Come and be delighted with the skillful pairing of food with wine in this spectacular setting of the Inverness Swan Gardens.

Wednesday July 28, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

This new sports bar is located at the Lincoln Station Light Rail stop just west of I-25 and Lincoln Avenue.

They have 15 HD big screen TVs including a 100 inch HD projection screen with the NFL ticket. Go Bronco’s!

On the menu are the usual suspects including wings, nacho’s, burgers, sandwiches, Mexican options and a Saturday / Sunday brunch menu.

Happy Hour is Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday – Thursday 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Sit on their patio and enjoy the spectacular view of the Denver Front Range.

On Tuesdays you can play bingo starting at 10 p.m. with a chance to win as much as $500 cash, every Wednesday is Texas Holdum Poker, signups at 6 p.m., poker tournaments at 7 p.m. On Thursday night get your smartest friends and join in the Geeks Who Drink competition starting at 8 p.m. Finishing up the weeknight fun is Kareoke on Friday nights starting at 9:30 p.m.

Follow their specials on their facebook page here.

Clock Tower Grill
9360 Station Street #100
Lone Tree, CO (Map Here)

On Friday, July 30 from 7-10 pm, come and show off your plumage with other single Denverites and escape the usual bar crowd and see if your wild side will come out to play. The evening is designed to single mingle while sipping on exotic cocktails, munch on decadent appetizers while the zoo staffers set the mood for some mating games and wild tours throughout the zoo.

Map to the Zoo

July 30, 7-10 p.m.

Admission: $30 per person includes beer, wine and appetizers

Space is limited and this event sold out quickly last year so avoid disappointment and get your ticket today.

Tickets available until 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 28. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Tickets include

• after-hours Zoo admission,
• appetizers,
• beer and wine,
• interactive animal encounters and
• a chance to meet some of Denver’s finest with hopes of finding some animal attraction.

Appetizers included with admission include:

• Slider Station- Mini angus burgers and shredded BBQ beef brisket.
• Mac and Cheese Cupcake- Creamy macaroni and cheese layered in a cupcake form with panko gratin crust.
• Box Wedge Fries- Parmesan-truffle oil fries.
• Corn Bread Skillet- Home baked corn bread layered with goat cheese and fresh chilies.
• Iced Watermelon Skewers

For more information on this event visit their website at www.denverzoo.org

From beer flights, wine dinners and seafood buffet to golf getaways and spa deals, summer lounging never felt this good

Looking for an inexpensive summer getaway? Wine, Dine & Unwind is a three month summer series of  specials, events and complimentary perks for hotel guests from throughout the United States and for Colorado locals. Summer rates start at $99 a night.

Also available is their new loyalty club for the Inverness giving guests personalized promotions, specials and news based on their individual interests. Exclusive deals are available this summer during the Wine Dine & Unwind.

Coloradoans will enjoy this South of Denver escape from the hustle bustle of the city just 20 minutes from the big city when they yearn to escape for a long weekend. The Inverness invites you for pampering, dining, golfing to combine life’s finer perks with affordability making any day a summer vacation making spontaneous getaways with friends, family or lovers a possibility. Guests staying at the hotel now through Sept. 5 will enjoy the variety, activities and savings Wine, Dine & Unwind boasts, including $99 lodging starting rates, complimentary wine, free spa gift cards, and much more.

All guests that book a stay at the hotel now through Sept. 5 can take advantage of the following daily perks, specials and events. For more information, visit Wine, Dine & Unwind or call 877-857-5680.

