Vote for a Denver Nonprofit to Win a Free Dinner!

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Being a good neighbor doesn’t just mean serving up delicious, family-style Italian meals. It also means giving back to the local community. That’s why Carmine’s on Penn has been supporting Denver nonprofits for over 20 years through our Community Partners Program.

Most recently, Carmine’s reviewed submissions for a nonprofit event giveaway and selected Project PAVE to be the recipient of a complimentary event for 25 people, complete with food and wine.

The nonprofit giveaways don’t stop there. Carmine’s is now reaching out to the local community to vote for their favorite arts-related nonprofit to win a family-style dinner for 25 to be used for any purpose to benefit their cause. The voting runs from now until July 31, 2017 and the winner will be notified by August 14. Find out more about the four nonprofits in the running below:

  • Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado – The Rocky Mountain Region’s only professional period-instrument orchestra, bringing Colorado audiences the musical riches and spirit of improvisation of the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • Colorado Children’s Chorale – Presents professional choral concerts and educational programs that entertain, inspire and bring joy to audiences and communities.
  • Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestra – Brings together Colorado youth of all ages to participate in orchestral ensembles that foster their musical understanding, social growth, self-esteem and a lifelong love of music.
  • Phamaly Theatre Company – Produces professional scale plays and musicals year-round throughout the Denver Metro region, cast entirely of performers with disabilities across the spectrum.

Now that you know a little bit about each nonprofit, make sure you get online and vote! A big thanks to 5280 Magazine for helping Carmine’s to promote our latest Nonprofit Event Giveaway on the Eat + Drink section of their website. Sign up for their newsletter and watch out for voting reminders from now through July.

We can’t wait to see who you select as the winner. Then the fun of helping them plan a fantastic event begins!

Welcome home, Stephen!

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Earlier this month, Carmine’s Manager Stephen Kozicki took a break from Italian food to explore the world of Spanish food and wine during a surprise trip to Spain. He brought back some amazing photos and a wealth of knowledge. Take a look at some of the highlights!

These local beans, called maximo calibre (large beans), taste great cooked with suckling pork jus, chorizo, crackling and spices. Soak for 24 hours and cook for 3 ½ hours.

The 2-mile long town of Segovia has a rich history. It is home to the best preserved aqueduct in the world, which was built by the Romans over 20 centuries ago.

Stephen slices some Iberian Jamon before lunch at the winemaker’s home at Álvarez y Díez.

The barrel aging room at Belondrade Winery.

This cathedral took 160 years to build and is the last gothic style cathedral built in Spain.

The Ribera and Rueda region liaison, Phillipe, gives a presentation on the wine region of Rueda. Most wine produced there is white with verdejo, both oaked and unoaked, accounting for almost all of production. Unoaked is similar to a sauvignon blanc while the oaked has a richer, creamier flavor.

Stephen checking out the falcons at Bodegas Vidal Soblechero. They are trained to chase away rabbits, mice and pigeons that can harm the grape vines.

Bodegas Vidal Soblechero, a biodynamic winery, still uses horses to plow their vineyard. Biodynamics is the oldest, anti-chemical agricultural movement that predates the creation of organic farming by about twenty years.

A hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Ribera wine region.

Stephen says hello from the air!

Stephen signs off on a great trip at a winery in Ribera, which primarily produces Tempranillo. Wine barrels are only used for a few years, but the stave is saved and reused. Cheers to that!

 

Thank you to Wine & Spirits Magazine for allowing Stephen to explore Spanish culture on this trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to see what new knowledge and expertise he brings to the Carmine’s team.

Carmine’s Explores the World of Spanish Wine

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Photo Credit: Ribera y Rueda Wine

What happens when you take the time to fill out a 30-minute survey? Sometimes you win a trip to Spain! At least that was the case for Carmine’s on Penn Manager, Stephen Kozicki. After filling out a survey about Carmine’s wine program for Wine & Spirits magazine, Stephen was selected as one of the lucky winners. He’ll spend six days enjoying the best food and wine Spain has to offer. Check out his itinerary for a snapshot of what he’ll be up to:

 

Day 1:

 

Day 2:

  • Tour of Segovia: Segovia is a historic city northwest of Madrid, on the way to the wine regions of Ribera del Duero and Rueda.
  • Food: Lunch at the historic Mesón de Cándido. Located at an inn built in 1884, this famous restaurant is well known for their suckling pig.
  • Wine: Tasting at Rueda Consejo with an introduction to the wines of the region.

 

Day 3:

 

Day 4:

 

Day 5:

 

Day 6:

  • Wine: Ribera del Duero tastings at Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro and Real Sitio de Ventosilla. Guests will also enjoy a vintage wine tasting from historical wineries in the region, with wine dating back to 1985.
  • Hot air balloon ride through the vineyards of “the Golden Mile” of Ribera del Duero.
  • Food: Guests can cook dinner with the winemakers at Bodegas Neo (the only winery in the world with a music studio) before enjoying music and a picnic dinner.

