Colorado Food & Wine Telluride The Rockies Travel: Colorado Food & Wine Telluride The Rockies Travel
by maribeth
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Welcoming Fall with a Feast and a Fine Wine
Scene from a Fall Hike in Telluride
It’s the weekend! And that means it’s time for me to uncork something special. I’m not talking about break-the-bank special—no, I mean something in the $10.-$15./bottle range. My sips during the week typically ring in at under $10./bottle, but I allow myself more of a splurge on the weekends. Hey, what can I say? I’m just a freelance writer. Fortunately I don’t drink a lot or else I’d really be feeling the pinch.
Concannon Crimson & Clover: Our Celebratory Wine
Last weekend my boyfriend and I said goodbye to summer and welcomed fall with a food and wine extravaganza that we’re still talking about. We feasted on heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad, a cornucopia of grilled veggies, hamburgers and the last of Olathe’s corn on the cob. (Yes, it was still sweet and delicious—not at all starchy.) It was all incredibly simple although I did jazz up the burgers by adding fresh ground pork, chopped garlic and Italian herbs and crushed red pepper—perfetto! (Don’t feel you have to cook the burgers to well done with the addition of the pork. You’ll survive just fine with pink and enjoy the juiciness of the flavorful combination of meats.)
We opened a bottle of 2009 Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover to accompany this fine meal, an excellent choice filled with the sort of complexity and depth you find in a much more pricey wine. We appreciated its lush blackberry and mocha notes even more at dessert when I served up my peach pie, a real delight made with our famous Colorado peaches. I’ve been a fan of Concannon vineyards for years, perhaps it’s because this vineyard, founded in 1883, was planted with Bordeaux grapevine cuttings. Maybe it’s the rich tradition of wine-making the Concannon family has been committed to for four generations. But first and foremost I’d say it’s because I consistently find an excellent price/quality relationship with all their wines. Read what I have to say about the Concannon Righteously Rosé at Summer Sipping.
All-in-all it was a memorable way to welcome autumn. We were especially happy that we had done a huge hike before sitting down to such a spread. I can’t wait to see what this weekend will bring, especially since it might be the last farmer’s market of the season for me. Buon Appetito!
Note that the fall foliage should be peaking this weekend throughout much of the Rockies, so get out there and enjoy colorful Colorado.
Hotels & Lodging Outdoor Adventures Restaurants Spas The Rockies Travel: Hotels & Lodging Outdoor Adventures Restaurants Spas The Rockies Travel
by maribeth
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Gateway Canyons: One Big Discovery
The Kiva Pool: My Own Special Sanctuary
I returned to Gateway Canyons recently and became even more enchanted by this magnificent site than when I first visited this resort two and a half years ago. Clearly they’d been busy at Gateway throughout this period, cultivating and refining the soothing oasis that has been created within the awe-inspiring red rocks of this unique southwestern Colorado location. Indeed, Gateway Canyons is well on its way to being a world-class resort. And certainly Gateway Canyons owner and founder of the Discovery Channel, John Hendricks, must feel proud about how his burgeoning resort has more than added to the beauty of this already spectacular setting.
Although just a two-hour (and quite scenic) drive from Telluride and Grand Junction, getting to Gateway can require a bit of an effort. But to me, this only adds to the appeal of this lovely resort. I can’t ever imagine it overrun by tourists and that certainly wasn’t the case when I stayed here a couple of weeks ago during peak time. This enabled me to while away peaceful hours by the Kiva Pool, sipping lemonade and eventually a prickly pear cactus daiquiri as I leafed through magazines. A quick dip in the pool’s cool, saline water allowed me to lounge in the desert heat until the surrounding rocks soaked up the sum of the day’s blistering sun. Ahhhh, that’s what I call relaxation.
Food & Wine Restaurants The Rockies: Food & Wine Restaurants The Rockies
by maribeth
Comments Off on Likin’ Kelly Liken
Likin’ Kelly Liken
Kelly and Her Gourmet Snacks at the Vail Farmers' Market
I make a practice of finding out the names of top restaurants in every city and town I visit, thoughtful research I begin before I leave home and then complete at the end of my stay. From big to small, formal to casual, I love to compile a short list of the three or four recommendations most often provided. Usually I poll at least a half a dozen reliable sources—from locals to hotel managers—and pay close attention to the few names repeated with the greatest measure of enthusiasm. In Vail, Kelly Liken appeared on everyone’s list.
I enjoyed a fabulous dinner this spring at the namesake restaurant of this young chef and am sure that together with my friend and dinner companion, we regaled in one of the finest culinary experiences in the whole Vail Valley. Although Kelly was out of town at the time, to me she seemed to have all the makings of a top chef. Little did I know that she had already been pegged as a Top Chef contestant on the Bravo TV network at that time.
Rick, her charming husband, made sure that every aspect of our meal and wine tasting flowed smoothly. Clearly they make a dynamic team of food professionals; I loved the Americanized twist on the old French classic of the husband heading up the kitchen while madame works the floor. No wonder it appears that Kelly has so much hutzpah on Top Chef. You can taste it in her inventive dishes composed of the freshest and finest ingredients available to this tony Rocky Mountain town. I knew as soon as I entered the Chinese red decor of Kelly Liken that I’d be titillated by dishes full of flavor and panache. We left the restaurant with a jar of Kelly Liken homemade peach (from Palisades, Colorado, renowned for this juicy fruit) jam, delicately laced with ginger in our hands. Every time I sample this wondrous spread, I taste all the boldness of flavor and well-measured finesse of Kelly Liken’s inspired cuisine.
Kelly and Rick: Quite the Pair
It was fun to tune into Top Chef this week, a show I’ve heard much about but had never watched in its entirety. I was rooting for Kelly and another chef, Kenny Gilbert, who I came to know here in Telluride. I winced every time one of these two favorites found themselves up against the criticism and back-stabbing that seems to be such a big part of this show. How brutal! I would guess that some of the chefs wanted to wield their knives on something (or someone!) more than an onion.
Kelly’s back in Vail now but mum’s the word about her Top Chef standing. The fun continues on the air and at her restaurant, however, with a Top Chef Cocktail Party every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hmmmm, I wonder if her wry smile belies her final Top Chef status. (The show has been taped after all.)
Kelly’s Summer Harvest Menu is of equal interest to me since it’s sure to represent the finest of Colorado. Every Sunday, Kelly sources and forages the finest goods at the Vail Farmers’ Market and constructs her Sunday evening menu around these offerings. Best to reserve well in advance since this meal, enhanced by a live jazz ensemble that begins at 8:30 p.m., is surely one of the hottest summer events in Vail. You can pick up some of Kelly’s gourmet snacks at this Vail Farmers’ Market, situated in the heart of Vail Village. Maybe you can buy some Kelly Liken ginger peach jam as well.
Kelly Liken, 12 Vail Road, Suite 100, 970-479-0175, KellyLiken.com
Note: Be sure to check your local listings for the Wednesday night airing of Top Chef on Bravo. In Telluride, for example, it’s on later than in Vail.
My Sticky Bun Indulgence at Kelly Liken
