TABLE TALK: Denver eatery brings Mountain Mex to the Springs
Hacienda Colorado, a Denver-based chain, is scheduled to open a restaurant at 5246 N. Nevada Ave. sometime around Jan. 27. The eatery features Colorado-style cuisine known as “Mountain Mex,” which fuses regional flavors of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Colorado with traditional Mexican fare. Look for burritos, tacos and enchiladas on the menu that also includes dishes like Camarones Baja (jumbo shrimp stuffed with cheese and jalapeño and wrapped in bacon). Visit haciendacolorado.com.
Festive fruit baskets
Looking for tasty hostess gifts for culinary-minded friends? Drop by Spencer’s Lawn and Garden Center, 1430 S. Tejon St., to select from an array of festively wrapped fresh fruit baskets. The family-owned business has been in operation since 1934, buying produce from many of the same farmers, some of them the third and fourth generation. They also sell nuts, honey, candy and Colorado-made jelly. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Mondays through Saturdays. Call 632-2788. Visit spencersgardens.com.
Holiday market
The Colorado Farm and Art Market will have their Holiday Market at The Margarita at PineCreek, 7350 Pine Creek Road, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Saturday. Dress warmly because the event is outdoors. There are more vendors this year, including Dieter Schnakenberg of Edelweiss Restaurant, which is selling the restaurant’s famous stolen. The Margarita restaurant owners are firing up several fire pits and heaters to chase the chill. The chefs will be offering an outdoor menu, which includes hot beverages, egg puffs, coffee cake, grilled brats and pulled pork tacos. They are also selling hostess gifts, like tins of assorted sweet treats (brownies, shortbread, and cranberry-oatmeal cookies), sesame salad dressing, gift certificates and their famous smoked salmon on wooden planks. Call the restaurant at 599-4776 or visit coloradoeats.com/margarita.For CFAM, visit farmandartmarket.com.
Breakfast of champions
Coquette’s Bistro & Bakery, 915 Manitou Ave. in Manitou Springs, was selected as one of the Top Five Best Brunch’s Across American in the Winter issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine. The editorial said, “This sensational creperie is 100 percent gluten-free. They make their own sauces and flour blend in house. Get a breakfast crepe, omelets or French toast with no worry.” Call 685-2420. Visit coquettesbistroandbakery.com.
Italian Christmas Eve
Fratelli Ristorante Italiano, 124 N. Nevada Ave., offers a menu of traditional Italian seafood dishes as well as their regular menu 5-10 p.m. Dec. 24. At the wine bar enjoy pomi martinis, prosecco, and sangiovese wine specials during happy hour, which runs 5-7 p.m. Call 575-9571. Visit fratelliristorante.com.
Cupcakes and wine
Mya Bella Cupcakes, 2524 ½ W. Colorado Ave., offers “Sprinkles & Spirits” 6-8 p.m. Friday and Dec. 14. At the event you will find the perfect champagne cordial match for various cupcakes. Tasting tickets cost $5, which includes three flavors of petite cupcakes and three champagne cordials. Call 434-7710. Visit myabellacupcakes.com.
Breakfast with Santa
California Pizza Kitchen, 1885 Briargate Parkway (in the Promenade Shops at Briargate), offers “Breakfast with Santa” 7:30-9:30 a.m.Saturday. For $8 per person, you get breakfast pizza, fruit dish and beverage. Call 260-8054. Visit www.cpk.com.
Closing
Pikes Peak Dessert Lounge, 481 Highway 105 in Monument, will close on Dec. 15. According to the owner’s FaceBook page: “This will give us time to recoup, refocus and look at launching a new location.” Meanwhile, they are trying to find a host for the Chocolate Tasting Club. Call 313-9484. Visit artofchocolate.com.
“KVOR Table Talk” guests on 740AM noon to 1 p.m. Saturday
• Lindsay and Marty Williamson, a mother-daughter team who own Faerie Tales Bakehouse and Catering, 1015 W. Colorado Ave., talk about their new menu and cooking classes. Call 375-5651. Visit faerietalesbakehouseandcatering.com.
• Kelly Bubach, owner of Urban Steam Coffee Bar, 1025 S. Sierra Madre, talks about what sets his new coffee shop apart from the others. Call 473-7832. Visit facebook.com/urbansteam.
• Carolinda Gray-Young, owner of Care 4 Cakes, talks about her custom cakes, éclairs and tortes She bakes her cakes at Gotta Love It! Kitchen, 1625 W. Uintah, Suite K. Her Chocolate Bavarian Torte is featured on the menu at Colorado Mountain Brewery restaurants. Call 216-3091. Visit care4cakes.com.
• David Galbraith, operations manager of Dion’s Pizza, talks about the New Mexico-based pizza eatery which opened at 6385 Source Center Point (N. Powers and Dublin). He will talk how Dion’s Pizza is different from others and features of the chain. Call 265-4645. Visit dions.com.
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Send tips about restaurant openings, closings, menu changes and food specials to teresa.farney@gazette.com, 636-0271, Twitter @tffoodie or Facebook Teresa Farney. Hear Farney’s “KVOR Table Talk” radio show noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays on 740 AM.
