My Head.” Later that same year, the band signed a deal with Epic records, reportedly onstage at Denver’s historic Fox Theater. Sam Hill, music director and midday radio personality at KALCFM, known as Alice 105.9, said the radio station began playing The Fray’s music in 2005, starting “… with their first official single ‘Over My Head.’ We’ve played that particular Fray song the most out of any other Denver radio station.” In fact, says Hill, “Alice played every single that was released from How to Save a Life. Our listeners

The Fray performs at Bristol Carling Academy in Bristol, England, on Nov. 2, 2007.

are huge fans of The Fray. Out of all the local acts we’ve played over the years, they’ve been received very favorably…definitely in the Top 5 of all time.” When “How to Save a Life” shot to No. 3 on the charts, it soon tied for the seventh longest charting single of all time on the Hot 100 chart with Carlos Santana’s smash “Smooth” at 58 consecutive weeks. It also topped the adult Top 40 for 15 consecutive weeks and found enormous success on the international charts as well. It was a Top 5 record in Spain, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom. Just as “Over My Head” was climbing the charts, ABC announced that the album’s title track would be a center point in a fall promotional campaign for the 2006 season premiere of the network’s breakaway hit, Grey’s Anatomy. The visibility was enormous and helped push the song’s popularity week after week, driving it to No. 3 from No. 51 by October on Billboard’s Hot 100. The band’s third album, Scars & Stories, is currently getting plenty of airplay. Released last

February, it debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top 200. The album is a departure from the previous two releases. There is a new producer on-board in Grammywinner Brenden O’Brien. Over his career, O’Brien has produced and played on records with luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Bruce Springsteen. He brought an edgier, rock ’n’ roll texture to The Fray’s new recording. The title of the album comes from the idea that the band has earned battle scars in life, on the road and as a group and survived to tell the tales. The first singles released include “Heartbeat” and “Run For Your Life.” The band’s most recent concert tour began early last April in New York City and ended in November after stops in Australia, Singapore, Dubai and Manila. During the summer leg of the tour, The Fray coheadlined a series of dates with Kelly Clarkson, with opening acts Carolina Liar and Scars on 45. Band members remain committed to local fans and the Denver community in general. “The guys in the band have always

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BristolMusic / Shutterstock.com

The Fray performs at Bristol Carling Academy in Bristol, England, on Nov. 2, 2007.

been really great at taking care of their hometown radio stations,” says Hill. “They regularly do oneoff appearances for their fans and our listeners.” A good example of their involvement has been through an annual telethon in support of Children’s Hospital Colorado. “Alice has been raising money for Children’s Miracle Network for a decade, and we’ve managed to raise over $10 million with the help of local businesses and generous listeners,” explains Hill. “We’ve had wonderful support from The Fray in that they’ve joined us on-air for a couple of hospital broadcasts where they’ve gone so far as to donate VIP experiences for auction with the money going to Children’s Hospital. That’s just one example of how generous and kind those guys are.” “You really do feel like they love being a part of the community,” she adds.

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e checked in with Isaac Slade recently while the band was touring on the other side of the world in Muscat, the capital of Oman. We wanted to know how it all started and what’s next for one of Denver’s most-loved musical forces. DHM: Isaac, you and Joe are local guys. How did your backgrounds prepare you for the music you are producing today? Slade: Growing up in Denver gives you a different take on the entertainment industry. It keeps you grounded, makes it a little harder to float off into space. Musically, it gave us a real earthiness to what we do — I like to think that came from my cowboy grandpa, Claude Graves. He was a badass. DHM: Were there local bands or performers you followed closely? Slade: I hatched a scheme in college, a local cable-access music show that combed the various scenes around town for the latest and greatest. It was pretty legit. We had 23 interns. It took me all over the Denver/Boulder area and exposed me to a lot of amazing music and the amazing

people behind it. I also got to do probably 60 interviews with local industry folks, radio, print, promoters…everyone. It had a huge impact on how I viewed the industry, seeing it from that side. And musically, I discovered this huge pressure everyone felt to just be a sports-bar cover band. Every local artist seemed to have to wrestle with that: easy money playing Lynyrd Skynyrd or the long hard road of [playing] your own material. Needless to say, all the best artists were just about broke. That was inspiring. DHM: How to Save a Life — the album and title track were enormously successful. Did you know when the band was recording that the album had such potential? Slade: When you make art for public consumption you have no idea how it’s going to be received. You can guess, you can hope, you can test market… but you really don’t know. So we’ve always subscribed to the “work-till-you-like-it-yourself” school of thought. Sometimes it does well, sometimes it doesn’t. We’ve had both.

DHM: Talk about the rigors of touring: What are the best and worst parts of the process? Slade: I’m not really going to say anything bad about the rigors of touring. Catch me at the end of an 11-week run in an airport hotel, 40 minutes outside of Houston, and I may answer differently. DHM: Can you describe the feeling of standing onstage, performing in front of thousands of fans as they sing along with the band? Slade: It’s cool in the States. It’s even cooler in a country that hardly speaks English. It’s one of the finest feelings I’ve ever had the pleasure of having.

DHM: You have traveled the world. Is there any downtime to see it beyond looking down from the stage? Slade: I tried bartering this kid in the Gold Souk [large market in Dubai, U.A.E.]. I wanted this turban thing, and he was clearly over-charging. I played hardball, and he didn’t budge, even a little. So I paid it. The next day the Dubai DJ informed me live, on-air that I paid about four times too much. That was hard. I bet that damn kid was listening, too, just smiling and sipping on his U.A.E. coffee, happy as can be. DHM: You and Joe have enjoyed a tremendous writing partnership: How does that process work? Slade: We both have big piles of demos and lyrics, tossing them back and forth all the time. Sometimes I’ll get stuck on a song, nothing but a verse, and go snag one of his chorus melodies and throw some new chords on it to fit the vibe. It’s a little like that scene in Wall Street, guys shouting for melodies, verses — I need a lyric about loneliness! Loneliness? Anybody?

BristolMusic / Shutterstock.com

DHM: How important has the Internet been to your band? Slade: I remember when we first bought our domain name back in 2002, and I figured out how to see viewer country of origin. I stared at this user’s IP address in Madagascar. We scrubbed toilets for eight months to raise $1,700, recorded our EP, then boom, some kid off the coast of Africa is listening to it. That was a trip.

DHM: Has it been difficult to maintain a friendship as the band has grown and become increasingly successful? Slade: Any friendship takes work if you’re honest with each other. It would be much easier to just keep it surface and hire other people to write for us all, but if you’re going to make things together, to create together, you’ve got to keep it on the level. So that’s been work, but work well worth it. DHM: Where do you see The Fray five to ten years down the road? Slade: Making record No. 8!

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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CALENDAR

DECEMBER 4

Chris Isaak Paramount Theater

Denver’s cornucopia of cultural events spans varieties that suit every visitor’s taste. DHM whittles it down to the best of Mile High’s offerings.

