denver, boulder and the outlying areas are not only beautiful but the food is great here. Many great places to eat and drink. Think about it.

OK, now that AB's said on camera that he'll never come to Denver, we know he has to come. Here's the pitch: the trajectory of Denver food in recent decades is most of America's trajectory - from steaks, burgers, diners, to a truly cosmopolitan mix, including lots of great ethnic food. Second part of the pitch: Denver has something a traveling foodie needs, and that's a great food writer who's attentive to the low end as well as the top. Jason Sheehan writes for Westword, has a book out, and was, like AB, a cook before he was a writer. (No, I'm not Sheehan, nor do I know him.)

Bonuses: this is the premier microbrewery area in the country. Summer rock and roll is great (Redrocks Ampitheater). There's a stretch of South Federal Blvd that just has to be the scuzziest looking, but among the great ethnic food stretches anywhere. Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, etc. - along a blighted, old strip mall aesthetic. One more: the mayor, John Hickenlooper, was part of the revival of downtown food.