Mouthing Off

Pulling up steaks: Two Denver dining landmarks are history. Although both enjoyed their heydays at about the same time--the Seventies and early Eighties--their clientele came from decidedly opposite ends of the spectrum.

Glendale's Colorado Mine Co. ruled in Denver's disco days--and owners Buck and Cindy Scott were king and queen. At their upscale steakhouse, the Scotts poured it on for the city's movers and shakers, who'd wash down giant slabs of prime rib with Scotch and champagne. The beef was big, the behavior bad. Regulars ranged from the town's top athletes to Elvis Presley, whose huge peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich was a menu staple. But when the Scotts moved to Michigan nine years ago, two decades of dining debauchery came to an end.

Now the building that housed the Mine Co. is about to disappear for good. At a meeting last month, the Glendale City Council gave preliminary approval for a new, two-story office building to be built on the site; a final vote is set for next Tuesday. Soon after, the building will be gone for good. But in the meantime, oh, if those walls could talk!

Across town, Muddy's Java Cafe has closed its doors at 2200 Champa; the building is for lease. Back in its original home, in the 2500 block of 15th Street at the very edge of downtown, Muddy's (then known as Muddy Waters of the Platte) was Denver's premiere coffeehouse. That, of course, was before Starbucks was even a twinkle in Seattle's eye. The late-night hangout attracted denizens of the dark for chess, poetry readings, theater and plenty of camaraderie.

Although the crowds changed when Muddy's moved to the Champa location, the coffee remained a constant. A tip of the cup to you, Joe DeRose.