Brian Laird

Denver FIVE loses Kevin Morrison but gains Brian Laird

Kevin Morrison, chef-owner of Pinche Taqueria, was absent from last night's Denver FIVE dinner at Studio F, the first in a series of upcoming dinners and events from Leigh Sullivan's newest crew of Denver chefs, who cook at various local restaurants, represent the Mile High City at the Aspen Food & ... More >>

Photos: Denver FIVE kicks off its sixth dinner series at Studio F

The sixth edition of Leigh Sullivan's Denver FIVE held its first dinner last night at Studio F, a sold-out smash featuring chefs Matt Selby (Corner House), Sean Yontz (El Diablo), Jorel Pierce (Euclid Hall), Ian Kleinman (The Inventing Room) and new addition/repeat Brian Laird (who's opening Sarto's ... More >>

Brian Laird is back in action at the McNichols Building tonight

Brian Laird will showcase the cuisine of his upcoming Jefferson Park restaurant, Sarto's, at the McNichols Building tonight, during One Past 5 Happy Hour. The event is a prelude to Doors Open Denver, the city's annual architectural tour. See also: - Reader: Can't wait to eat Brian Laird's food aga ... More >>

Brunch at Beast Bottle, a beer dinner for The Jerk and more on this week's calendar

Snow may hit late tonight -- what better place to hole up than Beast Bottle? The new restaurant just introduced a mid-day brunch menu in anticipation of nice weather, but it should work just fine on a snowy day, too. Brunch service currently runs Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a..m. to 2:30 p.m. C ... More >>

Open Sesame!

Cold Crush, a restaurant, bar and art gallery opening in Ballpark

Music, great food, libations and local art -- that's the mantra of Cold Crush, a new venue opening April 20 in Ballpark at 2700 Larimer Street. The all-in-one package, run by model and DJ Cassie Stevens and three guys obsessed with music and art -- general manager Eric Cunningham, owner Brian Mathen ... More >>

Reader: Can't wait to eat Brian Laird's food again

There have been several big restaurant openings in the past month -- including Old Major and Beast Bottle -- but diners are already setting their sights on fall, when Brian Laird, longtime chef at Barolo (and most recently at Sketch and consulting with the Armoury), will open his own place, Sarto' ... More >>

Exclusive: Brian Laird opening Sarto's, a restaurant and pantry, this fall in Jefferson Park

For months, Brian Laird has been plotting under the radar, slowly and methodically working on lease negotiations for a new restaurant in Jefferson Park, and finally, just last week, Laird and his business partners, Taylor Swallow and Kajsa Gotlin, inked a deal on a century-old corner space at 2500 W ... More >>

The Armoury soccer pub will take charge this evening with a grand opening

The Armoury, a new soccer pub in the Ballpark neighborhood, is hosting a grand opening kickoff at 2048 Larimer Street tonight, with live music from Mile High Soul Club. See also: - First look: The Armoury opens in the Ballpark neighborhood - The Armoury set to open in former Euphoria Lounge on Lari ... More >>

First look: the Armoury opens in the Ballpark neighborhood

It was a little late coming out of the gate -- the opening was slated for New Year's Eve -- but last night, the Armoury, a new pub that's themed around live music and European football, unlocked its doors in the Ballpark neighborhood. See also: - Armoury, an "old-world pub," will open in Ballpark ... More >>

Armoury, an "all-world pub," will open in Ballpark on New Year's Eve with chef Brian Laird consulting on the menu

Named for the flagship store at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, in London, the Armoury, a new "all-world" pub located at 2048 Larimer Street, will be a magnet for soccer fans by day, and by night, the new bar, slated to open on New Year's Eve, will morph into a live music menu, hosting bands that play i ... More >>

Protesters gather outside El Diablo and Sketch, but the restaurants remain off limits

Protesters gathered outside the First Avenue Hotel late yesterday afternoon, waving signs and asking the city to allow Sketch and El Diablo to reopen -- and for employees of those restaurants to start collecting paychecks again. They've also started a petition on the web -- at www.saveeldiabloandsk ... More >>

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 >>

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:

100 Favorite Dishes: Pasta puttanesca from Sketch

No. 45: Pasta puttanesca from Sketch

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 >>

A Wine Time

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 >>

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 decor​Several 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 >>

Exclusive sneak peek: Russo's Kitchen Tavern

Lori Midson​Late 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Ex-Barolo Grill chef Brian Laird tapped to be the new exec chef of Russo's Kitchen Tavern

Lori Midson​Six 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 >>

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 >>

After thirteen years, Brian Laird breaks up with Barolo Grill

Lori Midson​Last 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Tonight: An Evening of Decadent Delights at Lola

A Flickr photo​Some 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 >>

This weekend: Crested Butte hosts the Denver FIVE and more

A Flickr photo​The 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 >>

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 Laird​In 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 >>

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 >>

Eating as Art

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 >>

Manning the Grill

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 >>

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 >>

Food and Shelter

Tonight: The Denver FIVE get down at Lola

The chefs of Denver FIVE​The 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

The Benefits of Fine Dining

Let the Games Begin

50top is the most exclusive dinner invitation in Denver

Cafe Society: Week in review

Lori MidsonTony Bourdain on the streets of Denver​What 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 >>

Part two: Chef and Tell with Brian Laird of Barolo Grill

Lori MidsonBrian Laird, executive chef of Barolo Grill​This 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 >>

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 >>

Chef and Tell: Mark Dym of Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza

Lori Midson​It'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 >>

Mark Dym keeps it simple at Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza

In the Haus

Slow down and enjoy the food.