Pat “Gabby Gourmet” Miller is just out with her “2008 Restaurant Guide” – and it’s 10 percent bigger than last year’s edition. It’s a 520-page door-stopper.
“A lot of restaurants closed, but a lot opened and we covered some more this year,” she explains.
The big news: Two restaurants have been added to the “heavenly” roster – the very best of the best.
Elway’s and Fruition now join Barolo, Del Frisco’s, Frasca, L’Atelier, Mizuna and Restaurant Kevin Taylor.
How did the new kids make the cut?
“They’re heavenly,” says Miller. “Elway’s is different from any other steakhouse. The steaks are fabulous, and they cater to everyone – brunch, burgers, getting a drink. They just do everything right. It’s casual and divine.”
And Fruition?
“It’s an incredible tiny place with perfect food and service. It’s a real treat to have a place like that in Denver.”
Bringing up the rear with some low ratings: Blue Bonnet, Briarwood Inn, Jus Cookin’s, Kona Grill and Ship Tavern.
On the Rocks
The Rockies invited bigwigs to the Mountain Ranch Club before and after the playoff home games. But it was kinda quiet before the game Sunday night, Fox execs including Bob Thompson and Tim Griggs, King Soopers’ Russ Dispense and Kelli McGannon, Diamondback prexy Derek Hall. After the game, the club was mobbed.
John Elway and his daughter were in the Coors Clubhouse, along with the usual suspects like Dealin’ Doug Moreland and the Montforts.
Mayor John Hickenlooper was down front with Sen. Ken Salazar and Wellington Webb. Hick had to leave the game to run to the Denver Press Club’s Gridiron Dinner at the Seawell Ballroom to perform. The Better Denver Band (Andrew Hudson on bass, Neil Westergaard on guitar) pounded out a song supporting A-I to the tune of “YMCA.” Hick claims he hit a high-C at the exact moment Yorvit Torrealba hit his game-winning homer. After the song, Hick rushed back for the end of the game.
Gov. Bill Ritter performed his intro duties at the Gridiron and then ran to the game.
Charles Barkley was in town to support his hapless hometown D-backs – and had dinner Saturday night at Elway’s, as did TBS playoff talker Frank Thomas.
Wheels
Amy Lowell, 20, reps Colorado in the “Wheel of Fortune College Road Trip” airing 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on KMGH-Channel 7 – but we can’t tell you how she does.
And Terri Barns of Parker was on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” Friday and walked away with $16,000.
City spirit
Don’t miss Havana Nights 5:30-8 tonight at La Rumba, a $100-a-head funder to send medical supplies to Cuba. … Sez who: “I don’t care how long you’ve been around, you’ll never see it all.” Bob Lemon
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 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Peek at Husted’s next column at denver .
