La Fabula didn't last long, but it's again the talk of the town

There have been so many restaurants at 26377 West 26th Avenue, the historic bungalow that once housed the original La Loma. So many, in fact, that when I stopped by the newly opened Gordo Loco last week and spoke to the building's landlord who's also a partner in this latest...

By Patricia Calhoun

February 21, 2011

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There have been so many restaurants at 26377 West 26th Avenue, the historic bungalow that once housed the original La Loma. So many, in fact, that when I stopped by the newly opened Gordo Loco last week and spoke to the building's landlord who's also a partner in this latest venture, we couldn't remember them all.

One of them was La Fabula Grill and Cantina, which opened in the space in 2000 and Kyle Wagner reviewed a few months later. Her view? The place wasn't ready for prime time. But the news now surrounding the owners of La Fabula -- which, appropriately enough, roughly translates to "talk of the town" -- may have a longer shelf life.

Ronald Ford, a graduate of the Art Institute of Colorado's culinary school, was one of the partners in La Fabula. His body was found on February 11 at his home in southwest Denver; initially, La Fabula partner Ramiro Sanchez was considered a "person of interest" in Ford's beating death. But now a second body in the house has been identified as that of Sanchez.

Police are now looking for a homeless man who'd moved in with the two men a few months ago: a cross-dresser who goes by the name Ms. Puppy.

The building at 2367 West 26th, which was built by a soap entrepreneur, has been connected to many colorful characters, including the astonishing Chiffon, an entertainer who ran the International there, then did a stint in jail -- but the La Fabula story may be the most down-and-dirty yet.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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