When Mel’s Bar and Grill closed shop four years ago, I cried in my martini.
It was the favorite neighborhood bar for countless Cherry Creekers. Where else could you walk in, have the piano man play your song and land a great hamburger at the bar along with some fine wine?
Well, Mel’s is back, at least for one night — March 28 — at the site where Mel’s once ruled, 235 Fillmore St., now The Egg Shell.
Mel and Janie Master are returning from their home in New Hampshire. Their son Charles is here to stoke the event. Peggy Bevan of The Egg Shell is on board, and the dinner will benefit Judi’s House, the local nonprofit founded by footballer Brian Griese.
“We just wanted to see the old staff and the customers and give a little back to Denver,” says Mel. “It won’t be a gourmet meal, but some of the old Mel’s favorites, like the iceberg salad and the chicken.”
Alumni chefs will be in the kitchen that night — and two of Mel’s stars, Goose Sorensen of Solera and Tyler Wiard of Elway’s Cherry Creek, will stick their heads in.
Mel says he’s trying to pull in a piano for the night. Cost is $60 plus tax and tip. Call The Egg Shell at 303-322-1601 for info and reservations.
Herb.
Herb Von Feldt passed away Feb. 11 — and the church was packed last Tuesday with people saying goodbye. The 11th of 16 kids, he became a fixture in Cherry Creek watering holes, in addition to running Hanneck Cleaners and The Wine Seller. Herb and his surviving wife, Mary Elizabeth, had “date night” every Saturday at Rodney’s.
He would want you to know that he could croon a tune. Give him a listen at .
You say oysters.
Jax Fish Houses in Boulder and Denver are into oysters in March — with oyster-eating contests worthy of The Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food.”
Participants get 90 seconds each to eat as many of the bivalves as they can. The record stands at 113, set in 2005 by Ang McDonald. In Denver, the 90-second record is 100, achieved by Steve Orth in 2005.
The eat-offs are March 20 in Boulder and March 27 in Denver. Doors open at 2 p.m.; oyster slurping starts at 4 p.m. Go to .
City spirit.
Free-admission days at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield and Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street are March 4 and March 20, respectively. . . . Alice 105.9 raised $1.65 million in its three-day radiothon for Children’s Hospital. . . . Today is Spay Day, when shelters encourage pet owners to get Fido and Fluffy fixed. . . . Colorado Public Radio Instrument Drive runs March 1-31, looking for gently used band and orchestra instruments. Go to for drop-off locations. . . . Pauly D of “Jersey Shore” was spinning Friday night at Beta. . . . Michelle Obama and the kids dined at Restaurant Kelly Liken on Saturday night while in Vail over the weekend. . . . Sez who: “There is a great deal of human nature in man.” Charles Kingsley
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at .
