Today is Dining Out for Life, and over 300 area restaurants have signed on to donate at least 25 percent of their food sales to Project Angel Heart, which prepares and delivers meals to people living with life-threatening illnesses. I’ll be bartending at Mezcal, 3230 East Colfax Avenue, which serves…
Harry Kalas died.” “What?” “Harry Kalas died.” “Who?” “You’re an idiot. Harry Kalas. Announcer for the Phillies? He died. I’m going to get cheesesteaks.” Harry Kalas wasn’t just the announcer for the Phillies over 39 seasons; he was an institution. He was the voice that generations of Philadelphians grew up…
I met Matt Franklin through his cuisine — screwjack Californian with a heavy dose of Colorado pride and a squirrelly streak of fusion that should have made me want to throw something at his head but instead kept his style fresh and surprising. Under the neon, tile and blue Miami…
For nearly 35 years, Arap’s Old Gun Shop (3866 South Broadway in Englewood) — better known to passersby as Eatin’ Drinkin’ Darts, thanks to its signature red-and-yellow sign — has been an old-timey saloon for billiards and dart enthusiasts. For many decades (some say a century or more), it was…
When people ask me where they ought to go on a first date, I often say Bistro Vendôme. When they ask where they ought to go with a big party, I often say Vendôme — and ask for the private room to the left of the bar, an intimate spot…
I do not often eat at other people’s houses.Matter of fact, it’s safe to say that I almost never eat at other people’s houses. It’s a weird thing with me, a long-held habit that started as something like a charming personality quirk (“Oh, Jason? No, don’t worry. He never shows…
Vesta Dipping Grill, at 1822 Blake Street, is launching its own “Colorado Stimulus Plan,” and giving away a month of happy hours — a total of twenty in June (one every Monday through Friday through the month). According to Vesta’s announcement, the owners (who are also responsible for Steuben’s) “feel…
Senor Rita’s, the “Cantina and Mexican Grill’ at 5007 East Colfax, is on permanent siesta. The restaurant was closed last Sunday by the Little Pub Company because it failed to meet expectations, according to the only person I could reach at company headquarters. And that’s uncommon for a Little Pub…
To celebrate Colorado Architecture Month, the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects has paired up with local chefs for the Delicious Design program, creating desserts inspired by specific buildings in Colorado. Thursday’s dessert was from Steuben’s, Friday’s featured design from Carelli’s in Boulder, yesterday’s was at Root Down,…
After a few delays, Jet Entertainment Group is slated to open Pizza Republica, its restaurant in the Landmark project in Greenwood Village, on May 8. According to the optimistically present-tense description on Jet’s website, “Pizza Republica focuses on homemade cooking using local and organic produce whenever possible. The marinara, mozzarella,…
Restaurants will be popping up like May flowers all over town next month. First of the big blooms: Olivea, at 719 East 17th Avenue (the former home of Aix), is slated to open May 4. It’s coming from Keith Arnold and Stephanie Bonin (owners of Duo), and John Broening and…
Tonight’s Dos Casas, a benefit for Brent’s Place, will bring seven of the town’s best chefs – Jamey Fader of Big Red F, Sheila Lucero of Jax Fish House Denver, Matt Selby of Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben’s, Tyler Wiard of Elway’s in Cherry Creek, Goose Sorenson of Solera, Sean…
I met Matt Franklin through his cuisine — screwjack Californian with a heavy dose of Colorado pride and a squirrelly streak of fusion that should’ve made me want to throw something at his head but, instead, kept his style fresh and surprising. Under the neon, tile and blue Miami Vice…
The Master clan was back in town yesterday to do a little family-brand wine pimping at Sketch. And guess who was there to taste the offerings? That’s right, yours truly. And while I generally avoid things like opening-night parties, wine tastings, benefit dinners and “celebrity chef” parties like the plagues that…
Back in December, Robert Thompson (formerly of Brasserie Rouge, the Atomic Cowboy and B-52 Billiards) announced that his Chicago company, Seasoned Development, would open its first Noca Kitchen at 1433 17th Street in Denver. “Noca Kitchen is going to be a substantial growth vehicle for us in Denver, as well…
The Colorado Bartenders Guild (COBG) hosted its first-ever cocktail contest on Sunday night at Trios Entoneca, and Mark Stoddard (above), of Boulder’s Bitter Bar, took first place with his “Swedish Fish” — a tasty blend of Absolut, Orgeat Syrup, Maraschino Cherry liquid Regan’s Orange Bitter’s, orange wedges and mint. The…
To celebrate Colorado Architecture Month, the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects has paired up with local chefs for the Delicious Design program, creating desserts inspired by specific buildings in Colorado. Thursday’s dessert was from Steuben’s, Friday’s featured design from Carelli’s in Boulder, and today? Root Down, located…
As we reported in March, New Belgium Brewing has rolled out its second canned beer – Sunshine Wheat — in Colorado only (the trucks hit the road on Friday on their way to liquor stores). But if sales are strong – as they were when the Fort Collins brewery introduced…
Casselman’s Bar & Venue opened this past weekend at 2620 Walnut Street, in the space where Shakespeare’s Pub, once an institution in the Platte Valley, lasted less than a year. Maybe that’s why owner Matt Casselman wants to refer to the neighborhood as “NoDo.” But he could soon rake in…
Mizuna, Frank Bonanno’s restaurant at 225 East Seventh Avenue, will host its monthly wine dinner tonight. The five-course meal is $100; for reservations, call 303-832-4778. But save some space — and cash — because this Thursday, April 30, is the annual Dining Out for Life, and over 300 area restaurants…
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that I haven’t been on a lot of dates. Thus far, my personal history of socio-sexual relations has been divided into two very distinct categories. Depending on the year, the place and my condition, I have either gotten by as some kind of…
While Charlie Master is now ensconced at Sketch, his former restaurant, Brix, is slowly settling into history. Although the original Brix space at 3000 East Fillmore Street is again empty (Barron’s died within weeks), the second Brix location, downtown at 2200 Market Street, should reopen on Friday, May 1, as…