Sizzling Summer Savings

• Summer weekend lodging rates starting at $99
• Refer to the Denver Post’s five-day, high forecast, as printed in Wednesday’s Denver & The West edition, to find out the TEMPting lodging rates for that weekend

Every Day is Vacation Day

• Spotted Dog Happy Hours - enjoy $3.50 House Wine, Draft Beer, and Well Cocktails at the Spotted Dog
  Monday – Friday  4:00-7:00pm
• Tranquil Tuesdays - Every Tuesday, receive $10 off each service of $95 or more at The Spa at The Inverness
  Tuesdays  Call 303.397.7808 for details and to book your spa treatment!
• Thursday Happy Hour - $3.50 House Wine, Draft Beer, and Well Cocktails, Plus Complimentary Taco Bar  at the Spotted Dog
  Thursdays  4:00-7:00pm
• Friday Happy Hour – $3.50 House Wine, Draft Beer, and Well Cocktails, Plus Complimentary Peel-and-Eat Shrimp at the Spotted Dog
  Fridays  4:00-7:00pm
• Friday Night Flights - Special Selection of Wine Flights, Regularly $12, Now Only $6 at the Baca, Fireside Fridays (and Saturdays)
  Available on Fridays and Saturdays, Memorial Day-Labor Day
  (June 4-September 4)
• Summer Prix Fix Menu - Enjoy a 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu, Specially Created by our Executive Chef, Rodney Herwerth at the Baca Restaurant
  Fridays and Saturdays 6:00-10:00pm
  $60.00++ for Two
  To view menu, click here. Call 303.397.7222 for reservations.
• Signature Summer Cocktail – Sparkling Sangria at the Baca, Fireside, and the Spotted Dog
  Fridays and Saturdays
  Available on Fridays and Saturdays, Memorial Day-Labor Day
  (June 4-September 4)
  $3.50 per drink
• Beer Flights at the Spotted Dog Fridays and Saturdays
  Available on Fridays and Saturdays, Memorial Day-Labor Day
  (June 4-September 4)
• Soak up the SUN-days - Before going to the pool, stop by the spa to receive a complimentary sample of sunscreen plus a $20 spa gift card for a future visit to The Spa at The Inverness on both Saturdays and Sundays
  *Please show room key to receive gift.
  Complimentary to hotel guests
• Mimosa Sunday Brunch - Featuring a large variety of freshly prepared, all-you-can-eat delicacies, this award-winning brunch
  An unprecedented culinary experience.
  Garden Terrace
  Sundays from 9:30am to 1:30pm
  $29.95 Sunday Brunch (includes one Mimosa)
  $35.95 Mimosa Brunch (Includes Mimosa Bar)
  $15.95 Children (6-10) (Includes our famous fauxmosas for kids!)
  Call 303.799.5800 for reservations or click here.

*Offer valid May 27, 2010 through September 5, 2010. Valid Thursday through Sunday nights only.

Some restrictions apply. Not valid for group business.

Special Summertime Events at the Inverness Hotel

• Wine Down Wednesdays - Wine Down with Drink Specials, Great Company and Free Games!
  Spotted Dog on 8/11 from 5:30-6:30pm
  Available the 2nd Wednesday of the Month, June-August.
  Complimentary to hotel guests
• Tasty Temptations - Each Month, the Spotted Dog will Feature a Special Liquor and Offer Complimentary Tastings, Triva, Prizes, DJ and Free all-you-can-eat Peel and Eat Shrimp! Learn more.
  Spotted Dog on 8/27
  Last Friday of the Month
  5:30-7:30pm
• Meet the Pro & Sip Van Gogh – Come Mingle with the Golf Pros and Enjoy Complimentary Van Gogh Vodka Tastings at the Spotted Dog or Golf Grille on 8/7 and  9/4 2010 from 4:00-5:00pm
  Available the 1st Saturday of the month (July, August, Sept)
  Complimentary to hotel guests
  Golf Membership Open House
• Junior Golf Summer Program - This 4-week program will cover different aspects of the game, including FUN and FUNdamentals at The Inverness Golf Club
  July 7th-August 4th
  Non-Members: $150 / Member: $100
  *Each junior golfer must have their own clubs.
  Call 303.397.7878 to register today! Learn more.
• Sip & Savor Wine Dinner - enjoy a passport to wines around the world, perfectly paired with exceptional cuisine, all while supporting a local community art and culture program. Join us for our first event, benefiting the Colorado Children’s Chorale.
  The Inverness Hotel
  July 21, 2010
  $55 per person, non-inclusive of tax and gratuity
  Seating is limited. For reservations, please call 303.397.6303.
  View menu here.
• Wild Horse Winery Wine Dinner - enjoy an evening with Wild Horse Winery for a chef selected wine-paired dinner.
  Swan Gardens
  July 28, 2010
  $75 per person, non-inclusive of tax and gratuity
  Seating is limited. For reservations, please call 303.397.6303.
  View menu here.

