TABLE TALK: ‘eWinebooks': Gadget is possibly next fad in the dining experience
The start of a new year is always a good time to think back on new things spotted during the past months that could become the next fad. I saw a concept on a recent trip to Las Vegas that I think just might catch on: iPad-like restaurant wine lists.
We were at Aureole, Charlie Palmer’s swanky restaurant, for dinner. Instead of being offered a traditional wine list we were presented with an eWinebook. It was an electronic tablet similar to an iPad which listed 2,200 bottles of the restaurant’s 60,000-bottle collection.
Of course, there was vastly more information about each wine than you’d find on a traditional wine list. Gimmicky? Probably. But, according to reports of other restaurants using the technology, diners buy more wine when they peruse an electronic wine list. Something to think about.
Interesting facts: Restaurant designer Adam Tihany, who designed Summit restaurant with its 14-foot revolving wine tower at The Broadmoor, was the designer of Aureole, with its 42-foot glass wine cage. Wines are fetched by “wine angels” who navigate up the tower by way of mechanical hoists. Tihany will make another appearance at The Broadmoor as the designer of the new Italian restaurant that will replace Charles Court.
Return of IRC
The Independent Restaurant Cooperative, a group of owners and operators of independent restaurants who support local farmers and ranchers, will bring back their popular monthly tasting menus starting at Pizzeria Rustica, 2527 W. Colorado Ave., Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. Cost is $39 per person (plus tax and tip) for three food tastes typical of the eatery, paired with wine or beer. Call 632-8121. Visit pizzeriarustica.com.
Healthy menu for kids
The Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, 650 Fifteenth St., offers “For Kids by Kids” menus created by Alice Waters, the renowned food pioneer and chef. The three-course meal is served in Altitude Restaurant and costs $16.95 per child. Call 1-303-436-1234. Visit denverregency.hyatt.com.
Closing
Owners of Faerie Tales Bakehouse and Catering, 1015 W. Colorado Ave., closed the restaurant part of their business Tuesday. They will continue their catering business from a new location. The owners of the restaurant property are going to sell the building. Lindsay Williamson and Marty Williamson are looking for a new location. If you have gift certificates, they will be honored. Call 355-4934.
“KVOR Table Talk”
Guests for KVOR Table Talk radio show on 740AM, noon to 1 p.m. Saturday.
• Dave Brackett, owner of Pizzeria Rustica, 2527 W. Colorado Ave., and Tapateria, 2607 W. Colorado Ave., talks about resurrecting the Independent Restaurant Cooperative tasting menus. He will announce the other 11 participating restaurants. Call 632-8121. Visit pizzeriarustica.com.
• Meridith Norwood, a certified nutrition and wellness consultant and Jazzercise instructor, talks about the importance of healthy eating and how to sneak veggies into snacks and desserts.
• Jenny Ford, creator of Sugar Loco blog, talks about the Dessert Tour she will conduct at The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., 2-6 p.m. Feb. 2. For $45 per person you get to sample two or three desserts paired with wine or cocktails or coffee from several of the hotel’s restaurants. Visit sugarloco.com.
• Meredy Brownstein, a local Weight Watchers leader, talks about how she lost 135 pounds on the Weight Watchers program and how she keeps it off. Weight Watchers has five meeting locations in Colorado Springs. Visit weightwatchers.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.