With his trademark cowboy boots and sequin suits, the California roots rocker caught fire in the late ’80s with the sultry “Wicked Game” and again in the ’90s with “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing.” Catch Isaak singing his biggest hits and a few off his latest effort, Beyond the Sun, recorded at Memphis’ famed Sun Records studio.

TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com

The Who, What and Where

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Bluebird Theater

Shutterstock.com

The Denver native and wildly popular frontman for local favorites Big Head Todd & the Trombone Shorty Monsters brings his solo swagger to one of the area’s more intimate Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue concert venues. This hometown Ogden Theater musical hero specializes in blues with a rock ’n’ roll edge. Jazz, funk and rap blend seamlessly when Troy Andrews and his cohorts bring their Crescent City strut to the stage. Crank up the musical gumbo, New Orleans–style, with one of the south’s finest ensembles. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Todd Park Mohr

DECEMBER 10

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour Paramount Theater

Saxophonist Koz, one of the biggest names in smooth jazz, and company celebrate 15 years of seasonal memories with this holiday tour. The sensational evening of entertainment features crackerjack players including David Benoit, Shelia E, Javier Colon and sizzling vocalist Margo Rey.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Justin Bieber

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

With a hot new album (Believe) climbing the charts, the heartthrob is off on a blockbuster tour. His new music signals a shift from teen to young adult with a series of high-energy beats and dazzling rhythms. Concerts feature early and current hits. FEBRUARY 12

The Who: Quadrophenia & More Pepsi Center

Since the ’60s, few bands have impacted rock ’n’ roll like The Who. Catch original members Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry perform songs like “My Generation,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Magic Bus,” all an integral part of the soundtrack of an entire generation…or two.

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

FEBRUARY 14

Dave Koz

DECEMBER 28

Carrie Underwood

JANUARY 7 Pepsi Center

Carrie Underwood

1stBank Center (Broomfield) The Oklahoma native rose to fame in the wake of winning American Idol. She is the first female artist to win back-to-back Academy of Country Music Awards for Entertainer of the

Moscow Ballet: The Great Russian Nutcracker

Paramount Theater

Molly Brown & the 100th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic Molly Brown House Museum

The RMS Titanic and Coloradan Molly Brown: the names are virtually synonymous. In observance of the 100th anniversary of the tragedy at sea, the museum explores Brown’s “unsinkable” experience from bow to stern with fascinating accounts, artifacts and photographs from the fateful voyage that ended in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. THROUGH DECEMBER 24

White Christmas

Buell Theater, Denver Performing Arts Complex Filled with 17 Broadway-size production numbers including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano” and, of course, “White Christmas” this Denver Center Theater Company production of Irving Berlin’s heartwarming musical is a lush holiday spectacle for all ages.

The New York Times raves, “Knockout! Expansive! Elegantly generous!” Enjoy a holiday favorite that has entertained worldwide audiences for years with its superb showmanship, lavish costumes and commitment to the rich traditions of Russian classical dance. Performed to Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score, this visual feast will provide memories for the entire family to cherish. DECEMBER 16–SEPTEMBER 8, 2013

Rocky Mountain Majesty: The Paintings of Charles Partridge Adams Denver Art Museum

Known for stunning images of Colorado mountain ranges, prolific artist Charles Partridge Adams created more than 1,000 paintings during his life. By the turn of the century, Adams had established a signature style based on impressionism with personalized touches — his paintings express an individual reaction to Colorado landscapes. The exhibition marks the first time that his masterworks will be displayed together at a major art museum. THROUGH JANUARY 13

A Day in Pompeii

Denver Museum of Science & Nature What nature once destroyed, it also curiously preserved. In 79 AD legendary Pompeii vanished beneath layers of Mount Vesuvius’ volcanic ash. The city remained

Photo courtesy Denver Museum of Science & Nature

Todd Park Mohr

DECEMBER 9

Year. Her debut album was certified seven-times platinum yielding a trio of No. 1 country hits including “Inside Your Heaven,” “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats.” These days Underwood is the reigning queen of country music.

pasphotography / Shutterstock.com

DECEMBER 6

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

ENTERTAINMENT

A Day in Pompeii DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

concerto features the Symphony’s principal cellist, Silver Ainomäe. Paired with Haydn is one of Mozart’s most greatly admired works, his Symphony No. 40, which has been called a work of passion, tragic in tone and intensely emotional.

CALENDAR virtually untouched for nearly 1,700 years. View hundreds of exceptional artifacts that offer rare glimpses into the daily life and tragic end of this ancient city.

in places where they are least expected. It’s holiday fun for the entire family.

from around the world spend a week gently coaxing intricate sculptures out of 20-ton blocks of snow in this annual event. FEBRUARY 9–10 & 16–17

Cripple Creek Ice Festival

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY

Art District on Santa Fe

THROUGH JANUARY 20

Becoming Van Gogh

Enjoy over 60 participating galleries, artist studios and The eccentric Dutch painter took an restaurants joining the First unconventional path to becoming Friday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Free shuttle coaches pick up one of the world’s great artists. patrons at the light rail station at This exhibition examines steps 10th Avenue and Osage Street to in the artist’s evolution through more than 70 of his paintings and ferry them around the Art District on the first Friday of every month drawings. It brings together loans from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. from more than 60 public and private collections throughout THE GREAT OUTDOORS Europe and North America to provide looks into formative THROUGH JANUARY 22 periods throughout his career. Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam (Vincent Van Gogh Foundation).

Becoming Van Gogh

Downtown Denver Grand Illumination The downtown area lights up for the season throughout the month. From the 16th Street Mall to Union Station and the City and County Building, downtown Denver is awash with stunning floodlights in the heart of LoDo. DECEMBER 31

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

FEBRUARY 9, 12, 15 & 17

Downtown Denver

Romeo & Juliet, Opera Colorado

Colorado winter skies sparkle above the 16th Street Mall. Two sensational fireworks shows are scheduled at 9 p.m. and at midnight. Be sure to arrive early to the 16th Street area to snag one of the best viewing spots.

Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex Hearts pound when star-crossed teenage lovers meet. Experience the sweet purity of first love and the tragic measures taken to ensure true love’s flame burned eternal. Fall again for this 1867 French classic bursting with beautiful duets and grand staging. FEBRUARY 20

Giants of Classicism, Colorado Symphony Orchestra

University of Denver’s Newman Center, Gates Concert Hall Haydn’s lyrical and virtuosic cello 56

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

THROUGH JANUARY 2

Zoo Lights Denver Zoo

Experience a colorful Colorado safari of lights on more than 38 illuminated acres at one of America’s top zoos. Catch the 150 animated animal sculptures that swing through trees, mischievously leap across lawns, hide in bushes and appear

Scott Dressel-Martin

Denver Art Museum

Talented artists gently wield their rugged chainsaws to carve frozen creations along the small town’s charming main street. A uniquely Colorado wintertime experience with past theme entries such as Story Time, Under the Sea, a military salute carved in ice and a Rocky Mountain Wonderland.