All Photo’s used with permission all copyrights held by The Inverness Hotel. Do not use without permission.

The Inverness Hotel, a hidden treasure in South Denver is launching a new series of events combining wine and song to delight all your senses and help raise money for the Colorado Children’s Chorale.

The hotels signature restaurant, Baca, will be the venue of choice for this Sip and Savor wine paired dinner series. Executive Chef Rodney Herwerth’s locally-sourced, summer dining menu is sure to please even the most developed palate. Mercer Estates Winery has partnered with Lukas Liquor to skillfully pair the perfect Washington state wine selections with each dinner course.

The Sip & Savor event is designed to combine the aims to elicit the perfect palate pleasing experience in a charming setting. Baca’s ambiance is conducive to intimate conversation or lively discourse and there are ample opportunities to make new acquaintances with fellow wine lovers.

Sip and Savor on July 21, 2010
$55/ per person non-inclusive of tax and gratuity, with 10 percent of proceeds being donated to the Colorado Children’s Chorale.

Reception 6:30 p.m.
Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Seating is limited so make your reservations early

Attendees receive a free WinePort passport entitling them to discounts, perks and free dinners

Sip and Savor menu and accompanying wine.

• Chef’s Selection of Artesinal Cheeses and Hand Passed Hors D’ Oeuvres ~ Pinot Grigio ~
• Duet of Soft Shell Crab and Petite Jonas Crab Cake with Black Garlic Aioli, Chervil Orange Syrup and Micro Peppercress ~ Chardonnay ~
• White Truffle Mache with a Grilled SummerVegetable Bundle, Warm Lamb Strudel and Huckleberry Gastrique ~ Merlot ~
• Roasted Root Vegetable and Colorado Bison Pot Pie with Oven Dried Local Tomato and Warm Wild Mushroom Salad ~ Cabernet Sauvignon ~
• Sable Britton with Apple Confit and Nutted Butter Foi Gras Ice Cream ~ Riesling ~

Not only will you be indulging yourself with this sumptuous culinary evening, you’ll also be helping to support the nationally known group of talented youngsters of the Colorado Childrens Chorale.

Self-described as a “locally grown and globally loved group of 400 youngsters, ages 7-14, which are supported by professionals focused on guiding them to be their best. These talented youths come from all backgrounds and work long and hard learning choreography, voice, lyrics and stage presence to put on blockbuster performances here and abroad. The Chorale backs up legendary entertainers and serves as chorus in a number of operas, as well as staging its own revues.

To learn more about the Sip & Savor series or to make a reservation, please call 877-857-5680 or visit The Inverness Hotel.

The Inverness Hotel

The Inverness Hotel is a full-service hotel and conference center situated in suburban Denver, Colo. that offers 302 recently renovated guestrooms and suites and a premiere medley of business and leisure amenities. Hotel guests enjoy convenient, on-property access to a new, full-service spa; an 18-hole Preston Maxwell designed golf course, five multi-cuisine restaurants and boutique shops. With 43 individual meeting rooms and a wide array of outdoor event venues encompassing more than 60,000 square-feet, The Inverness Hotel is a preferred property of choice for work, play or both.

Destination Hotels & Resorts

The Inverness Hotel is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, which is consistently rated one of the top 10 independent hospitality management companies in the United States. The company has developed a variety of initiatives to better serve its communities, stakeholders and customers including Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program, and the Destination Delivers guest loyalty program, which provides the best available offers to members. Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com or to join Destination Delivers, visit www.destinationdelivers.com.

