TABLE TALK: Satisfy your craving for a real burger

Jeff Richard, owner of Crave Real Burgers and The Old Stone Church in Castle Rock, has earned some huge bragging rights.

First up, on Feb. 19, 
The Zagat Guide released its list of America’s Best Burgers. Guess what burger joint won for Denver? Crave Real Burgers was named the best burger in Denver and one of “The Best Burgers in 25 Cities.”

The rave as written in the guide: “This ‘humble’ Castle Rock ‘joint’ (with a Colorado Springs sib) takes the burger to an entirely new level with ‘creative’ combinations featuring ‘unique toppings’ that result in some of the ‘most delicious’ sammies around; it also vends ‘delicious’ chili cheese fries, ‘awesome’ ‘adult shakes’ (talk about crave) and more, and with so many options, fans are glad the ‘friendly’ staff is there to ‘help you make the right selections.’ ”

In 2012, the burger shop won the coveted Denver Burger Battle People’s Choice and was a top finalist in the World Food Championships held in Las Vegas.

There are three Crave Real Burgers locations: Castle Rock, Colorado Springs and Highlands Ranch. Visit cravereal
burgers.com.

And the winners are …

The Colorado Springs Chorale Chefs’ Gala at the Antlers Hilton on Feb. 24 was another evening filled with top-notch grazing on dishes prepared by the best chefs in the city. The competition was tight, making for rough judging to select the cream of the crop. The winners: 


APPETIZERS

First place: Nathan Dirnberger, executive chef at Taste of the Wild Catering at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, for his Miso Grouper Nori Rice Taco with pomelo citrus slaw and kimchee watermelon.

Second place: Scarlett Farney (yes, that’s my daughter), executive chef at MoZaic at The Inn at Palmer Divide, for her Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with duck confit on brioche with romesco sauce.

Third place: Brad Usiak, sous chef at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, for his Braised Bison Short Rib Pansotti (triangular-shaped stuffed ravioli) with blackberry demi-glace, caramelized cipollini onion and beet chips.


ENTRÉES

First place: Brother Luck, executive chef at the Craftwood Inn, for his Slow Braised Beef Cheek with bone marrow risotto, pickled lengua (beef tongue) salad and celery root purée.

Second place: Eric Viedt, executive chef at The Margarita at PineCreek, for his meatloaf (terrine of pork belly, duck confit, oxtail and beef cheek with roasted tomato and ginger Dijon-mustard catsup, smoky jus, Brussels sprout-apple-horseradish gremolata).

Third place: Aaron Johnson, former chef de cuisine at The Warehouse Restaurant & Gallery, for his Pomegranate Barbecued Wild Boar.


DESSERTS

First place: Matt Richardson, chef at Cheyenne Mountain Country Club, for his Buttermilk Key Line Panna Cotta with Patrón-macerated strawberries, coconut tuile cookie and candied lime zest.

Second place: Audrey Landress, pastry chef at the Antlers Hilton, for her creamy cheesecake with blood-orange gelée.

Third place: Christine Miller, owner and chef for Kitchen Essentials cooking school, for her Dark Chocolate Flourless Cake with salt-carmel mousse and cashew crunch.

Best of Show: Matt Richardson (see above).

People’s Choice: A tie: Ketil Larsen, executive chef at The Club at Flying Horse, for the Confit Pork Shank, root vegetable hash, rye toast, poached egg, hollandaise and pickled chanterelles; and Aaron Johnson (see above).

Gone fishing

Carlos and Marcia Echeandia, owners of Carlos’ Bistro, 1025 S. 21st St., are giving themselves and their staff a vacation. The restaurant is closed until April 3 while the Echeandias are in Mexico.

Open

Salt of the Earth, 3536 N. Academy Blvd., is a catering company that has been cooking in the kitchen of this location for two years. In January, owners Sherry and Patrick Reitmayer started serving lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. They feature an all-you-can-eat buffet that changes menus weekly. Cost is $11.95, $10.95 for seniors age 56 and older and $5.95 for children age 12 and younger. You’ll fine an à la carte menu available, too. Call 466-9004. Visit sotecatering.com.

“KVOR Table Talk”

Guests for “KVOR Table Talk” radio show on 740AM, noon to 1 p.m. Saturday:

• Darryl Shoemake, president of Hacienda Colorado, talks about the opening of the new eatery at 5246 N. Nevada Ave. Its “Mountain Mex” cuisine fuses regional flavors of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Colorado with traditional Mexican fare. Visit haciendacolorado.com.

• Jonny Stringer talks about Old Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day mini-beer tour and his recipe for Guinness Bloody Mary cocktail that will be served all day March 17.

• Donna Vessey, owner of Donna Vessey Events, 900 Saturn Drive, Suite 606, talks about her meeting and event planning business, including weddings and holiday parties. Visit vesseyevents.com. Call 
634-8496.

• Ann Marie Pappas, Fine Arts Committee chairperson for the Monument Academy School, 1150 Village Ridge Point in Monument, and Richard Hart, the art teacher at the school, talk about the Eat Your Art Out event 1 to 5 p.m. April 13. Local restaurant owners and chefs will compete for the best recipe. Cost is $10 per person for food samples. Call 505-6829. Visit monument
academy.net.

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Send tips about restaurant openings, closings and food specials to teresa.farney@gazette.com, 636-0271, Twitter @tffoodie or Facebook Teresa Farney.