The Ball's in Your Court

What does Colorado taste like?

To create Colorado: See the New West Like a Local, the new exhibt on the skybridge leading to Concourse A at Denver International Airport, DIA's art office asked Coloradans to submit written descriptions responding to the question "What does Colorado Look Like to You?"

A more important question: What does Colorado taste like to you? This state is full of great restaurants, both modest and grand, that are places you could only find in Colorado -- whether because of character or cuisine, or both. From the classic, stew-like green chile at La Fiesta, a weekday lunch-only joint that's survived for more than forty years in an old Safeway (and whose fans include Colorado Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs,spotted there on April 24) to Frasca, an amazing spot in Boulder that's racked up award after award since it opened four years ago (among then Best Taste of Colorado in this year's Best of Denver), there's plenty to celebrate on the state's dining scene.

So what does the Colorado Tourism Office serve up a typo-filled, outdated description of Colorado's state's culinary assets? Are Rocky Mountain oysters (which were dipped in "flower," until I advised the CTO them of the homonym problem) the tastiest thing we can sell in this state? Balls!

Colorado can, and must, do better.

So I'm encouraging all loyal Coloradans to consider this question: "What does Colorado taste like to you?" Then post your answer -- which can be anything from a bowl of green chile at your favorite Mexican joint to a pan-seared trout by a mountain lake, to the taste of crow after visiting www.letstalkcolorado.com -- as a response to this blog.

Best answer wins dinner with Westword Cafe critic Jason Sheehan, at the restaurant of the winner's choice. In Colorado, of course.

The ball's in your court, Colorado! -- Patricia Calhoun