Trend Spotting: Using More and Wasting Less in the Kitchen

Some food trends don’t make much sense in Denver’s dining scene. Take octopus, for example: While tentacles are wiggling their way onto more and more menus, much of the octopus being plated comes from half way around the world, is difficult to catch without destroying delicate reef environments, and takes…

Moxie Eatery Opens at 70 Broadway

Artemisia & Rue, a sunny little apothecary at 70 Broadway, has disappeared and in its place is a new restaurant called Moxie Eatery. According to Moxie’s Facebook page, the kitchen is open daily for breakfast, lunch and early dinner from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Moxie’s owner, Dylan Moore, is…

Reader: Brunch Is More Than a Meal — It’s a Way of Life!

On this beautiful almost-summer weekend, people will be eating brunch — Denver’s favorite meal — at spots all over town. This week we served up our 2016 edition of the Ten Best Restaurants for Brunch in Denver, and found that choosing ten still left a lot on our plate. Or, as…

Reader: What’s the Secret of the Rio Grande Margaritas?

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is hosting a thirtieth-birthday block party all-day on Saturday, June 18, in Fort Collins, where it all began. We caught up with co-founder and owner Pat McGaughran for a Facebook Live chat this week, and guess what everyone wanted to know? The secret behind the Rio’s…

The Ten Best Falafel Spots in Denver

We don’t blame you for missing National Falafel Day on June 12, it’s not exactly the kind of holiday that attracts attention. But falafel is street food and street food is summer food, so what better time to declare your love for these Mediterranean deep-fried balls of garbanzo goodness —…

First Look: Vital Root Sprouts on Tennyson Street

When chef/restaurateur Justin Cucci opened Root Down in 2008, guests were wowed by reclaimed gymnasium floors, a room divider festooned with old telephones, and remnants from the building’s previous incarnation as an auto mechanic’s garage cleverly given a second life. That year was the beginning of the Great Recession, though,…

Masterpiece Kitchen’s Happy Hour Offers Lard and Love in Lowry

“Have you been here before?” the woman asked, settling into her seat on the patio at Masterpiece Kitchen. “Well, just for happy hour,” her friend replied. “But that doesn’t really count.” Overhearing this made me wonder if happy hour does indeed matter at a place like MK, which opened back…

Reader: Pastries Without Flour, Dairy, Nuts? Why Not Eat Cardboard?

When the team behind Oak at Fourteenth and Acorn hired pastry chef Michael Conti to preside over the dessert and pastry program at both of those restaurants, as well as Brider, which opened in December, then-restaurant critic Gretchen Kurtz applauded. Although she liked both Oak and Acorn, she’d found their…

Will 3.2 Beer Finally Dry Up in Colorado?

Last weekend I spotted a crew of visitors to Colorado who’d stocked up on beer at our neighborhood gas station/convenience store and were carting their booty back to their motel. These were clearly visitors to Colorado, because they had no idea they’d just loaded up on the training-wheels of alcohol:…

Unleash Your Inner Animal at Do at the Zoo Tonight

Things are bound to get wild during Do at the Zoo today. So throw on your best animal-print attire and head to the 27th annual fundraising bash, which will feature food and drinks from over sixty of Denver’s top restaurants, live music, dancing, animal encounters and more. Over the years,…

Join Westword as We Facebook Live From Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

Ahead of Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant’s thirtieth birthday block party on Saturday, we’re catching up with co-founder and owner Pat McGaughran on Facebook live today around 3:15 p.m. Participating is simple. If you haven’t already, like us on Facebook. Visit our page around 3 and join the conversation by asking any questions you…