Blossoms of Light

FEBRUARY 9–17 THROUGH JANUARY 1

Colorado Garden & Home Show

Blossoms of Light

This annual event is billed as the region’s largest garden and home show. For years, this nineday extravaganza has provided do-it-yourselfers inspiration from the latest ideas and trends in landscaping to home improvement.

Denver Botanic Gardens Embrace the holiday season when over a million colorful lights draped in elegant designs highlight the Gardens’ wintry beauty. Thousands of lights in the amphitheater are also synchronized to holiday musical favorites. Take a romantic stroll and steal a kiss or two. Enjoy warm drinks, special treats and entertainment on select evenings. JANUARY 17–20

International Sportsmen’s Exposition Denver Convention Center

Outdoors moves indoors for the Rocky Mountain region’s largest annual display of hunting, fishing, camping and wilderness gear and services. Lodges and resorts spotlight destinations from throughout the region, as well as Alaska, Canada, Mexico, South America and South Africa. JANUARY 22–FEBRUARY 3

Budweiser International Snow Sculpting Championship Breckenridge

They may not last long during Colorado’s sunny winter months, but the frozen masterpieces created by gifted artisans leave a lasting impression. Teams

FOOD AND WINE JANUARY 24–27

Beaver Creek Food & Wine Weekend Beaver Creek Resort

Nationally known chefs join local host chefs to produce this thirdannual, palate-pleasing culinary extravaganza. Choose from a variety of events and activities on the slopes to exclusive dinners with menus meticulously prepared by celebrity chefs. Events will be hosted at a variety of restaurants throughout the resort. FEBRUARY 23–MARCH 8

Denver Restaurant Week This annual two-week celebration of Denver restaurants showcases some of the area’s top chefs and finest cuisine. Participating restaurants offer multicourse dinners at a fixed price of $26.40 at an impressive variety of locations throughout the city.

Avery Brewing Company

Craft Brewery and Tap Room Take a journey to our alley, and learn what craft brewing is all about! Open 7 Days a Week 11am-11pm - Complimentary Tour Every Day 5763 Arapahoe Ave. | Boulder, CO 80303 | 303-440-4324 Visit www.averybrewing.com to learn more!

CALENDAR

SPORTS

Jan. 20 Jan. 26 Jan. 28 Jan. 30 Feb. 1 Feb. 5 Feb. 7 Feb. 19 Feb. 25

vs. OKC Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings vs. Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Denver is one of America’s top sports cities and one of only a handful with the full complement of all the professional franchises as COLORADO MAMMOTH LACROSSE well as an array of college teams. All games played at Pepsi Center Here are some home games this Jan. 12 vs. Washington Stealth season that have local fans excited. Jan. 25 vs. Calgary Roughnecks Feb. 2 vs. Minnesota Swarm JANUARY 5 Feb. 16 vs. Edmonton Rush

Harlem Globetrotters Pepsi Center

JANUARY 24–27

Winter X Games Aspen

For a dozen years, Aspen’s scenic Buttermilk Mountain has been home base for ESPN’s Winter X Games. This is where athletes such as Olympians Shaun White, Hannah Teter, Gretchen Bleiler and more have competed and developed international reputations based on their acrobatic skills and unforgettable performances. FEBRUARY 6

Harlem Globetrotters

1stBank Center (Broomfield)

DENVER BRONCOS FOOTBALL

All games played Sports Authority Field at Mile High Dec. 2 Dec. 23 Dec. 30

vs. Tampa Bay Bucs vs. Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

DENVER NUGGETS BASKETBALL All games played at Pepsi Center Dec. 3 Dec. 14 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Dec. 26 Jan. 1 Jan. 3 Jan. 5 Jan. 9 Jan. 11 Jan. 13 Jan. 15 Jan. 18 00

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

vs. Toronto Raptors vs. Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Bobcats vs. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz vs. Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavs vs. Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trailblazers vs. Washington Wizards

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER HOCKEY All games played at Magness Arena Dec. 1 vs. Wisconsin Dec. 29 vs. Boston University Jan. 4–5 vs. Cornell Jan. 11–12 vs. Nebraska-Omaha Feb .8 vs. Colorado College Feb. 22–23 vs. North Dakota

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BASKETBALL All games played in Boulder Dec. 5 Dec. 21 Dec. 29 Jan. 10 Jan. 12 Jan. 24 Jan. 27 Feb. 14 Feb. 16 Feb. 21

vs. Colorado State vs. Northern Arizona vs. Hartford vs. Southern Cal vs. UCLA vs. Stanford vs. Cal vs. Arizona vs. Arizona State vs. Utah

COLORADO STATE BASKETBALL

All games played in Fort Collins except where noted Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 17 Dec. 19 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 Jan. 5 Jan. 16 Jan. 19 Jan. 30 Feb. 2 Feb. 13 Feb. 16 Feb. 23

vs. Evansville vs. Colorado (Boulder) vs. North Florida vs. CSU Bakersfield vs. Adams State vs. UTEP vs. St. Bonaventure vs. Air Force Academy vs. UNLV vs. Boise State vs. Wyoming vs. San Diego State vs. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs) vs. New Mexico

Feb. 27

vs. Fresno State

concerts DECEMBER 1 .moe (Jam) Ogden Theater

DECEMBER 11–12 Lee Ritenour (Jazz) Soiled Dove Underground

DECEMBER 29 The String Cheese Incident (Folk, Rock) 1stBank Center (Broomfield)

JANUARY 25 Suzy Bogguss (Country, Folk) Daniels Hall at Swallow Hills Music

DECEMBER 1 Tony Rock (Comedy) Denver Improv

DECEMBER 11–12 Messiah by Candlelight, Colorado Symphony Chorus (Sacred) Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church

DECEMBER 29–30 Hansel and Gretel, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall

DECEMBER 12 Corey Smith (Modern Country) Bluebird Theater

DECEMBER 31 A Night in Vienna, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall

JANUARY 25–27 Jean-Yves Thibaudet performs SaintSaëns, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall

DECEMBER 1 Jake Johannsen (Comedy) Comedy Works (Larimer Square) DECEMBER 1–2 Sawyer Brown (Country) Grizzly Rose DECEMBER 1–2 All Beethoven, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall

DECEMBER 12 Louis C.K. (Comedy) Boettcher Concert Hall DECEMBER 12–16 Mark Klein (Comedy) Comedy Works (South at The Landmark)

DECEMBER 5 Kreyshawn (Pop) Fox Theater (Boulder)

DECEMBER 13 Joan Sebastian (Spanish) Budweiser Events Center (Loveland)

DECEMBER 5–9 Joe Larson (Comedy) Comedy Works (Downtown)

DECEMBER 14 Zappa Plays Zappa (Rock) Fox Theater (Boulder)

DECEMBER 6–8 Christopher Titus (Comedy) Comedy Works (South at The Landmark)

DECEMBER 14 Mark Chesnutt (Country) Grizzly Rose

DECEMBER 7 Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood (Jazz, Rock) Ogden Theater DECEMBER 7 John Tesh (New Age) Arnold Hall Theater (Colorado Springs) DECEMBER 7 Horse Feathers (Folk) Bluebird Theater DECEMBER 7 Charlie Daniels Band (Southern Rock) Grizzly Rose DECEMBER 7–9 Colorado Christmas, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Seasonal) Boettcher Concert Hall

