Yellow Scene Magazine » Westminster

Country Club Village Curse

editor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:39:24 +0000

Being enamored with a strip mall occurs as often as it has rained in Colorado this July. So readers should have taken note when we lauded Country Club Village a few months back. The Westminster shopping center at 120th and Federal had a cool, unique look that attracted numerous interesting businesses.

That has not led to success, however. Pier 49 Pizza closed up shop shortly after opening—no big deal since it wasn’t that good anyway. Another restaurant closed shortly after opening a year back (can’t even remember its name). But, gasp, Nine 75 North, a trendy, small plates eatery featuring upscale comfort food that we loved in print (more than once, actually, three times), closed a few weeks ago. The offshoot of the popular downtown Denver restaurant was supposed to prove Westminster was ready for chic styles and great food.

Instead it proved only that great food doesn’t equate to great foot traffic.

Let’s hope another of our favorites, Village Bistro, the anchor restaurant right next door, can avoid the same fate. Westminster doesn’t have enough good dining options, losing two of its best will hurt.

—Jacob Harkins, Yellow Scene Magazine editor

This Weekend’s Pick: The Other Funny Kermit

editor — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:23:44 +0000

Let’s be honest, Kermit Holiday has a great name for a comic. But he is not to be mistaken for Kermit the Frog, although both are skinny and in the profession of making people laugh.

Holiday is not green, he’s simply historical.

He has even been deemed the “World’s Skinniest Comic.” Somehow that provides even more legitimacy to the act. Holiday is on a national stand up tour and he’s bringing his 20 years of performing to Wits End Comedy Club in Westminster this weekend. If you haven’t checked out Wits End before, this is a great chance to see the funniest stages in the North Metro region.

Holiday focuses on pop culture and also sells funny homemade novelty items at his shows—a pair of Styrofoam antlers proclaiming “Buck Off,” for example.

So make fun of Holiday for being a “Skinny Man,” but don’t confuse him with that aforementioned frog and don’t miss him this weekend.

Kermit Holiday through May 10 at Wits End Comedy Club, 8861 Harlan St., Westminster, 303.430.4242.

Finally Some FasTracks Progress

editor — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:47:22 +0000

Usually FasTracks, RTD’s mega rapid transit train project, is synonymous with bad news—budgets, environmental problems, angry neighbors. But we’re starting to hear some progress. Westminster and Thornton recently passed or worked on plans for transit-oriented developments, or TODs. The acronym represents planning that reduces suburban sprawl. One proposal features a station that would revitalize Eastlake, a former rail road outpost in Thornton. Since Thornton doesn’t have a downtown, this could be key in giving the city an identity.

What’s Next: We loathe acronyms but hope to see TODs over and over in newspaper headlines.

Challenging Element: Red Potato

editor — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:47:15 +0000

Offering a chef a simple ingredient gives insight into his or her creativity, which is the calling card of any gourmet cook. So we were interested to see what Ian Kleinman of O’s Restaurant in the Westin Westminster would whip up for us when we presented him a basic red potato as this month’s Challenging Element. As usual, we gave him 24 hours to wow us before we returned with camera, notepad and the challenge to keep the creation on the menu for the entire month. Using culinary skills and a dash of science fiction, he presented a unique Baked Potato Soup.

Ian Kleinman’s kitchen at O’s Restaurant is as much a culinary center as it is a science lab. Kleinman, the steak and seafood house’s executive chef of the last two years, practices a form of molecular cooking. A little more than a year ago, he purchased about $1,000 in chemicals (natural and safe, he assures) and began experimenting with them in the kitchen.

Using these chemicals, he can transform the texture of virtually every type of food—a pineapple curry with the consistency of bubble gum, for example. Every weekend, he offers a tasting menu complete with dishes fit for a sci-fi flick.

The agents of change for this special menu: Activa, calcium bicarbonate, liquid nitrogen and more.

To make his Baked Potato Soup, he changed the complexion of sour cream to make it a noodle centerpiece of the dish. He made sou-vide red potatoes, meaning they were cooked at a low temperature in an airtight setting.

The soup starts with a smoked cheddar broth that just covers the bottom of the bowl before the potato, enoki mushrooms and noodles are added. It’s topped with a dehydrated red potato and popcorn powder.
The intent is to mimic a baked potato. Try it with a porterhouse, he suggests.

