Shells and Sauce finally reveals its rooftop patio

The sauce and shells at Shells and Sauce, the cozy Italian spot in Congress Park, may not bowl me over — but the restaurant’s very cool new rooftop patio, which was months in the making, is certainly more than enough to lure me up the steps and onto one of…

Ask the Critic: Nothin’ but nuts

Because I live and work in Colorado, and because my livelihood revolves almost entirely around food, I get asked quite a lot about that one food item for which Colorado will always be known: the Rocky Mountain oyster.Yes, we’re talking about balls.  I’ve eaten them a couple of times, and…

Today’s three square deals: Pho, Mexican suds and a fresh catch

Lunch: There’s a very good reason why Pho 95, the Vietnamese soup and noodle shack at 1002 South Federal Boulevard, is ridiculously busy morning, noon and night: The service is by far the best on the Boulevard and the pho, rich, steaming hot and fragrant with anise, is phenomenal, not…

Guess where I’m eating?

See the tricked-out bomb above? The one layered with prosciutto, melty housemade mozzarella, arugula and oven-dried tomatoes, all stacked between slices of grilled bread brushed with olive oil and paved with a green olive pistou? That sandwich — that sandwich — is full-blown deliciousness, and whenever I eat at the…

The Capital Grille kicks off six-week wine tasting event

Beginning today and continuing through August 23, The Capital Grille, the terrific steakhouse at 1450 Larimer Street, is uncorking a six-week Master Wine Tasting event, whereby 12 different South African and Napa Valley wines, all selected by George Milotes, the cow palace’s corporate Master Sommelier, will be available for $10…

Milking It: Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Extra!

Raisin Bran Extra! Kellogg’s Rating: Two-and-a-half spoons out of four Cereal description: Whole wheat flakes are joined by the usual number of raisins, plus the (very) occasional cranberry, almond slices and yogurt wads with an interior consisting in part of “palm kernel,” which I didn’t know existed until I read…

Guess where I’m eating?

Today is National Cheesecake Day, which will undoubtedly send some of you sugar fiends into euphoria. Not me. I loathe cheesecake almost as much as celery and eggplant, which is to say that I really, really hate the staff. But that gorgeous salad in the above photo? It’s my favorite…

Cafe Society: Week in review

What you might have missed this week while chowing on local chocolate-covered bacon…What do you wish Denver’s restaurant scene had more of?  Jason Sheehan wants your opinion.Pop-Tarts and Bagelfuls: The ten stupidest “breakfast foods” ever.Local brew Blue Moon makes it to the White House’s beer summit, though we would have…

Where am I drinking?

This triple-threat flight of margaritas — one Coin-style, one watermelon, one caliente — are just the thing to get your weekend off to a very happy start. If you can find them, that is. Where am I drinking?…

The List: Denver’s Best Burgers

I’ve been writing a lot about burgers lately, so this week’s list reflects nothing more than my personal obsession du jour. Below are my top five burgers in Denver (and beyond).If I miss your favorite, be sure to add it in the comments.  With any luck, together we can come…

Reason to be happy at Happy Noodle House

I’ve got good news from Happy Noodle House, at 835 Walnut Street in Boulder. Not only did this joint that I reviewed two months ago start offering lunch-delivery service to its fans, but it has a new menu. This one, it seems, has bent even further in the international direction,…

Today only: Half-price cheesecake from the factory of the same name

So, you know that old cliche, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then shut the fuck up”? I’m going to follow that advice here and just spell it out: Folks, today is National Cheesecake Day, and in honor of the high-calorie, right-to-your-butt occasion, the Cheesecake Factory is offering…

This weekend: Raise a pint to the Greater Boulder Beer Festival

It’s not quite on the same tap as the Great American Beer Festival, which flows down on Denver on September 24 at the Colorado Convention Center, but the toddler-aged Greater Boulder Beer Festival, which turns two this year, isn’t exactly a slacker when it comes to suds. Sure, it’s small…

Garbanzo, Snooze open outlets this morning

Two local restaurant ventures will expand today. Snooze is slated to officially unveil its second location, at 700 Colorado Boulevard, this morning; like the original in the Ballpark neighborhood, it will be open for breakfast and lunch. And at 10:30 a.m., Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a Denver-based fast-casual chain focusing on…

Tonight: Cook Street School of Fine Cooking cook-off

Tonight from 6 to 9 p.m., Cook Street School of Fine Cooking, at 1937 Market Street, will kick off its tenth anniversary celebration with a series of ten-minute cooking demonstrations (audience participation and sampling absolutely encouraged), followed by a cook-off between four finalists, all of whom submitted original recipes using…

Mouth by south of the border at the new Fresko

Fresko is Mexican casual cuisine, a unique place, an experience, and a taste only known in Mexico. Fresko is honored to be in Colorado. Fresko is genuine, culture, quality, passion, freshness, ambiance, with a staff that loves to share. Experience metropolitan Mexican dining for a fast lunch, or a comfortable…

An offer too good to refuse

I found out about this promo from a guy who knows a guy, who knows a thing or two about a thing or two — and thought you all might want a little of the action. The deal is 80 percent off of already discounted gift certificates, but how long…

Where am I drinking?

Figuring out where I’m drinking should be easy; there’s a hint in the photo. Figuring out what will be harder, since you can’t find this drink in any other Denver bar, although it’s making a comeback on the East Coast. What is it — and where?…

Candy Girls: Chocolate-covered bacon

There’s little left that hasn’t been baconed.  Mints, vodka, lip gloss, gum, ice cream: all products upon which the salty meat flavor has been imparted.  Adding chocolate to the mix seems, for some, an inspiration from the heavens, while for others the mere thought of bacon playing in chocolate triggers…