DECEMBER 14 Eddie Money, Edgar Winter and John Cafferty (Rock) Ogden Theater DECEMBER 15 Canadian Brass Christmas (Seasonal) University of Colorado, Macky Auditorium (Boulder) DECEMBER 16 Holiday Brass, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Seasonal) Boettcher Concert Hall DECEMBER 16 The Bartels Brass (Seasonal) Cherokee Ranch DECEMBER 19–23 Clinton Jackson (Comedy) Comedy Works (South at The Landmark)

DECEMBER 8 Patty Griffin, Lake Street Drive, Todd Snider (Folk) Paramount Theater

DECEMBER 21–22 Too Hot to Handel, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall

DECEMBER 10 Steven Curtis Chapman (Christian Contemporary) Boettcher Concert Hall

DECEMBER 28–31 Greg Warren (Comedy) Comedy Works (South at The Landmark)

DECEMBER 31 Cracker (Alt Rock) Soiled Dove Underground JANUARY 4–5 BoomBox (Electronic) Ogden Theater JANUARY 4–5 Who’s Bad: Tribute to Michael Jackson (Pop) Bluebird Theater

JANUARY 26 George Porter, Jr. (Funk, Rock) Boulder Theater (Boulder) FEBRUARY 1–3 Ravel’s Boléro, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall FEBRUARY 2 Reverend Horton Heat (Rock) Fox Theater (Boulder) FEBRUARY 6 Green Day (Rock) 1stBank Center (Broomfield)

JANUARY 5 John Gorka (Folk) Daniels Hall at Swallow Hills Music

FEBRUARY 9 Steve Smith & the Hard Road Trio (Folk) Tuft Theatre @ Swallow Hill

JANUARY 12 From the Top, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall

FEBRUARY 9 Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Jazz) Boettcher Concert Hall

JANUARY 12 Tom Paxton (Folk) Daniels Hall at Swallow Hills Music JANUARY 13-14 Takacs Quartet (Classical) University of Colorado, Grusin Music Hall (Boulder) JANUARY 17 Ninety Miles (Jazz) University of Colorado, Macky Auditorium (Boulder) JANUARY 17 Marc Cohn Trio (Rock) Boulder Theater (Boulder) JANUARY 18 Shuffle II, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall JANUARY 19 Ann Hampton Callaway Presents the Barbra Streisand Songbook (Pop) Boettcher Concert Hall

FEBRUARY 13 Eric Bibb (Blues) Boulder Theater (Boulder) FEBRUARY 14 Paco Peña (Flamenco) University of Colorado, Macky Auditorium (Boulder) FEBRUARY 14 Most Romantic Classics, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall FEBRUARY 15–17 Brahms, Weber, and Williams (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall FEBRUARY 22 The Life of Brahms, Denver Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall FEBRUARY 28 Rebecca Rosen (Lecture) Soiled Dove Underground

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

DINING

Welcome to a food-lovers town! The Mile High City long ago found its way onto America’s culinary map with innovative restaurants and talented chefs mining flavors from all over the globe.

BAROLO GRILL

CAFÉ AION

CHART HOUSE

COOL RIVER CAFÉ

This Denver favorite features a seasonal menu showcasing authentic Northern Italian dishes with locally sourced ingredients. The spectacular wine cellar includes one of the largest collections of Barolo wine outside of Italy, perfect for complementing a dish from this award-winning restaurant.

This eclectic bistro pays special tribute to Spanish tapas with ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and fisheries. In addition to the ever-changing repertoire of savory small plates, patrons may enjoy a selection of fresh pastries and indulgent desserts. Open for breakfast, happy hour and dinner.

Exquisite cuisine and a spectacular view of the Denver area top the list at this long-standing local favorite. Located just half an hour from downtown Denver, it features an impressive selection of mouthwatering entrées, wines, cocktails and decadent desserts.

With a warm, casually elegant ambiance, Cool River Café offers a dining experience that caters to all the senses. Savor American classics including sizzling steaks and tasty seafood recipes while enjoying happy hour and martini specials. Visit Cool River for lunch, dinner, cocktails or Sunday brunch.

3030 East 6th Ave. 303.393.1040 barologrilldenver.com

1235 Pennsylvania Ave. Boulder, CO 80302 303.993.8131 cafeaion.com

BITTERSWEET This award-winning restaurant offers authentic artisanal cuisine steeped in old-world traditions. From handmade breads, tempting pastas and creative desserts to fresh produce grown in on-site gardens, every aspect of the dining experience blends authentic flavors with fresh, local ingredients. 500 East Alameda Ave. 303.942.0320 bittersweetdenver.com

BUCKHORN EXCHANGE Founded in 1893, Buckhorn Exchange boasts a colorful history reflected in its food and décor. Take in the Old West artifacts while enjoying some of Denver’s best beef steak, or get adventurous with some wild game, like elk, yak or ostrich steaks. 1000 Osage St. 303.534.9505 buckhorn.com

Buckhorn Exchange 60

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Cantina Laredo

CANTINA LAREDO Enjoy gourmet Mexican food in a sophisticated, vibrant atmosphere at Cantina Laredo at the Streets of South Glenn. Sample a signature margarita — the Casa Rita, made from fresh lime juice and the finest tequila — while savoring guacamole made right at your table. 6851 South Gaylord St. 303.795.0339 cantinalaredo.com

THE CAPITAL GRILLE Be wined, dined and dazzled by relaxed elegance and exceptional cuisine. With an intimate dining room and sophisticated bar, this is the perfect setting for lively afternoons and relaxed evenings. Enjoy a renowned dry-aged steak and one of 5,000 wines from the award-winning wine list. 1450 Larimer St. 303.539.2500 thecapitalgrille.com

25908 Genesee Trail Rd. Golden, CO 80401 303.526.9813 chart-house.com

CHOLON MODERN ASIAN BISTRO

8000 East Belleview Ave., Ste. C10 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.771.4117 coolrivercafe.com

Named after the largest market in Saigon, this historic LoDo restaurant offers a creative spin on traditional Asian dishes along with handcrafted cocktails that enhance the vibrant flavors. The large projection screen in the lounge makes ChoLon a suitable location for business meetings and presentations. 1555 Blake St., Ste. 101 303.353.5223 cholon.com/denver

COLT & GRAY Enjoy everything from juicy burgers and beer to delectable lobster dishes complemented by vintage wines at this cozy local pub. The classic setting is augmented by the affordability of a neighborhood restaurant that prides itself on superior food and service. 1553 Platte St., No. 120 303.477.1447 coltandgray.com

Cool River Café

DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE Taking traditional cues from its Western roots, this classic steakhouse features an intimate atmosphere and the finest in chef-driven cuisine. Enjoy the prime steaks, seafood, veal, lamb and lobster tails. Make sure to sample the exceptional wine cellar and premium cigars. 8100 East Orchard Rd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.796.0100 delfriscos.com

DENVER CHOPHOUSE & BREWERY

Colt & Gray

Located downtown in the historic Union Pacific Building adjacent to Coors Field, this venerable restaurant is perfect for all occasions. It features an extensive wine

collection, handcrafted beers brewed ELWAY’S on-site, plus a weekend brunch With two locations, this is the happy hour and a celebrated menu. ideal setting for any occasion. The menu boasts USDA hand-cut 1735 19th St. prime steaks, finfish, crustaceans 303.296.0800 and fresh seasonal dishes. Come denverchophouse.com for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner and enjoy an outstanding DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM meal that is uniquely Colorado. RESTAURANT Your underwater adventure begins next to a 50,000-gallon aquarium with more than 100 species of exotic tropical fish. The menu features fresh seafood, steaks and more. Open for lunch or dinner seven days a week and happy hour Monday through Friday at the distinctive Dive Lounge.

