tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369561122009-03-01T15:56:24.724-08:00Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-82384974210424733852008-07-31T15:49:00.000-07:002008-07-31T15:50:15.473-07:00

Our Dining Blog has moved to http://gazettedining.freedomblogging.com/See you there!

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-62687522349865707852008-07-18T07:18:00.001-07:002008-07-18T07:24:12.941-07:00

I just ate at Sakura on the west side last night. Man, that place is good.I always get the special rolls, then order more... and usually end up eating much more than I should, and spending more than I should.The Tokyo roll was great, with cooked snapper, shrimp tempura and other stuff.I got a call yesterday from a woman who'd had a terrible experience at another local sushi place. I don't want to

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-18584898504626163722008-07-10T10:25:00.000-07:002008-07-10T10:29:18.598-07:00

I love the new Jimmy John's sandwich shops, but I have an issue.I think it has to do with the construction of the sandwiches or maybe the heavy use of condiments. But by the time I'm almost done with the sandwich, the meat begins to slide out every time I take a bite. In one case, I was driving... and wearing cream-colored pants! (Yes, I've talked to my attorney about this.)Has anybody else had

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-14257447336004709752008-06-02T16:39:00.000-07:002008-06-02T16:42:05.061-07:00

I did the Sunday on the Town this week ... and, man, am I full?Highlights: Bacon-wrapped steak (and great opera) at The Famous, the seafood spread at MacKenzie's, the fish tacos at Nosh, the humus at Heart of Jerusalem, the seared scallops at Sonterra.Not only does this raise money for the always ailing Colorado Springs Philharmonic, it also introduces a wider audience to downtown dining. And

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-60367015170876703272008-05-12T09:33:00.000-07:002008-05-12T09:35:16.037-07:00

Eating Out With JakeThis last Saturday, May 10th, my family and I went to Vallejo's on Corona Street, near downtown, to eat lunch. Vallejo's is a small restaurant with lots of parrots hanging from the ceiling, which aren't real birds, and pictures of bull fighters and pretty places on the walls. We all started with chips and a very good spicy salsa. My sisters and I ordered off the kid's menu. I

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-32124513136439844622008-04-21T17:46:00.000-07:002008-04-21T17:49:10.092-07:00

EATING OUT WITH JAKEbyJacob Legg One of my favorite restaurants is Maggie Maes on Pikes Peak Ave.. This last Sunday my family went over there to have breakfast. When we got there we had to wait a while for a table because the place was packed. We were able to get one of the big booths behind the cash register. Our waitress, even though she was busy with several other tables, remembered

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-52688798781972760712008-04-21T17:18:00.000-07:002008-04-21T17:46:15.885-07:00

Here's a letter that we'll run, at least in part, in GO! on Friday.It's from the owner of New South Wales, who wasn't happy about Nathaniel Glen's mixed review last week:I have been the owner and operator of the New South Wales Restaurant for the past 16 years. I have worked in the restaurant industry for the past 30 years, in every aspect of the business.On April 11, The Gazette published a

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-87944768814283117812008-04-14T07:52:00.001-07:002008-04-14T08:00:35.072-07:00

EATING OUT WITH JAKEByJacob Legg This last Saturday my family and I went out and had lunch at The House of Saigon on 21st Street. The place wasn’t busy and so the owner of the restaurant had lots of time to visit with us while we ate. I thought the service was great. I had Shrimp Lo Mein with an egg roll and sweet and sour sauce. My sisters had Chicken Lo Mein with an egg roll also. My mom

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-83670125569054305232008-04-07T10:53:00.000-07:002008-04-07T10:56:02.756-07:00

EATING OUT WITH JAKEbyJacob LeggPanino's on 8th Street is much better than school lunch. The place was quiet when we got there, so we were able to choose a big round table tosit at. I picked spaghetti and a meatball with a soft bread stick fromthe kid's menu. My parents choose Paninos, which are a type of sandwich, and my sisters also choose spaghetti, but without the meatball. The food took

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-21390752530161233612008-04-04T10:16:00.000-07:002008-04-04T10:25:02.109-07:00

The Best of the Springs voting wraps up in a few minutes, and we'll have the most reader participation ever. ... I think we'll have about 2,000 votes. We had a few people comment that they miss the printed version of the ballot, but I feel a lot better about the online version being able to police ballot stuffing. Only one vote from one email address has been allowed.The Independent had a funny

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-67282321694482889932008-03-31T14:03:00.001-07:002008-04-01T15:26:58.060-07:00

EDITOR'S NOTE:Today our Dining Blog introduces a new feature, Eating Out With Jake, reviews from one of our younger readers. Local 9-year-old Jacob Legg feels passionately about food, and he knows how to express himself. Look for his reviews regularly in this space.By Jacob LeggThe next best thing to eating breakfast at home with my family is eating a yummy breakfast at Rudy’s Hideaway on South

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-65796502916086261132008-03-13T15:36:00.000-07:002008-03-13T15:38:13.114-07:00

Here's a letter from reader Tracy Miller:Recently, my husband, 9 year old daughter and myself went to Palapas Island Grill, based on a review I had read. We had a very disappointing visit. First, there was no children's menu, The menu itself was hard to understand and the fixed menu had all these little side notes that indicated the price would be much higher if you picked lobster, for example.