 

Carmine’s on Penn might offer an exclusive 100% Italian wine list, but here’s to tasting some Spanish wines too! We look forward to hearing all about Stephen’s experience when he gets back.

 

Enjoy Family-Style Italian for Denver Restaurant Week

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Make your reservations now! This year’s Denver Restaurant Week is February 24 – March 5 and we have a menu to excite every member of the family! Whether it’s a date night for two or a family affair, be sure to stop by Carmine’s on Penn to celebrate this local culinary tradition.

For $35.00 a person, restaurant patrons will be able to choose one dish from each category.

Appetizer

Ravioli alla Vodka
Seasonal Ravioli
Antipasta Misti
Tour of Italy
Portobello Mushroom

Salad

House Salad
Pear Salad
Caesar Salad
Spinach Salad

Entree

Chicken Montana
Shrimp Calabrese
Seafood Fra Diavolo
Seafood Marinara
Strozzapreti
Moose’ Pasta
Pasta alla Capo w/Shrimp
Ragu Con Funghi
Shrimp Parmigiana
Chicken alla Carmine’s
Chicken Marsala
Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Piccata
Chicken Pazzo
Veal alla Carmine’s
Veal Frescha
Veal Marsala
Veal Parmigiana
Veal Piccata
Veal Pazzo

Dessert

Three Layer Chocolate Cake
Tiramisu
New York Style Cheesecake
Bread Pudding

Vegetarian and gluten free options are available! Don’t wait – give us a call today at 303-777-6443 and make your reservation!

New Ways to Give Back at Carmine’s on Penn

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We have always believed in being a good neighbor – not just by serving good food, but by giving back to organizations that make our community such a wonderful place to live.

Over the last 10 years, Carmine’s on Penn has contributed over $250,000 to local nonprofits. Some of our past nonprofit partners include The Delores Project, Warren Village, Project Angel Heart’s Dining Out for Life, The Denver Waldorf School, Project PAVE, Maria Droste Counseling Center, Montessori School of Washington Park, Platte Forum and Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue – the recipient of our first-ever Nonprofit Event Giveaway in partnership with 5280 Magazine.

As we reflect on a decade of supporting the charitable organizations in our community, we find ourselves wondering: How can we do more?

Beginning in 2017, we are excited to share a few changes to our current Community Partners Program that will hopefully result in a more robust financial impact to our nonprofit partners. Here’s what we have planned:

  • Donation-Based Menu Item – We will donate a percentage of every Family Size Caesar Salad purchased to The Delores Project – the largest single provider of shelter and services for unaccompanied women and transgender individuals in Denver.
  • Carmine’s Family Table – This monthly prix-fixe family-style dinner will benefit the single-parent families served by Warren Village. The dinner will be $40/person (Includes food and wine for adults over 21), with $5 from each meal to be donated to the organization. Our first Carmine’s Family Table dinner will be on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. We will cap reservations at 20 guests.
  • Free Private Dinner Event – We will invite local nonprofits to submit their ideas for a fundraising event hosted in our private dining room. The selected nonprofit will receive a dinner valued at $2,500 for up to 25 people. More information will be shared early next year.
  • 5280 Nonprofit Event Giveaway – 5280 Magazine will invite readers to vote for their favorite Denver nonprofit to receive a free private dinner event at Carmine’s on Penn in 2018. Sign up for 5280’s Table Talk newsletter and keep an eye out for the announcement!

We will continue to keep you updated with news about these events and opportunities, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest information.

 

 

‘Tis The Season for Holiday Cocktails

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It’s that time of year again! Lists are being made, parties are being planned, reservations are being reserved (pssst..early holiday reservations at Carmine’s are now available), and moments are being captured that will soon become favorite memories. Now is the time to start enjoying all of the holiday festivities and Carmine’s wants to be a part of it! We are proud to introduce a new cocktail collection that will soon become another holiday favorite. Enjoy an expertly handcrafted cocktail with one of our appetizers, family-style pasta dishes, or as a start to the night’s festivities.

The 2016 Holiday Cocktail Collection at Carmine's on Penn

Give us a call at 303-777-6443 to make your holiday reservations today!

 

Carmine’s on Penn Introduces New Head Chef, Joe Hubbard

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We are excited to introduce our friends, family and Denver neighbors to Chef Joe Hubbard, the new head chef at Carmine’s on Penn.

chef-joeOriginally from Oklahoma, Hubbard moved to Denver to attend culinary school at the Art Institute of Colorado. Following his formal education, he moved to New Orleans to work for the popular New Orleans chef John Besh at Domenica. After three years at Domenica, Joe returned to Denver to work at NoRTH Italia, and then later took the role of sous chef at Carmine’s on Penn.

