BAR: SHANAHAN’S
Shanahan’s, at 5085 S. Syracuse St. (just off I-25 at Belleview), is the newest competitor in the Mighty Denver Steak Wars. It opened on Christmas Eve with a look and menu that are masculine, sleek and serious. Former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan gave the endeavor his name and some coin — but day to day, it’s Marc Steron, 49, at the helm. He developed nearby Del Frisco’s into a destination — and he hopes to do the same at Shanahan’s. Steron calls the 10,500-square-foot trough the “next generation of steakhouse.” A horseshoe bar welcomes the clientele — many of whom stay in the front area for a simple meal and the combo that plays in the corner. Look for the dramatic Carrie Fell painting called the “No Holds Bar.” In warm weather, a patio of couches and tables beckons; the dining area holds 100, comfortably seated in chairs of rich brown leather.
GRILLED: DENISE PLANTE
Denise Plante, 39 on Saturday, is on the air as often as a furniture ad. She’s co-host with Murphy Huston 5-9 a.m. weekdays on KOSI-101 — the top-rated morning show in Denver. Then she rushes to 9News where, one hour later, she hosts “Colorado & Company,” a cross between a magazine show and an infomercial. Plante was raised as Denise Nelson in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. — not far from Las Vegas and always as hot. “It’s where the London Bridge is,” she says. She studied communications at the University of Las Vegas, but before graduating she returned to Lake Havasu to land a job at station Hot 101. She married sweetheart Mike Plante when she was 23; they landed in Denver in 1996, settling in Castle Rock to raise two boys. She orders an Arnold Palmer — iced tea and lemonade.
BH: Is hosting the morning show difficult?
Plante: The only thing that’s tough are the hours. But there’s something tough in every job.
BH: Which do you like more, radio or TV?
Plante: I like TV, it’s newer to me. But radio is fun, and I can go in my Pjs if I want and just talk about my day.
BH: On Colorado & Company, or CoCo, you seem genuinely interested in your guests who are shilling aluminum siding or home loans. Are you faking it?
Plante: I try to have fun and have some chemistry with the client. I learn something every day. And we have a lot of celebrities and authors on the show. And we profile a lot of nonprofits.
BH: How important are looks on TV?
Plante: Looks are important but you have to have something to back it up. I don’t think people are tuning in to the TV and certainly not the radio because there is a cute girl there. There has to be something to entertain them. People don’t read your column because you’re a good-looking guy.
BH: No kidding. I just think some people watch CoCo because you’re pretty.
Plante: That’s it?
BH: That’s part of it.
Plante: I’ve had people come up to me and tell me I look fat on TV.
BH: What did you say?
Plante: “Thank you, I’ll work on that.”
BH: Why do you live in Castle Rock?
Plante: We moved there about 10 years ago. It’s close enough to Denver and still it’s small enough to raise my kids.
BH: Do you drink alcohol?
Plante: Yes, but I didn’t bring my ID, and I thought they might card me. And I have to drive home.
BH: What don’t you like in other people?
Plante: Gossiping.
BH: What do you think about plastic surgery?
Plante: Everything in moderation. I’ve had Botox between my eyes before, and I would do it again. My husband told me, “Don’t do Botox. If you don’t feel good about yourself, go jogging.” I said, “Jogging is good, but it’s not going to make this wrinkle go away.”
BH: What’s your greatest extravagance?
Plante: Clothes. Denise Snyder at Mariel, she takes care of me from head to toe.
BH: What’s your current state of mind?
Plante: A little nervous, I guess. I never get interviewed. I do the interviewing.
BH: Who was your best interview?
Plante: Jamie Foxx.
BH: What do you dislike about your appearance?
Plante: My hips. My big butt.
BH: I wouldn’t worry too much about that. But do you wear Spanx?
Plante: Oh, yes. One time I wore two pairs of Spanx to get into a dress. I couldn’t sit down, but I wore the dress.
BH: Are you smart?
Plante: I would hope I am an intelligent woman.
BH: When were you happiest?
Plante: Right now.
BH: What would you change about yourself?
Plante: I would have a thicker skin.
BH: Do you work out?
Plante: I try to. I lift weights, and I try to walk. I used to run a lot. In high school, I was state champion in hurdles. I’ve tried yoga and Zumba.
BH: Books?
Plante: I try to read, but I don’t have the time. When I do, I read thrillers and self-help books.
BH: Where do you travel?
Plante: We were going to go to Legoland with the kids, but they wanted to go to Lake McConaughy and go camping and fishing, so that’s where we’re going. I haven’t gone anywhere. I would love to go to Europe and Hawaii. It’s hard to travel when your kids are little.
BH: What about food?
Plante: We have great food in Castle Rock. The B&B Cafe and the Castle Cafe. But I don’t know how to cook. I try, but my family says my spaghetti makes their gums bleed. It’s sad when the Chinese delivery guy comes to the door and says, “Your turn to cook tonight?”
BH: Are you religious?
Plante: Very. More spiritual. I just joined the Order of the Eastern Star, it’s like a female version of the Masons.
BH: What’s your most marked characteristic?
Plante: Easygoing.
BH: Who is your hero in real life?
Plante: My eldest son, Wyatt. He went through a lot of health issues when he was 7.
BH: What are your favorite names?
Plante: We just adopted a dachshund, and we named him Spike. I think that’s a pretty cool name for a wiener dog.
BH: What do you dislike?
Plante: Laundry.
BH: How would you like to die?
Plante: Not by drowning or fire, that’s for sure.
BH: Do you have a theme song?
Plante: “You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party!”
BH: OK, all done.
Plante: That made me nervous. My armpits are sweating. You made me sweat, Hot Stuff.
BH: You call people Hot Stuff all the time?
Plante: Or Turkey Butt.
Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Bill Husted: 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com.
