Out with the old…Strings Restaurant launches a new spring menu as it welcomes Ed Kent as new head chef. Kent hails from 240 Union where he cooked for eight and a half years. The new menu–think lobster and crab, handmade tarragon fettuccine, peas, morels, and Pernod butter–is true to Strings’ seasonal New American cuisine and Kent’s love of seafood. We can’t wait to try the fallen vegetable soufflé or the pan-seared salmon with radish and crab relish, cucumber consommé, and pea shoot salad. 1700 Humboldt St., 303-831-7310, stringsrestaurant.com.

Tax relief…Drown your sorrows or celebrate your refund on Tax Day at McCormick’s & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant in the Denver Tech Center. Drinks specials will run all day–sip on “In the Red” bloody Marys, “In the Black” Irish coffee, “In the Green” appletinis, or a Sam Adams “Deduction” draft–and happy hour lasts from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner specials on will only cost you $10.40 (get it?). 8100 E. Union Ave., 720-200-9339.

Brain food…Our new favorite food book is Rise & Dine by Golden author Joey Porcelli. The chatty guide to breakfasting in Denver and Boulder is small enough to fit in a purse or glove compartment, and it’s one breakfast-lovers should keep close by. With more than 100 short reviews of breakfast menus ranging from Ellynton’s in the Brown Palace to greasy-spoon Breakfast King, we can only imagine how many slices of French toast and dozens of scrambled eggs Porcelli ingested. Available at bookstores such as the Tattered Cover, Barnes & Noble, and Borders Books.

Raise a glass…Save 15 percent on all Pinot Noirs at Denver Cru Fine Wine & Spirits through Thursday, April 14. It’s a sale that makes us salivate–especially after attending the Taste of Vail‘s Pinot Noir tasting this past Saturday. The 90-minute seminar featured 11 different Pinots from Oregon, California, France, and New Zealand. Denver Cru’s Pinots are primarily from Oregon and California and start at around $20. Shop owner Peter Klann recommends putting the August Briggs 2002 ($37) and Tandem Peleton 2002 ($28) on your must-buy list. 1590 Little Raven St., Suite 175, 303-573-9463.

Table Talk is 5280 Magazine’s weekly newsletter highlighting Denver’s latest restaurant and dining news. Subscription info on Table Talk and other 5280 newsletters is available here.

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.