Shangri-La Cafe now pouring Sutcliffe Vineyards wine

For the past year, Shangri-La Cafe, the tiny coffee shop wedged into the space between Lola and Vita in the Lower Highland, has built a steady following, thanks to its Lavazza espresso drinks, coffee and pressed sandwiches -- sandwiches so stellar that the shop won our Best Panini award in...

By Laura Shunk

June 16, 2011

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For the past year, Shangri-La Cafe, the tiny coffee shop wedged into the space between Lola and Vita in the Lower Highland, has built a steady following, thanks to its Lavazza espresso drinks, coffee and pressed sandwiches -- sandwiches so stellar that the shop won our Best Panini award in Best of Denver 2011.

Now, owner Massimo Ruffinazzi is adding more to his program: wine.

Specifically, he's set up a tasting room license: "I wanted to offer wine from a really good Colorado winery," he says. So he chose Sutcliffe Vineyards, pouring, among other juices, the 2008 Down Canyon Blend, a syrah and cabernet mix that landed a score of 88 from Wine Spectator.

He teamed up with the winery to become the official tasting room, and he's selling that award winner -- along with every other wine Sutcliffe makes. And while most of those can only be purchased by the bottle, a few are available by the glass, or for pairing with panini.

And speaking of panini, Ruffinazzi says he's also getting ready to expand the sandwich list. Changes should roll out sometime in the next few days.

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Laura Shunk was Westword's restaurant critic from 2010 to 2012; she's also been food editor at the Village Voice and a dining columnist in Beijing. Her toughest assignment had her drinking ten martinis and eating ten Caesar salads over the course of 48 hours. She still drinks martinis, but remains lukewarm on Caesar salads.

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