Chicago culinary trip: Fifty courses in four days

I don’t know how to act my age. I have this bad habit of going to bed early, doing homework in the morning and not drinking nearly as much as a twenty-one-year old writer/cook should drink. Hell, I even occasionally go to class. My friend knows how to act his…

Westword finalists in the James Beard Competition

News of the writing finalists in the James Beard Foundation Awards is slowly leaking out of New York City, with the official list coming at noon today. But we already know that Jared Jacang Maher is a contender in the newspaper feature writing category for his February 2009 cover story…

March madness: The top four foods for the Sweet Sixteen

After a weekend of great basketball and not-so-great snacks, I’m planning some sweet eating action for this coming weekend’s Sweet Sixteen. Here’s some of the top local fare from three of the remaining top-ranked teams, and one from a post-game replacement. We’re not in Kansas any more…

Guess where I’m eating? (And it’s not Johnson’s Corner)

Johnson’s Corner, the classic truck stop just past the Berthoud exit on I-25, went through a major renovation a few years back that completely changed the joint, removing much of its ’50s charm — although we still considered it worthy of Guy Fieri’s attentions on a recent Diners, Drive-Ins and…

Sunday’s hot food ticket: Chefs Up Front

More than twenty of Denver’s star chefs will converge on the Colorado Convention Center this Sunday, March 21, for Chefs Up Front, a culinary bash to benefit Operation Frontline Colorado, a local nonprofit that fights hunger and malnutrition through food education. “This is such a fantastic event, because all of…

Guess where I’m drinking?

Made correctly, a Sazerac is one of my favorite cocktails. Made incorrectly, it tastes like an absinthe bomb. Can you guess where I drank this shitty Sazerac that I review next week?…

Sugar High: Lollicup boba tea

Okay, so maybe the weather’s not cooperating at this very second, but remember earlier in the week when we had that glorious glimpse of spring? That right there was reason enough to get our minds in gear for cool drinks to sip in warm weather. We always welcome a delicious…

Dino’s Soda Bar is shuttered for nonpayment of rent

Dino’s Soda Bar, the Washington Park ice cream parlor, breakfast stop and burger barn at 2217 East Mississippi Avenue that was the ‘hood hang-out for toned and tanned mommies and their stroller-strapped children, has defaulted on its lease, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by the landlord, who’s demanding “compliance or possession.”…

Guess where I’m eating?

I realize that it’s still morning, but as I watch the snowflakes dance outside my window, all I can think about is a big plate of pasta and a bottle of vino. Perhaps not the exact heap of noodles in the above pic, which were less than ordinary, but another,…

The Cabin on Broadway now open

Denver is suddenly getting very rustic. Earlier this month, the Lost Lake Lounge took over the former home of the Bulldog Bar at 3602 East Colfax Avenue. Now the Cabin on Broadway has opened at 2479 South Broadway. That’s the woodsy-looking building previously occupied by Olde Tyme Drafts & Dawgs…

Feeling chili? Send us your best recipe and win a DINR deck

Last Friday, I won the 5th Annual Celebrity Chili Cook-Off, hosted by the Denver Press Club, and benefitting the Women’s Bean Project. It was a sweet and spicy victory for a guy who’s been making red chili for a dozen years with little recognition. You can read about my adventure,…

Guess where I’m eating?

There are three things in life that you can never get enough of: foreplay, sex and charcuterie. Not necessarily in that order. Was this the best charcuterie board I’ve ever humped? No. Would I hump it again? Absolutely. Blame the caperberries. Or the membrillo. Whose charcuterie board got me all…

Part two: Chef and Tell with Nelson Perkins

Nelson Perkins Colt & Gray 1553 Platte Street 303-477-1447 Hours: 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 4-9 p.m. Sunday; brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. This is part two of Lori Midson’s Chef and Tell interview with Colt & Gray chef Nelson Perkins. To read part one of the interview, click…

Las Vegas still has sin to spare after Food Channel visit

Las Vegas, the city of pole-dancing, huge production numbers, guys and dolls, and guys dressed as dolls. The recession has hit Las Vegas in more ways than can be counted by a roll of the dice. But don’t let that deter you from blowing your expense account at the fine…

Soleil turns out the lights in Cherry Creek

Soleil Mediterranean Grille & Wine Bar, at 2817 East Third Avenue, had a sunny atmosphere — but its forecast was looking cloudy. So the owners have closed the doors of the Cherry Creek restaurant — for now. Although Soleil’s website is still up, the phone is disconnected. The owners plan…

How the chili cook-off was won (by Westword)

Everyone has a recipe for chili. Lady Bird Johnson’s recipe called for two to six generous dashes of liquid hot sauce. Kenny Rogers uses tomato paste and finely chopped jalapeños. Bobby Flay adds dark beer and semi-sweet chocolate, habaneros and toasted cumin. Chili is a dish that can be thrown…

Len & Bill’s Lounge goes dark after fifty years

Once of Denver’s best dives, Len & Bill’s Lounge at 2301 South Broadway, suddenly went dark two weeks ago — after fifty years in business. Jerry Morris, who owns the Dirty Duck Bar (4780 East Evans Avenue), says he considered buying Len & Bill’s, but when he figured out how…