Strange Sauce: The week in national food news

In the heat of Michael Bloomberg’s quest to limit the use of salt in NYC restaurants, a recent study has found that a program aimed at reducing the nation’s salt intake could shave 24 BILLION dollars from the national health-care budget. Healthy or not, we’re siding with David Chang, who…

Guess where I’m eating?

It’s not easy finding a good French onion soup in Denver, so imagine my surprise when I wrapped my jaws around this fantastic French onion soup sandwich, easily one of the coolest new dish discoveries this year. Whose sandwich out-souped the classic? Special bonus: Every Friday, anyone who gave the…

Sugar High: Banana puddin’ from Rooster & Moon

This cup of creamy goodness came delivered right to our door when we called Rooster & Moon, 955 Bannock Street, to inquire about the banana pudding that was making tongues wag around the Westword office. Co-owner Nicholas Bode was sure we’d dig the southern-style dessert that his seven-week-old restaurant was…

Please give peas a chance

A bill has been introduced at our esteemed Colorado Legislature that will formally establish a Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, the better for the advancement of healthy food policies. And to what do we denizens of Denver owe this piece of puff pastry? Is it because for the last hundred…

The amazing end of Amazing Jake’s

The amazing story of Amazing Jake’s may have ended. Last year, Art Cormier — renowned in Denver both for Smiley’s laundromat and the Regency Hotel — took over the giant funplex at 1400 South Abilene Street in Aurora, saying he planned to change it to Smiley’s Fun Center. But many…

In the kitchen with Jeff Osaka, chef of twelve

Jeff Osaka, chef/owner of twelve, and the center of this week’s compelling Chef and Tell interview, changes his menu monthly, hence the restaurant’s name. The January board trumpets foie gras and pork belly, Colorado lamb and a vegetarian paella and several sugar-laced finales, including Osaka’s orange polenta cake, the recipe…

The party’s over for Bash

For a decade, Bash held down the corner at 1902 Blake Street — and also held down the growth of the area, neighbors complained, when it became the flashpoint for trouble at closing time. But now Bash has closed, as Backbeat writer Jon Solomon documented yesterday. And while club-goers are…

Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta slices off another piece

Back in 1984, Henry Mann started serving slices of New York-style pizza from a storefront at 1550 California Street. From those humble beginnings, Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta has grown into one of the city’s biggest home-town chains, with thirty outlets spread across the metro area (including the original, still open…

Uncorking soon in Congress Park: Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates

Come what March, Congress Park residents will have a new grape divide and grazing pad in which to unleash their inner oenophile and appetite, namely Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates, opening in a former beauty salon at 3422 East 12th Avenue. The wine bar’s Facebook page, which has some…

Andy’s Asian Express opens on Federal

Andy’s Asian Express opened on Monday, January 11, in a former Dairy Queen at South Federal and Iliff, across the street from Lincoln High School. “We did a lot of remodeling,” says owner Andy Shi. “Now we have an open kitchen, so you can see what we are doing.” One…

Oh, Brother! A new member in Denver’s band of Brothers

First, there was My Brother’s Bar, which forty years ago last week moved into the building at 2376 15th Street that’s held a saloon since the 1870s. The bar remains under the watchful eye of Jim Karagas, who’d opened the Wazee Lounge and Supper Club at 1600 15th Street with…

Guess where I’m eating?

These niche tacos have been the tac-o the town for years, a constant in a fickle, ever-changing dining climate. And they’re just as awesome now as they ever were. Where did I get my crunch on? Special bonus: Every Friday, anyone who gave the first correct answer to any of…

Blues on Blake Supper Club fades to black

Blues on Blake Supper Club, the ambitious restaurant/music venue at 1925 Blake Street, was going to be closed from January 1 to 15 for “retooling,” according to its web site. “You have spoken and we have listened. Our New Year’s resolution is to improve on our first year and to…

Part two: Chef and Tell with Jeff Osaka of twelve

This is part two of my interview with Jeff Osaka, exec chef of twelve. You can read part one of my interview with Osaka here. Rules of conduct in your kitchen: I don’t have any rules per se. The only thing I ask from my kitchen staff is to pay…

Rioja team ropes together Martini Ranch deal

Jen Jasinski and Beth Gruitch, the talented duo behind Larimer Square restaurants Rioja and Bistro Vendome, have their eyes on a third spot around the corner, as Penny Parker reports in a good scoop this morning. According to the sign still on the former Martini Ranch at 1317 14th Street,…

BJ’s Port revival dries up

BJ’s Port was a classic Five Points dive, “a glorious little place at 28th and Welton streets that recalls the raucous, energetic organ-trio clubs of Jimmy Smith’s prime — right down to the barbecued ribs and collard greens on the menu,” Bill Gallo wrote for Westword back in 2002. But…

Tonight: Wine, spirits, two chefs and dinner at Black Pearl

The Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery, along with Peach Street Distillers, a Western Slope vodka, bourbon, gin, grappa and brandy distillery, will round out the libations at Black Pearl, 1529 South Pearl Street, the venue for tonight’s wine and spirits dinner spearheaded by Black Pearl chef Kate Horton and Paul Reilly,…

Medical marijuana patients enjoy pot luck at 8 Rivers

The first time I cooked pot food was my freshman year in high school. Two friends and I pooled our money, bought a quarter bag of Texas dirt weed and some instant brownie mix, and headed to an adult-free house with an open kitchen. After putting aside enough pot for…

Biker Jim takes his wieners to the asphalt of Argonaut Wine & Liquor

I got the first text late last night: “Lookin’ like our new location is at Argonaut Liquor,” it said. Two minutes later, another text: “Eeeyup.” And, finally, “Come down to 16th and Arapahoe tomorrow and I’ll make you rattlesnake or currywurst or something…” The barrage of texts and the promise…

Bison: It’s on the menu at the National Western Stock Show

Millions of bison used to thunder across the plains of Colorado. Today, the nation’s largest mammals still travel across the state – but they do so by truck. Nearly ninety buffalo are in Denver right now for the National Western Stock Show — 57 were unloaded Tuesday and another thirty…