The broth’s cheddar flavor is unmistakable, serving as the dish’s dominant taste. The noodles taste exactly like sour cream, with a slightly softer texture than typical spaghetti. The potato soaks it all up.

The soup is like eating a potato and lathering each bite with all the fixings. That is to say it’s an absolute delight.

It has us wondering about his other molecular creations and the weekend tasting menu. Kleinman is on the cutting edge when it comes to his cooking style, yet these are the types of creations that have traditionalists rolling their eyes.

We’re all for it, though. Because when a chef creates such a dazzling dish out of the ever-so-plain red potato, we’re not going to argue the methods.

Taste the Baked Potato Soup through May 30 at O’s Restaurant at the Westin Westminster, 10600 Westminster Boulevard. Call 303.410.5000 for info or reservations. Learn more about Ian Kleinman’s work at his blog, Food102.

Well, That Didn’t Take Long

editor — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:59:40 +0000

During the election campaign season last month, city leaders in Northglenn, Westminster and Thornton all spoke of how they longed for new professional development inside their city limits. These communities have struggled to recruit high-paying jobs, and luring healthcare facilities became a top priority. It didn’t take long for Westminster to get its hands on major development. Centura Health announced plans in November to build a 126-acre development at 144th and I-25—a $300 million medical park that should help immensely in luring primary, high-paying jobs.

What’s Next: Within two miles of the project, which will break ground in mid-2008, there are 14 active and five proposed housing developments. Westminster is prime for growth.

A Few Hundred Pounds Worth Of Charity

editor — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:25:09 +0000

It takes 300 pounds of potatoes and another 200 pounds of turkey to feed the hungry at Ciancio’s. Or at least that’s how much food Don and his family plan on serving to the needy this year at their restaurant that overlooks the Hyland Hills Golf Course.

That’s not taking into consideration food to feed Don’s family, either. The Ciancio family, which has run the restaurant for the past dozen-plus years, began serving a community dinner for the needy a year ago—it’s a tradition of giving they hope to continue for years to come. Partnering with Have a Heart and Voices, the restaurant will dole out 700 meals to Westminster families in need this Thanksgiving. Meals will include turkey and the fixings. Don plans on spending the week leading up to Turkey Day preparing. Having grown up in the area, the timely endeavor of making such a large meal pro bono is well worth the effort.

Cuisine Scene: What drives your passion for giving back to the community?
Don Ciancio: Part of it is growing up in the community. It’s a place where I’ve lived my whole life, where my family was from, and all my brothers
and sisters have direct contact with. I think it’s important to give back to your community when you have the opportunity to do so.

CS: Why did you choose to use Thanksgiving for this charity dinner?
DC: I think my sister Donna said it a good way, “Thanksgiving is that time of year. It’s the time to give back.”

CS: What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
DC: I would say my wife’s dressing and maybe my wife’s dessert. It isn’t a traditional Thanksgiving dessert; it’s chocolate eclair cake.

CS: When you are not at Ciancio’s we’d find you…
DC: You may have to look at a couple places, maybe trying to exercise or watching my son play basketball—he’s a junior at Metro (State). Otherwise
I would be involved somewhere in the community, trying to help out.
CS: Where will you be spending your Thanksgiving?
DC: I will be here early morning and getting some cooking done. That afternoon I’m not sure, I will be with my immediate family, but I’m not sure where yet.

For information on Ciancio’s at Hyland Hills, 9650 N. Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, call 303.657.8870.

Westminster Races

editor — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:48:35 +0000

Becoming A Landlocked City
There’s not a whole lot of room for Westminster to expand; it’s essentially a land-locked city fast approaching build out. That means in the near future, city officials have to make crucial decisions that will leave the city prospering for years—or not. This means council members need to subsidize the right redevelopment projects and ensure its transportation needs are met in an increasingly competitive arena for RTD FasTrack attention and CDOT’s road improvement funds.

