Eatery update: Paris Wine Bar
More DiningDINING: A restaurant you can't refuse Dining briefs: Holiday mixology Eatery update: Lola More stories » * Did someone say bailout? Forget banks and automobile manufacturers and think about your own selfish requirements, like the need for nourishment in the form of brews and wines and basic sustenance. Think about slapping the sinking economy in the face and heading to Paris Wine Bar (1549 Platte St.), where the empathetic staff is offering a "Recession Menu" that includes slashed prices on several alcoholic liquids and menu items. The best part? The discounted specials are available throughout the day and night.
* La Sandia Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar at The Vistas Park Meadows (8419 Park Meadows Center Drive) is rolling out a series of monthly tequila tastings on the rooftop deck, beginning Dec. 2. The tastings, all of which will take place on the first Tuesday of the month, include modern Mexican-inspired appetizers, sultry Latin rhythms and a minimum of three different varieties of tequila. The sip fests run from 7 to 9 p.m. and cost $25 per person. Reservations: 303-586-5511 or modernmexican.com.
* From 5 to 10 p.m., Monday, Gelman's Restaurant & Bar (2911 W. 38th Ave.) is celebrating the season with a four-course Beaujolais wine dinner, complete with a roasted baby beet salad, butter-poached Maine lobster tail with mashed potatoes, grilled beef tenderloin and, for dessert, espresso pot de creme and housemade doughnuts. Cost is $40 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and reservations are required. Call 303-458-1163.
* Rioja (1431 Larimer St.) is also hosting a wine dinner Monday - but this one has a twist. It's a blind and naked wine tasting, which means master sommelier Doug Krenix plans to tote out a bunch of wines sans their labels (cheat sheets won't help you here), all of which will be paired with a four-course dinner from Rioja chef-owner Jennifer Jasinski. The dinner begins at 6 p.m., and Jasin ski's menu includes duck terrine, pine nut-crusted wild mushroom cannelloni, seared sea scallops paired with rillettes of pork and chestnut meringue with dark chocolate mousse for the finale. Cost is $85 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations: 303-820-2282.
* Not to be outdone, Q's Restaurant (2115 13th St., Boulder), located in the Hotel Boulderado, is uncorking the champagne Dec. 5 and 6 as part of its ongoing food and wine series. The multievent weekend kicks off with a visit from Domaine Carneros President and winemaker Eileen Crane and a five-course dinner paired with bubbles from the California vineyard, followed by a champagne brunch and seminar the next morning. I highly recommend booking a room. Information: 303-442-4880.