TABLE TALK: Raise a glass to the 2012 Beaujolais nouveau release

Do like really fresh wine? Wine that is bottled within six weeks of harvest? Then you’ll be a fan of Beaujolais nouveau wine with its purple-pink color which reflects its youth. The French wine is released for sale the third Thursday of November, which is known as “Beaujolais Nouveau Day,” a great excuse for some celebrating. Here are a couple of places you can raise a glass of Beaujolais nouveau to toast the new wine.

• Patrick and Krystyna Garnier, owners of La Baguette French Bistro, 4440 N. Chestnut St.,  pull out all the stops for the arrival of Beaujolas nouveau, starting with Patrick arriving at the eatery at 7 a.m. in a horse-drawn carriage filled with cases of the wine. The restaurant opens at 8 a.m.and features specials throughout the day, starting with a French country omelet and glass of Beaujolais nouveau ($12). It's followed at noon with Maison salad, Beaujolais beef bourguignon and a glass of Beaujolais nouveau ($16.50). A four-course dinner for two with a bottle of Beaujolais nouveau is offered 5-9 p.m. The cost is $35 per person. The special dinner will be available Thursday-Dec. 15. Call 599-0686. Visit www.labaguettefrenchbistro.com.

• Mozaic at The Inn at Palmer Divide,443 S. Colorado 105 in Palmer Lake, offers a four-course Beaujolais nouveau menu with a half bottle of Beaujolais nouveau per person 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Cost is $50 per person. Call 481-1800. Visit www.innatpalmerdivide.com.

You’re the best

Three local restaurants have been spotlighted in Zagat 2013: America’s Top Restaurants. The guide lists 1,500 of the best places to eat in 45 cities and regions. The scores and reviews for the restaurants are based on opinions of diners. Food, décor and service are rated on a 30-point scale: 26-30 points for extraordinary to perfection; 21-25 points for very good to excellent; 16-20 points for good to very good; 11-15 points for fair to good; and, 0-10 poor to fair. Here are the lucky restaurants that earned top notch scores:

• Penrose Room, 1 Lake Ave., scored 28 points for food, 29 points each for décor and service. Reviewer’s comments included: “the most prestigious and posh dining experiences,” around, with “heavenly” French food, an “extensive wine list,” and a “fabulous” staff. Call 577-5773. Visit www.broadmoor.com.

• Carlos’ Bistro, 1025 S. 21st. St., scored 29 points for food, 25 points for décor and 28 points for service. Reviewer’s comments included: “phenomenal,” “gastronomical pleasures” with a “romantic” setting. “Personalized service” comes from the “accommodating” staff and chef-owner Carlos Echeandia himself, a real character who’s “always out on the floor meeting and greeting his customers.” Call 471-2905.

• Walter’s Bistro, 146 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., scored 28 points for food, 25 points for décor, and 27 points for service. Reviewer’s comments included: From the “famous lobster bisque” onward, the “splurges” to be had at this “classy” New American bistro are near “perfection," and you’re sure to feel at home, thanks to the “gentlemanly” eponymous owner, who’s always there to oversee his knowledgeable” staff. Call 630-0201. Visit www.waltersbistro.com.

Tea time
Garden of the Gods’ Gourmet, 2528 W. Cucharras, has a fall tea party 2-4 p.m. Wednesday. The history of tea will be discusses while sampling four tea varieties with tasty treats. Cost is $15 per person. Call 471-2799. Visit http://www.godsgourmet.com/.

New beer and menu
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 3316 Cinema Point Drive, introduces a new winter menu and a limited release of Scottish Tartan Ale at a tapping party at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The menu is available until Dec. 23. Call 550-3586.   Visit www.rockbottom.com.

Dine out on Turkey Day
• Craftwood Inn, 404 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, offers a buffet 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Cost is $42, $19 for ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Call 685-9000. Visit www.craftwood.com.

• Stagecoach Inn, 702 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, offers a turkey menu with all the traditional side dishes, soup or salad and pumpkin pie on 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Cost is $24, $15 for children. Call 685-9400. Visit www.stagecoachinn.com.

• The Margarita at PineCreek, 7350 Pine Creek Road, offers a four-course Thanksgiving Feast with all the fixings served family-style 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost is $40, $25 for kids 13-6 and kids 5 and under eat free. Call 598-8667. Visit www.coloradoeats.com/margarita.

• The Famous, A Steakhouse, 31 N. Tejon St., has a Thanksgiving Feast with turkey and stuffing, salad choice, vegetables, cranberry relish and bread 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 22. Cost is $29.95. Call 227-7333. Visit www.thefamoussteakhouse.net.

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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.