Palace closes on East Evans, sends regulars to Imperial

Johnny Hsu has shuttered his Palace. Although its website doesn’t indicate that the longtime Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant on East Evans has closed, both the phone number and a sign on the door send Palace customers to Imperial Chinese Restaurant. That’s Hsu’s 28-year-old mainstay on South Broadway. See also: Imperial…

Bacaro Bloody bar — vodka is stronger than rain

Despite the weather, Chris Holston, general manager of Bacaro Venetian Taverna in Boulder, has decided to brave the elements and continue serving the specialty Bloody Marys introduced last weekend for a new rooftop brunch. See also: Best Bloody Mary Bar 2013 — the Corner Office…

Coming of age with 21 drinks: Sake and poppycock at TAG| Raw Bar

Fun fact: before microbreweries took over Colorado, Golden was home to the state’s first — and so far, only — sake brewery. The Hakushika Sake U.S.A. brewery opened in 1992 and produced sake for America and the ravenous European market until the Japanese recession tanked the business six years later…

Guess where I’m drinking a marsh of margaritas?

One surefire way to make your belly swish? Swallow four margaritas, or in my case, just one, which is still enough to do the job. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to a Guess Where post is entered into a pool…

Three ways to chow down on Mexican Independence Day

Although Cinco de Mayo has become a major holiday in tequila-loving cities across the United States, the real Mexican holiday is Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 15 or September 16 (back in 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo rallied the troops with his church bells at midnight between those…

Dishes of DISH: Philippine-style empanadas from Orange Crunch

On Sunday, September 22, DISH will dish out food and drinks from dozens of Cafe Society’s favorite restaurants and trucks, as well as Best of Denver readers’ winners, in the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Orange Crunch, our pick for Best Food Cart in the 2013 Best…

First look: Babette’s Artisan Breads rises at the Source

Last week, when I interviewed Steve Redzikowski, chef and co-owner of Acorn, which just opened in the Source, he was fixated on a baguette, but not just any baguette: This particular baguette, he said, equated to the “best baguette in Colorado.” He called it “phenomenal,” and then followed up that…

Ten cozy places to hole up in Denver during the rainpocalypse

In the last few days, we’ve seen colder temperatures, gray skies and an unprecedented amount of rainfall — a cue to any Coloradan’s brain that patio season is nearly over and it’s time to seek out the cozy establishments we tend to hibernate in during fall and winter. So, whether…

Wine, beer and more fun on tap this weekend

The Lowry Beer Garden, 7577 East Academy Boulevard, has partnered with three Colorado craft breweries for a series of Oktoberfest festivities. The first begins today and runs through Saturday, September 14; Prost Brewing will be taking over the taps from 6:30 to 10 p.m., and there will be live music…

Win four VIP tickets to the Denver Beerathon (WINNER UPDATE)

UPDATE: We have a winner of our Denver Beerathon contest, in which we asked Cafe Society readers to answer this question: How many glasses of Empire Brewing pumpkin ale were poured during the 2012 New York Beerathon? Congratulations to Leah McCracken, who guessed 715; the actual answer is 727. Leah,…

Colt & Gray closing for a week: Help drink the bar dry Sunday

“Drink the bar dry!” That’s the rallying cry at Colt & Gray, which is getting serious about its long-delayed renovation and expansion — so serious that it’s closing for a week. But first, it needs you to help drink the bar dry on Sunday. See also: Best Bartender’s Choice Cocktail…

Guess where I’m eating an Italian sausage-and-pepper sandwich?

While the java joint next door overflowed with caffeine junkies, the spot where I was having lunch was empty, save for me and my Italian sausage-and-pepper sandwich, which was nearly as soggy as the weather. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer…

Dishes of DISH: Slider Shack 303’s beef sliders and fries

On Sunday, September 22, DISH will dish out food and drinks from dozens of Cafe Society’s favorite restaurants and trucks, as well as Best of Denver readers’ winners, in the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Slider Shack 303 will be revving up there, grilling up its fresh…

Dishes of DISH: Little Man Ice Cream sweetens the mix

On Sunday, September 22, DISH will dish out food and drinks from dozens of Cafe Society’s favorite restaurants and trucks, as well as Best of Denver readers’ winners, in the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. And while there will be plenty of savory snacks, there will also…

Five things I really don’t like about Trader Joe’s

For years, Trader Joe’s- deprived Coloradans wondered when this retail shopping mecca would bless our state. This week we learned that we would soon have an embarrassment of riches: The metro area will soon have not three but four stores, all slated to open some time in 2014. That still…