Ask the bartender: a spirited discussion of mezcal

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour — both drinks, and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Great American Beer Festival: 25 things I learned in 2010

1) No matter how prepared you are for GABF, it is still overwhelming. 2) San Diego County makes more amazing beers than some entire regions of the country. 3) Maui Brewing’s CoConut Porter was one of the most heavenly beers I have ever tried. Even better, sources say they’ll begin…

Tonight: Farm dinner at Duo with local produce from Heirloom Gardens

Duo, Keith Arnold and Stephanie Bonin’s farm-to-table restaurant at 2413 West 32nd Avenue, is partnering with Heirloom Gardens, the Highland CSA/NSA founded by Sundari Elizabeth Kraft, for a four-course farm dinner tonight. “We can attest that everything served at tonight’s dinner was harvested from the gardens on Monday, so the…

Tonight: The Kitchen gets corny with its wine-and-beer class

The Kitchen, at 1039 Pearl Street in Boulder, offers a monthly wine-and-beer class that includes a four-course meal paired with wine and beer, along with sommeliers available to answer questions. This month’s event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. tonight, is based on the theme of corn — so you can…

Feed Denver selected to be part of the Campaign for Urban Farming

Last week, we reported Feed Denver’s winter plans to build structures and continue its farming right into the cold months. Now, the organization might get some help. Bonterra Vineyards, a large organic wine producer in Mendocino County, and Growing Power, a Milwaukee-based urban farming and education organization, just launched the…

Guess where I’m eating?

While everyone else was stumbling around downtown during last week’s beer festivities, I was far from the maddening crowds, bellied up to a restaurant bar that was lively, but thankfully free of drunken theatrics. And the dishes coming from the kitchen, including the ravioli in the above snap, were some…

Lube job! Quaker Steak & Lube now hiring

Quaker Steak & Lube, a national restaurant chain with a motor-sports theme in keeping with its origins in an old gas station and a slightly queasy nickname (“the Lube”), is now hiring for its first Colorado location, scheduled to open October 27 at 10392 Reed Street in Westminster. “The Lube…

Yak and Yeti takes home the gold at Great American Beer Festival

Two years ago, when Dol Bhattarai purchased an old, allegedly haunted house at 7803 Ralston Road in Arvada as the site for his second Yak and Yeti restaurant, it came equipped with brewing equipment: a holdover from the last occupant, a brewpub called the Cheshire Cat. Instead of ripping the…

Win two tickets to the Smashburger VIP party tomorrow

Smashburger will finally smash into downtown this week, when it opens a restaurant in the Tabor Center, at 1203 16th Street, on Wednesday, September 22. But two Cafe Society readers (and their companions) will be able to enjoy a sneak preview at a VIP party from 5 to 8 p.m…

Tonight: Morton’s offers wine and Broncos at Savor the Grape

Grapes, great athletes and good causes: That’s the recipe for Savor the Grape for Charity at Morton’s, 8480 East Belleview Avenue in Englewood. Starting at 7 p.m. tonight, the evening of fine wine, food and an auction benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, with special guests Champ…

Great Divide pairs with Duo for tasty eats and suds during GABF

Dan Lasiy, sous chef at Duo (2413 West 32nd Avenue) enjoys cooking with beer, but says it’s a little more challenging than cooking with wine. Lasiy was busy slinging plates of grilled veggies, quinoa salad, Smoked Baltic Porter-braised pork and cheesecake with Yeti caramel sauce to hungry brewers outside Great…