The Colorado Children’s Chorale

For more than three decades, the award-winning Colorado Children’s Chorale has brought its artistry and charm to audiences in our home state of Colorado, across the nation and around the world. With a diverse repertoire, ranging from fully staged opera and musical theater to choral compositions in classical, folk and popular traditions, the Chorale performs with an innovative stage presence and dynamic theatrical spirit. www.childrenschorale.org.

If you are new to Douglas County then you are in for a treat! This downhome Parker Days event is where you really get to know your friends, neighbors, public officials, Parker Chamber members, and local Parker business owners. The Parker Chamber calls this one of their signature events and it includes a parade, carnival, craft and artisan show, good food, cold beer and all the regular carnival fare you’d expect. Local businesses and churches also sponsor a young children’s area with face painting, bounce rooms, pony rides all at a very reasonable price, and a grand fireworks display as a grand finale.

This is a great date night and reminds you of a million movies you’ve seen where your guy wins you the big teddy bear or perhaps the dance concert.  There’s lots of quiet spots to sneak away for a moonlit kiss and a stroll around the park is sometimes just the ticket.

Discounted carnival tickets are now on sale for $20 per ticket, which is a $5 savings over purchasing your ticket at the Carnival.  Click here for information. For 2010, discounted tickets may be purchased online only. Tickets will not be available for sale at the Chamber office. Once purchased online via the secure shopping cart, you can print out your tickets in the comfort of your home or office.

To purchase tickets, simply click on the link below, specify the number of tickets and add them to your shopping cart. More details of how the Parker Days eTickets work can be found by clicking here.

To purchase your discounted Carnival tickets click here.

The Parker Chamber hired Scott Wattum this year and he’s doing a great job of keeping the website updated as well as the Facebook page and a Twitter account.

A list of food vendors can be found here as well as the menu they’ll be serving, and a list of businesses, crafters and other vendors here. At this point there are a few openings for vendors. If you are interested, contact Scott here.

Schedule of Events for Parker Days 2010

Thursday, June 10

• 5:00pm – Carnival Opens
• 10:00pm – Carnival Closes

Friday, June 11

• 5:00pm – All Event Areas Open
• 6:00pm – Main Stage Entertainment Starts
• 8:00pm – Marketplace Closes
• 11:00pm – Main Stage Entertainment Ends
• 12:00am – Carnival Closes

Saturday, June 12

• 9:00am
  • Marketplace Opens
  • Food and Beverage Garden Opens
  • Expo Area: Dog Training presented by Pets Mart
• 9:30am – Carnival Opens
• 10:00am – Parker Days Parade
• 12:00pm
  • Mainstage Entertainment Starts
  • Expo Area: Colorado Strongman Competition
• 8:00pm – Marketplace Closes
• 11:00pm – Main Stage Entertainment Ends
• 12:00am – Beer Tent Closes/Carnival Closes

Sunday, June 13

• 9:00am – Marketplace Opens
• 9:00am – Food and Beverage Garden Opens
• 11:00am – Carnival Opens
• 12:00pm – Main Stage Entertainment Starts
• 7:00pm
  • Main Stage Entertainment Ends
  • Marketplace Closes
• 8:00pm – Beer Tent Closes
• 10:00pm – Carnival Closes

Bands on the Mainstage at Parker Days 2010

Maps for Parker Days 2010

• Overview of Event Area – NEW!
• Food/Beverage Garden and Main Stage
• Marketplace – NEW!
• Kids Country
• Big Kids Carnival
• Little Kids Carnival
• New for 2010 – The Expo Area

This event could not take place without the help of hundred of volunteers.  Would you like to get involved?  Please visit this page to sign up to volunteer. There are even openings for adults to man (or woman) the beer tent.