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-43173820180654200852008-03-10T12:20:00.000-07:002008-03-10T12:31:00.168-07:00

If you haven't already, please take a moment to cast your votes in the Best of the Springs survey.CLICK HEREYou can win some major prizes here. We're talking $500 in certificates to your favorite 2007 winners. That would include Plate, Chopsticks, The Penrose Room.Plus, you could win a bunch of movie tickets for Cinemark or Tinseltown.So far, the response has been great. On Friday, we had more

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-70663529836252059352008-02-27T14:45:00.000-08:002008-02-27T15:08:18.163-08:00

Asian Garden, at 1747 S. 8th St., has started offering what I believe is the town's first Indian dinner buffet. It's $13.99. I was impressed. It had Lamb Vindaloo, Sweet Potato Masala and the usual chicken tikka masala, saag paneer and other typical lunch-time fare.It's smart because most Americans are most comfortable exploring other culture's cuisines on a buffet. You can see what you're going

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-75710542587931277352008-02-25T08:26:00.000-08:002008-02-25T08:40:48.495-08:00

The Chef's Gala, the top culinary event of the year, brought up the quality in just about every category Sunday, emphasizing comfort food like braised meats.The chefs at The Cliff House walked away with the Best of Show. Their buffalo chop with lobster ravioli was outstanding.The competitors represented some of the top chefs in town, with some notable exceptions. I didn't see Plate World Cuisine,

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-61627667623605326692008-02-20T12:46:00.000-08:002008-02-20T13:14:00.529-08:00

We've started working on our annual Best of the Springs section, and while there are always tough decisions to make, choosing Best New Restaurant is going to be especially tough this year.Do you go with Nosh, the hip tapas joint from Joseph Coleman & Co, or do you go with Palapas, the new seafood venture by Victor Matthews that is hoped to be the first in a chain.We may have to wait for Nosh to

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-63845636869501106162008-02-04T09:51:00.001-08:002008-02-04T09:52:26.207-08:00

Here's a letter from a reader about a new Italian place out east:A new place for you to check out and possibly add to your dining guide There's a new little restaurant in Falcon that I believe is note-worthy. It's called the CIAO BELLA. It's on McLaughlin drive across the street from the Safeway. The restaurant has 2 sections, one is the pizzaria, and although nothing fancy, their pizzas are the

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-32075791040965227362008-02-01T08:40:00.000-08:002008-02-01T08:52:05.528-08:00

We got this tip from one of our blog readers: Neil said... Big City Burrito has also closed. I feel like I'm in L.A. and that the La Brea Tar Pits are swallowing up all the mom & pop stores. This might only be the begining. Wholesale food prices are going up every week, by alot.Neil, we feel your pain.Let's tally the recently dead or soon-to-be-dead: Big City Burrito, Blue Vervain, Old World

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-30232917100554226982008-01-23T13:32:00.000-08:002008-01-23T13:57:08.004-08:00

I'd have added more exclamation points, but I ran out of room.We just got word this week that Blue Vervain, that gem of a restaurant at 56 Park Ave. in Manitou Springs plans to close in April.With their building up for sale, the sisters running Blue Vervain have decided not to renew their lease. Their parents had recently moved back to run a resort in South Dakota, and they've decided to join

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-64028398781449033632008-01-17T09:55:00.000-08:002008-01-17T10:05:17.776-08:00

Victor Matthew, the best self promoter in Colorado (who happens to be just about as talented as his promotion suggests), will open Palapa's Surfside Island Grill on Friday.Palapa's is a seafood restaurant chain, but Victor tells us his is an independent restaurant affiliated with the chain.Whatever. I just hope he can bring his Black Bear magic to this new Powers Boulevard place. We need a good

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-43985572174008897952008-01-15T11:48:00.000-08:002008-01-15T11:49:56.923-08:00

Here's what Teresa Farney has in her Table Talk column on Friday:The every changing world of restaurant chefs is on-going. This time, Seth Elwonger, the chef who opened Nosh, in the Plaza of the Rockies, is gone. Owner, Joseph Coleman, says “We’re working some things out with ticket time and improving service.” He’s not sure when or if a new chef will be hired.Hmmmm. Anybody know any more about

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-91867468237549219122008-01-11T14:38:00.000-08:002008-01-11T14:47:42.359-08:00

Another interesting critique from a reader:Irene ONeal [Katalou42@msn.com]You seem like the only person on the list that I can write to, since my comment pertains to something in the GO section. I have a complaint about the new restaurant critic, Nathaniel Glen. First of all, almost every week he has some little hole-in-the-wall joint that gets only two stars and a pretty bad review. Also, I

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-59264977053710170262008-01-08T09:43:00.000-08:002008-01-11T14:22:15.514-08:00

Thank you for reviewing Rhino’s Sports and Spirits in your recent GO section (ref: Rhino charges onto the sports bar scene). As one of the few locally owned sports bars on the east side of town, the owners, Dan, Rich, Rick and I were thrilled to see a review in the Gazette so soon after opening; we appreciate all the free advertising we can get!Being four retired military guys who also work

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-54451901558089677562008-01-07T09:58:00.000-08:002008-01-07T10:08:37.013-08:00

I'm bummed.I don't know why I have such an emotional attachment to this place. Maybe it's because I used to go to the Hungry Farmer and thought that was a fun concept with only one thing missing: good food.Then, Ranch Foods Direct comes in, fancies it up nicely, opens it as an upscale restaurant serving natural beef. A beef between the owners causes a split, and Calcrate pulls out with his

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36956112.post-9471707187720324692008-01-04T15:30:00.000-08:002008-01-04T15:34:27.446-08:00

I've been thinking about The Gazette's business story on Sunday about the decay of South Academy Boulevard.I don't think there's any doubt that, economically, the strip has been on a slow decline. But that lowering of property values has had a positive result as well: the influx of great ethnic markets and restaurants.I just ate at Jamaican Flavor at South Academy and Hancock. Man, that was some

Warren Epsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14380058278882753710noreply@blogger.com3