Ask the Critic: Going green, doing (and eating) good

I spent the weekend in Austin, much of it arguing the politics of food with very intelligent writers who fall everywhere along the eating spectrum — from Jonathan Safran Foer, who is a born-again vegetarian, and James McWilliams, who also goes the green route, to Novella Carpenter, who raises and…

Will the chaos finally end for Kaos on November 9?

Just got off the phone with Jon Edwards, one of the owners of Kaos, a new take-out pizzeria that was skedded to open months ago at 1439 South Pearl Street, just a block or so from Gaia Bistro. That’s the excellent breakfast and lunch cafe that Edwards runs with Patrick…

Vine Street Pub hopes to brew beer on site

Vine Street Pub’s Paul Nashak plans to raise a toast to Denver tonight if the city council approves his request for a zoning variance that would allow the brewery to make beer on-site. A part of the Boulder-based Mountain Sun string of pubs, Vine Street has been open in Denver…

Ugly Betty, looking good at Lola

There wasn’t a Balloon Boy in sight, but Ugly Betty would no doubt have blown away any Heene outfit at Saturday’s Halloween costume contest at Lola. Perhaps in deference to the site of the contest, the coastal Mexican restaurant located at 1575 Boulder Street, the contestants included several food-related get-ups…

Guess where I’m eating?

Denver has about a million places where a man of little means can find himself a big-ass burrito swimming in some sort of chile. I wouldn’t say that Denver was necessarily built on big burritos (because, as everyone knows, Denver was really built on moonshine, whores and the good fortune…

Restaurant Roll Call for October

RESTAURANTS OPENING IN OCTOBER: CY Steak, 1222 Glenarm Place Illegal Pete’s, 1744 East Evans Avenue Jack-N-Grill, 2630 West Belleview Avenue, Littleton Mangiamo Pronto!, 1601 17th Street Noodles & Company, 1737 East Evans Avenue Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids and Solids, 1555 South Hover Street, Longmont Patsy’s Pizza, 3651 Navajo Street…

Culinary calendar for the week ahead

Our online Food & Drink listings include dozens of culinary events around Colorado this week, with benefits for March of Dimes and Project Angel Heart, as well as the University of Denver’s inaugural DU Vin Festival. A taste of what’s ahead: Through November 5: Jax Fish House in Boulder, 928…

Tonight: Mark the Day of the Dead at Tambien

Yes, it was a party party weekend, but the festivities aren’t over yet. Tambien, at 250 Steele Street, will host an official Dia de Los Muertos celebration tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. complete with a silent auction of sugar skulls hand-painted by tattoo artists from around the country, with…

Organixx starts November with an economic stimulus deal. Go green

Jason Sheehan enjoyed the food at Organixx — and now the natural eatery is making its food even more enjoyable, with an economic stimulus deal starting today and running through November. This month, you can get a salad, sandwich or combination lunch for only $7.95 — more than a buck…

Cafe Society: Week in review

What you might have missed this week on Cafe Society while you were counting the minutes to Zolo Southwestern Grill’s 105 days of tequila. While we locals aren’t pleased that the Rockies blew another season of baseball, we understand that not everyone is a fan of the purple and black…

Guess where I’m eating?

Denver has a titillating new charcuterie contender in town. And for better or worse, it comes with a side of fleshy skin. You can double the pleasure, double the fun if you know where to go.Well?…

Empty Bowls Project to fill Arvada Food Bank

There won’t be food at the Empty Bowls Project open house rescheduled (because of snow) for Monday, November 2, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. But you won’t come away empty-handed. That’s because students from Betty Adams Elementary, Lukas Elementary, Meiklejohn Elementary, Ryan Elementary, Semper Elementary, Sheridan Green Elementary, Witt Elementary,…

Sugar High: Torta di Ricotta at Venue

Perfect apple desserts are a rarity. Too often, high expectations are met with watery fruit, a flavorless crust or cloying sweetness. Perfection, however, is attainable, and if that’s what you’re seeking in an apple tart, look no further than the torta di ricotta at Venue, 3609 West 32nd Avenue.  …

151 days of tequila kicks off Sunday at Zolo Southwestern Grill

If you’re a tequila imbiber, boy do we have a dealio for you. Beginning Sunday, November 1, Zolo Southwestern Grill in Boulder, 2525 Arapahoe, is unleashing its love for tequila, a party that will continue for the next 151 days (until March 31), which is the same number of tequilas…

Staffing Up: My dream team for Ondo’s

Yesterday I kicked off “Staffing Up,” with some free advice for how Mark & Isabella can get its act together. But the idea doesn’t have to be confined to restaurants that need a swift, motivating kick in the ass; reading through these blog posts for the last few days, I…

Mondavi wine-tasting at the Broker tonight

Third-generation Napa Valley winemaker Marc Mondavi is coming to the Broker Restaurant, 821 17th Street, tonight to host an evening of wine-tasting from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondavi will share his knowledge while attendees sample Charles Krug wines and heavy hors d’ouevre. Attendance costs $125; call 303-446-4815 or visit www.thebrokerrestaurant.com…