With Thanksgiving behind us, and December—and snow—descending on us this week, it's starting to feel a lot like the holidays. There's certainly no shortage of seasonal events in the culinary calendar, from tasty gift ideas to holiday shopping at the Denver Flea. Keep reading for for all the tasty details on how to stay warm and full this week.
Monday, November 30
Frasca Food and Wine explores the wines of Failla with Ehren Jordan at the restaurant's Monday Night Wine Dinner. The weekly series gives wine experts the opportunity to pair wines with chef/co-owner Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson’s seasonal menu; Frasca's co-owner and Master Sommelier, Bobby Stuckey, will also be on-hand working the floor. The Monday Night Wine Dinners are $50 per person for four courses, not including the optional wine pairings, which range from $40 to $50 per person. For reservations and more information, call Frasca at 303-442-6966.
Looking for gift ideas that have a personal touch? The Seasoned Chef Cooking School is holding a Holiday Gifts from your Kitchen class today from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Students will learn to make apple cider syrup, lemon-rosemary jelly, homemade Nutella and more. Tuition for the class is $59 per person; register and learn more at theseasonedchef.com.
Get ready for the release of Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, with Movie Night & Tap Takeovers at the Dickens Opera House. Today the opera house will show Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, and Front Range Brewing will be taking over the taps. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie starts at 7:30. Next Monday, the opera house will show The Empire Strikes back and the following Monday you can enjoy a screening of Return of the Jedi. Admission is free; find more here.
Tuesday, December 1
Tamales are a traditional treat perfect for the holidays. Learn to make your own tamales during The Seasoned Chef Cooking School's tamale class today, which will teach you how to makepork and red chili tamales, smoked chicken and jalapeno jelly tamales, almond and cojita tamales and more. The class, which runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., is $69 per person. Register for the course and learn more here.
Wednesday, December 2
Firenze a Tavola will be holding a Puglia wine dinner today at 6:30 p.m., with four courses paired with three wines. For reservations, $56, and more information, call the restaurant at 303-561-0234.
Toni Tipton-Martin, a culinary journalist, author, editor and community activist, will be discussing and signing her new book, The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks, at Tattered Cover on Colfax at 7 p.m. today. For details, call the book store at 303-322-7727 or visit tatteredcover.com.
Beryl's Beer Company has teamed up with Kyle Morgan of Morgan Handmade Rations and Acorn to cook up Beryl's and Bites from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight. The event will feature a four-course tasting menu paired with four full pours from Beryl's; for tickets, $40, and more information, click here.
Head to Rock Bottom Brewing on the 16th Street Mall from 6 to 6:30 p.m. today. The restaurant will be tapping its special holiday brew, "Wicked Elf," and handing out complimentary glasses to guests 21 and older. A portion of the proceeds from Wicked Elf will benefit the Parade of Lights.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is launching a holiday toy drive; anyone who comes in and drops off a toy from 6 to 8 p.m. today, will receive a $25 Del Frisco’s gift card. For more information, call the restaurant at 303-796-0100.
Thursday, December 3
Today the Holiday Flea roars into the former Denver Post printing building at 4400 Fox Street, where it will be rocking all weekend. Find great gift ideas for your friends and family—maybe even yourself—while you peruse through the offerings of over 150 vendors, indulge in libations from several bars, and enjoy live music. The flea runs from 5 to 9 p.m. today and early admission price is $45. Tomorrow's kickoff party is $35, and admission on Saturday and Sunday is just $5. For the entire weekend schedule, tickets and all the details, check out denverflea.com.
Friday, December 4
Lucky Pie Pizza & Tap House in LoDo will host River North Brewing today for a tap takeover. The River North team will be handing out free samples and swag, and the restaurant will be tapping five beers (IPA, White, Farmhouse, Big City Quad and Barrel Aged Avarice Imperial Stout) starting at 4 p.m. For more information, call Lucky Pie at 303-825-1021.
Wassail Days, a week-long celebration, gets under way today in Frisco. This year’s Wassail Days will showcase more than sixty local businesses, each sharing their own special wassail recipe for the festival; guests can complete their “12 Sips of Wassail” card, and vote for their favorite recipes. Other festivities during Wassail Days include an Ugly Sweater Challenge, Sup Cup Classic and more. For all the details, including a full schedule of events, visit townoffrisco.com.
For more Food & Drink events, go to our online calendar. If you know of an event that should be included in that calendar, send information to [email protected].