Chinook Tavern in Cherry Creek North is blowing southward to Landmark in Greenwood Village.
After 14 years in the Creek, owners Clemens Georg and his dad, Manfred Georg, told me they’re thisclose to signing a lease that’ll put them out of Cherry Creek in July. Yes, they’ll be open for the holidays and through June. Don’t worry about your Christmas parties or your gift certificates. They’re all good — and will be good in the new location too.
The Georgs hope it’s seamless as they slide down to a big new luxurious space in Landmark, the suburban village that will also host Lime, Hapa Sushi, Jing, Ted’s Montana Grill, Sparrow and a new Comedy Works.
Clemens told me they wanted to see what a premiere ground-level space could do. On Detroit Street now, Chinook is garden level. But they serve the best wiener platter in town.
Clemens is also concerned with the direction the neighborhood is taking. He said Cherry Creek is changing from a rich ‘hood to a “very wealthy” neighborhood, which translates into second homes — and often empty homes.
We hear the Chinook space is quietly hunting for a new tenant for July.
Rack rate. Who says Aspen is expensive? A new “private hotel” operation is opening there called VillaHotels — charging $5,300 to $7,000 a night for homes in Old Snowmass and Aspen.
Then again, a big suite at The Little Nell hotel costs $5,100 a night in the winter, going up to $6,625 a night during the holidays. Next year, it’ll set you back $7,200 a night.
Chicken and fries. If you like the chicken and fries at Mel’s — it all started at Jams in NYC when Mel Master ran it with chef Jonathan Waxman, who brought the dish with him from California. The bird gets a shout out in this month’s Conde Nast Traveler from critic Alan Richman as one of the 20 most influential dishes ever made in the U.S. Master’s is in good company, with Alice Waters, Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Wolfgang Puck.
In other foodie news, Jax Fish House in Denver turns 11 next week and celebrates Monday through Dec. 6 with 11 oysters for $11, a glass of Moet Chandon for $11 — and two Chopin martinis for $11. Yes!
And Channel 7’s Teresa Marchetta and Lionel Bienvenu are part of the ownership group of the upcoming Chicken Kitchen in the Belleview Promenade.
City spirit. Bostonian Matt Damon didn’t make it to any World Series games this year, but he narrates the “Official 2007 World Series DVD” Trinity Prescott of Fort Collins was crowned Ms. Rocky Mountain Globe this month Sez who: “Originality and the feeling of one’s own dignity are achieved only through work and struggle.” Dostoevski
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 at bhusted @denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at .
