Taking a quick break at his Black Cat Bistro in Boulder last week, chef Eric Skokan shared his latest enthusiasm: beef, raised on his farm for the first time, going straight to the tables.
“We raise pigs, sheep, chickens and more at Black Cat Farm, and last year we added Scottish Highland cattle,” said Skokan, noting that the first two cattle were a surprise birthday gift from his wife, Jill.
When it comes to sourcing, those young Scottish Highland steer are a cattlemen’s dream. They come from Frank Silva, who has won lots of awards at the National Western Stock Show for the Scottish Highlands cattle that he raises on his 70-acre ranch near La Salle.
Skokan spent a year learning to raise cattle at his Black Cat Farm, and is now debuting the first beef dinner from his herd.
The six-course meal will feature farm-fresh, succulent beef in every course, and Frank Silva hopes to be at the dinner as guest of honor, fresh from this year’s .
Between each course, Skokan will talk with guests about the joys and challenges of raising cattle, and why the Scottish Highland breed tastes so great.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Black Cat Bistro, 1964 13th St., Boulder. The cost is $68 per person, which does not include alcohol, tax or gratuity. Reservations can be made on Open Table at blackcatbistro.com or by calling 303-444-5500.
Farmers market? Yes!
Even though it’s the dead of winter, you can still get your farmers market fix, thanks to the local producers at the Winter Farmers’ Market in Fort Collins.
They’ve got a range of winter vegetables and artisan products — along with some really fun events, like the Community Sponsored Agricultural Fair on Feb. 21, where you can meet farmers from northern Colorado, ask questions about subscription food boxes, seasonal offerings, growing practices, and any other things that might help you choose your CSA selection.
And there’s a special focus for Valentine’s Day, with a two-day market featuring more than 40 vendors offering such gift ideas as locally made soaps, wine, chocolate, cheese and jewelry.
The gift-wrapping table, sponsored by Whole Foods Market Fort Collins, will create chic baskets for the cost of a donation, which benefits the Northern Colorado Food Cluster.
This is the nonprofit that helps fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits program (formerly known as food stamps) at the Winter Farmers’ Markets. SNAP participants get extra money when shopping at this farmers market, because the Northern Colorado Food Cluster is providing a program with a one-to-one match to purchase healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables up to $30 dollars — so $30 of SNAP funds is worth $60, which can be used only for food.
The remaining dates for the Winter Farmers’ Markets are Jan. 24 Feb. 14 and 28; March 7 and 28; and April 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The extra day for the Valentine’s market is Friday, Feb. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m.
They’re held at Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., Fort Collins.
2015 Restaurant Week
Hundreds of menus — and the list of restaurants participating in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week — are now available online. The city’s largest culinary event will be held this year from , featuring more than 250 restaurants — multi-course dinners for the fixed price of $30, not including tax or tip. (Many of the restaurants also include wine, beer and drink specials.)
With Denver’s restaurant scene exploding with new eateries, chefs and menus, event organizers are expecting high volumes of people wanting to cash in on the action.
There’s a wide range of choices, from Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. to the Mercury Cafe and Root Down. They include Trillium, the American-Scandinavian bistro whose in New York, and Rioja, one of the restaurants of James-Beard-winner Jennifer Jasinski, which will be showing off its newly renovated space. To view all restaurants, go to
Colleen O’Connor: 303-954-1083, coconnor @denverpost.com or twitter.com/coconnordp
