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Blogs
April 4, 2012
Russo's Kitchen Tavern closes in Peter Kudla's "Midtown"
Midtown.That's what Peter Kudla, the COO of Metropolitan Homes and the developer of Vallagio at Inverness, a suburban mini-sprawl of retailers, lofts and restaurants in Englewood, chose to call his development when it came to fruition last year. "It's a unique dimension down here," said Kudla, when ... More >>
Blogs
March 13, 2012
Small Plates, Big Hearts and St. Patrick's Day on this week's calendar
St. Patrick's Day is this Saturday, so of course there will be lots of green shenanigans around town. You can find many St. Paddy's activities in our online listings. But there are lots of other culinary activities to slurp up this week:
Blogs
January 25, 2012
100 Favorite Dishes: Pasta puttanesca from Sketch
No. 45: Pasta puttanesca from Sketch
Blogs
December 27, 2011
New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and more on this week's culinary calendar
We've shared our list of the top ten New Year's Eve dining events, but that's far from everything that's taking place this weekend. Keep reading to see a full rundown of what's happening before, during and after the big day; we'll continue updating the online listings until the eleventh hour. Here's ... More >>
Dining
December 22, 2011
With an updated menu, the revamped Barolo Grill is flying high
Slide show: Barolo Grill is flying high
Blogs
October 26, 2011
The revamped Fat Frog Cafe will launch in downtown Littleton in mid-November
A few years ago, Joel Cline, a Denver chef who's cooked at Castle Pines golf club, the long-gone Adega and the recently shuttered Argyll, was eyeing a space in downtown Littleton, where he planned to open a crepe cafe. But while he was pondering the situation, Penzys Spices, a national chain, ... More >>
Music
September 15, 2011
Casselman's gets a sixteen-and-up license
A few years ago, Joel Cline, a Denver chef who's cooked at Castle Pines golf club, the long-gone Adega and the recently shuttered Argyll, was eyeing a space in downtown Littleton, where he planned to open a crepe cafe. But while he was pondering the situation, Penzys Spices, a national chain, ... More >>
Calendar
June 9, 2011
A Wine Time
A few years ago, Joel Cline, a Denver chef who's cooked at Castle Pines golf club, the long-gone Adega and the recently shuttered Argyll, was eyeing a space in downtown Littleton, where he planned to open a crepe cafe. But while he was pondering the situation, Penzys Spices, a national chain, ... More >>
Blogs
June 9, 2011
Reader: Was Brian Laird too good for Russo's?
The news that Brian Laird, who lasted a decade at Barolo, is out after just a few months at at Russo's Kitchen Tavern , the restaurant that Peter Kudla put in his Vallagio project, has generated lots of response, including this from Tico: Know the feeling, I once ran a place where the owne ... More >>
Blogs
June 7, 2011
Brian Laird says he wasn't "a good fit" at Russo's Kitchen Tavern
Lori MidsonDon't blame Brian Laird for leaving Russo's Kitchen Tavern: Blame the decorSeveral months ago, Brian Laird, who'd been spearheading the burners at Barolo Grill for more than a decade, parted ways, amicably, with Barolo owner Blair Taylor and his venerable Italian restaurant. Lair ... More >>
Blogs
March 14, 2011
Exclusive sneak peek: Russo's Kitchen Tavern
Lori MidsonLate last week, Brian Laird, the executive chef of Russo's Kitchen Tavern, which opens on Thursday at Vallagio at Inverness, trotted out a nonstop medley of dishes during a staff tasting and orientation -- and we were lucky enough to share in the food coma. And Laird, the form ... More >>
Blogs
February 21, 2011
Marco's Coal-Fired Pizzeria opens today at Vallagio at Inverness
Lori MidsonMark Dym isn't a big proponent of hoopla or fanfare, and today's opening of Marco's Coal-Fired Pizzeria at Vallagio at Inverness, Peter Kudla's "Midtown" retail, resident and restaurant development just off Dry Creek and I-25, was soft and quiet. By 2:30 p.m., fifty people, severa ... More >>
Blogs
February 3, 2011
Reader: With Brian Laird going to Russo's, things are looking up in the southern suburbs
Lori MidsonThe interior of Russo's Kitchen Tavern..Yesterday, a reader wondered if the restaurant-packed Berkeley neighborhood in northwest Denver was suffering from too much of a good thing. But the revelation that Brian Laird was heading south to Russo's Kitchen Tavern, one of several r ... More >>
Blogs
February 3, 2011
Top five new names for Midtown at Vallagio
