September 1, 2004

"Uptown, the area between Broadway and York, Colfax and 23rd Avenues, has a grand history. In its day, its residential architecture was among Denver's most fashionable. Today, much of this impressive collection remains as beautifully renovated homes, offices and entertainment facilities".

The above quote is part of a commentary on the history of Uptown. If you plan to attend the Uptown Sampler Tuesday evening, September 14^th (as G and I and a thousand or so others will) you’ll probably read this, and lots more, about the history of this lovely section of town, also known for its renowned architecture.

The Seventeenth Uptown Sampler, still at a bargain price of $20 to sample foods of almost 20 different restaurants, will bring G and I to our favorite section of town. There will be busses and shuttles along the route to pick up riders and deliver them to the next stop. Or you can stroll along the route and enjoy the fall evening. The deal is that the restaurants will provide samples of their food gratis, but will charge a modest fee for beverages. This year, with almost 20 eateries ranging from small neighborhood cafés to upscale eateries along the route, the sampling will be terrific.

Food sampling will be from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. There will be a beer tasting at Marais Condos and two wine tastings, one at Denver Square (1699 Downing Street) and the other at a place to be announced.

The fab dessert sampler, silent auction and free entertainment will start at 8 pm and go ‘til 9:30 pm and be held at Denver Square (1699 Downing Street). We’ll refer to it as the Dessert Bash Place (DBP). The featured performers will be Purnell Steen and Walter Dawkins. Back by popular demand will be the Amazing Gyro. In addition there will be walk-around entertainment.

In order to get this column on time we are printing what most of the eateries offered samples of last year. Don’t be surprised if the samples are completely different. Just depends on how many folks come by and what they have prepared in the kitchen. It’s gonna all be yummy.

Desserts at the DBP will be provided by A la Tomate, The Cone Zone, Tammy Davis’ Sweet Rockin’ Coffee, Bump ‘n’ Grind, St. Mark’s, and Marczyk’s Fine Foods. With the exception of Sweet Rockin’ Coffee, desserts will be available only at the DBP. Let me tellya. If you ain’t sampled Tammy Davis’ magnificent chocolates or other pastries, you ain’t lived. Her chocolate-covered cherries are 2-die-4.

Tickets can be purchased at all King Stoopers, on line at http://www.uptownonthehill.org/, at the Cone Zone (see below), or by calling 720/205-6506. On the day of the event, tix are available at most participating restaurants. Prices are $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the event. There will be free parking at all Hall and Hall parking lots. Net profits from the event will go to Ronald McDonald House and to the Rape Awareness and Prevention Program (RAPP). The silent auction gross revenues will go directly (Do Not Pass Go) to Wyman Elementary School.

So here’s the lineup for the grub, including the desserts. Remember. It’s last year’s menu.

A La Tomate Café & Tarterie, 1618 E. 17 Ave, 303/333-9555

I don’t have a clue what a “tarterie” is but they’re gonna serve “house specialties”. I think its food. Could be some kind of tarts. Might even be some eries.

Avenue Grill, 630 E. 17 Ave, 303/861-2820

Barbecue chicken flatbread and chocolate mousse with Grand Marnier. The “Ave” has supported this event for many years and the food has always stood out above the rest. This is a great eatery for lunch and dinner as well as a fun place for late nite sippin’ and slurpin’. Tell 'em The Fox sentcha.

Broussard’s, 233 E. Colfax Ave, 303/861-0931

An assortment of Creole specialties, and it oughta be yummy.

Bump n’ Grind Café, 439 E. 17 Ave, 303/ 861-4841

A fun selection of house special desserts. It’s a surprise

CityGrille, 321 E. Colfax Ave, 303/861-0726

Chef David Minty is doing his popular special mini buggers on mini rustic buns, along with his famous green chili. They’s gonna be great. This restaurant gets lotsa accolades for their buggers and all the other grub. The prime rib is unbelievable and they have maybe the best green chili in town. Shucks, the whole menu is fab as well as the service. If you like the mini buggers you can order them any nite after 10 pm. A buck a piece. Called “Baby Buck Buggers”. Or maybe Buck Baby Buggers. Sold by the ones. Kitchen is open ‘til midnite during the week, ‘til 1 am on Friday and Saturday.

Cone Zone, 1438 E. 22 Ave, 303/894-8838. This is not a stop on the tour, desserts at the DBP only

Irish Snug Restaurant & Bar, 1201 E. Colfax Ave.

A variety of Irish delicacies will be offered for your munching pleasure

La Sala, 708 E. 17^th Ave, 303/832-7622

This new Mediterranean style eatery will offer “various house specialties”. The name is Greek for “gathering place or living room”, but it promises to also mean yummy grub. And I didn’t misspell the name.

Las Margaritas Cantina, 1035 E. 17 Ave, 303/830-2199

This popular Mexican eatery will serve a sampling of their popular enchiladas and sauces. They will also have specials on margaritas and beer.

Marczyk Fine Foods, 770 E. 17 Ave, 303/894-9499

Samples of unknown items in unknown portions of an unknown nature. Should be really good, doncha think?

Painted Bench, 400 E. 20 Ave, 303/863-7473

They are going to serve samples of house specialties and munchies. Or, they’ll figure out what they will serve after press time.

Pasquini’s Pizzeria Uptown, 1336 E. 17 Ave, 303/863-8252

What else would a pizzeria serve? Not tuna sangies! This local franchise of the maavelous Pasquini’s on South Broadway is almost as good as the original. They’re gonna do pizza and bruschettas.

Randolph’s (in the Warwick Hotel), 1776 Grant St, 303/861-2000

This fabulous hotel/restaurant will offer (are you ready for this?) smoked trout pate, pablano marmalade, water crackers, roasted veggie platter, carved buffalo New York strip, Salmon Wellington, spinach tomato, goat cheese, and petit desserts. Yo!

Strings, 1700 Humboldt St, 303/831-7310

At press-time the chef plans an assortment of munchies and drink specials. If you don’t think it’s gonna be great, you’re nuts. And you shouldn’t waste your time and 20 bucks to come to this event. Cuz anything Noel does will be super. Yo!

Sweet Rockin’ Coffee, 414 E. 20 Ave, 303/318-9788

Diss Iss Tammy Davis’ joint. Maavelous sangies, croissants and desserts up the ying-yang. Several goodies will be offered at the store, while desserts aplenty will be served at the Temple Events Center. A pizza panini, focaccia bread sangies, mini-cookie tray, macaroons and mini croissants will be sampled during this event. Actually the desserts are gonna be so good, Tammy doesn’t even know what she’s gonna surprise you with.

Tavern Uptown, 538 E. 17 Ave, 303/830-9210

They’ll be doing an assortment of food and drink specials.

The Thin Man, 2015 E. 17 Ave, 303/320-7814

They’ll be serving fresh bakery desserts from St. Mark’s and drink specials.

Are you full yet? You may not be, by the time you make the rounds, so don’t forget the Dessert Sampler at the DBP after you’re done walking, stuffin’ and slurpin’.

If you want to donate to the silent auction (in exchange for free tix), or just need more info, call 720/205-6506, or go to www.uptownonthehill.org/. Don’t miss this foodie happening.

Cya.