The Food section staff roamed metro malls and shopping districts for cool gift ideas and new spots to grab a bite while the credit card cools down. Here’s a sampling:
Belmar
Wasabi Sushi Bar, 433 S. Teller St. Chill out with sushi at the shopping area’s newest restaurant.
Tuesday date night brings two-for-one skating and dining at Baker Street Pub & Grill, Las Margaritas, Lucky Strike Lanes and Wasabi Sushi Bar. Pick up a voucher at the Belmar Information Center on Tuesdays between 5 and 9 p.m. Through Dec. 18.
Cherry Creek North
French 250, 250 Steele St., 303-331-0250, will walk your dog while you dine.
Tambien, 250 Steele St. (downstairs), 303-333-1763. Upscale cousin to Mezcal on Colfax.
Super Suppers, 154 Steele St., 303-355-2257. This meal-prep place also has to-go items. “I always grab the appetizers for parties — the artichoke dip is fabu! I throw it on one of my grandmother’s nice platters, and it looks so legit!” says Christina Brickley, the shopping district’s marketing director.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Christkindl Market, through Dec. 23,
The Christkindl Market brings a European tradition of handcrafted gifts to the mall. Look for strudel, Bavarian sausages, roasted nuts, crepes and hot cider.
See’s Candies will be open through Dec. 26, with holiday chocolates, peanut brittle and sugar-free options.
The Godiva Boutique offers more chocolate nirvana, if See’s isn’t enough.
O&Co. introduces fig, cherry and oregano-white balsamic vinegar; fig, artichoke, Indonesian and fruit olive spreads; artichoke and bell pepper pestos; black and white truffles, flavored oils and lots of other temptations.
FlatIron Crossing
Crate & Barrel managers say tasting parties are hot, and they have all kinds of fun accessories — serving platters, little spoons, dishes, even foods — for yours.
Williams-Sonoma wants you to improve your wine IQ with an aroma kit called Le Nuz Du Vin that helps you identify the various notes in wine, and black blind-tasting glasses that mask the color of the wine. Holiday Baking class Dec. 2 and Cocktail Party Essentials on Dec. 9.
Larimer Square
Osteria Marco, little brother to Mizuna and Luca d’Italia. This new Frank Bonanno pizza joint promises hand-tossed pizza, house-cured salumi and nearly 100 wines in a cozy setting.
3.14 Pizza. 3.14 = pi = pie. Enter this hip basement hangout through the alley between Lawrence and Larimer streets and 14th and 15th streets, open 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
The Market. For more than 20 years, this cafe/deli has served house-made pastries, sandwiches, salads and coffee. A great spot to refuel before hitting the light rail home.
Equipement de Vin, a new wine-themed shop, carries serving utensils, crackers and dips, cookbooks and other accessories.
Shops and events
Goodness to Go, 1712 E. Sixth Ave. between Gilpin and Williams streets, 303-377-6500, . Locally made products and your favorite farmers market vendors, including Quiche Factory quiches, Pappardelle’s pasta, Loredana’s pesto.
Holiday Market, Dec. 15, Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, nocofood . The Northern Colorado Food Incubator brings local food artisans together: Anija’s Spicy Mustard, Copoco’s Honey, Bones du Jour dog treats, Gilberto’s Gourmet Goodness salsas, Windsor Dairy cheese and other merchants.
The House of Commons, 2401 15th St. (at Platte Street), 303-455-4832, houseof . Christmas afternoon teas through December, $17.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 10 and under.
Junior League of Denver Holiday Mart, Thursday through Sunday, Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave. Tickets $10 or $25 for a multiday pass,at . or at King Soopers. The 28th annual fundraiser features more than 150 vendors, including these foodies: Spice Boys of the Rockies spice blends, teas, ice cream and chocolates; mother-daughter team Sweet & Saucy caramel and chocolate sauces; and Two Hot Chili Peppers salsa, soups, chili, con queso and other Mexican food.
Marcel’s Chocolate Room, 720 Front St., Louisville, 303-604-1100, marcels . Open house 4-8 p.m. Fridays until the winter solstice (Dec. 22). Sample chocolates, German baumkuchen and marzipan, and Albertengo Panettone.
Marczyk Fine Foods, 770 E. 17th Ave. (at Clarkson Street), 303-894-9499, marczykfine . It’s just plain fun, albeit expensive, to shop here. Meats, fruit, veggies, cheese, lots of great prepared to-go dishes, imported foods and a wine shop, too.
Vern’s Toffee, 444 S. Link Lane, Fort Collins, 970-493-7770, vernstoffee . Not as well known as Enstrom’s, but we think this toffee made with cream, butter and chocolate, tastes a little fresher.
Wen Chocolates, 1541 Platte St., 303-477-5765, wenchoco . One of our favorite chocolatiers, William Poole, finally has a shop! With artful chocolates, pastries and more.
The Women’s Bean Project 2007 Holiday Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 3201 Curtis St., 303-292-1919, womensbean . Support efforts to lift women out of poverty at this annual fundraiser: soups, chili mixes, dips, spice rubs, marinades, salsas, cookies, bread mixes, iced teas, coffee beans and sweets.
Kristen Browning-Blas: 303-954-1440 or kbrowning@denverpost.com