ELWAY’S CHERRY CREEK 2500 East 1st Ave., Unit 101 303.399.5353

700 Water St. 303.561.4450 aquariumrestaurants.com

Located in historic Euclid Hall, this American tavern specializes in fine cocktails, craft beers and innovative, high-quality pub food from around the world. The eatery is a convenient location for Pepsi Center attendees, LoDo club-goers and Denver Center for the Performing Arts patrons.

DUO RESTAURANT This farm-to-table treasure is tucked away in one of Denver’s hippest neighborhoods and offers a relaxed and unassuming environment. A word of advice: Save room for dessert. Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, duo’s renowned pastry chef, presents magical treats to top off any meal. 2413 West 32nd Ave. 303.477.4141 duodenver.com

ELWAY’S DOWNTOWN 1881 Curtis St. 303.312.3107

Denver’s Oldest Restaurant

elways.com

EUCLID HALL BAR & KITCHEN

1317 14th St. 303.595.4255 euclidhall.com

FLAGSTAFF HOUSE RESTAURANT This 1929 cabin built into a mountainside at 6,000 feet offers breathtaking views of Boulder and surrounding wildlife. The family-owned restaurant is an excellent dining experience featuring a 12,000-bottle wine cellar, exquisite French-American cuisine and impeccable service. 1138 Flagstaff Rd. Boulder, CO 80302 303.442.4640 flagstaffhouse.com

duo Restaurant

EDGE RESTAURANT Located in the Four Seasons, this neighborhood steakhouse brings Colorado’s best local ingredients to the heart of downtown Denver. Enjoy a sleek dining room experience with wood-grilled steak or sample the juicy Kobe sliders at the bar. 1111 14th St. 303.389.3343 edgerestaurantdenver.com

FLEMING’S STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR Enjoy this exceptional dining experience, featuring the finest prime beef and 100 wines served by the glass. After work, golf or shopping, stop in for superior steaks, innovative recipes and attentive service. Open for dinner seven days a week. 191 Inverness Dr. West Englewood, CO 80112 303.768.0827 flemingssteakhouse.com

“Serving Up Prime Steaks, Buffalo, Elk & The Old West”

10th & Osage

Less than 5 minutes on Light Rail. Just outside the Convention Center.

303-534-9505 • buckhorn.com

DINING THE FORT Sample a tantalizing selection of old and new cuisine from the early West, including beef, buffalo, wild game and seafood at this awardwinning restaurant. Featured in Bon Appetit, The Fort reportedly sells more buffalo steaks than any other independently owned restaurant in the country. 19192 Colorado 8 Morrison, CO 80465 303.697.4771 thefort.com

experience for brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour. 3455 Ringsby Court, No. 105 303.296.4642 fuelcafedenver.com

HACIENDA COLORADO This “Mountain Mex” restaurant boasts a distinctive style of cuisine. The menu features traditional recipes updated with a Rocky Mountain twist. Chill out on the patio and enjoy one of 120 tequilas or take a table in the relaxed, upscale dining room or bar.

IVY AT THE GLENN This is south metro Denver’s newest premier restaurant. It features a new concept, developed by the founder of Footer’s Restaurant and Baur’s Ristorante, and combines classic comfort food with a warm, inviting ambiance. 6955 South York St. Centennial, CO 80122 303.730.7200 ivyattheglenn.com

4100 East Mexico Ave. 303.756.5700 haciendacolorado.com

FRASCA

HAPA SUSHI GRILL & SAKE BAR

Named after friendly, informal gathering places in the FriuliVenezia Giulia region of Northeast Italy, Frasca features exquisitely prepared fare and a comprehensive wine list boasting more than 200 varieties. Warm, welcoming and unpretentious, it is the perfect destination for impromptu gatherings, casual dinners and special occasions.

Hapa’s menu reflects a harmonious blend of Asian and American cultures. Traditional Japanese Ivy At The Glenn cooking fundamentals are amplified, muted or mixed with IZAKAYA DEN other culinary styles to create A popular Japanese gastropub something completely new and that serves global cuisine, Izakaya different. Satisfy your sushi craving at one of many locations. Den’s tapas-style menu features traditional Japanese plates and BOULDER dishes inventively infused with 1117 Pearl St. international flavor. The creative Boulder, CO 80302 spin on traditional sushi offers 303.473.4730 delicious rolls and refreshing CHERRY CREEK cocktails in an understated, 2780 E 2nd Ave. upscale ambiance. 303.322.9554

1738 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 303.442.6966 frascafoodandwine.com

FRUITION Chef Alex Siedel, named one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs of 2010, creates a seasonal menu of sophisticated comfort food using only the highest quality, local ingredients. Fruition’s symphony of mood, service and cuisine reflect a grace that elevates this dining experience to a new level. 1313 East 6th Ave. 303.831.1962 fruitionrestaurant.com

FUEL CAFÉ This eclectic restaurant delivers unique cuisine with a deep commitment to environmentally friendly practices. The menu of Cuban-, Italian- and Spanishinspired dishes changes seasonally. Enjoy this distinct dining

LANDMARK 5380 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Ste. 101 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.267.8744

1518 South Pearl St. 303.777.0691 izakayaden.net

The Kitchen

LALA’S WINE BAR & PIZZERIA This tasty pizzeria provides a combination of high-end wines and thin-crust pizza inspired by the Italian trattoria. The pizzas capture the quintessential flavors of Italy with New World flair. The menu also features housemade pasta, mozzarella and ricotta, as well as scoops of gelato. 410 East 7th Ave. 303.861.9463 lalaswinebar.com

LEGRAND BISTRO & OYSTER BAR This re-creation of fine Parisian bistros and brasseries from a time long passed is located in LoDo, and harkens back to an era when moules frites, a plate of cheese and your favorite French table wine was an everyday occurrence. Magnifique! 1512 Curtis St. 303.534.1155 legranddenver.com

