When Ed and Gayle Novak’s purchase of the Summit Steakhouse in Aurora became official on July 29, it wasn’t just a real estate transaction. The deal has a sentimental side to it, as well.
Gayle had worked there from 1995 to 2004, and it’s where she and Ed met. At the time, Ed owned the Broker restaurants and she was intrigued with the way he’d printed the DTC Broker’s menu on wine bottles. “I asked if I could borrow his idea,” she recalls. “He liked my entrepreneurial spirit,” and the rest is history. They began dating and eventually married.
The wine bottle labels again came into play during Gayle’s first term as president of the Denver Center Alliance. She gave guests at the annual luncheon bottles of wine — with the year’s activities printed on the labels.
Gayle served two terms as Denver Center Alliance president and this year is chairing one of its new fundraisers, the Theatre Threads Luncheon. It features a runway fashion show where Alliance members and others model costumes from previous Denver Center Theatre Company productions.
Tickets for the Oct. 21 event can be purchased by calling 303-446-4815.
As for her new venture, Gayle says: “I have always loved The Summit. It’s a rare opportunity to be able to buy a restaurant that is up and running with a strong product and an established brand.”
A remodel is set to begin in the next few days, but lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, under the direction of chef Jorge Alvarez, will continue uninterrupted during construction. Visit
Coming right up
The 13th annual Celebration of Hope: HD in HD (Huntington’s Disease in High Def) begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at Suite 200, 1427 Larimer St., and promises to be a fast-paced evening with a travel-themed auction and fashion show. Masterminded by John Tobey Event Design and Dahlia Weinstein of Clear Creativity, the affair also features a gourmet chef’s station buffet, a salute to Ron Riedemann and Vikki Farrow, the HDSA Family of the Year, and music for dancing. The dress code is “runway chic” and tickets can be purchased by calling 303-837-9937.
Slifer Designs celebrates the opening of its Cherry Creek Shopping Center locale by hosting a reception there, also on Thursday night. Admission is by invitation. For details, visit .
Friends of Colorado Neurological Institute gather at BNY Mellon Wealth Management on Friday to learn more about CNI’s Sept. 24 gala, An Evening with Scott Hamilton. Hamilton is best-known as an Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, but he also has survived a brain tumor and cancer. Quinn Washington is chairing the $250-a-ticket fundraiser that also honors Linda and Dr. Richard Kelley. For details, call 303-788-4010 or visit
“Extreme Characters: Priests, Prophets, Gods and Devils” is the topic of Derrick Ballard’s presentation for the Denver Lyric Opera Guild’s summer luncheon taking place Aug. 10 at Mount Vernon Country Club.
Volunteers of America welcomes four-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Steve Carlton as the special guest player for its annual fundraising golf tournament. Play is Aug. 11 at Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia; on Aug. 10 Carlton will attend the traditional Player’s Party at the Denver ChopHouse. Lee Earnhart, John Milek and Greg Stiff are chairing the benefit; RE/MAX is the presenting sponsor and the Colorado Rockies Charity Fund is the event partner. The Player’s Party is sponsored by CoBiz Insurance. To participate, contact tournament coordinator Denise Robert at 303-368-5208 or deniselrobert@comcast.net.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
