Ace hosting its first film, The Raw Natural, tonight

Ace may be known for its lively atmosphere and crazy ping-pong tournaments, but it's letting its healthy side show. Tonight Ace is going raw, and it's not afraid to show it. First the restaurant will show The Raw Natural, and then it will be serving a special raw menu. See...

By Loren Lorenzo

November 4, 2013

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Ace may be known for its lively atmosphere and crazy ping-pong tournaments, but it's letting its healthy side show. Tonight Ace is going raw, and it's not afraid to show it. First the restaurant will show The Raw Natural, and then it will be serving a special raw menu.

Josh Wolkon, co-owner of Vesta Dipping Grill, Steuben's and Ace, brought the raw idea to his team after seeing The Raw Natural. The crew, including executive chef Brandon Biederman, took the idea and ran with it. Initially the restaurant had talked about doing a meatless Monday menu, featuring vegetarian and vegan options, Biederman says, but when they got the idea to host Ace's first movie screening, they decided to go completely raw with the their Asian-inspired menu.

Appetizers will be served at 5:30 p.m. prior to the film, along with fresh juice samples from Ace's juice bar. After the movie, you can dine on raw Tom Kha soup, along with Thai basil pesto; there's also a raw Pad Thai -- noodles made with a medley of vegetables and raw peanut sauce. And for something sweet, the kitchen is creating a Chinese Five Spice poached pear and apple delight with optional non-raw coconut caramel sauce.

The showing of The Raw Natural will begin at 6:30 p.m.; the movie explains how a diet free from processing, chemicals and other genetically modified foods can reveal the full potential of the human body. Following various professional athletes, the film explores the organic and raw diets that are giving these athletes an edge in the sports world and shows how these foods fuel them in order to speed recovery time, as well as keeping them healthy and fit. The film will be introduced by filmmaker Rachel Prince, who will be on hand afterwards for a Q&A session.

Tickets to the film are $10; afterwards, guests can stay and order off the raw food menu. To reserve a table, call 303-800-7705.

While Ace gets raw, its siblings -- Steuben's and Vesta -- will be celebrating their own Wellness Weeks.

For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings -- and if you have information for a culinary event you'd like included in our online calendar, send it to [email protected].

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