Zita’s Mountain Bistro is one of those wonderful small businesses that is constantly tinkering with new and exciting events for locals and visitors alike. For those who have not yet enjoyed the fine bistro, Zita’s Mountain Bistro is one of those little establishments that has carved out a niche for itself, quite literally in the small shops that flank North Third Street just north of the downtown business district in Westcliffe. The outdoor patio (with indoor seating added last year) is frequently enjoyed by those who want to take in the Valley with a nice bottle of wine and perhaps some excellent food. From finger foods like charcuterie to special entrees like baked ziti or filet mignon, the attention to simple epicurean pleasures is what makes Zita’s Mountain Bistro so enthralling.
Click here to get tickets to this amazing event!
An exciting addition this year is the Guest Chef Series. These exclusive events will delight the tastebuds with a unique menu offering put together by experienced chefs from around the region. The first Guest Chef event, taking place in celebration of the Summer Solstice on Saturday, June 21, features an Asian-inspired five-course meal prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Shane Dean.
“Well, I am no longer a full-time Chef, but I could not resist the call for a special event like this. I miss the kitchen and the challenge and reward of serving people great food,” Dean explained in an interview with the Tribune. “I got laid off from a job back in the day in the Phoenix area as an airplane mechanic, and I took my severance check and enrolled in the year-long Le Cordon Bleu French cooking school. It took a full year with over 2,000-hours in the kitchen, but I loved every moment. Being in the kitchen is a really cool challenge, and it is very satisfying.”
Dean has a five-course meal planned that draws deeply from Southeast Asia. While in America, Asian food is often heavy and deep-fried, Dean plans on showing the complexity and layers of Asian cuisine. “Well, the fact is that I love Asian food, and I really got excited when Zita’s Mountain Bistro offered me a chance to cook. So I am going to try to dress it up a little bit and do a five-course evening starting with a clear broth, a kind of Ramen but with a layered mushroom and vegetable broth. Following that, I will have an orange-ginger salad where I play with the lightness and unique flavors of the region. For the main dishes, I focused primarily on Korean-style cuisine. We will have a garlic lime marinated pork lettuce wrap. And the main dish will be marinated filet mignon with vegetables! To top it all off, I will have a pistachio ice cream with ginger candy.”
Zita’s Mountain Bistro will also have a fine wine selection to go along with the meal, which also includes options for craft beer and crafted spirits. The profits from these guest chef events will be donated to local charities, and a large selection of chefs is already scheduled throughout the summer.
The event takes place starting at 6 p.m. and will last around two hours. The cost is $50 per person with drinks sold separately. Seating for this event is filling up fast, so make sure to reserve a seat by visiting www.zitasmtnbistro.com.
Click here to get tickets to this amazing event!
– Jordan Hedberg
