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I asked the Mexican what he wanted to eat during his visit to Denver.

In addition to being the author of Ask a Mexican, a weekly column now published in 31 papers, Gustavo Arellano is the food editor at our sibling paper, OC Weekly, in Southern California. So finding the perfect lunch spot before his appearance at Belmar earlier this month took some thinking. At first, we thought taking the Mexican to eat what passes for Mexican food in this town might be the equivalent of taking coals to Newcastle (or vice versa), but Gustavo said he was eager to sample Colorado’s unique take on Mexican food.

So then we simply had to do was choose from the dozens of great Mexican restaurants in this city.

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Despite the much vaunted pooch-walking service, there wasn't a pet in sight at French 250, which hosted an opening party last night. But with plenty of pretty people pouring in and bottles of champagne pouring out, it doesn't look like this restaurant will be going to the dogs anytime soon.

French 250 took over the space at 250 Steele Street that was pioneered long ago by Bistro Adde Brewster. Since Adde's left, the spot has been a black hole of suck. But with French 250 now right next to two-week-old Tambien, which is making great margs in the former Sketch space, things are looking much brighter for this Cherry Creek address. -- Patricia Calhoun

On September 5, assorted chefs from the Oceanaire Seafood Room restaurants will offer up the Ultimate Seafood Experience at the James Beard House in New York City – and Matt Mine, chef at Denver’s Oceanaire that opened just a month ago at 1400 Arapahoe Street, will be among them.

On Wednesday, he debuted the six courses he cooked up that are in contention for the Ultimate menu, which will be chosen on Monday. “I was trying to get a lot of regional and seasonal products,” he said, which explains the Colorado peach tart and the corn in the lobster and summer vegetable confit (call it succotash) that came with the pan-seared Alaska halibut. But there wasn’t a trout in sight, and the best dish involved a fish very out of water in this state: pan-fried skate in a veal reduction, with escargot, arugula pesto and some inexplicable fava beans.

Sadly, the chicken-fried oysters with homemade sausage gravy appetizer that Mine cooked up for Oceanaire’s Denver menu aren’t being submitted for the Beard dinner – but then, New York foodies probably aren’t ready for such greasy goodness. – Patricia Calhoun

Rise and shine, hipsters! Two of Denver’s finest bar/pub hangouts are now serving brunch.

Sputnik -- located at 3 South Broadway next to the hi-dive -- has been serving up brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for about a month now, and offers a nice, spicy bloody Mary for $3 and bottomless mimosas for $5. The hangover bowl is a true force to be reckoned with after a night of too many indulgences, brimming over with scrambled eggs, vegetarian green chile, cheese and sweet potato fries, all for just $6. You can add chorizo $1 more (a meatless version is available, too).

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I don't know why seeing Cedric the Entertainer would make you want to drink vodka, but clearly the people who sell Ceren Vodka think it's a great idea, because Cedric was at the Ceren launch party at the Mile High Station last week.

When I asked Cedric for his favorite cocktail, he said he liked to keep it "gangsta style" with Ceren (no surprise there) on the rocks with three (not two or four) limes squeezed in it, then tossed. No rind in his glass -- that's not street enough for "the entertainer." -- Nancy Levine

While art galleries keep looking for loopholes in the state liquor laws that would allow them to serve alcohol during openings, one bar has already come up with a solution. The Highland Tavern, located at 3400 Navajo Street, is passing out Art Bucks good for a dollar off your tab at the bar. And at the Tavern -- where drink specials already include $3 premium drafts during the daily happy “hour” that lasts from 4-7 p.m. — that extra buck can go a long way.

The paintings of local artist Jim Rase are featured in the bar this week. For more information on art bucks, hours and drink specials, call 303-433-1990 or visit www.highlandtavern.com.
– Aubrey Shoe

The Stapleton neighborhood just got a new place where you can grab a quick bite for breakfast. Udi’s Bread Café (7357 East 29th Avenue, 303-329-8888) -- already revered for dishing up some of the neighborhood’s best dinner and weekend brunch entrees -- began serving up a pared-down weekday breakfast menu last week.

The menu, which is served from 7-11 a.m. Monday through Friday, includes egg sandwiches, pastries, breakfast burritos and, of course, the ubiquitous granola that put Udi’s on the map. All of Udi’s breads and pastries, including the popular pecan rolls, are baked fresh at Udi’s Café and Bakery at 7000 Broadway; the Broadway location serves weekday breakfast from 7-10 a.m. and lunch until 2 p.m. (It’s closed on the weekends.)

While the new weekday menu at the Stapleton Udi’s doesn’t include the full menu of weekend brunch favorites -- such as huevos rancheros, omelets, pancakes and French toast -- it’s still a sure bet for a good, locally grown, freshly baked breakfast on the go.

-- Aubrey Shoe