Slide Show Photos of Parker Country Festival 2009
Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved by Brad Crooks of Tripping the Globe

Restauranteurs George Karas and Tom Karantounis took the building that formerly housed Marie Calendars and created a beautiful relaxing oasis  of a mix of rustic brick, hardwood floors and modern colors  for a dining atmosphere to enjoy world foods with Mediterranean, Southwestern and American influences. Come and share a glass of wine with friends, or  indulge in their amazing signature dessert, a Creme Brulee’ Napoleon. (pictured at left)

Your date will be impressed if you choose this for a special date night in Denver.

Slide show of the 5280 Menu here.

Our choices were:

Your choice of:

• Smoked Trout & Cheese Plate – Trout filet, imported & domestic cheese crostini and fruit
• Spicy Hummus – Drizzled with olive oil, pita wedges

Your choice of:

• Rack of Lamb Chops – Australian lamb with an oregano-walnut lemon pesto, gorgonzola mashed potatoes, veggies Briam
• Sea Bass – Sautéed filet atop wilted baby greens, topped with a Blue Crab Citron sauce, basmati rice, seasonal vegetable
• New York Steak – USDA choice grilled, atop gorgonzola cream sauce, frizzled onions, roasted red potatoes, seasonal vegetables
• Shrimp & Chicken Mozzarella – Sautéed shrimp, roasted chicken, pistachios, roasted red peppers tossed with linguini in a spicy red sauce.

Your choice of:

• Crème Brûlée Napoleon – Our Signature Dessert, layer of philo pastry, crème brûlée
• Chocolate Crème Brûlée

The portions served were quite generous, the waitress, Stephanie was a delight, both owners were there to greet you at the door and Chef Andy came out to check on our party of four.  If you haven’t tried this restaurant you really should.

Now some of those communities have grown, but CCN is still the go to source for the printed news and to look for your kids sports teams pictures to pop up so you can post them on your refri.  Once a year they hold the Best of the Best contest so local area folks can pick their favorite businesses, restaurants, hair stylists and barrista’s in the area.

Now is the time for the residents to speak out and help keep your favorite local business’s thriving in the community.

Vote now by clicking here.

Votes must be submitted no later than April 30th, 2010 at 5 PM Mountain Daylight Time

Pride Auto Care – Parker, Centennial & Highlands Ranch Colorado – Best Car Care

Parker Day Spa - Parker Colorado – Best Day Spa

Pegasus Restaurant – Castle Rock – Best Breakfast

Parker Orthodontics – Parker – Orthodontist

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant – Lone Tree – Best Mexican Restaurant

Champs Sports Bar – Lone Tree – Best Sports Lounge

Crowfoot Valley Coffee – Castle Rock CO – Best Coffee House

Kunjani Coffea – Parker Colorado – Best Coffe House

The Colorado Communites Newspapers have several publications that serve the Douglas County area.

The News Press covers: Castle Rock, Castle Pines North, Franktown, Larkspur, Louviers, Sedalia and Roxborough

The Lone Tree Voice covers: Lone Tree and Acres Green

The Parker Chronicle covers: Parker and unincorporated Douglas County including The Pinery, Pradera, High Prairie Farms and The Timbers.

The Highlands Ranch Herald covers: Highlands Ranch Colorado.

Centennial Citizen covers: Centennial Colorado

The Englewood Herald covers: Englewood Colorado

My husband and I noticed this garden patio area with the fountain and soft lights and I thought it very reminiscent of my visit to Italy, so he knew he just had to bring me back here to see if the food and service was as good as the ambiance we’d seen outside.

It definitely delivered!

We started with The Grilled Artichoke which was sliced in half grilled and served with a lemon-garlic aioli.  YUM!

We also sampled the Tuna Carpaccio… thinly sliced ahi tuna, soy ginger vinigrette, toasted sesame, avocado and mango.  This was just wonderful, fresh, with enticingly complex flavors.

They have several salads available including a Grilled Summer Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella, Mixed Baby Greens, Italian and Tradtional Caesar.  We chose to share the Fig and Spinach Salad. This salad featured a pistachio crusted goat cheese served over prosciutto carpaccio and tossed with a light chianti-honey vinaigrette.  Take a LOOK!