LINGER

The vibrant international cuisine at Linger reflects a broad farmhapasushi.com to-street sensibility with a spin on Share the legendary spirit of the family kitchen in this neighborhood traditional ethnic eats. Design II POSTO elements create a purposeful restaurant. This spot serves Glance into the open-air kitchen as contradiction, featuring reclaimed exceptional contemporary Milanese chef and owner Andrea American cuisine with local, organic boxcar floors, a Lite Brite bar top Frizzi prepares dishes inspired and infinity windows with incredible ingredients. The Kitchen is also from Northern Italian recipes at deeply committed to environviews of downtown Denver. Il Posto. The resident sommelier mentally friendly practices and 2020 West 30th Ave. selects the perfect wine for any the Denver community. 303.993.3120 meal. And the ever-changing lingerdenver.com BOULDER menu features local organic 1039 Pearl St. produce and meats, along with Boulder, CO 80302 fresh seafood flown in daily. 2011 East 17th Ave. 303.394.0100 ilpostodenver.com

THE KITCHEN

303.544.5973 DENVER 1530 16th St. 303.623.3127

thekitchencommunity.com Linger

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

DINING LUCA D’ITALIA Zagat once named this delightful bistro the top Italian restaurant in the Western U.S. The food is lovingly prepared, thoughtfully served and thoroughly enjoyed. A seasonally changing menu features Sicilian-style meats, pastas, breads and cheeses all prepared fresh in-house. 711 Grant St. 303.832.6600 lucadenver.com

MARLOWE’S Since 1982, Marlowe’s has offered new American cuisine and exceptional service, which make it one of Denver’s most popular gathering spots. The specially trained staff guides diners through selections, recommendations and answers to all cuisine and wine questions. 501 16th St. 303.595.3700 marlowesdenver.com

MCCORMICK’S FISH HOUSE & BAR Demonstrating culinary excellence, McCormick’s menu features seafood from the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Products are sourced from local ranches, farms and wineries to showcase regionally inspired dishes. Stop by and enjoy awardwinning happy hour specials.

MORTON’S STEAK HOUSE This popular steakhouse serves the finest quality beef, fresh seafood, handpicked produce, delicious appetizers and elegant desserts. Adjacent to many of Denver’s top venues, it is the perfect destination for an exceptional dining experience or bar bites before the big game. 1710 Wynkoop St. 303.825.3353 mortons.com/denver

OCEAN PRIME With a passion for delivering an extraordinary experience to each guest, this restaurant serves the highest-quality steak and seafood, handcrafted cocktails and award-winning wines. Executive chef teams traveled, tasted and compared notes to refine a menu that surpasses expectations.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

PALACE ARMS Located in the Brown Palace Hotel, this award-winning restaurant blends contemporary American cuisine with an exceptional wine selection. Signature items include a tableside Caesar salad, seared Colorado bison steak and other creative, contemporary and traditional dishes.

Inspired by the cuisines of Spain, Italy and Southern France, each handmade dish showcases the flavors of the seasonally changing Mediterranean menu and makes the most of the current harvests. Experience this region’s exuberant sense of hospitality and extroverted love of food. 719 East 17th Ave. 303.861.5050 olivearestaurant.com

With classic hand-tossed Italian pizza, an extensive and accessible wine selection, housecrafted meats and cheeses and rustic elegance,

7520 East Progress Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.740.9449 pappadeaux.com

POTAGER

The Palm

THE PALM RESTAURANT This fashionable restaurant maintains the same standards the original Palm set so many years ago. It features honest, satisfying dishes that reflect an American heritage, from steaks and lobsters to a variety of Italian classics. The signature cocktails and awardwinning wine list complement the menu perfectly.

PANZANO

OSTERIA MARCO

This restaurant is all about fresh seafood and bold New Orleans flavors. Even Louisiana natives consider this one of the best places to get Cajun cuisine away from home. With friendly service and a lively atmosphere, the only thing more authentic than the dishes is the southern hospitality.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

1672 Lawrence St. 303.825.7256 thepalm.com/denver

Olivéa

PAPPADEAUX SEAFOOD KITCHEN

321 17th St. 303.297.3111 brownpalace.com/dining/palace-arms

OLIVÉA

MIZUNA

225 East 7th Ave. 303.832.4778 mizunadenver.com

1453 Larimer St. 303.534.5855 osteriamarco.com

1465 Larimer St. 303.825.3663 oceanprimedenver.com

1659 Wazee St. 303.825.1107 mccormickandschmicks.com

Rated one of the top restaurants in the Western U.S., Mizuna’s chefs have wide creative berth when it comes to the monthly changing menu. Sample revamped versions of old recipes, unique food combinations and a stellar wine list for lunch and dinner.

this restaurant is classic osteria. This playful little brother of the high-end Luca d’Italia continues in tradition of quality and impeccable service.

Decorated chef Elise Wiggins offers excellent contemporary Northern Italian cuisine. Each handmade dish is unique and made with local, organic, sustainable ingredients. An award-winning wine list features hand-selected pairings that will please even the most discriminating palate. 909 17th St. 303.296.3525 panzano-denver.com

Patrons partake in the excitement of vegetables fresh from the earth, fruit right off the branch and fish straight from the sea. Cuisine is determined largely by the availability of ingredients that meet Potager’s high standards of quality and eco-friendliness. 1109 Ogden Ave. 303.832.5788 potagerrestaurant.com

RACINE’S This has been one of the area’s favorite dining spots for everything from breakfast to late night since opening in 1983. Serving a triedand-true mix of award-winning American and Mexican cuisine, Racine’s is also gluten-free. It is located between the Cherry Creek area and downtown Denver. 650 Sherman St. 303.595.0418 racinesrestaurant.com

RESTAURANT KEVIN TAYLOR AT THE HOTEL TEATRO Using only the freshest ingredients, this top-rated bistro creates elegant dishes of substance, fusing French,

TasTe The GourmeT side of mexican cuisine

Sip the finest margarita Taste guacamole made fresh at your table Savor fresh seafood and steaks with authentic sauces Twenty Ninth Street 1680 29th Street Boulder, CO 303.444.2260

The Streets at SouthGlenn 6851 S. Gaylord St. Centennial, CO 303.795.0339

DINING American Southwest and Asian Rim cuisine. Sample from among 900 wines and enjoy an evening at what Zagat called one of “America’s Top 25 Hotel Restaurants” in 2011. 1106 14th St. 303.820.2600 ktrg.net

Restaurant Kevin Taylor

RIALTO CAFÉ Taking its name from an old

fun, interesting varietals and a menu that features plenty of vegetarian options, this spot is consistently rated among the top restaurants in Denver.

Yasmin Lozada-Hissom. The menu features fresh ingredients from local farms, sustainably raised seafood, locally sourced meats and housemade pastas and breads.

1431 Larimer St. 303.820.2282 riojadenver.com

2639 W. 32nd Ave. 303.433.0949 spuntinodenver.com

Rialto Café

SHANAHAN’S

movie theater, Rialto Café offers diners a variety of contemporary takes on classic American dishes, expertly prepared. Enjoy affordable fare in Old Hollywood–style at a restaurant featuring a heated patio and two happy hours.

Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan’s famed Lombardi trophies are proudly displayed at Shanahan’s, but the exceptional menu of prime-aged steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails are the real attractions.

