Bill Clinton and Bono surprise, delight diners at Denver eatery

Lunch visitors to the Humboldt restaurant today did a double take when they saw former President Clinton dining with Bono.

Among those lucky enough to be there and talk to the pair: Rep. Diana DeGette. The Denver congresswoman was catching up with the head of a nonprofit over lunch when the two celebrities walked in.

Clinton is in town for the Clinton Global Initiative, which started Monday at the Sheraton in downtown Denver. Bono is a singer with U2, which performed at the Pepsi Center Saturday.

It’s nice to know that Humboldt — the full name is Humboldt: Farm Fish Wine — can still draw the big names. It used to be Strings, where movers and shakers were known to gather.

On Tuesday Clinton will deliver a speech, “The Map of Making It in America.” On Wednesday he will moderate a panel, “Unlocking the Potential of Rural America.”

CGI America on website says it “brings together leaders from the business, philanthropic, NGO, and government sectors to develop solutions for economic growth, long-term competitiveness, and social mobility in the United States.” Here’s the agenda for the Denver summit. Hillary’s not there this year — she’s raising money for her White House bid.

From Reverb’s review of the Bono concert: “The long-running Irish quartet U2 let it all hang out at the first of two Denver shows at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night: eye-popping spectacle, gag-worthy sappiness, genuine heart and, as always, that undeniable, massive sound.”

Alan Franklin works for the liberal group Progress Now Colorado, located next to the restaurant. He got off a shot of the celebrities.

“I had just eaten lunch or I would have gone in,” he said, “and I’m told that would have been fine.”

Talk about a missed opportunity: At the time of the visit, I was dining with Amy Runyon-Harms, executive director of Progress Now. Rather than eat at Humboldt, we had decided to go another restaurant nearby.