Fortune Valley Casino in Central City is ready for its close-up after undergoing a more than $20 million facelift.
Luna Gaming Central City paid $10 million for the property, which was in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and took possession of the property in January.
Six months later, only a handful of the 118 hotel rooms and suites remain in remodeling that will have each room named and themed in honor of musicians or bands.
The entire property pays homage to the music world with decor that carries themes of various musical genres. Although he’s not naming names, Fortune Valley chief operating officer Dean DiLullo said the hotel and casino will be rebranded with the name of an entertainment company.
Echoing the musical theme is the just-opened Guitar Bar, a 65-foot guitar-shaped bar with 14 slot machines, a state-of-the-art sound system and high-definition TVs.
“It’s the coolest man-cave you’ll ever see,” DiLullo said. Also brand new is Ardore, an Italian eatery named after principal owner Tom Celani‘s high-end wine. Celani, who also owns the Red Dolly Casino in Black Hawk, is head of the Celani Family Vineyards in Napa Valley.
Other features include a nightclub and Lava bar, new slot machines, a party pit, a million-dollar audio system, new gift shop with a Harley-Davidson as the centerpiece, new hotel front desk and a VIP area with a private media room for movies and sports.
“We spent a ton of money to make sure when you first walk in, you say, ‘Oh my God!’ ” DiLullo said.
Future plans call for converting the old VIP club into an Irish pub.
Moveable feast.
Longtime Colorado caterer Larry DiPasquale, CEO of Epicurean Culinary Group, is taking the business he’s built from high-end events and chi-chi parties to the streets.
Epicurean on wheels consists of two food trucks that he’s booking for events, and taking to Invesco Field. The first trucks he’s rolled out are an Italian wood-burning pizza oven and an Asian wok station.
Next month, DiPasquale will launch a Street Food mobile truck that will assist in catering jobs, and feature Epicurean signature items from the past 29 years.
The pizza oven was imported from Italy and installed on a trailer.
“I’ve already talked to a contractor about maybe doing two more of these,” DiPasquale said about the unexpected popularity of the traveling pizza oven.
Movers and shakers.
Former Broncos quarterback Brian Griese, who’s made Denver his home with his wife, Brook, and their kids, has sold the Cherry Creek home he bought pre-parenting for $840,000.
When I talked to Griese at a charity event about a year ago, he said he had moved with his family to a larger abode.
Former Colorado Secretary of State Bernie Buescher and his wife, Mary, have taken up urban living by buying a condo at Spire, the high-rise on 14th Street, for $685,000.
No curb appeal.
Do you live on the block with the ugliest house in the metro area? You can rat out your neighbor in the 2011 Ugliest House in Denver contest, sponsored by Home Vestors of America, better known as the “We Buy Ugly Houses” company.
Deadline for voting is July 22, and contest results will be posted the week of July 25. The winner will get a $500 gift certificate to Home Depot. Include your vote at .
EAVESDROPPING
Two women at Aurora Hills Golf Course:
“It was so hot, it was like breathing in hot air.”
“That’s better than blowing out hot air like I do all the time.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Hear her on “Caplis & Silverman” between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