City Council Seats (pick three)
Christopher Dittman, Bob Briggs, Faith Winter over Americus Kalmar, Todd Squillante, Jane Fancher and JoAnn Price

Most malls have a 20-year shelf life. The Westminster Mall is no exception as it has taken a huge chunk of Westminster’s sales tax base away as it has floundered over the past few years. But there’s hope on the horizon, and when the nearly vacated retail center is redeveloped, Christopher Dittman, a 50-year resident of Westminster, wants to make sure the new development lasts a bit longer. The incumbent plans to work with the developer in building a transportation-oriented centerpiece for the city. One problem, RTD is far from guaranteeing a FasTracks stop at that location, which he deems the best piece of real estate in the North Metro area. Dittman is willing to do whatever it takes (read, use city funds) to ensure the train does stop there. He’s served his first term on city council and has helped the city spread its tax base to the point that revenues are approaching pre-2001 levels. But there’s a bit more work to be done. In his second-plus term (he was originally appointed in 2001), he’ll continue to champion for open space until the city reaches its 15 percent goal, wants to push CDOT and the Feds for a hybrid toll/HOV lane on Highway 36, and continue beefing up code enforcement.

When you wear out three pairs of sandals walking the city, knocking on 10,000-plus doors, you show a dedication to listening to the community that automatically makes for a strong city council candidate. Faith Winter did just that, and she has shown throughout her life that she is dedicated to democracy. Most recently, she led an effort in 2004 that helped turn out 94,000 voters and participated in the Westminster Citizen’s Police Academy among other civic activities. Beyond that, she understands the issues facing Westminster. Priorities include beefing up a code enforcement department that has just seven officers for a city of more than 100,000 residents, making sure FasTracks pulls into the Westminster Mall, and offer incentives to lure more primary jobs to the city. Her list is actually much longer than that, and she can offer concrete solutions for many of them. Even if her plate fills, we suspect she has the work ethic to get through it all. Even if it requires buying a few more pairs of sandals.

Bob Briggs likes trains. And that’s a good thing for Westminster as it heads into the final stretch of planning for the FasTracks line that will have up to three stops inside city limits. To take full advantage of the line, stations need to be serviced by other modes of top-notch transportation. Briggs, who has been a member of the Colorado Rail Association for decades and sat on the RTD board from 1998-2002, has some grand ideas for that. He’d like to see trolley cars running in conjunction with the mass transit rail, a worthwhile idea, even if it may be hard to pull off. But if he can garner support and find about $1 million per trolley mile, Westminster could see benefits of mass transit as far as five to 10 miles away from any station. It’s this grand concept that will make the train line even more successful. It’s also the kind of idea that edges Briggs ahead of incumbent JoAnn Price, who has served the community well in her first term, for the final seat on council. Briggs is also a huge proponent of open space and has a plethora of experience in statewide politics serving as county commissioner and state representative (1978-1982) that will help his lofty trolley idea take off.�

Drum Roll Please…

editor — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:32:01 +0000

It’s always tricky endorsing candidates, especially when we’re talking about wannabe elected officials on the local level. We don’t like hurting feelings, and the 80-plus people running for various offices in the North Metro area have gone out of their way to spend countless hours campaigning to get picked to carry out an often thankless job. We commend everyone for running, even those we didn’t select.

But we had to pick someone in each of these races, and after spending hours speaking with everyone running, this is who we liked and why in every race from Longmont down to Northglenn.

(Note: Incumbents names are italicized and * denotes candidates who did not return calls seeking to arrange endorsement interviews.�

Boulder County Issues

Check out Country Club Village

editor — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:38:04 +0000

Eat your heart out, strip malls. Retail pads don’t have to be bland. Look to this Westminster enclave for proof that well-thought designs lure cool biz.

1. Caribou Coffee Company
We love that they promote sustainable coffee farming. And we could easily become addicted to anything off its Wild Side menu, including the Turtle Mocha, which is an espresso drink on drugs covered in Snickers chunks and caramel. 2721 W. 120th Ave. 303.410.1305

2. Pier 49 Pizza
If you haven’t heard of this chain, watch out, it’s about to take Colorado by storm. This location is the first of 50 planned franchises in the state, and it features San Francisco-style pizza baked on sour dough crust. 2821 W. 120th Ave. 303.487.4949

3. Edible Arrangements
Flowers are so passé. Mix it up next time you attend a wedding, birthday or party by bringing a delicious bouquet of fruit (think strawberries the size or your head and perfectly ripe melons).
2821 W. 120th Ave. 303.410.0111