One of my favorite Italian Foods is Pizza.  I tend to like something other than pepperoni, so this pizza below attracted my attention.  It has Roasted Chicken, Boursin cheese, artichoke hearts and of course brushed with extra virgin olive oil.

The Owner, Head Chef and Marketing Director  Maureen stopped by our table to check on us.

Our waitress was just fantastic and knew so much about the menu and the chef’s new world take on old world Italian Classics.

I am allergic to shrimp but she kept talking about this angel hair pasta in a puttanesca sauce… The chef was kind enough to make me a little taste of it being careful to not contaminate my dish with shrimp.  You should always alert your server and the chef if you have any common food allergies but rarely will they go out of their way like this to give you a taste of something you expessed an interest in.

These flavor combination’s in the puttanesca sauce did not disappoint.  A blend of all the classic Italian aromatics.. garlic, basil, parsley, olives, tomatoes… Soooo flavorful it’s hard to explain, and the owner and the server had different takes on the classic story of what  a “puttanesca” sauce is.  I’ll let you read what the Wiki has to say aout Puttanesca Sauce This picture does not do the dish justice at all.

My husband is a more meat and potatoes guy so he ordered the Double Cut Pork Chop which is grilled and served in a ranch style Topping Italian Gigande Beans with roasted chilies and peppers and topped with pickled red onions and a chimichurri sauce.  He enjoyed this huge hunk of pork immensely.

The other options for dinner were a non traditional take on Spaghetti, Baked Penne, Smoked Chicken Raviolis, Lasagna, Linguini with Clam Sauce, Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken Parmagiana, Pan Roasted Scallops, Grilled Florentine Steak, and Veal Piccata.  They also serve burgers and sandwiches and have an entire lunch menu as well.

Now for the most romantic and fun part of the meal… Dessert!

OH MY GOSH! The pastry chef here is simply amazing.  Take a look at these scrumptious things we had to choose from.

Cannolis and Spumoni.. Classic mini cannolis served with a scoop of spumoni ice cream and strawberries pazzo. My date (husband) chose this dessert.. for one thing it’s the biggest and who can go wrong with chocolate, cream and berries… all high on the romance factor and tastes exploding in your mouth.

Vanilla Creme Brulee with Caramelized Lemon Sugar - This didn’t look the prettiest but it was a perfect Brulee, crispy crunchy sugar topping with a killer creamy custard hiding underneath.

Flourless Chocolate Cake – espresso flavored chocolate cake with warm chocolate sauce and roasted banana gelato.

Coconut Panna Cotta with lime syrup, fruit garnish and cookies.

Chocolate Tiramisu – Rum and Kahlua soaked chocolate cake, iced in coffee ganache and layered with mascarpone sabayan. Sienna Restaurant, Castle Rock Colorado.

We also enjoyed 3 glasses of wine each chosen by our server and they were reasonably priced and melded perfectly with our selections.

This was simply a wonderful spot to choose for date night and one we will go back to again and again.  Check it out and lets us know in the comments what you thought.

Check out the website for the Courtyard at Castle Rock Here.

Before

This pizza is sooo easy.. seriously!! and inexpensive… date night doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive… Make every day life together a fun adventure!

After

And as promised the secret to a man’s heart… A cold brew served in a frosty mug.  I seriously think my hunky hubby fell in love the day I brought beer mugs for his freezer.  Even cheap azz beer tastes good in a frosty mug!  But this happens to be AWESOME beer, fresh from the downtown Denver Rock Bottom Brewery.  OH MY Gosh it’s totally addictive!  Look at this head…

Now not EVERY lady can be charmed with flowers.. but my guy knows that I CAN be.  These are actually cut from our very own garden so even more romantic than a trip to the flower shop for me.

I arranged them in the vase.. my hubby IS a guy after all…   Then a Netflix movie…  I happen to LOVE action flicks