As a resident of a town even further south than Vallagio at Inverness, the new development at Dry Creek and I-25 that's now trying to call its restaurant-centric self "Midtown," I have to admire the guts of developer Peter Kudla. By bringing a number of established restaurateurs and chefs, ... More >>
Blogs
February 2, 2011
Ex-Barolo Grill chef Brian Laird tapped to be the new exec chef of Russo's Kitchen Tavern
Lori MidsonSix months ago, Mark Dym, the owner of Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza, 2129 Larimer Street, was interviewing potential chefs to oversee a new temple of gastronomy at Vallagio at Inverness, an urbanized, retail, restaurant and residence development spearheaded by Peter Kudla, the COO of ... More >>
Blogs
January 11, 2011
FIVE inducts three new chefs and one awesome mixologist: Paul Reilly, Brandon Biederman, Enrique Socarras and Bryan Dayton
Lori MidsonFour of the new FIVE: Brandon Biederman, Bryan Dayton, Enrique Socarras and Paul Reilly. Last night at Roth Distributing, where state-of-the-art kitchens played house to some of Denver's top chefs and mixologists, Leigh Sullivan-Guard, the founder of FIVE -- a cartel of chefs who c ... More >>
Blogs
January 10, 2011
After thirteen years, Brian Laird breaks up with Barolo Grill
Lori MidsonLast February, fourteen Denver chefs congregated inside the Stranahan's Whiskey distillery as part of a 50top feast, an invite-only, underbelly dinner club that gives chefs the opportunity to cook whatever the hell they want for an appreciative cluster of foodniks who never know w ... More >>
Blogs
January 10, 2011
FIVE will announce its new crop of chefs tonight
Tonight, at 6 p.m., Leigh Sullivan-Guard, the force behind FIVE, an über-talented crop of five Denver chefs who put on showstopping dinners throughout the year at their respective restaurants, represent the local fray at the ritzy Aspen Food & Wine Classic and commune at the James Beard H ... More >>
Dining
December 16, 2010
Barolo Grill needs to try a little harder to live up to its reputation
Tonight, at 6 p.m., Leigh Sullivan-Guard, the force behind FIVE, an über-talented crop of five Denver chefs who put on showstopping dinners throughout the year at their respective restaurants, represent the local fray at the ritzy Aspen Food & Wine Classic and commune at the James Beard H ... More >>
Blogs
November 16, 2010
Barolo Grill gets fragrant with its truffle festival: UPDATE
Photo: Kyle GarrattBarolo Grill's truffle festival is in full swing.There was a time when diners desiring truffles would have to grab their specially trained pig or dog and hunt the ripe grounds of Italy or France. That, or fork over upwards of $2,200 a pound for white truffles. Luckily for ... More >>
Blogs
November 12, 2010
Food porn: Behold last night's beast feast at the MCA
Lori MidsonTwo nights ago at the MCA Denver Art Meets Beast butchering demonstration, Pete Marczyk and Jimmy "the Butcher" Cross, both of Marczyk Fine Foods, deftly dismembered a medieval-size bison carcass in front of a mesmerized crowd. The various cuts -- shanks, ribs, tenderloin, strip l ... More >>
Blogs
November 11, 2010
Knives, jokes and hunks of meat fly at MCA Denver's bison-butchering bash
Teal NippPete Marczyk (left) and Jimmy Cross meat the audience.It wasn't bloody, it wasn't smelly and it didn't attract flies. But then, the bison had already been slaughtered and quartered at a Nebraska ranch, separated from its head, hide and organs and hung up to age for two weeks. Anythi ... More >>
Blogs
September 22, 2010
The Denver FIVE host their last bash of the year tonight at the James Beard House
Tonight, while the rest of us will be grubbing and imbibing at Dish, Westword's annual bash dedicated to Denver's dining culture, the chefs who comprise the Denver FIVE -- Jamey Fader, Troy Guard, Brian Laird, Matt Selby and Tyler Wiard -- will be bringing down the storied James Beard House i ... More >>
Blogs
September 14, 2010
Tonight: An Evening of Decadent Delights at Lola
A Flickr photoSome of Denver's top chefs are participating in tonight's aptly named Evening of Decadent Delights at Lola, 1575 Boulder Street. Alex Seidel (Fruition) will create the passed hors d'ouevre; Sean Yontz (El Diablo) is tapped for the appetizer course; Goose Sorensen (Solera) will w ... More >>
Blogs
September 13, 2010
Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Beer, food drives and a new film series
Between the Denver Beer Fest, the Great American Beer Fest and various Oktoberfest events taking place around the city, you're sure to find your fill of beer at one place or another. Still, there's lots more non-carbonated fun taking place, including a new movie series at Infinite Monkey Theo ... More >>
