Lori Midson

​For the record, no, this is not an omelet from Pete's Kitchen or the Denver Diner, but a Vietnamese pancake -- bánh xèo -- that's one of my go-to dishes whenever I stop in for lunch.

Can you guess where I'm eating?

Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week's Where am I drinking/eating posts is entered into a pool -- and every Monday, we select one lucky winner who'll receive an EatDenver dining deck, worth up to $520 in discounts at independent restaurants. Read all about EatDenver dining decks here.

Lori Midson

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J. Michael Melton
Zydeco's
1730 Wynkoop Street
303-293-2887
www.zydecosdenver.com

This is part two of my chat with J. Michael Melton, exec chef of Zydeco's. Part one of our interview ran in this space yesterday.

Favorite Denver/Boulder restaurant(s) other than your own: I eat at Tom's Home Cookin' once a week. It reminds me of my elementary-school cafeteria, except Ms. Eleonora isn't there to say "There ya go, baby" -- and give me an extra milk. Shells and Sauce is my neighborhood joint, and I love to go there when I get the time. I have a requirement-slash-resolution for 2012, which includes getting out more and actually visiting the restaurants I read so much about.

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​We're on a Denver Restaurant Week money streak, having just given away $52.80 to two big tippers, both of whom entered our first Denver Restaurant Week contest, in which we asked industry folks and diners alike for their best advice on how to get the most out of the two-week culinary bonanza, which kicks off on February 25, with more than 300 participating restaurants.

Which brings us to this contest: In the comments section below, we want you to tell us about your favorite dining den taking part in Denver Restaurant Week -- and why it's your favorite. If we choose your submission, you, too, could win $52.80.

There are, however, a few rules.

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Lori Midson

​If Jean-Philippe Failyau, the owner of the original Park Burger in Platt Park, passes inspections tomorrow, his packed-to-the-rafters burger joint will reopen on Sunday with dozens of additional seats, new burgers, a free-standing bar and, God willing, waits that don't stretch to an hour.

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Lori Midson

​It's not exactly tableside guacamole, but this do-it-yourself version, complete with cilantro, pico, lime wedges and a charred jalapeño, is surprisingly good for a restaurant that's not remotely renowned for its food.

Can you guess where I'm eating?

Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week's Where am I drinking/eating posts is entered into a pool -- and every Monday, we select one lucky winner who'll receive an EatDenver dining deck, worth up to $520 in discounts at independent restaurants. Read all about EatDenver dining decks here.

Lori Midson

​

J. Michael Melton
Zydeco's
1730 Wynkoop Street
303-293-2887
www.zydecosdenver.com

This is part one of my chat with J. Michael Melton, exec chef of Zydeco's. Part two of our interview will run in this space tomorrow.

I got the gift of the Southern double name," drawls J. Michael Melton in his very Southern accent. "My daddy calls me James, sometimes Jamey, occasionally Mike, more often Mikey, and me and my family? We're from South Carolina, and in South Carolina, we eat. And we eat well."

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The 2012 members of FIVE: Hosea Rosenberg, Jonathan Greschler, Jessica Scott, Samir Mohammad, Tyler Wiard, James Lee and Jenna Johansen.

​If you've been wondering how Leigh Sullivan, the ex-wife of Troy Guard, who owns TAG and TAG|RAW BAR, is doing since the couple split last year, the answer is "better than ever."

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Lori Midson

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No. 41: Goat curry from Phat Thai

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Lori Midson

​What kind of kid doesn't like a pineapple, ham and pepperoni pizza? Mine, apparently. But he was all too happy to stuff his little belly with Girl Scout cookies, which this Italian restaurant was selling last Thursday night as part of Dine Out for Girl Scouts.

Can you guess where I'm eating?

Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week's Where am I drinking/eating posts is entered into a pool -- and every Monday, we select one lucky winner who'll receive an EatDenver dining deck, worth up to $520 in discounts at independent restaurants. Read all about EatDenver dining decks here.

Lori Midson

​"Every season the bar gets higher, every season it means more to be the one on top -- do you have what it takes to be the next TOP CHEF?" So begins the wording on the Bravo website, taunting cookers from around the country to audition for the tenth season of Top Chef, which, if you believe the rumors, will take place in Seattle. But Denver is one of several major metropolitan cities that can get you there...if you show up to the casting call at Linger on Wednesday, February 22, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. "Bravo was looking for a big, visually impressive space to hold casting calls, and obviously, Linger is perfect," says Aubrey Cornelius, who does PR for the restaurant.

Colorado has already produced one Top Chef victor: Former Jax-Boulder exec chef Hosea Rosenberg took the prize on season five. Kelly Liken, whose eponymous restaurant resides in Vail, nearly made it all the way on season seven, and Melissa Harrison, who was once a sous chef at Boulder's Centro Latin Kitchen and Refreshment Palace, also appeared on Season Five with Rosenberg.

Cornelius insists that Justin Cucci, the executive chef of Linger (and Root Down) isn't auditioning for a cheftestant spot, but it got us thinking about whose knives we'd most like to see fly in the face of Tom Colicchio. Herewith our top picks:

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