Picture this. The perfect late heat of a sultry summer day circulated by playful trade winds. A beautiful, happy group of party goers dressed festively to celebrate summer, carrying eye catching cocktails or small bites of precisely constructed food. A verve in the air, an excitement for the evening and a sense that everyone belongs. When glancing into the setting sun one might see the silhouette of a monkey traversing between trees or an elephant cooling itself with a dirt bath.
When I was on safari in Kenya and Tanzania I did enjoy similar vignettes but in this case one need travel no father then the Denver Zoo for the ‘Do at the Zoo’ event. This year was my maiden voyage and almost instantaneously I questioned why on earth I had not attended before? This event must be one of the most genius ideas I’ve heard. The Zoo closes at noon the day of the event allowing the zoo staff and 63 of Denver’s best restaurants, artisan food purveyors and cocktail lounges to set up clean white canopies all around the zoo to receive the evening’s patrons. Many of the ‘best of Denver dining’ list placers are here and I found it a perfect time to sample some of my personal long ‘must try’ list not yet visited as well as revel in well-loved familiar eateries. The event runs for 3 ½ hours allowing plenty of time to nosh, imbibe, listen to bands and saunter the entire property.
This year was extra special with the recent opening of the long awaited Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit. With zoo membership at an historical high it was no surprise that the event sold out for the first time ever. My evening began with a special VIP event hour prior to the overall event commencement. We arrived to the zoo entrance having been completely transformed into an exotic departure. Yards of billowy fabric enveloped the familiar entrance turnstiles; a band playing Asian instruments heightening one’s anticipation and signaled an evening of magical things.
Guests were transported on extended mobile carts to the Toyota Elephant Passage to enjoy a welcome cocktail by Black Pearl (Pearl Plum Vodka with Cranberry and Pineapple juices). Tall café tables dressed with brilliant colored fabric and contrasting ribbon dotted the landscape offering visual art and spots to perch. The VIP hour was hosted completely within the new exhibit and offered three restaurants that were not participating in the rest of the ‘Do’: Fruition, ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro and twelverestaurant. Regular readers will have seen my admiration for local Food and Wine Best New Chef (2010) Chef Alex Seidel of Fruition. He’s a chef whose food commitment to ‘clean’, local, farm-to-table food (literally as he owns both a farm and a restaurant) mirrors my own as well as he’s a completely earnest guy. I was thrilled to enjoy his Thai Style Octopus Ceviche (had thirds actually…..shhhh) as I am to share his recipe below for your next personal ‘do’.
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(Top to bottom) Chef Alex Seidel and Fruition’s: Thai Style Octopus Ceviche, ChoLon: Salmon Tartare bite on a piped avocado, Twelverestaurant: Goat Cheese Panna Cotta with heirloom tomatoes and bread crumbs
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Before any dining began we were signaled that the heart of the Toyota Elephant Passage concept was about to be demonstrated. The immersion-style exhibit is laced with areas where the elephants and rhinos pass to different areas an arm’s length away. One of the most striking being the overhead bridge when entering the exhibit. Bodhi, a new-to-the-zoo 8 year old ‘teenage’ bull elephant, christened the event by making an overhead pass en route to the watering hole area, elevating the buzz of the party-going crowd.
All of the elephants were outside leaving their indoor compound secured so we were able to ‘behind the scenes’ tour the facility. ‘Impressive’ doesn’t begin to describe the soaring metal ‘barn’ capable of housing up to 8 bull elephants which is not typical of most zoos as males are more solitary and unpredictable when coming into their musk requiring more ample space. One enters to a large central area visible to zoo goers. The paddocks out of view are supersized, airy and well lit leaving me feeling if I were to come back as an elephant in a next life, I might want to check in here. Two particularly interest-catching features were a large chamber allowing an elephant to enter and mechanically be rotated onto their side for examinations when needed as well as a wall panel in the main chamber that an elephant could depress with their trunk to engage a shower mechanism for a self-motivated spritz on a hot day.