Blogs
July 30, 2010
This weekend: Crested Butte hosts the Denver FIVE and more
A Flickr photoThe Crested Butte Annual Arts Festival kicks off today and runs through Sunday, August 1; among the fabulous culinary offerings are cocktail seminars, gourmet dinners and free demonstrations. But the real draw is tonight's five-course dinner prepared by the infamous Denver FIV ... More >>
Blogs
July 27, 2010
The Denver Five are passing the torch to five new chefs
From left to right: Matt Selby, Tyler Wiard, Troy Guard, Jamey Fader and Brian LairdIn 2003, Leigh Sullivan was questioning what a lot of us in Denver ponder when discussing the Denver dining climate. Why, she wondered, is everyone focusing on the restaurants and chefs in San Francisco, Chica ... More >>
Blogs
July 2, 2010
Eat your heart out during the Cherry Creek Arts Festival
The chefs of Denver FIVE will cook this weekend at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival Ready, set, sizzle! You know that summer's in full swing when the sun beats down on the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which kicks of its three-day crowd-burst tonight at 7 p.m. on Clayton Street, between Second an ... More >>
Calendar
July 1, 2010
Eating as Art
The chefs of Denver FIVE will cook this weekend at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival Ready, set, sizzle! You know that summer's in full swing when the sun beats down on the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which kicks of its three-day crowd-burst tonight at 7 p.m. on Clayton Street, between Second an ... More >>
Blogs
June 16, 2010
Tonight: Strike it while it's Hot Rocks Griller Challenge at Elway's Cherry Creek
Lori Midson Vesta Dipping Grill executive chef Brandon Biederman and Lola and Big Red F executive chef Jamey Fader at the 2009 Hot Rocks Griller Challenge at Elway's Cherry Creek A swell of Denver's top kitchen masters are playing with fire tonight at Elway's Cherry Creek, 2500 East First Av ... More >>
Calendar
June 10, 2010
Manning the Grill
Lori Midson Vesta Dipping Grill executive chef Brandon Biederman and Lola and Big Red F executive chef Jamey Fader at the 2009 Hot Rocks Griller Challenge at Elway's Cherry Creek A swell of Denver's top kitchen masters are playing with fire tonight at Elway's Cherry Creek, 2500 East First Av ... More >>
Blogs
June 7, 2010
Tonight: Small plates at Vesta to benefit Urban Peak
The annual Plates for the Peak fundraiser, tonight at Vesta Dipping Grill, 1822 Blake Street, is a delicious highlight of the summer fundraising scene, featuring contributions by many of Denver's top chefs. From 6 to 10 p.m., enjoy small plates created by Brian Laird (Barolo Grill), Keegan G ... More >>
Blogs
June 7, 2010
Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Booze, festivals and charity events
Beer release parties, brewery birthdays and Old South Pearl's BrewGrass Festival are where it's at in food this week -- but there's plenty more for teetotalers or those who prefer wine or stronger spirits. Here's a taste of what's ahead: Monday, June 7: Jill's Restaurant, 900 Walnut Street ... More >>
Calendar
June 3, 2010
Food and Shelter
Beer release parties, brewery birthdays and Old South Pearl's BrewGrass Festival are where it's at in food this week -- but there's plenty more for teetotalers or those who prefer wine or stronger spirits. Here's a taste of what's ahead: Monday, June 7: Jill's Restaurant, 900 Walnut Street ... More >>
Blogs
May 24, 2010
Tonight: The Denver FIVE get down at Lola
The chefs of Denver FIVEThe cast of the Denver FIVE -- chefs Matt Selby (Steuben's and Vesta Dipping Grill), Troy Guard (TAG) and Tyler Wiard (Elway's Cherry Creek) -- is joining forces with Big Red F culinary director Jamey Fader tonight at Lola, 1575 Boulder Street, for a six-course dinn ... More >>
Blogs
April 28, 2010
Tonight: Elway's, Wynkoop, Parisi, 8 Rivers events
A Flickr photo.Some of Denver's favorite restaurants are hosting special events tonight, featuring everything from rum to Wynkoop beer to five of the town's best chefs. First up: The Five -- Troy Guard of TAG, Jamey Fader of Lola, Matt Selby of Steuben's and Vesta, Brian Laird of Barolo and ... More >>
Blogs
April 23, 2010
TAG, Elway's and the Denver FIVE, or, thanks to a tenacious PR type, just FIVE™
From left to right: Matt Selby, Tyler Wiard, Troy Guard, Jamey Fader and Brian Laird Earlier this week, Tyler Wiard (Elway's Cherry Creek), Jamey Fader (culinary director of Big Red F Restaurant Group), Matt Selby (Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben's) and Brian Laird (Barolo Grill) all convene ... More >>
