Strange Sauce: The week in national food news

Michelle Obama appeared on Iron Chef America and challenged contestants to use ingredients from the White House vegetable garden. Mario Batali, known for his hideous orange Crocs, dubbed Michelle’s dress “Obamatali Orange.” Although we prefer him plump, George Costanza has agreed to be the new face of Jenny Craig. A…

Guess where I’m eating?

It’s Christmas all year long in the Land of Enchantment, which is where I’ve spent the week in euphoria, thanks, in part to the breakfast burritos at this Santa Fe institution. Where did I get my red and green chile rush? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer…

Free food! For Kids! At Chipotle! Every Sunday through January!

As part of its ongoing menu-expansion test in Colorado, all area Chipotle Mexican Grill locations will be giving away free kid’s meals on the remaining Sundays in January — January 10, 17, 24 and 31 — when parents fork over the dough for a burrito, burrito bowl or full-size salad…

Sugar High: Olivea

If your New Year’s resolutions have you off the sugar, this post isn’t for you. If, however, you’ve instead vowed to be more mindful of the quality of your indulgences and are keeping your palate readied for only the most mind-blowing of desserts, then by all means: read on…

In the kitchen with Kyle Fitzgerald of the Old Blinking Light

Kyle Fitzgerald, exec chef of the Old Blinking Light and the mouthpiece in this week’s Chef and Tell interview, has a thing for chiles, which isn’t surprising since his restaurant turns out plates from the Southwest. For this super-easy jelly recipe, Fitzgerald fires up the heat with fresh jalapenos. “This…

Sheehan: Things I’m gonna miss…

Time is growing short. Less than a week before I turn my back on the 303 and make for the 206 (which sounds weird just to say), and everywhere I turn, I’m seeing things I’m going to miss. It’s no longer just the big things that are getting to me,…

After-action report: Broadway Book Mall and beyond

So how many people braved the weather last night and came out for my last book signing? Eleven. Which some people might see as sad, but not me. First, because that doesn’t even take the record for my least-attended signing (which would be eight people showing up on a night…

Guess where I’m drinking?

In the dead of winter, a sip of this delicious pineapple mojito was enough to transport me to sunny South America. Guess where I was drinking, and post your answer below. Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to any of the week’s Where am I drinking/eating posts…

Catch this: A claw game that catches live lobsters

Remember the “claw” games that used to litter every campy restaurant or amusement park, and you’d pour about ten bucks’ worth of coins into a game just to get a 40 cent trinket? Well, the Love Maine Lobster Company now lets you pick your own live lobster from an arcade-style…

Former Bubba Chinos in Park Hill goes to pot

Would-be medical marijuana dispensary owners are snapping up empty restaurant spaces around town. The former Buca di Beppo at 1400 Market Street is turning into Farmacy, and the space at 5151 East 28th Avenue that formerly held Bubba Chinos #5 is now slated to become a medical marijuana dispensary. But…

Stephanie Tourles makes the case for raw food

Stephanie Tourles is the author of the just-released “cook” book Raw Energy: 124 Raw Food Recipes for Energy Bars, Smoothies, and Other Snacks to Supercharge Your Body. She’ll be appearing at the Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th Street, on Monday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. to sign copies of the…

Guess where I’m eating?

Nothing fights the cold — and a cold — like a heaping helping of pickled jalapenos on an order of nachos. Except, maybe, for the side of green chile that’s coming next. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to any of…

Get a job! Sprouts is hiring for two new markets

Sprouts Farmers Market will host a pair of job fairs this week to hire up to 200 new employees to staff two markets — one in Centennial, the other in Castle Rock — slated to open February 12. (The Arizona-based company already has stores in Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, Parker…

New Ali Baba Grill finally has an opening date (maybe…)

The way things are looking right now, the new Ali Baba (which is just waiting on permits, according to the manager) might manage to get open before the end of December. Failing that, though, the fallback date is January 1. That’s what I wrote at the beginning of December, from…

Tough times in Boulder, too

No one ever said the restaurant business was easy. Most people (the smart ones) would actually say that, short of becoming a medical guinea pig or hand-grenade catcher, the food service-industry is one of the toughest out there. Fun, sure. Exciting. But not the easiest way in the world to…

Sheehan book signing tonight: A minor complication

As mentioned earlier this morning, my final book-signing in Denver (at least for the foreseeable future) is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the Broadway Book Mall (200 South Broadway). That hasn’t changed. I’ll still be there, in the flesh, signing pen in hand. I’ll probably read a bit, shake…