Mercury Rising

Mercury Cafe owner Marilyn Megenity keeps a diary to track Colorado's produce, year in and year out. According to her estimation, the peaches in her backyard should be ripe just in time for the Organic, Local Food and Wine Pairing she's hosting tonight. "This is the time when Colorado's produce is just spectacular," she says. "I know I'm going to make a peach cobbler and may serve a little bit with champagne."

Peaches will be one small piece of this five-course meal, which is being paired with drinks from New Mexico Gruet Champagne, and Two Rivers Winery and Peak Spirits brandy, both from Grand Mesa. Diners can choose one of four entrees: elk sirloin, lamb T-bone, striped bass, and vegetarian or vegan chili rellenos. With each dish, Megenity plans to present information on the food’s origin: "I think the more people know about their local food, the better, and this is all food that we normally serve on our menu," she says. The meal will be accompanied by piano, violin and cello music.

Megenity plans to make this an annual event each August. If she has to look beyond her backyard for ripe Colorado peaches this time, she'll know to have the dinner a week or two later next year.

For reservations and to specify an entrée choice, call 303-294-9258. The dinner, at 2199 California Street, is $40 and starts at 7:30 p.m. Information is at www.mercurycafe.com.