Christmas is a holiday for everyone — drunks, gamblers, cheats, kids, construction workers and, especially, foodies — because it’s a whole season devoted to edible hedonism. People are tacitly allowed — if not outright encouraged — to glut themselves on whatever takes their fancy at any time, everything from candy…
After working in the craft-beer industry for five years, writing about it for one and geek-ing out over it with fellow beer nerds for nearly a decade, I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like the past year in beer. The revolution is especially — and not surprisingly –…
Kelly Wooldridge, beverage director and sommelier at the recently opened Trillium, was still in high school when he felt the first stirrings of interest in professional bartending. “There was this guy, Willie Grandison, at the American Restaurant in Kansas City,” he explains. “This bartender had been there since the restaurant…
I was just sent this special, special gift by the fine folks at Maker’s Mark, and asked one of my favorite bartenders if he would mind modeling it. So far, it’s my favorite gift this season. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct…
We’ll drink just about anything hot this time (and temperature) of the year, hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps (or some other sort of delicious liqueur) included. But there are a few cocktails on drink lists right now that make us clap our chilled hands with delight: Their warming qualities and…
What makes City, O’ City such a marvelous place to dine and drink? The location, right in the heart of downtown, the staff’s ability to make the best mocha latte I’ve had in quite a while, and the quirky-vegetarian treasures on the menu — notably the signature house-pickled vegetables. I…
There comes a moment every year — and it’s usually an alcohol-inspired moment during the holidays — when I, after a bottle or two of wine, declare that THIS year is the BEST YEAR EVER in Denver dining, and then commence to deliver a highly passionate, self-indulgent speech about why…
Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire — get a load of this dish of Rocky Mountain oysters, a deep-fried Colorado delicacy. Nuts! Can you guess where I’m eating? And where are the best spots in town to find Rocky Mountain oysters, anyway? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first…
Dana Rodriguez Bistro Vendôme 1420 Larimer Street 303-825-3232 www.bistrovendôme.com This is part two of my interview with Dana Rodriguez, exec chef of Bistro Vendôme. Part one of that interview ran in this space yesterday. Favorite restaurant in America: Gramercy Tavern in New York. It’s a wonderful place with delicious, flavorful…
December means latkes to most of the people in this country who celebrate Hanukah (and even to many happy eaters who don’t), but the simple yet delicious — and infinitely variable — potato pancakes are pretty good the rest of the year as well. At least that’s what the owners…
As the end of the year approaches, owners are scrambling to finish restaurant projects. Last year, Lou’s Food Bar, Bittersweet and Aria all managed to get their doors open right before the start of 2011 — which meant they could also get tables booked for New Year’s Eve. Dozens of…
People are excited to see something, anything go in to Union Station, which has long been filled with nothing but potential. Union Station Alliance, which won the nod from RTD to redevelop the historic building, has big plans for a retail/restaurant mix underneath the hotel that will go on the…
Tonight is the longest night of the year, which means it’s your night to shine! Unleash your inner rock star at Markstar Karaoke at Interstate Kitchen & Bar, 901 West 10th Avenue; the weekly festivities (including drink specials, to give you some liquid courage) start at 10 p.m. For more…
It hasn’t been a good year for our economy, but it’s been a stellar year for the Denver restaurant scene, which continues to produce culinary heroes and push the envelope. I can’t even begin to guess how many meals I’ve eaten in restaurants over the past year, but I’m fairly…
The last review of 2011 took me back to Barolo Grill, where a year ago I had some very mediocre meals at soaring prices — which made me think that Barolo’s star was tarnished, and the legendary restaurant no longer lived up to its reputation. When I returned to Barolo…
There are dozens of holiday beers on tap around town, whether it’s at beer bars like the Falling Rock Taphouse and Freshcraft or at local breweries themselves. But there’s one style of beer that absolutely screams Christmas: peppermint porter…
Three years ago, triplets Jill, Jessica and Jennifer Emich bowed out of Boulder’s restaurant scene when they sold Trilogy, their 13th Street wine bar; it became the now-closed B-Side Lounge. Since then, the sisters have worked together on several projects: running a catering company called Blissful Sisters, managing the Gold…
With only a few days to go until Christmas, it’s time to ‘fess up: Have you been naughty or nice? For goodness’ sake, here’s hoping you’ve been on your very best behavior this year — because then you’re fully deserving of these six stupendous bottles. Read on for the continuation…
Phat Thai will definitely start serving at 11 a.m. today in Cherry Creek — the place was already bustling earlier this morning as this Denver offshoot of Mark Fischer’s Carbondale Phat Thai prepared to open the doors. Here’s a first look:…
The cocktail in question sounded fantastic: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, basil and balsamic reduction with a splash of coke. Although it didn’t quite live up to my expectations, the new restaurant/bar pouring it certainly did. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to…
Dana Rodriguez Bistro Vendôme 1420 Larimer Street 303-825-3232 www.bistrovendôme.com This is part one of my interview with Dana Rodriguez, exec chef of Bistro Vendôme. Part two of that interview will run in this space tomorrow. Last month, three lawyers swaggered into Bistro Vendôme for dinner. One was from Puerto Rico,…
Park Hill residents know the strip on Kearney Street between 22nd and 23rd avenues well. In a largely residential area, this block contains a bakery, an upscale restaurant, a pizzeria and now Neighbors at Park Hill, a new venture with an eclectic mix of clientele that makes it difficult to…