After enjoying the small bites from the special VIP restaurants, a champagne toast, watching Bohdi dirt bathe across the watering hole, strolling indoors to see the novel Fishing Cat and the Fruit Bats (who incidentally can have up to a 6 foot wingspan and are separated from viewers only through bamboo posts ever few feet with no glass) we headed out to explore the rest of the food and drink.
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| All the bats were sleeping and the docent cautioned we be very quiet. They are the only bats who do not echo locate and are sensitive to noise. They were fascinating until one bat began to peer at me like I was a juicy piece of mango. With nothing but a few pieces of bamboo separating us I decided it was time to move along. |
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(Top to bottom) Simms Steakhouse: Buffalo Chicken fried steak on a Belgium waffle, The Candy Booth Specialty Liquor Booth: Fruit Loop Cocktail: Loopy vodka (Fruit Loop flavored vodka) and Sierra Mist, McCormick’s Fish House and Bar: Freshly Schucked Oysters, Willie G’s: Prime Rib Bruschetta with Spicy Aioli
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All participating restaurants donate their time and food, clearly bringing their A game and wild success to a most fabulous fundraising concept. Not fully embracing the volume 63 booths offered we could not help taking seconds from a few of the first booths located in the Bird World area. The dishes were all incredibly varied, all perfectly sized and suited for the warmer weather. The restaurants ranged from familiar higher end chains (I define that by a restaurant with more than one of the same concept, like the Rio Grande, not nationwide typical chains) to the hip, chic venues foodies-in-the-know flock to. The quality of the food was outstanding, the creativity on point. Bands were positioned throughout the dining areas so at each main area there was musical accompaniment.
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(Top to bottom) Crave Dessert Bar and Lounge: 20 Layer Cake, Wynkoop Brewing Co.’s Black Lager, Rio Grande: Diablo Shirmp, Church of Cupcakes: Cake Pops and Lemon cake, Edge Restaurant: Vanilla Porter Short Ribs, pickled forest mushrooms, wild arugula and horseradish soubis judged by the Do-At-The-Zoo Events Committee as the number 1 dish of the event. All restaurants submit dishes for tasting prior to the event to be judged as well.
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Rialto Cafe Prosciutto wrapped dates stuffed with gorgonzola cheese (I have moments of remembering this dish like savoring a love affair; it was a perfect mix of savory, sweet, salty, soft)
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At several junctures I marveled at the evening’s perfection. Enormous light globes were illuminated at dusk with strings of small white lights strewn throughout the trees. Occasionally a male peacock would screech, flying into the trees above and the animals were out enjoying the cool of the day. I found this event extraordinary. Where else could one dine from so many restaurants at a time, drink the best of all brands featuring several local breweries and distillers in such a magical surrounding? It’s no doubt that it’s the Zoo’s largest event and that it sold out. Buy your tickets early next year. It should not be missed.
Do-At-The-Zoo Tips:
1. Devise a ‘Food Map’. When entering, the zoo patrons are giving a booklet detailing all the restaurants/bars, their location and offerings. I found all booths educated on allergens making it an easy and safe dining experience for all needs. When we were asked at the beginning if we had a plan it had been to taste a bit of everything. It became quickly clear that unless we were to have a special stomach expanding technique that was not possible despite best intentions. Portions are small and cocktail size but one must pace themselves. Some of my tasting was culled by my inability to eat gluten but it was still difficult to choose. Really scope it out, pick your faves, take your time and enjoy.
2. Wear comfortable shoes. Cute shoes of course, but shoes you can walk in. Everyone is dressed in cocktail attire but after two full zoo loops in my heels I questioned whether Converse sneakers would have really looked so bad with my sleek leopard print dress.
3. Come ready to have fun. We noted a very mixed crowd, all upbeat, fun, and dressed for the occasion, leaving it feeling a place for everyone and a fun place to interact with a wide group.
Fruition’s THAI STYLE OCTOPUS CEVICHE
This ceviche is fresh, flavorful and unique. I found it beautifully textured with fabulous colors and not at all ‘fishy’. I was taken back when seeing the recipe, realizing all the thought and process that went into making the the final layered, perfect dish.
