The Dish

All the News That's Fit to Eat

There are Two Enormous Food Shows this Weekend—The 18^th Annual National Fiery Foods and BBQ show makes its debut appearance at the sparkling new facilities of Sandia Resort and Casino, March 3-5. Tickets are $10 per person, kids 12-and-under are free. Log onto www.fiery-foods.com/ffshow for hours. Also, if you haven't bought your $150-per-guest tickets for March 4's Chocolate Fantasy at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, you'd better get moving! The theme this year is "Through the Looking Glass: A Chocolate Wonderland," and as always, proceeds from the decadent gala benefit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History. Call 841-2801 or log onto www.nmnaturalhistory.com for ticket information.

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Downtown Gets Saucier with Punk Rock Pizza—Restaurateur Angel Vigil is the proud new parent of a pizza oven. She's still the main mama at Wrap it Up (10^th Street and Coal), but she's hoping to unveil her second pride and joy this Wednesday, when she opens Punk Rock Pizza right next door. I guess that would make them sister restaurants. Downtown's newest pizza parlor (they're one of three now—NYPD and T&T Pizza included) will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for dine-in, pick-up and delivery. A local music supporter herself (I've seen this girl at the Launchpad on a few occasions), Vigil got the idea from working with venues in her community and wanting to feed all the hungry musicians that come through them. She even hopes to name the Punk Rock Pizza pies after local bands. "If I can just get my burns to heal up by then," she says. Ouch! Maybe she should name that new oven "Mommy's Little Monster." Or would that just be cheesy? I don't have the PRP number yet, so call Wrap it Up at 342-9727 to place your punk rock order.

Gold Street Caffé Celebrates 10 Years and Gets a New Owner: You'll Never Guess Who!—It's difficult to think of Gold without its eponymous streetside café, but a decade ago, it just wasn't there. In fact, there wasn't a whole lot going on Downtown in general. Owner Sarah Brown deserves credit for recognizing the area's "incredible potential" then, and on the eve of the café's 10^th year last week, she proved her foresight yet again by announcing the sale of Gold Street Caffé to general manager Matt Nichols. Matt is the former owner of the much-missed Fajitaville, a California Culinary Academy graduate and a sometimes consultant and former cook for many New Mexico restaurants you have loved. Matt has kept himself busy since he started his tenure two years ago, turning the café around significantly with a new menu and dinner service, and all while making adorable babies at home. Cheers!