934 16th St. 303.893.2233 realtocafe.com

5085 South Syracuse St. 303.770.7300 shanahanssteakhouse.com

RIOJA

SPUNTINO

Featuring a menu inspired by Mediterranean food and influenced by local ingredients, Rioja offers pure food and bright flavors. With a wine list that offers

Located in the bustling Highlands area, Spuntino serves seasonal Italian-inspired cooking from executive chef John Broening and desserts from pastry chef

Spuntino

SUSHI DEN Regarded as one of the premier sushi and Japanese restaurants in the U.S. since the mid ’80s, this popular spot continues to set a standard for high-quality cuisine. With it’s own pesticide-free farm for produce, plus seafood flown

in from Japan, Sushi Den leads Denver restaurants in quality. 1487 South Pearl St. 303.777.0826 sushiden.net

Sushi Den

TABLES Owners and chefs Amy Vitale and Dustin Barrett transformed this spot into a cozy, eclectic restaurant with personality and charm. The creative New American cuisine and friendly service at Tables are bright spots. Menus are regularly updated to feature the freshest seasonal ingredients. 2267 Kearney St. 303.388.0299 tablesonkearney.com

TABLE 6 This classic American bistro offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. Chef Scott Parker prepares succulent dishes delivered with elegant style and grace. His nightly fare is complemented by a dynamic wine list created by owner and sommelier Aaron Forman. 609 Corona St. 303.831.8800 table6denver.com

Trapper’s

TRAPPER’S With a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies and the Denver skyline,

enjoy a one-of-a-kind steakhouse experience at a local favorite. Owned by fourth-generation cattle ranchers, Trapper’s only features the finest steaks around. Locals and visitors head here for all kinds of occasions, from romantic dates to business dinners. 19308 Cottonwood Dr. Parker, CO 80138 Phone: 303-248-2132 trapperschophouse.com

TRINITY GRILLE Relax in this retreat tailor-made for the business traveler in downtown Denver. Located across from the Brown Palace Hotel, the Grille is a local institution with a warm, inviting atmosphere. It offers a variety of appetizers, soups and salads and a full menu of fresh seafood, succulent steaks and sandwiches. 1801 Broadway 303.293.3228 trinitygrille.com

VENICE RISTORANTE With two locations, patrons may enjoy monthly wine dinners, private dining, complete catering services and delectable five-course meals. Venice prides itself in the care they give to each guest, from impeccable service to exquisite, authentic Italian cuisine. DENVER 1700 Wynkoop St. 303.354.2222 GREENWOOD VILLAGE 5946 Holly St. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 720.482.9191 veniceristorante.com

VESTA DIPPING GRILL Named for the Goddess of the Hearth, Vesta features chef Matt Selby’s world-grill cuisine in the form of more than 30 housemade dipping sauces, chutneys, salsas, mojos and aiolis, as well as a seasonally changing menu. This

DINING award-winning restaurant boasts a sensual ambiance, placing it at the top of Denver foodies’ lists. 1822 Blake St. 303.296.1970 vestagrill.com

WHITE CHOCOLATE GRILL

WILLIE G’S SEAFOOD & STEAKS

Z CUISINE BISTROT

The authentic French Parisian eatery is located just minutes from LoDo. It offers a daily blackboard menu featuring genuine French fare made with the best local, organic ingredients. For the full French experience, visit the on-site, authentic absinthe bar.

1585 Lawrence St. 303.575.9000 williegs.com Ya Ya’s

This unique grill features a diverse menu of classic made-from-scratch recipes. From the appetizers and salads to chicken, seafood and steaks, each dish is prepared with the finest ingredients. The housemade white chocolate and other desserts are a perfect ending to any meal. 8421 Park Meadows Center Dr. Lone Tree, CO 80124 303.799.4841 whitechocolategrill.com

2239 West 30th Ave. 303.477.1111 zcuisineonline.com

YA YA’S

Willie G’s

Treat your taste buds to a tour of Europe without the expensive airfare. This lovely bistro caters to the casual diner, with room for business meetings and special occasions. The menu changes daily to ensure the freshest and best quality seafood, steaks, chops and other exquisite entrées. 8310 East Belleview Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.741.1110 yayasbistro.com

AT TRAPPER’S CHOP HOUSE, WE LOVE GIVING OUR CUSTOMERS DELICIOUS OPTIONS. PERHAPS A GRILLED-TO-YOUR-SPECIFICATIONS STEAK WILL PRESENT THE PERFECT TABLE CONVERSATION FOR AN IMPORTANT NIGHT OUT.

OR, CHOOSE TO ‘ROMANCE THE STONE’ WHERE YOU AND YOUR SPECIAL GUEST SEAR THE ALL NATURAL MEAT SELECTION OR AHI TUNA ON AN OIL-FREE VOLCANIC STONE RIGHT AT YOUR TABLE.

ONLY AT TRAPPER’S WILL YOU ENJOY THIS UNIQUE AND

FUN EXPERIENCE.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY SATISFYING OP-

TIONS, ALONG WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

CASUALLY ELEGANT. COME TO PARKER’S FINEST STEAK HOUSE® FOR A GREAT MEAL AND STAY FOR A MEMORABLE NIGHT OUT.

Call for Reservations 303.248.2132

LOCATED AT E-470 & PARKER RD. 19308 E. COTTONWOOD DR. PARKER, CO

The Mile High City offers more trendy, historic and eclectic shopping destinations than most major cities. From high-end boutiques and malls to trendy vintage shops, here are Denver’s top spots to shop. 16th STREET MALL

beautiful suburb of Lakewood, Belmar is a trendy escape from the busy city.

Built in 1982, the 16th Street Mall is a tree-lined, pedestrian promenade that runs through the center of downtown. Lined with outdoor cafés, shops and restaurants, the mall has a great family-friendly atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife. Free shuttle buses cruise the mile-long Mall seven days a week.

features over 160 shops such as Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren. Other favorites include Nordstrom, Macy’s, Apple and Coach, plus popular dining hotspots like Elway’s and Kona Grill.

408 South Teller St. Lakewood, CO 80226 303.742.1520 belmarcolorado.com

3000 East 1st Ave. 303.388.3900 shopcherrycreek.com

Entire length of 16th Street 303.534.6161 downtowndenver.com

DENVER PAVILIONS

photolaszlo.com

Scott Dressel-Martin

Located on the 16th Street Mall in the heart of downtown, this three-story, open-air shopping center has it all: 40 shops and restaurants, bowling lanes and a movie theater. Ride the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle to your Cherry Creek North favorite retailers, including Banana Republic, Express, CHERRY CREEK NORTH More than 350 businesses make up Forever 21 and H&M. the Cherry Creek neighborhood 500 16th St. representing local and national 303.260.6000 denverpavilions.com brands. Check out this retail and dining area just five minutes from downtown where you will find fashion, jewelry and home furnishings, spas, salons, art galleries and restaurants.

16th Street Mall

ASPEN GROVE Located in Littleton, this petfriendly, open-air retail village is home to over 55 stores and restaurants, including Pottery Barn, The Gap, Apple, See’s Candies, Hot Mama, Ted’s Montana Grill and more.

