The newest location for Ted’s Montana Grill officially opens in Boulder with a ribbon cutting on Monday, but I went to a preview, along with movers and shakers from the Boulder business community and government leaders — and with Ted Turner himself.

I was honored to breathe the same air as Turner, entrepreneur, environmentalist, yachtsman, visionary, world philanthropist and so much more. I was in the back part of the long, thin space that used to house Sunflower and the speeches were happening in the front. Still, it didn’t matter at all that I couldn’t see the speechmakers or even hear what they had to say. I was glad to be there, and if there must be chain outposts in downtown Boulder, I’m happy that they are ones with conscience. (Ted’s opens to the public Monday, Oct. 4.)

Ted’s Montana Grill, 1701 Pearl, (303) 449-5546.

Read the rest of Claire Walter’s review on her food blog, Culinary Colorado.