Blogs
April 7, 2010
Tonight: Lola hosts a blowout benefit for Dos Casas
Lola, 1575 Boulder Street, has pulled out all the stops for tonight's Dos Casas fundraising event, which offers three options: a five-course dinner at 6:30 p.m., paired with wine, for $75; the dinner plus exclusive patio seating and a chef meet-and-greet for $125; or an after-hours party star ... More >>
Blogs
April 5, 2010
Culinary calendar for the week ahead: New bourbon, tour and film series kick off today
There's a lot going on in food this week: The West End Tavern is releasing the long-awaited Pappy Van Winkle seventeen-year bourbon; the Green Route Restaurant Tour kicks off at 1515 Restaurant; and the Denver Central Library's Food Fight: Retaking Our Plates, a Fresh City Life Film Series, w ... More >>
Calendar
April 1, 2010
The Benefits of Fine Dining
There's a lot going on in food this week: The West End Tavern is releasing the long-awaited Pappy Van Winkle seventeen-year bourbon; the Green Route Restaurant Tour kicks off at 1515 Restaurant; and the Denver Central Library's Food Fight: Retaking Our Plates, a Fresh City Life Film Series, w ... More >>
Calendar
March 4, 2010
Let the Games Begin
There's a lot going on in food this week: The West End Tavern is releasing the long-awaited Pappy Van Winkle seventeen-year bourbon; the Green Route Restaurant Tour kicks off at 1515 Restaurant; and the Denver Central Library's Food Fight: Retaking Our Plates, a Fresh City Life Film Series, w ... More >>
Dining
February 4, 2010
50top is the most exclusive dinner invitation in Denver
There's a lot going on in food this week: The West End Tavern is releasing the long-awaited Pappy Van Winkle seventeen-year bourbon; the Green Route Restaurant Tour kicks off at 1515 Restaurant; and the Denver Central Library's Food Fight: Retaking Our Plates, a Fresh City Life Film Series, w ... More >>
Blogs
December 24, 2009
Chef and Tell part two: Goose Sorensen of Solera
Lori MidsonGoose Sorensen, exec chef/owner of Solera This is part two of my interview with Goose Sorensen, executive chef of Solera. To read part one of this interview, click here. Culinary inspirations: Many of the chefs in Denver -- Jamey Fader, Tyler Wiard, Matty Selby, Sean Yontz, Bria ... More >>
Blogs
November 20, 2009
Cafe Society: Week in review
Lori MidsonTony Bourdain on the streets of DenverWhat you may have missed this week on Cafe Society while bitching and moaning and posting very, very weird comments about Perky Cups, a new java joint that's coming to the streets of Aurora, complete with babes in bikinis: Coming next March to the ... More >>
Blogs
November 19, 2009
Part two: Chef and Tell with Brian Laird of Barolo Grill
Lori MidsonBrian Laird, executive chef of Barolo GrillThis is part two of my interview with Brian Laird, exec chef of Barolo Grill. You can read part one of my interview with Laird here. Best food city in America: San Francisco. It's all about what I love most: fresh ingredients, seafood, f ... More >>
Blogs
November 18, 2009
Chef and Tell with Brian Laird of Barolo Grill
Lori MidsonAll fired up: executive chef Brian Laird of Barolo Grill "It was a step off the cliff for sure, but at the same time, I just knew that I was a good fit for the job," says Brian Laird of Barolo Grill, the Northern Italian restaurant whose kitchen Laird has cooked in for the past twe ... More >>
Blogs
September 10, 2009
Chef and Tell: Mark Dym of Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza
Lori MidsonIt's 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, the crowds at Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza have finally thinned, and owner-chef Mark Dym is exhausted. "I was up at 4 a.m. yesterday morning so I could make 800 fucking pounds of chicken wings," he says, before quickly adding that he's "not complainin ... More >>
Dining
September 10, 2009
Mark Dym keeps it simple at Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza
Lori MidsonIt's 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, the crowds at Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza have finally thinned, and owner-chef Mark Dym is exhausted. "I was up at 4 a.m. yesterday morning so I could make 800 fucking pounds of chicken wings," he says, before quickly adding that he's "not complainin ... More >>
Calendar
July 16, 2009
In the Haus
Slow down and enjoy the food.
Best of Denver
June 29, 2000
Best wine list -- Italian
Barolo Grill
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