Monday is Presidents Day, a special time when millions of Americans come together in homes, warehouses and cubicles to ask the immortal question: “Do we get the day off or what?”
The answer: Yes, bank clerk, you do. Sorry, grocery clerk, but no.
No matter the length of your weekend, break the mold on this typically low-key holiday. Instead of the customary tradition of celebrating Presidents Day with no apparent celebration at all, pack up your patriotism and a healthy appetite and head out to a politically significant dinner destination.
Some places still offer the same dishes enjoyed by passing presidents, but others, perhaps thankfully, have abandoned their beef tongue and veal sweetbreads for more contemporary delicacies. Regardless of whether an exact representation of an old dish still exists, you can still enjoy a feast fit for a commander in chief.
1. Heaven Dragon: G.W. BushUntil its owner’s entanglement last year in Operation Fortune Cookie, code name for one of Colorado’s largest marijuana busts, Heaven Dragon’s biggest claim to fame was its high-ranking political clientele. On several occasions, George W. Bush’s entourage called for delivery of sesame chicken, fried shrimp, and Peking duck. A photograph of George W. and owner Dan Tang adorns the wall of the restaurant’s Thornton location, along with this personal note, “Dear Mr. Tang: Thank you for the Peking Duck. I appreciate your kind gesture and thoughtfulness.” The restaurant has additional locations in Broomfield and Arvada. 3730 E. 120th Ave., Thornton, 303-457-9977,
2. Brown Palace Hotel: T. Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Harding, Hoover, F. Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, G.W. Bush
Many a president has visited this iconic Denver luxury hotel. One of the most frequent presidential guests was Dwight Eisenhower. Ike’s familiarity with the hotel and Colorado were no surprise: He married Denverite Mamie Doud at her parents’ home on Lafayette Street in Denver. When visiting, Eisenhower consistently ordered chef Ira Dole’s Sliced Beef Tenderloin in Sauce President (see Page 7D for the recipe). 321 17th St., Denver, 303-297-3111,
3. Buckhorn Exchange: T. Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, Reagan Five presidents have enjoyed a meal at Denver’s Buckhorn Exchange (also known as Colorado liquor license No. 1). “Kennedy had steak, and Carter had buffalo,” says owner Bill Dutton. According to Dutton, John F. Kennedy stood in the restaurant’s back room, choosing his cut of steak, when he noticed some discarded bones from the daily butchering. “He had his dogs with him, and asked if they could have some bones.” The first hounds got their treats, and the president left a $5 tip. He also offered his fishing license as a memento, which still hangs on the wall; address listed: The White House, Washington, D.C. 1000 Osage St., Denver, 303-534-9505,
4. The Fort: ClintonPresident Bill Clinton chose The Fort, in Morrison, to host the official dinner for the Denver Summit of the Eight in 1997 because of the establishment’s Bent’s Old Fort-inspired architecture and commitment to American pioneer fare. International leaders including Tony Blair and Boris Yeltsin joined the president for a casual buffet featuring seared buffalo medallions, grilled quail, and rattlesnake cakes. Owner Holly Arnold Kinney has recently published “Shinin’ Times at The Fort,” a cookbook that offers a complete menu from that event along with popular Fort recipes and amusing tales of the landmark’s nearly 50-year history. 19192 Colorado 8, Morrison; 303-697-4771;
5. Pepi’s Restaurant: Ford, ClintonPresident Gerald Ford didn’t just love Vail; he lived there. From young congressman to ex-president, Ford maintained a friendship with Pepi and Sheika Gramshammer, owners of Vail’s Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer and Pepi’s Restaurant. The president visited the restaurant’s Antler Room so frequently that Sheika Gramshammer struggles to pin down a favorite dish. “He enjoyed a veal bratwurst for lunch. For dinner, he might have a wienerschnitzel. He was a meat-and potatoes-guy. If he had a steak and a baked potato, he was happy. He really liked the caribou; that may have been his favorite.” Ford died in 2006, at age 93, and his old pal Pepi Gramshammer served as pallbearer at the funeral in Grand Rapids, Mich. 231 East Gore Creek Drive, Vail, 970-476-5626,
6. Hotel Colorado: T. Roosevelt, Taft
Glenwood’s premier hotel has hosted and fed many prestigious (and occasionally notorious) guests during more than a century in business. William Howard Taft enjoyed mountain trout and wild raspberries for breakfast. A preserved menu of Theodore Roosevelt’s dinner includes Canape Caviar, Spanish Mackerel and frozen egg nog. At the Hotel Colorado, edible history is just as important as the written kind. “Last year we re-created some meals of presidents and celebrity guests like Molly Brown,” says general manager John Burnes. 526 Pine St., Glenwood Springs, 970-945-6511,
7. The Cliff House: T. Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt liked Manitou Springs for a few reasons. His old friend Dr. Frank Donaldson, assistant surgeon of the Rough Riders, practiced at the tubercular hospital there (now Red Crags Bed and Breakfast). It was also one of the few towns in Colorado that voted Republican in the 1904 election. According to his autobiography, Roosevelt even named his favorite horse Manitou. In 1901, he spoke at the Cliff House hotel while visiting his old friend and hunted bighorn sheep on Pikes Peak. 306 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, 719- 785-1000;
8. The Broadmoor: Nixon, Hoover, F. Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Ford, Reagan, G.H.W. BushThe Broadmoor opened with a premier golf course in 1918 and has lured professionals, celebrities and politicians ever since. This year in June, the hotel will host the Women’s U.S. Open. But in 1969, it hosted the annual conference of the National Governors Association, attended by President Richard Nixon and his wife, Pat. The kickoff dinner included filet of Colorado Mountain Trout Meuniere, and Cream of Fresh Artichokes au Gratin. 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, 719-557-5775,
9. Jorge’s Sombrero: ObamaThree days before Big Tuesday ’08, the Obama family surprised the staff and customers of Jorge’s Sombrero, in Pueblo, after a nearby campaign rally. The future POTUS and FLOTUS had carne asada tacos, and daughters Malia and Sasha ate cheese quesadillas. According to owner George Ayala, they left with to-go bags of shrimp tacos and cookies, to which Michele Obama cautioned, “We can’t have too many sweets.” Commemorative snapshots line the table where the family sat, and the menu honors the executive order with the Presidential Plate: one carne asada taco and one shrimp taco. 1319 E. Evans Ave., Pueblo, 719-564-6486,
10. Beaumont Hotel: T. Roosevelt, Hoover
The beautifully renovated Beaumont Hotel, in Ouray, has welcomed a variety of interesting guests, from Indian chiefs to commanders in chief. Upon seeing what is now the Presidential Suite, Theodore Roosevelt christened his quarters “the cow pasture room,” apparently because of its large size. “The room isn’t really that big,” says proprietor Jennifer Wyrick, “but it must have seemed pretty impressive at the time.” Details of any presidential plates have been lost to history, but a surviving 1901 menu features mutton with barley, fricasseed chicken and steamed cherry pudding. 505 Main St., Ouray, 970-325-7000, beaumonthotel
Dameon Merkl
