In the Thick of It: Colorado Green Chile at Tacos Jalisco

When I first moved to Denver and began visiting this city’s Mexican restaurants, I paid more attention to places like Tacos Jalisco than to what I thought of at the time as Americanized Mexican food. I was searching for that most ambiguous and hollow of food finds: authenticity. My quest…

Tengu Now Serving Ramen in the Industry Building in River North

The ramen wars are heating up around the Ballpark and RiNo neighborhoods. Jeff Osaka announced earlier this year that he’d be opening Osaka Ramen on Walnut Street, a project that’s now looking at a January opening; Tokio recently opened up in nearby Prospect with a menu full of ramen, sushi…

Krewe Crescent City BBQ Closes, Will Merge With Stoney’s

The corner of 11th Avenue and Lincoln Street has swallowed a lot of restaurants over the years; Krewe Crescent City BBQ didn’t even make it a year. Opened on Super Bowl weekend last spring, Krewe is closing today with a plan to reopen as an expansion of Stoney’s Bar and…

Noodles & Company and Protein Bar Expand; Qdoba Gets Smothered

As evidence that Denver continues to go nuts over all things fast-casual, local chain Noodles & Company is opening its 56th store in Colorado today, while Chicago import Protein Bar is also opening another location: the new 16th Street Mall spot will be the fourth Protein Bar in Colorado when…

Cafe|Bar Becomes Grey Cactus Cocina Bar

Dane Huguley closed Cafe|Bar a little over a month ago, but with a promise to reopen the neighborhood eatery with a new name and identity. His idea was an inexpensive, neighborhood taco joint with striking murals and simple food. Huguley’s new restaurant, Grey Cactus Cocina Bar, is now open and…

100 Favorite Dishes: Sesame Balls at Vinh Xuong Bakery

No. 60: Sesame Balls at Vinh Xuong Bakery 2370 West Alameda Avenue 303-922-0999 The Vinh Xuong Bakery in the Alameda Square shopping center sits in sharp contrast to its parent on Federal Boulevard. While the older store is cluttered and close, the newer version is bright and airy. Comfortable chairs…

Biker Jim’s Wins Over the Veggie Crowd With Vegan Dogs

While Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs is well known for non-traditional choices of meats that go into its sausages, the menu also has an impressive number of vegetarian and vegan items, and all of the vegan items have a handy little red “v” next to them, making it rather painless for…

Hasu Asian Bistro & Sushi Opens In Cherry Creek North

When East Asia Garden closed earlier this year on South Broadway, we were saddened by the loss of one of the most unique and in-depth Chinese menus in town. Along with stellar barbecue duck and a standard range from the American-Chinese culinary canon, East Asia Garden had built a reputation…

100 Favorite Dishes: Butternut Squash Ravioli at DiFranco’s

No. 61: The Butternut Squash Ravioli at DiFranco’s 955 Lincoln Street, Suite D 720-253-1244 When DiFranco’s opened in the Beauvallon Building, we held out hope that the little Italian deli would make it on a block that for a time was one of Denver’s biggest restaurant black holes. But after…

Review: The Nickel Is a Fast Change-Up for Hotel Teatro

The Nickel 1100 14th Street 720-889-2128 The first time I went to The Nickel, the spiffy new restaurant that took the place of Prima Ristorante in the refurbished Hotel Teatro, I felt like I was buying a new car. There was wheeling. There was dealing. There was even that awkward…

Dozens Cooks Up Brunch by the Numbers

In an odd section of the Golden Triangle that’s easily overlooked, with parking lots, a police station, and plenty of bail bond services, Dozens is the kind of charming old house you describe as having character when what really you mean is it’s a little rundown. But the breakfast spot…