Ocean, Jim Sullivan‘s upscale seafood house in Cherry Creek, wants to swim into the night.
A notice in the window says the place is seeking a tavern liquor license and a dance cabaret license. This means that the joint’s income doesn’t have to be 25 percent food — and it can host live music and dancing.
No, Sullivan says, it’s not turning into a nightclub. He just wants some action after dinner.
“Denver restaurant business is not great,” says Sullivan. “This is an effort to stay on top. Adding live entertainment might be a good thing, and we want to focus more on alcohol. You’ve got to offer your diner more than a plate of food. This is to improve our business, to be aware of competition in the market, to give people a lot more for their money.”
Sullivan says dinner business is good, but the place gets too quiet after 10 p.m.
Idolize.
Crush QB John Dutton‘s sister-in-law is “American Idol” contestant Kristy Lee Cook. (She’s the sister of his wife, Terina.) Cook was in the final 12 Tuesday night — but who knows for how long. All the judges (even Paula!) slammed Cook’s country rendition of “Eight Days a Week.” Simon Cowell said it sounded “like being at some ghastly county fair.”
NYC eats.
Six Denver chefs put on the dog Tuesday night at the James Beard House in NYC. Dubbed “The Gems of Denver,” they were Matt Anderson of Bistro Vendome, John Broening of Duo, Max Mackissock of Vita, Alex Seidel of Fruition, Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja and Bistro Vendome, and Yasmin Lozada-Hissom of Duo.
But the kids weren’t there just to cook. Some of them hit the city’s very best restaurants to see what the Big Apple is cooking these days. Among the stops: Daniel, Allen & Delancey, Bouchon Bakery, BLT Market, Gramercy Tavern, Spotted Pig, Inoteca, Gilt — and Blue Ribbon for fried chicken right after cooking the Beard dinner. Urp.
Eat first, then pray.
You have to pray and love on your own — but they’ll take care of the eating part.
Elizabeth Gilbert comes to Denver’s Paramount Theatre on April 6 with her ridiculously popular screed, “Eat, Pray, Love.” The book starts with her eating in Italy, and that’s what you can do too. Borders has hooked up with Maggiano’s to cook an Italian Sunday brunch before Gilbert’s talk at 1:30 p.m. Tix are $67 at .
City spirit.
9News billed it as a scoop, but they only confirmed what we told you Tuesday morning — that Sheryl Crow is coming to Red Rocks Aug. 24, the night before the Democratic National Convention begins, for an “environmental” concert. 9News adds Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to the possible lineup. . . . Phil Coulter of Celtic Thunder is the honorary grand marshal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday. . . . Sez who: “May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of St. Patrick behold you.” Irish blessing
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 . Take a peek at Husted’s next column at blogs . /husted.
