Culinary calendar for the week: Oysters, grand openings and more

We're the first to admit that oysters look like one of the last things you'd want to put in your mouth, but they're pretty darn tasty -- tasty enough that every year, the Jax Fish House locations in both Denver and Boulder celebrate an entire week of oyster-loving. Boulder's Oyster Week kicks off today, but there are plenty of other culinary events for seafood un-enthusiasts around the city. Here's a taste of what's ahead:

Monday, March 1:

Jax Fish House, 928 Pearl Street in Boulder, is throwing its annual Oyster Week through Sunday, March 7, featuring twelve different ways to eat an oyster; twelve oysters for $12; 12 cents donated to EFAA for every oyster eaten; a chance to win a dozen oysters a month for a year; drink specials and more. Call 303-444-1811 or visit www.jaxfishhouseboulder.com.

Help Bombay Bowl, 12023 East Arapahoe Road in Englewood, celebrate its first year in business: Enjoy a free entrée (with purchase of a soda or naan bread) between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Call 303-339-5500 or visit www.bombaybowl.com.

Take this flier and eat at Joe's Crab Shack, 14025 East Evans Avenue between 3 and 10 p.m. today; 10 percent of the proceeds from your meal will benefit Project Cure. For info, 303-306-7070 or visit www.joescrabshack.com.

Tuesday, March 2:

Arugula Ristorante, 2785 Iris Avenue in Boulder, hosts a Slow Food Benefit Dinner at 6:30 p.m.; the five-course meal will include four courses paired with half a glass of Colorado wine. Tickets are $55 for Slow Food members, $65 for non-members; call 303-443-5100.

Freddy's Frozen Custard, 1103 Iola Street in Aurora, marks its grand opening at 10:30 a.m. with specials, giveaways and a Free mini-custard cone with the purchase of a combo meal. Visit www.freddysfrozencustard.com.

Lala's Wine Bar + Pizzeria, 410 East Seventh Avenue, will host a wine tasting at 5:30 p.m. tonight; proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders. For info, call 303-861-9463 or visit www.lalaswinebar.com. Wednesday, March 3:

Culinary School of the Rockies, 637 South Broadway in Boulder, presents the Dining Room, a student-run, three-course meal featuring fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Book a table for 6:30 or 8:30 p.m.; dinner costs $45. Call 303-494-7988.

Friday, March 5:

The Maharaja Imperial IPA Batch #11 Release Party runs from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Avery Tap Room, 5763 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder; call 303-440-4324 or visit www.averybrewing.com.

Breckenridge hosts the Tim McClure Memorial Benefit, which supports the High Country Conservation Center, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. It features an Italian dinner buffet, beer, live bluegrass, bellydancers, a silent auction and more. The cost is $10 for kids and $20 iun advance for adults, $25 at the door; call 1-970-668-5703.

Experience Keystone's award-winning cuisine at the Winter Culinary Festival, which runs from today through Sunday, March 7. Visit www.keystoneresort.com for all the details.

Saturday, March 6:

The official Further pre-party and New Belgium Ranger IPA Release Party will be at Aloft Hotel/Wxyz Bar, 8300 Arista Place in Broomfield. The party starts at 4 p.m. and admission is free; call 303-635-2000.

At 7 p.m. tonight, LUPEC hosts Prom Redux to benefit the Adams 12 Five Star Prom Shop (gently used formalwear and donations are accepted); the party includes hand-crafted corsages, prom photos, dance hits and a special cocktail created by the bar staff. It's all at Jonesy's EatBar, 400 East 20th Avenue. Call 303-863-7473 or visit www.jeatbar.com. Sunday, March 7:

Jax Fish House, 928 Pearl Street in Boulder, concludes its big oyster week with the annual Oyster Eating Contest. The party starts at noon, and the winner gets a trip to Napa Valley. Call 303-444-1811 or visit www.jaxfishhouseboulder.com.

For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings.