Mel’s is back. And that’s good.
Many a regular lamented the closing of Mel’s Bar & Grill in April.
Tears were shed as the popular neighborhood hangout shuttered and owners Mel and Janie Master and their son Charles moved to Greenwood Village to open Montecito South and Annabel’s.
But at Montecito South, “the results were disappointing,” Mel says. Now he’s changing it to Mel’s. It’s a resurrection!
“Everyone kept saying to us, ‘We miss Mel’s. We miss Mel’s. We miss Mel’s.’ So Janie and I thought, ‘Why not?”‘
The menu has the Melly favorites: roasted chicken with fries and tarragon butter; hamburgers; mussels à la Cagouille.
He’s also bringing back a lot of the Mel’s staff. The spot opens as Mel’s of Greenwood Village on Oct. 9.
“The only sad thing is it’s a long way from Cherry Creek,” Mel says. “But a lot of our clientele came from where we are now. It’s all very exciting.”
Frankie baby!
One day after Denver Center Attractions tells us “Jersey Boys” will hit the Buell Theatre in December 2008, we find out that Frankie Valli is the entertainment at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ swank Saturday Night Alive party March 1.
“Jersey Boys” is the mega-hit Broadway show that tracks the rise and fall of the Four Seasons, which Valli fronted with his signature falsetto 45 years ago. Now it’s more like the rise and fall and rise again of Frankie Valli.
The New York Times just wrote a glowing feature on Valli, mentioning his recurring role in “The Sopranos” as mob captain Rusty Millio. “And in a recent issue of Blender, Mr. Valli was described as ‘owning the 2000s.”‘
Among Valli’s hits: “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” You singing along?
The Times continues: “Against all conceivable odds this 73-year-old singer is now something he has never been before: hip.”
Dressy Bessies
Last year the Colorado Neurological Institute held a ballroom dance-off at its annual gala – but that concept was moved to another charity, and that’s another story.
On Oct. 6, CNI holds its Costumes for a Cause Gala – with society-type couples getting all dressed up. Characters include Troy and Leigh Guard, Jamie and Alan Angelich, Perry and Stephanie Odak, K.C. and Kristina Veio.
City spirit
French 250 restaurant celebrates the fall grape harvest 5-7 p.m. Tuesday with a short parade on Steele Street – and Pat Miller and I will build an Eiffel Tower out of cans to help the Denver Food Bank. … Marczyk’s annual pig roast is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday – and it’s soooooo good. … Sez who: Homer: “Are you saying you’re never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?” Lisa: “No.” Homer: “Ham?” Lisa: “No.” Homer: “Pork chops?” Lisa: “Dad, those all come from the same animal.” Homer: “Heh- heh-heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.” – “The Simpsons”
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at .