Carmine’s former head chef Dan Grunewald is leaving his position to spend more time with his growing family. Joe will now be taking the lead in the Carmine’s kitchen and hopes to bring a mixture of old and new to the Italian restaurant.

“At Carmine’s, we view our staff as an extended family, and we are very sad to see Dan leave,” stated Brad Ritter, Carmine’s owner. “More importantly, we are excited to see what the future holds with Joe leading our kitchen.”

Carmine’s has been serving traditional, family-style Italian food for the past 22 years. The menu has remained relatively the same, but changes with the availability of seasonal ingredients.

“Obviously we’re doing something right to be able to stay in business for 22 years,” said Joe. “I don’t want to change the menu, and hope to continue the tradition of using the best ingredients available and sourcing locally when possible. I want our food to be better than what guests remember.”

Known for his attention to detail, inclusive leadership style, and dedication to providing a unique food experience for every restaurant guest, Joe looks forward to continuing the Carmine’s tradition of creating an unparalleled dining experience.

“I want every little thing done right,” expressed Joe. “Our guests deserve the best dining experience possible, and that’s something I love about working at Carmine’s.”

This month, we invite you to come by Carmine’s and welcome Chef Joe into his new position!

Support Families in Need at Carmine’s on Penn

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As a member of the Denver community for over two decades, we’ve had the privilege of getting to know the neighborhood. We have joined in on celebrations, graduations and birthdays. But most importantly, time and time again, we witness the unique bond between families, especially parents and their kids.

On any given night you can find Carmine’s on Penn filled with love, laughter and food made to share. Not only do we support the Denver community, but also the families that live here.

We are honored to host Warren Village, a local nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness in single parent families, for a fundraising dinner on Tuesday, July 12. We will donate at least 50 percent of every meal purchased – both dine-in and take-out – to the organization. By dining at Carmine’s with your family on July 12, you will help support a single parent family getting back on their feet.

Carmine's on Penn Instagram Pic

We’re hoping to pack the house and celebrate families of every age, shape and size. Give us a call at 303-777-6443 today to reserve your table for this special evening.

To learn more about Warren Village and how they are helping single parent families in Denver achieve self-sufficiency, visit www.warrenvillage.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Lambrusco: The Sparkling Red Wine You’ve Never Heard Of

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For more than two decades we’ve shared our passion for Italian wine with our family, friends and anyone who joins us for dinner at Carmine’s on Penn. A love of vino (wine) has been a part of Italian culture for centuries, and the Italian Peninsula is known for housing some of the finest vineyards and wineries in the world.

Some of our favorite moments are when we have the opportunity to introduce a restaurant guest to a new Italian wine. We love sharing our extensive knowledge of Italian wine with you – our friends, family and restaurant patrons.

Over the years we’ve noticed the rise in popularity of Chardonnay, Merlot and even Moscato. While these are all wonderful varieties, we’d like to spotlight a less popular but equally delicious Italian wine variety:

Lambrusco

Known to some as ‘purple wine soda’ and others as the cheap, poorly made wine from the 1970s, Lambrusco is shaking off previous conceptions and inviting wine drinkers to give it a second sip.

WineBlog_Carmines

Lambrusco is a well-made sparkling red wine, boasting a perfect balance of sweetness and crisp acidity. We have found that a glass of Lambrusco provides a blissful escape from workday stress — particularly when enjoyed on the Carmine’s patio.

Currently, we are offering Cleto Chiarli Amabile Lambrusco by the glass. We invite restaurant patrons to savor the flavor of this Lambrusco at Carmine’s. Whether you prefer to unwind inside or enjoy a relaxing evening on our patio, we’d love to introduce to one of our favorite Italian wines this weekend.

 

 

 

Dine at Carmine’s on June 1 and Support The Denver Waldorf School

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At Carmine’s on Penn, the only thing we love more than Italian food is our community. And we are honored to serve local organizations that make a lasting impact on the Denver community.

DWS Logo

On Wednesday, June 1, we invite you to join us at Carmine’s on Penn for a fundraising dinner to benefit The Denver Waldorf School. On this evening, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite Carmine’s dishes knowing that at least half of the proceeds will support The Denver Waldorf School. The more diners we have, the higher percentage of proceeds we’ll donate!

Founded on Rudolf Steiner’s humanitarian curriculum, The Denver Waldorf School awakens and inspires students’ critical thinking, emotional intelligence and artistic expression, preparing them to bring relevant contributions to the world.

We’ve been inspired by the lasting impact The Denver Waldorf School has on their students, as well as the Denver community at large. We hope you, your friends and family will join us on this special evening to support the programs at The Denver Waldorf School.

Give us a call today at 303-777-6443 to reserve your spot for The Denver Waldorf School Fundraising Dinner.