Denver Pavilions

DOWNTOWN LODO

Cherry Creek Shopping Center

BELMAR One of the newest destinations for shopping, dining and events, Belmar is reaching new heights in the Denver scene. Located in the

CHERRY CREEK SHOPPING CENTER The Rocky Mountain region’s premier shopping environment

FLATIRONS CROSSING Set on a rise between Boulder and Denver, Flatiron Crossing invites you to blue skies, fun restaurants and top-flight movies. Explore more than 200 fashion and specialty retailers, like Coach, Coldwater Creek, Bebe, BC Surf and Sport, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Papyrus, LOFT and many more. One West Flatiron Crossing Broomfield, CO 80021 720.887.7467 flatironcrossing.com

GOLDEN TRIANGLE MUSEUM DISTRICT Denver’s Golden Triangle district is brimming with restaurants and culture. Within walking distance of downtown, it features more than 50 galleries, museums and specialty stores. Don’t miss free First Friday Night Art Tours every month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with complementary shuttle service. Bordered by Lincoln Street, Colfax Avenue & Speer Boulevard 720.253.2774 goldentriangleofdenver.com

HIGHLANDS

East 1st & East 2nd Streets btwn. University Boulevard & Steel Street 303.394.2904 cherrycreeknorth.com

7301 South Santa Fe Dr. Littleton, CO 80120 303.794.0640 shopaspengrove.com

SHOPPING

Nestled between Coors Field and the Pepsi Center, LoDo is Denver’s prime destination for fun and trendy shops. The eclectic stores and hip, vibrant historic district offer everything from antiques and ranchwear to fine jewelry and eyewear. 1616 17th St. 303.628.5428 lodo.org

Three diverse commercial districts comprise this neighborhood: cosmopolitan Lower Highlands (LoHi), charming Highlands Square and artsy Tennyson Street. Denver’s largest neighborhood features local and national retailers, restaurants, landmarks, art galleries and entertainment. 32nd & Lowell Streets 303.892.1112 highlands-square.com denverartwalk.squarespace.com

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LITTLETON Visit one of the few remaining historic shopping districts along the Front Range and experience a true hometown atmosphere where

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

Experience the wonder of nature through the lens of Thomas D. Mangelsen. Cherry Creek North, DeNVer 216 Clayton Street | 888-345-3007

DeNVer INterNatIoNal aIrport Main terminal, level 5 | 888-238-9217

www.mangelsen.com

people smile and take life a little slower. With more than 250 eclectic shopping, dining and entertainment options, you are certain to find just what you’re looking for. West Main Street btwn. Santa Fe Drive & South Rio Grande Littleton, CO 80120 303.795.5006 downtownlittleton.com

LARIMER SQUARE

OLDE TOWNE ARVADA With more than 150 unique shops, Olde Town Arvada has plenty of variety. Whether you’re in the market for books, clothing, handmade jewelry, furnishings and antiques or a great restaurant, this vibrant shopping district is full of treasures. 7307 Grandview Ave. Arvada, CO 80002 303.420.6100 oldetownarvada.org

Located in the heart of downtown, the shops at Larimer Square offer a truly distinctive selection of fashion, PARK MEADOWS jewelry, gifts and home accessories As Colorado’s only retail resort, for shopping connoisseurs and Park Meadows features fashionable fashionistas of all ages. stores and delectable dining choices, along with entertainment Larimer Street btwn. and events. With over 165 retailers 14th & 15th Streets and 14 full-service restaurants, 303.534.2367 larimersquare.com shoppers experience the classic Colorado lifestyle while enjoying the beautiful resort setting. 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr. Lone Tree, CO 80124 303.792.5384 parkmeadows.com

Larimer Square

OLD SOUTH GAYLORD STREET One of the oldest business districts in Denver, here you can find passionate business owners who offer personal service. Old South Gaylord Street offers a variety of upscale boutiques, galleries and restaurants, as well as professional services and talented regional craftsmen. 1059 South Gaylord St. 303.733.2670 southgaylordstreet.com

OLD SOUTH PEARL STREET This laid-back neighborhood features an eclectic mix of locally owned shops, boutiques, restaurants and pubs. An antidote to the modern megamall, it features seasonal events year-round, oneof-a-kind stores and some of the city’s most popular nightspots. 1569 South Pearl St. 303.892.1112 southpearlstreet.com

THE SHOPS AT NORTHFIELD STAPLETON Located just minutes from downtown, The Shops at Northfield Stapleton is a pedestrian-friendly, open-air shopping district featuring specialty shops and restaurants including Macy’s, Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor World and Harkins Theatres 18. 8340 Northfield Blvd. 303.375.5475 northfieldstapleton.com

STREETS AT SOUTHGLENN This destination builds on the character of the surrounding neighborhood with a mix of retailers, restaurants, entertainment and services. SouthGlenn is an unmatched upscale shopping, dining and entertainment experience.

SOUTHLANDS

PEARL STREET MALL A four-block pedestrian mall in Boulder, Pearl Street is home to a number of locally owned businesses and restaurants, national chains and the Boulder County Courthouse. This popular tourist destination is loaded with charm, from the fountains and gardens to the street performers. Between the 1100 & 1400 blocks of Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 303.892.1112 boulderdowntown.com

restaurants such as Forever 21, BC Surf and Sport, Express, Victoria’s Secret, Target, four department stores including a Dillard’s flagship store, Panera Bread, Tokyo Joe’s, Chili’s and other shopper favorites. 8501 West Bowles Ave. Littleton, CO 80123 303.973.7062 southwestplaza.com

SouthGlenn

South University Boulevard & E. Arapahoe Road Centennial, CO 80122 303.539.7141 shopsouthglenn.com

Park Meadows

SHOPPING

An outdoor lifestyle center with a community plaza and four blocks of retail shops, restaurants and entertainment options, Southlands offerings include a movie theater, Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, The Gap, Charming Charlie, McCabe’s Irish Bistro and Pub, Sports Authority and more. 6155 Main St. Aurora, CO 80016 303.627.5000 shopsouthlands.com

SOUTHWEST PLAZA

Southwest Plaza

TWENTY-NINTH STREET Twenty-Ninth Street is the premier mixed-use outdoor shopping center in Boulder. It features local and national eateries and shops, including Anthropologie, Apple, Arthaus Furniture, lululemon athletica, Sephora, California Pizza Kitchen and Nordstrom Rack. 1710 29th St. Boulder, CO 80301 303.444.0722 twentyninth.com

VILLAGE SHOPS AT THE LANDMARK Featuring the best designers in Denver and some of the finest retailers in the world, Village Shops at the Landmark is one of the foremost shopping destinations in the city. With fabulous restaurants and the nationally renowned Landmark Theater, the Village Shops is a delight for all the senses. Quebec Street btwn. Belleview & Orchard Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.892.1112 visitthelandmark.com/shops.htm

Conveniently located in southwest metro Denver, Southwest Plaza features popular retailers and DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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