Ingredients:
· 1 each Braised octopus
· 1 pound Fresh Hamachi or Florida Grouper
· 2 each Red bell pepper
· 2 each English cucumber
· 1 each Cantaloupe
· 1 each Crenshaw melon
· 3 Cans coconut milk
· 1 stalk of lemon grass
· 2 tablespoons minced ginger
· 8 each juiced limes
· 2 each Jalapenos
· 6 sprigs of mint
· ½ bunch cilantro
· 1 teaspoon Fish sauce
· Kosher salt
· 1 each Green Plantain
Method: Octopus
(See octopus recipe below)
Method: Broth
- Gently smash the lemongrass and cut into small slices about a 1/8 of an inch thick.
- In a sauce pan sweat the ginger and lemongrass with an enough canola oil to coat the pan.
- When you can smell the aromatics of the ginger and lemongrass add the coconut milk. Bring to a simmer and remove from the heat. Allow one hour to steep and then strain, reserve the liquid and cool.
- Take one of the cucumbers and ½ of each of the cleaned melons and place in a heavy duty blender. Blend until this becomes a liquid. Reserve the liquid and cool.
- ‘Bruniose’ or finely dice the remaining melon, cucumber, and all the red pepper, jalapeño and reserve.
- Finely slice the octopus tentacles and reserve.
- ‘Chiffonade’ or slice the mint and reserve.
- Finely mince the cilantro and reserve.
- Dice the fish into small ¼ inch cubes and reserve on ice.
- Combine the chilled coconut milk, cucumber melon liquid, diced cucumber, diced pepper, diced melon, lime juice, octopus, cilantro, jalapeno, fish sauce and octopus.
- Season accordingly with salt and chill.
- 30 min to 45 min before serving add the fish. Be careful not to add the fish to soon as it will over cook because of the acid.
Method: Plantains
- Peel the plantains with a paring knife.
- On a slicer or mandoline slice the plantains into thin strips.
- Fry at 275 degrees F until golden and crispy. Lightly season with salt. You can fry these in advance.
To assemble:
- Serve the ceviche in a glass or bowl and finish with the plantain chips.
- Enjoy.
OCTOPUS
Yield: 8 Tentacles and 1 Head per Octopus
Ingredients:
· Octopus (brined/standard)
· Water (cold)
· 1teaspoon Chili Flake (per octopus)
· ‘Mirepoix’( or in layman’s terms ‘aromatic vegetables: celery, carrots and onion), small dice
Method
1. Pull octopus from brine and clean accordingly.
a. Separate head from body, slice above and below eyes.
b. Flip head inside-out and trim all non usable attachments, rinse well.
c. Cut out the beak, in the center of the tentacles.
d. Separate tentacles from center by slicing the V-shaped flap skin between the tentacles and cutting the top of the tentacle away from the beak center.
e. Line up all the tentacles and pull all suction cups to one side and stretch the flap skin/membrane in the opposite direction to trim off.
f. Trim membrane from tentacles and pull membrane off of head.
g. Rinse all pieces well under cold water
2. Place all ingredients in a heavy pot and place on low heat
3. Cover with parchment paper
4. Bring up water temperature (slowly) to 190 degrees and cook at a constant temperature for 5 hours.
5. Octopus should be tender
6. Pull octopus from liquid, strain liquid through a chinois (or fine mesh strainer) over the octopus and chill in a water bath
Elisabeth says
That is quite a PARTY! Our local zoo never does a food event like this, and we do have a beautiful and impressive zoo, with a 'food court' which is so nice, surrounded by exotic trees, and has an indoor and a fun deck for outdoor eating!
Your photos are fun, and so enjoyable to look at, and the food just blows my mind, all the delicious appetizers, and refreshments…thanks for sharing, Toni!
Baker Street says
Amazing pictures!!! Especially the one with the bats lined up like that! Freaky! Looks like you had a fabulous time.
Carolyn says
What a fun event! And the great food would have me there in a flash, even it if wasn't such a cool event. 🙂
Carolyn says
What a fun event! And the great food would have me there in a flash, even it if wasn't such a cool event. 🙂