4. Hearts of Stone
Check out Jennifer Lovato’s jewelry store for rare items such as a sea foam tourmaline ring or custom build just about any piece of bling you can dream up. 2841 W. 120th Ave. 303.420.6695

5. Village Bistro
You’ll almost forget you’re in the ’burbs when you enter the Bistro, and that’s the point. Try the Guinness lamb and a robust red wine for one of the best dining experiences in the North Metro area. Live jazz each Sunday is a nice bonus, too. 2821 W. 120th Ave. 303.410.2887

6. Holy Canoli
Owner Fran Worth has brought her family and four generations of North Denver Italians into the canoli (and cannoli) business. For dinner, try one stuffed with fresh sausage. For dessert, taste her take on the pastry, filled with mascarpone cheese. 2851 W. 120th Ave. 303.465.4659

Also: Burn off calories at Mountain Side Fitness, which opens Dec. 1 (303.643.5699), sip grapefruit Mojitos at Nine 75 (303.975.2975, learn about local business at the Metro North Chamber of Commerce (303.288.1000), get your pooch healthy at Gillett Veterinary Clinic (303.469.5540).

If The Cool Gets Old, The Food Stays Hot

editor — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:42:14 +0000

In considering Nine75, located near Village Bistro in Westminster, I would like to begin by saying that the recent effort on the part of restaurateurs to bring a city dining sensibility into developing locations is welcome. I applaud them for it. There is no reason that urban-cool must only be urban, and Nine75 is a study in bringing the cool. It’s SO cool. It has cool, curvy water glasses. It has cool plates embossed with designs evoking cool tattoos served by a staff with panoply of cool haircuts and cool tattoos to match.

It plays rock and roll music. That’s cool. Even its table water, which is infused with cucumber and strawberries, is cool. All of this is certainly amusing. What is most notable about the sequel to the hip Nine75 that sits in the posh Beauvallon complex in Denver, however, is that once you get past all this nonsense you actually have excellent food. Chef Troy Guard has for some time been regaling Denver diners with a concept steeped in shared plates and snazzy comfort food, and his effort at this newer location is no different.

Our server, a very thorough and capable hipster named Betsey, told us that the cuisine is imagined as an Asian/Latin fusion, though our experience was one more fully referential to classic Americana. True, we started out with one of the six offered Mojitos (I chose a delicious grapefruit option at $8) and a delightfully flavorful ceviche shooter ($3 with rotating ingredients) of tuna, cucumber, tomato, cilantro and strawberries.

And yes, the raw bar, influenced by Chef Guard’s tutelage under Master Chef Roy Yamaguchi, is clearly a highlight. But the main menu is really a through-the-looking-glass imagining of American classics.

After our amuse of beef tenderloin and chantterelle mushroom, we dove into an order of Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs ($10), which were sweet, spicy and lean. The numerous and ample side dishes offer a number of avenues toward vegetarian eating that the entrée list does not, and we sampled the Broccoli with Cheese Sauce ($5), the Grilled Asparagus ($7) and the Macaroni & Cheese ($5), all of which were fresh and decadent. The latter was a true highlight.

My choice was the Boneless Fried Chicken ($17)—the meat is soaked in buttermilk for 24 hours prior to preparation and is, as a result, a tender, juicy joy. Served with some unnecessary ranch dressing and a salad of greens, sprouts and green apples, the dish was an excellent centerpiece to the kind of feast your true-blue, American mom might serve at home. If she was a Master Chef. On crack.

Speaking of crack, we went for a dessert of Twinkie Cake ($6), which was every bit the source of blissful regret you might imagine. Two plank-sized slices of yellow cake stuffed with house-made crème filling were just the thing to send us to the gym the next morning.

All of this takes place in a comfortable setting that is mod, mod, mod. An open-concept dining area bleeds seamlessly into an al fresco patio tucked away from the busy road. The wraparound bar was bustling with after-work revelers, and a huge community table beckons large groups. Many fine wines are available by the glass in case you get tired of those Mojitos.

Which you won’t.

NINE75 North

2831 West 120th Avenue, Westminster
Bottom line: A high-concept party where the food still shines through.